and the wind blew

I sent O an SOS message through a friend of his I saw around the General Studies department on certain morning. There were no mobile phones then so every morning as I went to school, I prayed I would bump into him or his friend. I really needed to discuss issues with him.

O came to my department one afternoon. I was having a lecture and was sitting close to the door. Suddenly he walked past. My heart skipped a bit and started to beat continuously. When our eyes met he made a sign that he would be waiting downstairs. Trust me, throughout the lecturers, I wasn’t the one sitting. I kept rehearsing how I was going to start my queries (if I may use that word).

1. I have heard everything? So you have been pretending all this while. D has told me everything… no, not good enough
2. I heard something; a friend of yours told me this about you. Is it true...? better
3. There are somethings you haven’t told me about yourself. Are u a womanizer...?noooooo!!!

All these ran through my mind while the Mr. M was teaching. I was very far away. Though my eyes were fixed on Mr. M, I wasn’t seeing him. I decided I was going to use my number two style. I would tell him what I heard, I would not tell him who told me so he wouldn’t fight with his friend and I would give him a chance to explain. I decided I wouldn’t judge him.

Immediately the lecturer left, I jumped off my seat, packed my books and whispered to my closest friend ‘O is around. I have to see him I will gist you later.’ I ran down the staircase. I saw him standing near the doorway looking disturbed. I gave him a quick smile and he felt at ease and held my hand
O- How are you? You look pretty.
YNV- I am fine thanks and you?
O- Not good, (he said with a silent grin) ever since F told me you wanted to see me to discuss an urgent matter, I have not been at rest. What have I done?
YNV- No you don’t have to worry about it. Let’s get a place to seat down.

I was wearing a knee length fitted gown. O commented on my legs. He liked them. We kept moving till we got to a classroom that was sparsely occupied. It was during our semester exams so most classes were occupied with students reading or discussing. We went straight to the back seat and I told him everything D told me in a loud whisper. As I spoke, I looked at him and what I read from his looks was everything D said was true. I didn’t mention the cult part. When I finished reporting everything I heard, the following conversation ensued:
O- Who told you this? (he said very calmly)
YNV- You don’t have to know who. I wouldn’t even tell you. It’s a friend of yours. O, please don’t lie to me.
O- Sweetie, everything he said is true
YNV- (I stared at him. amazed at his honesty)
O- You cannot imagine how much I love you. I know I have been a bit wayward during my years in school but since I met you, I knew you were what I have always wanted. All I want from you is deep friendship. If it was sex I wanted, I would have left a long time ago.
YNV- (I kept starring at him but not with a judgmental eye. my eyes encouraged him to bare out his mind)
O- All I need from you is trust. I need you to believe that I am not here to harm you. There comes a time in a man’s life when he decides to quit all childishness and that time came the first day I met you.Please tell me who told you this.
YNV- I am sorry I can’t. I don’t think it is necessary. Why do you want to know?
O- I just want to know. I wouldn’t confront him. I just want to know who this friend of mine is. A friend that is truly an enemy. I have to be wary of him. How could he do this? But anyways, I am very very happy you asked me.
I smiled
O- Some other people would just walk away without giving an opportunity for explanations but you didn’t. Thank you. Everyday, I get surer that you are all I want.
His eyes glowed as he spoke and I was happy and satisfied. I was happy to know that O admitted he did all in the past and was willing to drop all of it because of our love for each other. Both of us walked back towards my hostel. We talked of other things. He flattered me a lot and always had fun laughing at the way I responded to issues.

As we got to my hostel, he told me to take good care and assured me of happiness always as his intentions were plain and pure. I nodded to all he said. I was happy. As he left, he whispered ‘I will come see you tonight. Next week Wednesday is my birthday.’ Our eyes met again and before I could say Jack, he left me. I walked into the hostel thinking of a nice gift for a man that has decided to love me despite my inability to communicate my true feelings. There was a conflict. I liked him, infact, I could say it was love, but I didn’t want stories, I didn’t want to be carried away. I didn’t want to do what I never planned to do. O visited that night. I saw him off when it was time to go. He still didn’t get his kiss, just a side hug as I always gave…lol. But he didn’t mind. I often wondered how patient he was. During the weekend, I went to see my best friend and we talked about O, giggled and I told her it was his birthday next Wednesday.

Silently, Iwas afraid of two things...one was that O would like me to come around that day and spend sometime just like every normal girlfriend would do. Two is that i knew i wasn't going to his room. Then i wondered 'how will I give him his birthday present?' A thought ran through my mind- 'Iwould tell him to come to my room and pick it. Yes, thats what I will do.'