CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

 

The Afriurban Team

"Hey, what's wrong?" Cleo quickly collected my phone from me, to prevent it from falling off my trembling hand.

"Segun....he had an acc....ident", I stuttered and found comfort in his warm shoulders.

"He'll be alright", he patted my back and made me sit on his wooden library chair." You have to remain calm.

I nodded and watched him leave the library quietly. A few seconds later, he returned with his parents behind him and his car keys in his right palm. They felt very sorry for me but even their feeling wasn't strong enough to stop my pain from intensifying. I became too weak to do things by myself so Cleo had to hold me tight as we walked to their car park. Else, my back would have landed on the tiled floor of their living room.

Aunt Simi was the first person who saw us walking into the hospital reception. Her loving eyes had turned fierce, leaving a monstrous effect on her angelic voice. Rather than welcome me with a warm hug, she spoke to me with disgust. She blamed me for what happened. She called me a slut and a useless sister for going after a guy at my age instead of looking after my siblings. 

Was I really worthy of the words she said to me? All I did was politely accept a lunch invitation proposed by an elderly person!

"I'm sorry for what happened", Cleo told me while we were having a walk within the hospital's vicinity. Bola suggested it give her mom time to cool down. 

"Thanks", I muttered.

"If I didn't ask you to join me for the contest, maybe none of these wouldn't have happened. It appears that me being with you brings bad luck" His eyes were gloomy.

"Why would you say that kind of thing? How come I didn't fall off the mountain at Zuma?" I got angry at him for the first time.

"I'm sorry", He apologized but that wasn't enough to push my anger away.

"Hey there, lovebirds", Bola called our attention." The surgical operation was successfully done!"

"Wow! Oh my God!" Cleo and I hugged each other out of excitement.

"Hmm", Bola exclaimed, making us both feel uncomfortable.

"You should be on your way home now. It's getting late", I couldn't dare to look at him.

"Yeah. The....boys are coming over to watch a football match in my apartment", He turned back abruptly, like something as terrible as a geostorm was bound to happen if he didn't return home that instance.

I knew that was a lie because he doesn't really fancy having other Marie boys around him.

Did he really have to do that and why was I the cause of it? Damn!

Still, it was sweet to hear the word 'my apartment' come out of his lips. It made me wonder if I'll ever get a chance to visit his apartment in the future.

"Why are you guys acting making a fuss over a hug", Bola struggled to talk even with my right palm covering her mouth.

For the rest of the week, Cleo spent a great deal of time with me at the hospital while taking good care of Segun. If he needed water, he was always the first to rise up and give it to him while I'm still engrossed in reading one of the books he gifted me. After going to the toilet, he cleans him up and feeds him when he's hungry.

Dr. Show also wished to take care of Segun like Cleo did but he could only render him medical assistance because his hands were tied. Aunt Simi also took some days off at work, to watch over her kid even though we all advised her against it. She was in charge of cooking his meals and reading him bedtime stories.

Of course, Bola, Gbemi and Tominwa were also there to keep him company. The kid was not an unlucky fellow like me who neither had parents or siblings.

Oh! How could I have forgotten to tell you about grandma! Of course, she came to the hospital after Gbemi accidentally called her. She made quite a scene, shouting on Bola and me for almost killing her youngest grandchild. She also wanted to stay and look after Segun till he gets better but Aunt Simi didn't allow her. The two of them spent hours arguing about who knows how best to take care of a child, but grandma eventually left. Doctor Show somehow managed to convince her to do so, and I kept wondering, "how in the world he was able to achieve that!

"Nifemi, when will Cleo be back", Segun asked about him the following Tuesday morning cause he left early the previous day and didn't return. He actually wanted to come but I begged him to go to school instead. He was a final year student, so I couldn't afford to take chances. As much as I would have loved to have him around, I won't be able to take it if just one absence from school will jeopardize his chances of excelling in his upcoming waec examination.

"Can you tell him to buy me pizza when he's coming?"He added.

"Of course, what sauce do you want?"As Segun was about to answer, Nurse Doyin walked in, and he clinched unto me thinking she came to give him an injection.

"Oh, I don't have your time now", she turned to me." Someone's here to see you"

"Really?" I exclaimed but it sounded more like a question."What's the visitor's name?",I left Segun on the bed though he was unwilling to let me go, and wore my flip flops."Please can you help me watch over him for just five minutes?"I pleaded with her to stay with Segun because Aunt Simi went home to get some stuff, and I didn't want him to be alone.

"Sure", she smiled at me and gave the crying Segun a cold stare.

"I'm no more a baby now", he shrugged.

" If you didn't act like one, you wouldn't be here", I hissed then moved out of the room.

On the day of the accident, Bola had an important assignment to do but forgot her English textbook in school so she had to go and get it back. Her siblings were all playing with their scooters in the compound before she left. Later, Gbemi and Tominwa felt dizzy so they decided to go rest in their bedrooms. They wanted Segun to go with them, but he was still much energetic so they left him else he wouldn't have let them sleep well.

However, he got tired of playing alone. He also discovered that the gate was opened(because Gbemi forgot to lock it after Bola left), and decided to try finding his way to his school friend's house. It was while he was doing so that a drunk driver hit him.

"Hi, Nifemi", Of all persons, Michelle had to be the one seeking my attention at the hospital's reception.

" Hola", I gave her a brief side hug along with a wide smile."What're you doing here?"We sat on a long reception chair with other visitors in the hospital.

"For more of brotherfish reasons, buh I also came to check up on your brother", she said.

"Thanks", I replied.

" Do you mind if I see him?" she asked in a formal tone.

"That's fine by me", I led her to his hospital room.

" Thank God you're back", Segun told Nurse Doyin to evacuate his room politely, as soon he saw me.

"Michelle, meet my younger brother. Segun, this is Michelle, Cleo's younger sister", I introduced them to each other.

" You're very pretty", Segun blushed and offered her a hand. "Nice meeting you, miss"

"Nice meeting you too, cutie", she shook his hand, caressed his cheeks and gave him a toy truck." Get well soon so you and your sister can return to school soon, uh?

"I will", he appreciated her for the gift.

" Nifemi, I want to talk to you about something and I hope you won't be offended ", Michelle told me.

" No", I replied, hoping it wasn't something offensive.

"I was wondering if you could help Cleo, the presentation is today...."Michelle lowered her voice.

" Oh my goodness!",I exclaimed without allowing her to finish her statement."We chatted all night but he didn't mention it to me.."

"He didn't want to bother you after everything that happened", she sighed.

" I know but we can't let all the efforts we've put into it go to waste", I paced up and down the room.

"Then GO!" Segun screamed into my eardrums.

"And what am I supposed to do with you, troublesome kid?" I pulled his left ear.

"Tell pretty miss Michelle to be my nanny till you return. I won't tell mummy anything as long as you buy me pizza", he said.

" You really are smart kiddo", Michelle patted his head and smiled.

Eventually, we decided to follow Segun's idea so I needed to have a talk with Nurse Doyin's. We wanted her to prevent anyone from seeing Segun under the pretext that he was resting, and tell Aunt Simi I went to get some drugs for Segun in case she returns before I do. 

Marie's high looked very different to me because a just-concluded renovation work enhanced its beauty. But as much as I would have loved to stay for a little bit and keep admiring Marie's new look, I had to talk to my legs, so they would take me to Cleo's homeroom swiftly. He used to sit at the front row like me but on that particular day, I was told he switched places with a backbencher. Instead of reading a book or preparing for the presentation of our Carol project, he was watching a movie on his laptop using his IPod and didn't even realize my presence until I hit him slightly.

"Hey, what're you doing here?" Cleo's enchanting smile tried to make me quiver but I maintained a straight face.

"I came here to see Mr. Cleo Martins but unfortunately, he's nowhere to be found", I turned my back on him and aimed for the exit.

"I don't know what you're talking about, young lady", he laughed and followed me."Can you please explain it to me?"

"How can you sit idly when you have a presentation due at 10 O' clock?"I said with a serious tone.

"Who told you about that?"His countenance changed.

"That doesn't matter. What matters is the presentation. How are we going to go about it?"I folded my arms.

" You must be kidding", his face brightened up a little. "I'm not allowing you to make another mistake, okay? Segun needs you more, so you're going back to the hospital. I can handle this alone."

"I'm not going anywhere because we started this together", I was adamant about my decision.

More finalists signed up for this contest than I had expected and to make matters worse, the presentation was scheduled to take place at the conference room with Marie's high board of directors as judges!

Some of the contestants who had for their presentation complained about the cold treatment they received from these people because after all the sum of one million naira they're giving to anyone who emerges as the organizer is peanuts to them. Another category of people thought it was totally cool and challenging while others didn't bother going to the conference room after hearing the report.

Cleo and I were among the category of people who thought the manner in which the judges addressed the contestants wasn't really bad. Even if they were giving out one naira, it still means a lot because they worked hard for it and needed to make sure it falls into the hands of the right person. Part of the policy guiding the project is that if the student organizer eventually messes things up, the money won't be refunded to the school. Nevertheless, the student can be suspended for about three months, or expelled from Marie's high.

"The Afriurban team can now come in for their presentation", The announcer called our name, and I walked beside Cleo to the well-illuminated conference room with poise but inwardly, my heart was racing faster than a saddled horse.

The Afriurban name was coined from Africa and Urban. We chose that name because the story I wrote I role for the carol play which the major event of the day was based on both, and so was every other performance that was meant to take place that day.

For the presentation, I wore a piece of jumpsuit made from Ankara and denim which Cleo ordered from DTR Collections. I really loved it, and even the judges couldn't help staring at it. On the other hand, Cleo wore the same piece of Ankara as mine and of course, his style is quite different; It was a piece of trouser with denim suspenders and a pure white shirt tee-shirt which has a denim front pocket as well and bowtie(made from the Ankara fabric).

The judges didn't tell us if we passed the interview or not but did mention the fact that our outfit really suited the kind of project we're opting for, coupled with our interesting idea of making the Carol event a mixture of African and western performances. 

Before the presentation, Cleo made a short video clip to explain our plans for the project and played it shortly after he introduced us to the judges in the boardroom. Thereafter, I buttressed his point stressing the fact that the carol wouldn't just be fun for the students alone. Even their parents who wish to take part won't be left out so many of them will be forced to support it in one way or another. After all, there are some of the major reasons why their children attend school.

"I honestly don't know how to thank you for what you did today, ma'am", With excitement written all over his face, Cleo rode his car to a Debonair Pizza outlet after our closing hour.

"I was only acting as president, you were the prime minister", I blushed.

"I'm glad we did it. I don't care if we win or not but I still care",  We laughed and he sighed. "At least we did our best, the world knows that great ideas live inside of us".

"Yh....That's the real deal", he opened the door for me to get out of his Toyota Corolla when we arrived at the pizzeria.

"What sauce should we order for Segun? he looked me with one eye as we reached the counter, where a brown skin girl sat patiently to process our orders.

" Segun likes pepperoni", I replied and he took note.

"Which one do you prefer? I think a sauce with love seasoning is the best for you, milady", he smiled at me.

Oh my goodness! That really got me! I felt like I was the luckiest girl in the world!

"Unfortunately, they have nothing of such here, so I'll just go with pepperoni", I said nervously.

"Yeah. You're right", Cleo replied to me in the same manner. It looked like he didn't plan on saying those words either. To get rid of his awkward feeling, he wasted time explaining our orders to the attendant on duty, who seemed to have fallen in love with his cool voice.

Well, he was just lucky that there was no queue at that time.

"It'll be ready soon", she finally gave him a small piece of paper containing our bill and included a comment."You two look great together".

That was very surprising!

"Oh..." We both exclaimed but neither of us had the guts to tell her we weren't dating before another client stole her attention.

Segun really enjoyed his pizza with a big bowl of ice cream and tasty groundnuts so he said nothing about my departure to his mom. Instead of doing that, he kept telling her how good I've been to him since she left!

The fifth day after the presentation, I realized the weight of the influence he had on me because we haven't been able to meet up since. I had gotten so used to him that I couldn't even memorize few verses of"vanity"(poem) without wondering if he was thinking of me too, but his love didn't make me dumb. As a matter of fact, he inspired me to know more about mathematics because it was one of his favorite subjects.

"Are you really going to do this the whole day?" Bola rolled her eyes at me because I've studied for almost five hours. Aunt Simi didn't mind since our first term exam was scheduled to start the next Monday.

"Let me be, young lady", I continued jotting some keywords in my notepad.

" What if you go crazy?"Segun tried to amuse everyone but ended up laughing by all by himself. He got discharged pretty early due to his family's connection with the doctor.

"Mum, where did you keep my good luck charm bracelet", Gbemi ransacked their mini apartment for the item I knew nothing about, except for its name."I need it for my exam".

"Can't you just study hard like your sister?"Aunt Simi told her and came out of the kitchen dripping her wet hands with a clean napkin.

"You really need a break like Bola said. Pele omo mi", she patted my hair.

" If you guys insist, I'll go on a walk", I rose to have a change of clothes in our bedroom.

"Will that be enough?" She asked after her mum returned to check on her pot of boiling potatoes in the kitchen."I know you like this because it's been long you saw Cleo"

"Yes", I admitted and she made fin of me."I'll be doing the same when you fall in love", I whispered to her.

"Honestly, I'm not ready to go through that shit", she gave me a gangster's look.

"I have premium tickets to watch a movie in the cinema you know", Aunt Simi returned to the living room with a tray of food for me though I didn't tell her I was ready for breakfast.

"What're you insinuating? "Bola and I asked in unison.

"I'm not saying you should date Cleo or do terrible things with him but if that makes you happy, you should go spend some time with him. In a public place of course", she explained.

" Woohoo", I screamed in the loudest way I can."Thank you so much, Aunt. This really means a lot".

"It's okay. Just promise me you won't do anything stupid or return too late. You really don't wanna raise kids in an apartment as stuffy as mine, right?" She advised me in a cunning way.

"Sure", I used my fork to cut part of my boiled potatoes, then dipped it inside my bowl of fish stew and ate quickly.

"So how did you get the tickets?"Bola inquired from her mom, giving her a suspicious look."The last time I checked, you'd rather use your money to stock this house with garri than buy those".

"Actually, Show and I were supposed to use them, but he has an emergency operation", Aunt Simi tells us.

" Good for you, Nifemi", Bola smiled st me."Have you called him?"

"Yh but he's not picking my calls", I was a bit worried.

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter? If you do, please do not hesitate to vote for it or comment on it. If you have any questions to ask regarding this chapter, you can send me a message or click this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IdS51DE485a5cVNVg7SAsX to join my wattsap group. Thanks and God bless.
Yours teenfictionly,
Eniola Oluwamuyiwa