The next academic session at school, I tried to focus on my notes, but my mind kept drifting. That's when I saw him Elliot Chinedu, standing by the lockers with his usual easy smile. We hadn't spoken in months, not since the rumors started swirling.
"Hey, Ella," he said softly, stepping closer. "Can we talk?"
My heart raced, caught between the hope of connection and the fear of getting hurt again. I hesitated, then nodded. Maybe this was the moment things could start to change.
After picking up Desmond from kindergarten I went home straight because I became tired of the never ending whispers and gossips of things that never happened I got home thank God we had moved from that house I wouldn't have lived to tell the story if these accusations were true or not.
I went to the kitchen to make lunch for Desmond and myself. Did the dishes and cleaned the house when sis got back from work and fed the child.
I'm coming sis
"Where are you going I just came back the check on you guys I have a double shift and I wan dey comot like this"
Hmmm no wahala. Elliot can wait I just have to reschedule.
"I go carry baby o, you no go join us?"
No I want rest small.
"Okay"
Deciding to rest till mum gets back from the market. Oh my god I left the dried fish outside the house. I stood up from the bed to go get it before I forget and rain drenches it or it gets eaten by dogs
"Hello"
I've never heard that voice around here I noted
Um hi do I know you I asked trying as much as possible not to let my voice betray me because this guy not only has a nice voice but looks good a physical description of what the Greeks called god and the Yorubas called orisha.
He stood before me chiseled with abs I could kill to feel his skin so light that people would bleach away their melanin for years to achieve. Boy looking like he is not from this world.
"I'm Antony I live in the next flat and I've been seeing you around"
Oh I'm Emmanuella but you can call me Ella
"Nice to meet you Ella and it's nice to have someone around my age in this area"
Nice to meet you but I have to go inside. I'll see you around I guess
"Sure "
I got in dropped the fish and went straight to my bed thanking God am black else I'll be blushing so bad. Damn I'll lie if I say he's not a fine boy.
I'll make sure to dress up well tomorrow for school I hope to see him on my way though I thought
And that's how I became friends with Antony not knowing it will be the end of me soon.
"What are you saying you have that kind of guy around you and these rumours are going around you about Eliot "
Abeg leave them make them talk Na them get their mouth I said to joy on my way back from school on Friday while she carried Desmond's lunch bag.
Claiming the title of his school mother was the first thing she did the first day I brought him to my class.