PART 17
“NWALA: THE BITTERSWEET STORY”
©️ Opeyemi Akintunde.
As Inspired by the LIVING WORD.
We walked towards the Tundra he got, I didn’t bother asking, he had the money so he could have rented it…
“Will you really give it a thought?” Reuben asked about what I had said to Timo.
“Reuben, can you let me breathe?” I said smiling
“I am sorry”
I turned to face him…
“Please give me time, the truth is I think I am beginning to like you as a friend, so let that grow, please”
“Fine, I promise not to bring it up, unless you do…”
In that moment, I saw a change in countenance, I didn’t see the lovey-dovey eyes.
I saw a cheerful friendly demeanor instead.
“Thanks” I said appreciating the fact that he didn’t start giving me a frowning face after my subtle rejection of him.
“So are you ready for our road trip?”he asked
The four hours road trip to my school was fun, we talked about anything and everything.
I got to my school around past 6:00pm
I got all my stuff down from the car, hoping he will leave immediately, but he waited till I got all my stuff to my room.
At about 6:45pm, I got back to him…
“Thank you so much” I said to him.
“For what?” Reuben asked
“For the trip and all” I said
“What are we friends for?” Reuben asked
“Thanks’ I said laughing
“So I guess I better hit the road now”
“Are you driving back home tonight?” I asked. I suddenly didn’t want him leaving.
“Yes…”
“Why don’t you find a hotel and pass the night”
“And probably see your face in the morning before I leave… my friend’s face” He said adding the last part in a rush.
“Maybe” I said laughing but quickly added “But I will advise you don’t stretch it”
“Yeah, don’t let me stretch it, let me hit the road tonight”
“Ok, God go with you” I said
“Amen”
Silence again…
“Can’t I get a friendly hug before I leave?” he asked
I hugged him faster than I would have wanted and yet again, I was trapped in the warm, comforting body temperature of his… He held onto me, it took a lot of strength to pull back…
“Thanks” he said… I simply nodded
“Can I come check on you maybe once a month?” he asked
“Let’s stick with the phone call” I said
“Ok!” He said raising up his hand in surrender
Without asking this time, he hugged me.
“The last few days have been my best, thank you Nwala”
He pulled back by himself and got into his car, I couldnt deny one obvious fact;
Reuben was different from Daniel.
I couldn’t deny that what Reuben and I were beginning to have was a matured relationship, while Daniel and I had a youthful and somewhat childish love.
I watched as the car disappeared in the distance…
“Nwala!”
I knew that voice, but not just the voice, the tone of that voice. It was Daniel’s angry and violent tone, the one he used whenever a guy was interested in me.
To be continued…
