The silence in the neighborhood was deafening as I strolled towards Dunni's apartment. I was so troubled in my heart that I found it difficult to notice that some folks were following me.
What was she going to do?
I asked myself. Sunni has been my friend from the cradle. Our parents worked in the same government ministry and we lived in the same quarters. Since we got admission into the same institution in the same year and department, our friendship has grown stronger.
A few weeks ago, she reported that her parents did not send her monthly allowance, and that made her disturbed. She was not in a happy mood from all I could see but I assured her everything would be alright. So, I shared my allowance with her so that she could lighten up.
Andy, that's kind of you
Dunni said after I handed her some money. At that same time, we headed to the cafeteria where we would eat our breakfast. After the meal, I paid and we went off for lectures. I ensured that we sat together on the same seat.
During one of our lectures, the instructor was staying to put up the projector but he wasn't getting the procedure, seeing what he was trying to do, I got up and assisted him. When I returned to my seat, Dunni was nowhere to be found. At first, I thought she was at the ladies to ease herself.
Two hours passed and there was no sight of Dunni. I had to excuse myself quickly from the lecture room to see if he was somewhere around. I searched around our department building but there was no sign of Dunni.
Just when I was thinking of calling her, my phone rang and the call was from the devil, Dunni.
Where are you, Dunni?
From the other end of the phone, all I could hear was a sob. She had been crying.
I just wanted to let you know that I should end it.
Dunni's response came as a rude shock. Without much ado, I jumped on the next campus shuttle and zoomed off to Isaac John Street, that's the location where Dunni's hostel was located.
The afternoon sun was still shining bright and scorching. I moved swiftly but noticed that the whole neighborhood was silent like the graveyard. I walked, looking left and right until I reached Dunni's doorpost.
Knock! Knock!!
I knocked at the dock heavily expecting a response from inside but the door moved slowly, then I stepped in hurriedly.
Dunni was not in her apartment. I was taken aback more because the door was not locked. I suspected that Dunni was somewhere around. While I tried coming out to look outside, I met Dunni standing at the doorpost, staring at me.
Why did you leave the lecture room without telling me?
I queried her angrily but instead, Dunni kept looking me in my eyes. At first, I shied away from the look.
Aren't you going to tell me what your intentions are?
There was still no response from Dunni. I moved closer to her and held her hand, she still kept her calm and continued looking me in the eye.
I thought you'd care less.
That was the first thing she uttered. I took a step backward because I did know what her intentions were. Then, she laughed hysterically and said
Come and hold me again.
This time, she had put up a smile on her beautiful pink cheek.
Oh! You think I can't hold you?
I drew closer and held her hands, tightly. She made to plant her lips on mine but I was so timid and inexperience that restricted her. Then she mumbled her words like a baby who was just beginning to call the English alphabet.
Dunni, nothing will happen between us until you have told me why you left the lecture room unannounced.
Dunni stamped her feet on the ground, telling me how irritated she felt by my repeated questions.
I can't still imagine you sharing your allowance with me.
I was so dumbfounded when she mentioned it again.
But we have done over this matter. Why are you bringing it up again? You do not have to be bothered, at least you would do the same or even more if I were in your shoes.
She winked at me and said:
Says who? I am greedy with money that I hardly share. That is why I still get frightened that I do not deserve your kind gesture towards me.
Dunni was just another species of human being.
What? That's the truth. We haven't been so close that you'd have to spare your weekly allowance.
Tell me, do you want me to pay you back in kind?
This was getting weird. I couldn't just find the right words to speak to Dunni. I cleared my throat trying to regurgitate what to say to her.
I did not ask for a refund, did I? You looked so devastated when you had no money with you, the least I could do was to support you without any strings attached.
She dropped on the only chair in the room like a pack of cards. I won the conversation and that was fine with me. I was very young and ambitious, looking ahead to make life better than I met it, I wil not allow Dunni or any other woman out there on campus to distract me. Dunni is already a distraction for me but I can manage her properly.
What were you doing to end?
I asked again. Her responses haven't satisfied the reason I came rushing down to her hostel.
Leave me alone. I wanted to end my emotional attachment towards you, that's what I meant.
Now, I see where all her drama was leading too.
I have been crushing on you since we left secondary school. How you didn't even noticed me is another mirage.
She continued lamenting while I watched her display. All I could say was
I hadn't pick up that call, do you think I would have come looking for you?
Again, I bragged. She doesn't like it when I do that. I just wanted her to know that emotions can be expressed but not dubiously.
I moved closer to her, sat on the same chair with her. It was just an innocent cuddle while I spoke life into her.
Dunni, you are such a beautiful woman with a bright future. See, it is not bad to fall in love, okay. But there is time for everything. Let's not destroy what is meant for tomorrow, today.
We spoke about many things that day. I slept over at Dunni's and she was so happy I could come so low to speaking some truth to her. Our friendship has gone beyond the campus life. We didn't get involved in a romantic relationship but after we settled down, Dunni and I are still friends till tomorrow.