Love, Lust And Lost - Season 1 Episode 68

8 years ago

Love, Lust And Lost - Season 1 Episode 68

Mariam had been wandering around since she had had lunch of 2 doughnuts and a 7up drink at Iya doughs’ kiosk not minding her friends’ absence since they had all made up their minds.

When she had entered the kiosk, many students who knew she had never come alone to have lunch asked so much questions why her friends were not with her but she lied giving different answers of being busy or were not just in the mood to come for lunch.

The sun close to noon that day had not been shinning with belligerence, though the rain had fallen heavily and one would have expected a scorching sunny afternoon. The soil nonetheless was dry, they spook shoes with dust as one trudged on them.

On the field were students playing football; tyres used as goalposts by some; others used stones that they had brought out of the bush. The field was demarcated by them to various sizes of pitch that fitted the numbers of players and a goalie they knew could make the game enjoyable but not rough while others who wanted to play were adjoined to form a team on reserve and wait for set.

The field was such a big field as no one could lay claim to it, though the Wahabians had often regarded it as theirs. Yet all the schools in the compound came to make use of it once the ones at the front of their schools were busy with trainings or short matches some seniors organised. The big size of the pitch could accommodate a stadium if it were intended.

The goalposts of the main pitch was a standard one, wide apart and made of bamboo trunks. When there was a tournament, two other trunks were used to brace it and net hung across it to form a lookalike of a stadium goalposts.

The posts were as wide as the ones on a standard stadium, if not wider. One would imagine how tall the goalie might be to have the ability or reflex to safe-keep the posts.

Both jumps and dives were what would be required of an expert goalie who was not as infidel, a basket or cheerful giver as a lady would be with her own goalposts with different lovers/men.

Student who were waiting for set, lobbied at the back of tyre-goalposts. They had chosen themselves in groups or should be rightly said, a team as the current team playing, – 5 asides or more. They had come to an agreement after a long argument what score should be the set for next team. You would hear them.

“na one be set o!” And once a team scored, they would run onto the pitch to start another set with the winner.

Mariam had come outside sweating. She looked around the crowded pitch. People dropped nylons of ice-cream, doughtnuts, biscuits and various on the floor as they walked. The nylons flew about jubilant, as though they were also having their game of football.

A certain hush of the wind blew towards her and she felt like saying “thanks be to God.” She had been confined to the heat of the kiosk for 10minutes as she ate and now, it felt she had entered into an air conditioned room just outside the kiosk, meanwhile it was the pitch – chilly wind that blew, heralding the sign another rain might come before the close of school.

She wiped the sweat on her forehead with a finger before she realized she held a handkerchief; she mopped her nose that was dotted with sweats and the side of her face.

She walked forward thinking different things not knowing the path she was walking along.

She thought about how her closest friend Fatimah had concealed the letter from her. She tried to find a reason why she might have done that but couldn’t jump into any conclusion when she remembered Zainab also knew about it. She could have said Fatimah was jealous or had some evil agenda on her mind. However, Zainab too couldn’t have been having such, so she rebuked her thoughts. Anyway, one couldn’t trust a friend that could hide such a letter from one!

She was almost knocked off by students playing `footy’ when she was walking on their pitch, their territory. A ball or pass had been misplaced towards her and 2 players from either side were running towards her to gain the ball, she raced away.

She navigated her path beside the walls of the I.P.S and she lifted her head up to the Government College Ikoyi, she walked on. As she stepped and struggled to pass through the lawn and later grasses that hadn’t been cut low, she saw the letter all written on her mind. Then with precision, were transported to her retina and every words were displaying through her lenses as if they were a projector.

Smiles appeared on her face as she remembered how he had adorn her with differing adjectives in the letter. Wow, Melvin was such a guy of many words. One who was learned at the eulogy of a girl. He could make the heart of a girl skip and her smiles bloom, melt and flow into a strawberry jam; a rare gem.

When a girl talks to a guy in such a manner Mariam had talked to Melvin, there was no doubt he would crave for her company.

Melvin as well as Mariam’s friends knew her as a good `talker’, friendly and always cheerful. Lightening peoples faces with smiles with her jokes and amiable rebukes.

Melvin didn’t see all the qualities he saw in Mariam in Oge, Onome’s friend in same SS1 and school with Mariam. Though it had not been easy for Melvin to get Oge back then when he was still in his SS1 and her in JSS2 but he didn’t give up and it paid off well. He was lucky as many said to have gotten a girl of 18 like Oge with assets at the front and fully loaded at the back.

Her assets had drawn him to her love that he almost threw-up a `drinks for all’ merriment when Oge had finally conceded to his love.

Perhaps Oge’s assets were now limping at the back or fallen at the front or may be her attitude was begging with the way she annoys him now. Or it might be that Mariam’s scintillating chatters and manners of approach with him was making him lose interest in Oge. Rejecting the housewife cause he now has in hand, a girlfriend.

Mariam had gotten to the front of his school and walked to where the staircase was located to ascend the stairs when she stopped a student who appeared to be a Junior.

“Please, is senior Melvin in class?” She asked politely.

“I can’t be sure! I am only a student of SS1,” the boy in his white on white uniform; a blue tie stained at some point with the school emblem knot to the `collar-inners’ and a sandal on his feet answered her.

“Okay, thanks!” She appreciated and ascended the stairs.

She lifted her legs one after another, hoping she might see Melvin in class. Though she had never come to see him before, neither did she know what particular class was his, she however was sure to find him, so long she asks and so long he was the only Melvin in SS3.

A lady had gotten out of her classroom and walked towards the stairs when she almost collided into Mariam.

“Oh sorry! Please do you know where Melvin’s class is?” She asked holding the girl by the arms to steady her.

They girl was with `Shuku’ on her head as hairstyle. Her face powered to a potion she felt it was okay to appeal to whoever looked at her.

“Ermm! I think he is in the Lab carrying out some experiment,” she gave her hope she hadn’t come in vain “wait, let me get him for you.” She assured.

Once she had walked a few steps away, she turned back as though she had forgotten something.

Mariam was already resting on the `balcony’ railings.

“I forgot to ask who I should inform him is here to see him!” She smiled, her dimples were so much enchanting, they could lure a man to `rape-kiss’ her.

“Mariam dear, thanks!,”

She returned the gesture of a smile. They were same height but the girl was 3 years older than she was, though they maintained same maturity.

The girl entered the Lab, few seconds later came out and jogging behind her was Melvin who was shinning his 32 as he approached – that is if they were complete 32.

He didn’t expect Mariam could come to look for him. Great, that meant the letter he sent her might have been considered.

He had always been faithful to Oge but things were starting to change as a result of peer-pressure and their off-the-mark advise. He was going to double-date if Mariam should say yes.

He thought about putting up a show as he was getting close to her. His mind winding wide, he thought about tickling her s£nsat!on with his fingers but decided it might unsettle her gravely, though she would laugh. He resolved blindfolds with his hands from behind would do. He stepped behind her and did as he had thought.

“Who is that? Hmmmmmmmmmm! Melvin, right?” She had caught him. Who else does he wanted her to say when he had come purposely for him.

“How did you know?” He laughed as he released his grip and took his stand beside her.

“How won’t I, ehn? Don’t I know the scent of your perfume”

she sure was already in love with Melvin to have known about that, yet she claimed it was just his friendship she craved, as Fatimah and Zainab had deserted her.

Melvin stared into her eyes for a few seconds and smiled as if it would soothe her imaginations. He avoided staring too long so it won’t make her feel uncomfortable. He could do that with Oge but he didn’t know how Mariam might react to it.

“That’s very nice of a friend like you. You know,” he paused to take a deep breath and continued “I can’t stop finding a new quality in you every time I’m with you. You are such a rare one, hard to find!” He complimented as she blushed.

They talked at length of the next 8minutes before they saw the time-keeper or rather bell-keeper bringing the bell out of the staffroom to end the break.

“May be we should talk better after the close of school. I need to be on my way now,” she made to leave as she offered him a handshake. He took it and rubbed his forefinger on her palm, she didn’t know what he meant by that. She just smiled affectionately and made to leave.

They both didn’t know that for the long while they had been talking `Radio Nigeria’ had seen them together. Only God knew may be the girl was a witch or so that she never escaped such moment. Or may be she was a spy.
She pictured all they had done. She nodded and ran away from the scene.

Meanwhile,……….

Fatimah had left him to go alone as they got to the school. She took with her the nylon of doughnuts and soft drink she held inside.

Adefemi added step to his step, his mind still engrossed in the slap Zainob had landed on his cheek. He still felt he was dreaming. As they had passed through the commercial class, he stared at the fancy blocks may be he could see Zainob but she was not anywhere close to the place.

He entered the staffroom turning left which was only occupied by 2 teachers, Miss Yemisi and the mathematics teacher, Mr. Alaka. He bowed to greet the mathematics teacher who had raised his head when he saw the shadow of someone entering the room. The man returned his focus back to the marking of scripts he was engrossed in while Adefemi walked to the far end Miss Yemisi’s desk was located. He remembered he had forgotten David’s message all the while he was giving the freedom with Fatimah. He hoped that would be done later.

“Well done ma.” He greeted and `courtesied (courtesy)’ his hands at his back, standing at ease like a soldier on parade.

“Oh dear, how was the class since morning?” She smiled to kill.

“It has been fine, thank you! A girl said you asked to see me?” He went straight to the point.

“Yea, sure! But you should have your seat first,” she gestured with the hands and bent to pick the bag she had wrapped what she brought for him. She placed it on the table and took her purse out of the bag. She was holding a 500naira note, brand new. If ATM were available then, one would have thought she had just visited one.

“Wait, what’s the mark on your face?” She noted two fingers were printed on his right cheek.

He couldn’t speak at once. He touched his cheek as if he hadn’t any clue what had happened to it. When he had stared at her displeased face for a minute, he cooked up a lie.

“Someone mistakenly swiped at my face when I tried separating a fight on the field,” he wasn’t wise at lies, not a professional at all.

If only he had been tutored by a crook liar, he wouldn’t have said that.

“You can’t be serious?” She hesitated but later had to accept it. She felt sad about it.

“What really happened? Okay! I’m sorry dear! Let me not delay you, it is 12pm already and the bell might blare at any moment from now!” She stared into her wristwatch.

Her cheerfulness had changed cause of the prints on his face. As though she didn’t like what had happen, didn’t like to see marks on him.

“I brought this for you and you can have this as your transport!” She handed him the package which was enveloped in a bag. He could feel as he collected the pack, something like Digestive Biscuit Pack. He hoped it was the chocolate buttered.

He remembered the last time he had eaten it, he had found it so yummy. That privilege was accorded him by his aunt. He had longed for it but had been unable to purchase it with his own money for he couldn’t afford the amount it was sold at the chemist shop.

Other things were in the package but he wasn’t as anxious as he was to check than he was to receive the 500naira note she stretched towards him.

“But hope these are not too much ma?” He never meant to say that.

“No dear! Just enjoy yourself. Okay?”

“Okay ma, thanks much! God bless you,”

He stood up and once he was almost stepping out of the door, the bell was `rang/rung.’

Miss Yemisi was still contemplating all that had happened that morning as he left when her phone beeped.

She picked it up from the table and saw a message/text. She clicked on it to open and read the short message.

“Hi Ifemi (my love),

It’s me Kunle ur boyfriend. I’m sendin dis txt 2 ask u to pls 4give me 4rm the depth of ur hrt. I was drunk d oda day 4 laying my hands on u. Pls I nid u so much Yemisi my luv. I promise never 2 lay my hands on u again. Pls reply wen u get dis msg.”

Her heartbeat increased as she read to the last word. That had always been the message he sent almost every time and always does it again.

She shed tears as she dropped her phone back on the desk. A lump formed in her throat and it was too much for her to bear. The increased and rapid heartbeat and the lump, and tears and the pains of falling into his hands again.

Then the phone beeped the second time. She felt afraid to pick it but when she had managed to pick it, it read.

“I am already at ur resident. Pls 4give me!”

Her heart was racing now! Her eyeball red, fire and fear stricken.

Kunle the bully is back. The one who batters women/ladies as if they were a she-goat. One who beats his girlfriend almost everyday, up to the point of unconsciousness.
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God, how is she going to survive this alive?

To Be Continued…