Chapter 6: Roses and Resolutions

Class prefect, as e see say everywhere don dey awkward, quickly bring out bouquet of roses wey he prepare.

Guy just dey try make everybody forget the wahala.

"No vex, Anwuli. Happy graduation."

The way e talk am, e soft—like say e dey beg my spirit.

"I know say e sudden, but I just wan tell you how I feel. If I no talk now, e fit too late."

Him voice dey shake small, everybody dey hold breath.

The teasing just dey loud.

Somebody dey play small music for corner, and waiters dey dodge around with Coke and Fanta. All eyes on me and the flowers.

The whole restaurant dey buzz.

Some dey snap video with phone. E go soon land for WhatsApp group.

[Tobi face don pale—he no expect say class prefect get plans.]

[He really care, abi?]

[He dey panic, dey fear say Anwuli go really agree.]

As everybody dey wait, I just politely reject the class prefect confession.

My voice soft, but steady. I no fit fake am.

But as he insist, I collect the flowers.

Na make everywhere rest, abeg. E no mean say I agree.

"Thank you."

I fit see the relief for his face. At least, him try.

For my last life, I no even collect flower because of Tobi.

All my mind that year na for Tobi alone. Other boys no dey enter my eye.

But person like you no be shame.

If na some people, dem for don hide. But I face am with grace.

"So brainbox still be number one—so you go still dey chase am?"

Another girl from back seat, voice sharp like razor.

Nobody wan let the matter rest.

My classmates sabi carry matter for head.

But time reach to end the drama. I just smile.

Na that my mama smile wey dey disarm people, gentle but strong.

"I no dey chase again. I don taya."

I talk am like person wey just tire from Okada ride for sun. E shock everybody.

As I talk am finish, everywhere quiet—both comments and classmates.

The air thick, even mosquito fit no buzz.

Tobi just look up suddenly.

E be like say e dey reason am well for the first time.

Dem think say marriage na happy ending. But for Naija, na after wedding dem dey see true color.