MORE THAN A CARVING
chapter 2 (contd)
“Look here, just leave this matter and tell me whatever you want to tell me.” “Iwalade, I have a confession to make.” “What confession?” Iwalade looked around and lowered her voice. “Hope you’ve not done anything stupid in school. Abi you have lost your virginity?” She asked curiously. “No, far from it.” Temidun replied. “So, what confession do you have to make?” “It’s about Kayode.” “Kayode! What about him?” Iwalade asked. “I have feelings for him and it had started right from when we were still teenagers.” Temidun opened up and Iwalade coughed repeatedly. “Are you okay?” Temidun asked out of concern. “I’m fine.” She sighed. “Just continue with what you are saying.” “Okay. Ehm….Iwalade, I’m really going crazy for Kayode and you know he doesn’t have time for girls. So….I need you to help me talk to him. I’m sure he’ll listen to you.” “Hmm!” Iwalade sighed heavily. She dare not tell Temidun what transpired between herself and Kayode the previous day. “Iwalade, say something.” “Okay, I’ll talk to him.” “Really! Thank you….” She hurried to Iwalade’s side where she was sitting and happily hugged her on the bed. “It’s okay nau.” Iwalade said when her friend refused to free her. Temidun refrained and Iwalade stood up. “I need to leave now.” “Ha….so fast.” “Hmm….I need to go home, I’ll talk to you later. “Iwalade, I hope it’s not because of what…..” “No……I may even check back before the end of the day.” “Okay.” She left and her friend saw her off. Temidun knew all along that Kayode and Iwalade have feelings for each other but did nothing about it. And the irony of it all is that she herself is in love with the same Kayode who only have eyes for Iwalade. So, all the while as they grew up, Temidun had to mask her own feelings for Kayode. She even ensured she gained admission into the same University with him since Iwalade was admitted into a different University, Temidun thought distance will quench the feelings the two had for each other and maybe, Kayode will start giving her attention at least if you can’t have what you want, you can at least have what you can get. To her surprise, they both got admission into the same school and things still remain the same as they were. Kayode did not even know Temidun’s hostel room number throughout their 100 level not to talk of visiting her. When they got to 200 level, Temidun had to change plan and got herself an accommodation off campus, so as to lure Kayode into visiting her privately, she had given him the address at the beginning of that session and still he didn’t set foot at her place to say hi. Iwalade went straight to her room and pounced on her bed. She couldn’t believe her ears, she was surprised that Temidun had feelings for Kayode all these while and she never mentioned it to her until now, and worst of all she didn’t suspect it; the two were just platonic friends. She wondered what will happen now that Kayode has confessed his love to her and she had rejected it, will she be able to stand it if the two started dating because the truth is that Kayode was the only guy he loved deeply from her heart but she had waited and waited and now she has a boyfriend, a boyfriend she didn’t really love, she just decided to give it a try and she has being keeping up as the good girlfriend for a month now. She even gave Martins the no pre-marital sex rule to drive him away but still, he accepted, so they haven’t gotten physical ever since they started dating, though the relationship is still fresh. For good three days, Iwalade didn’t show up at Kayode’s house, he had called asking if he could come over to see her but she told him not to come. Temidun also called asking if she had talk to Kayode, then she had to open to her that she and Kayode are presently not in good terms. “You are not what! I’ve never heard you two quarrel before.” “Well, you just did but not to worry, I’ll still talk to him. Maybe when all this is over.” “Okay, thanks.” She said and ended the call. A week later, she decided to call at his house. She got to the front door and knocked. “Who is at the door?” “It’s me.” He opened the door; he smiled as he pulled her straight into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Iwa……You really punish me, you know.” Kayode said. “I’m sorry. I really need that space.” She said and they both settled down in the sitting room. Kay is the only one in the house, his parents had gone to work while his two other siblings are in school, they are undergraduates as well. “What do you care for?” Kayode offered. “Nothing, I’m okay.” “I really miss you, we are not in school, yet we are still far away from each other.” He said and she apologized for not checking on him.Later on, they went back to their old self and started gisting and laughing. “Ehm….Kay.” Iwalade said scratching her body slyly, interrupting their chat. “What.” “Ehm….there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.” “Okay….” He said, hoping she had let go of the other guy. “Someone actually send me to you.” She said slowly and Kayode wondered why she is so reluctant to talk. “Iwalade, just say whatever it is you have to say.” “Ehm…Temidun has feelings for you.” She spilled. “What about it, I’ve known since we were teenagers, so you don’t know?” Kayode asked. “What! You knew.” Iwalade was shocked. He nodded. “And you never told me!” “Well, I actually thought you knew and you intentionally not talk about it because she is your friend.” “Jesus! I don’t even know what to say again.” She blew out air from her mouth. “How did you find out?” He asked. “She told me.” “She told you!” “Yes, not only that; she also wants you to be her man, if only you’ll give her a chance.” “What! She told you that!” “Yes” “And what did you tell her?” Kayode asked. “I told her I will deliver her message of course.” “You should have told her to come meet me herself because you sure know I’m not going to date her.” “But, I’m already seeing someone.” “You don’t need to remind me of that.” He said sarcastically. “Kay…..” She held his left hand but he took it off. “Maybe we are not meant to be together, maybe…..” “Don’t give me that, that your school romance won’t last, that, I am sure of because I know what you feel for me.” “Kay…..”“How much do you even love this guy? Do you love him the way you loved me?” “Let’s not go there, please.” Iwalade said. “Oh! You can’t answer me.” “Kay, calm down. Ehn, we’ll be fine.” “I can’t be fine without you.” He stated. “So, what do you want me to tell Temidun?” She asked. “You know what; I’ll go talk to her myself.” “You’ll what! Wait, what do you intend saying when you see her?” “Iwalade…….let’s drop this please. I’m a man; I know what to tell a girl who has feelings for me when I don’t.” “Okay, just make sure you don’t make her feel bad. Please be gentle with her. Remember she’s…..” “Our friend.” He cut in. “Good. I think I should take my leave now.” “Okay, let me see you off but I think you should just go home straight, no need to stop by at Temidun’s place till I speak with her one on one.” “That’s not a bad idea, I think.” “Okay. By the way, you said something about learning script writing, is that why you’ve not been going to the shop to join your mum?” Kayode inquired. “Yes, I actually started this week.” “Good. I know you’ll do well in that line because, you’ve been writing since when we were little and all our school mates back then do enjoy your stories.” Kayode said. “And thanks for always encouraging me back then; I actually didn’t give up because of the push I get from you.” She said. “That’s what friends do. Anyway, shall we?” He said and she nodded as they both left the house. ******* A day to resumption, Iwalade decided to go see Kayode in the evening because she wasn’t home all day she was in her mum’s shop and also went to get some of the things she’ll be taking to school. She had been busy with running business with her mum and also joggling it with script writing class. She intended going to Temidun’s place afterwards even though it was late but she needs to see her friends before she leaves for school. Kayode had spoken with her on phone and told her he had cleared the issue with Temidun, so everyone is good now. According to him, he tried his best to make his response to her as mild as possible, although when Temidun called her that very day, she was crying, she was very sad that Kayode turned her down, she didn’t hold it against him anyway and she said she’ll try to move on. Iwalade only prayed she would actually move on. Iwalade got to Kayode’s place around 8pm, Kayode’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aremu were already back from work, she greeted them and Kayode came out of his room to attend to her. He told his parents, he wants to step out for a bit. “Help us on the generator first nau….” His mum, Mrs. Aremu said. “Mummy, your phone battery is not low nau, don’t worry I’ll on it when I get back. I won’t take long.” “Okay o….” His mum said and they both left the sitting room and went to sit outside. They couldn’t talk much since it was late and Iwalade wants to check on Temidun. “I’ll miss you.” Kayode said. “I’ll miss you too.” “Maybe, I’ll come visit you in school.” He said and she cleared her throat. “What?” He asked her, he knew that cough meant something. “Nothing.” Iwalade replied. “Just spill it out already, don’t tell me it’s nothing.” He demanded. “Is that not temptation. That aside, I have a boyfriend in school and the truth is that Martins knows everything about us. I had to tell because he knew you are the only person that calls me often and so that he won’t think I’m cheating on him.” Iwalade explained. “I want to come visit my friend, is there a crime in that.” “He knew our history. He may get jealous.” She explained and he held her face. “Just promise you’ll keep yourself for me as I will keep mine for you.” “Kay……” She was still saying then he took her lips. They kissed for the second time. She had to stop him. “Kayode, I repeat, friends don’t kiss. So, stop kissing me.” “I’m sorry, that’s just me saying my good bye. I’ll see you in school anyway.” “Do you still plan on coming?” “I won’t answer that.” He brought out his phone to check the time. “I think I should see you off, it’s getting late.” “Okay, hold on let me inform your parents that I’m leaving.” “Let me use that opportunity to put on the generator.” He said. “I know you didn’t on that genenerator since because of the evil you want to do.” She teased him.“What evil?” He feigned ignorance. “You are asking me, you want every where to be dark so you can kiss me.” “My God! You got me.” He said and they both laughed. Iwalade went inside. She met the couple in the sitting room and informed them she was leaving. “I heard your school too is resuming tomorrow.” Mr. Aremu said. “Yes sir.” “Are you also leaving tomorrow?” “Yes sir.” She replied. Mr. Aremu dipped his hands into his pocket and brought out some money. He took part of the money and gave it to Iwalade. “Thank you very much sir.” She said and knelt down to thank him, she also thanked Kayode’s mummy too. “All thanks to God my dear. Ese jeje ni school o.” (Thread softly in school) Mrs. Aremu counseled. The light came on; Kayode had put on the gen. “I will, thank you ma. Good night ma.” She said and Kayode came in. “Goodnight.” The couple chorused. Iwalade told Kayode that his Dad gave her money, he turned to them and thanked them, he also told them he wants to see Iwalade off, it was already 8:30pm, but it’s not that late since they both live in the same neighbourhood. They left the house and walked hand in hand in the street. “I will stay outside.” Kayode said when they got to Temidun’s house. “Why?” “Nothing, don’t stay long o, you know it’s late.” “Okay.” She said and entered into the gate. Iwalade and Temidun talked briefly, Iwalade told her she needs to leave because it was already late. “Okay.” Temidun said. “We’ll talk on phone since we won’t be seeing each other until the next break.” “Okay.” “Good bye…” Iwalade said and hugged her but Temidun didn’t hug her back. “What is it? You’ve been acting somehow since I got here.” Iwalade challenged Temidun. “I saw you.”“Excuse me, I don’t get you.” “I saw the both of you kissing. I was there this evening.” Temidun said and Iwalade blew out hot air. “Temidun, it’s not what you think.” “Why….Iwalade why, I thought I specifically asked you if anything was going on.” “Temi…..” “I even told you about my feelings for him, so you two are actually fooling me.” “Far from it, the kiss just happened. Kayode and I are not dating, believe me.” “Stop lying! At least, not to my face.” “Okay, let me tell you the truth, I was waiting for Kayode to come out all these while and that is why we’ve stayed as friends for like…. forever. Long story short, he just professed his love to me during this break and that was before you told me about your feelings for him.” “You should have told me all these still; Iwalade I specifically asked you if anything was going on, so you should have told me the truth.” “I’m sorry; I was really going through a lot too.” “So you still went ahead and turned him down after he came out clean!” “I have a boyfriend.” Iwalade revealed and Temidun started laughing. “What’s funny? I’m serious, I have a boyfriend.” “See, if na joke, abeg stop am. You that I know can’t have a boyfriend.” “The guy has been on my case since and I decided to give it a try since Kayode didn’t say anything.” “So, what’s your plan now?” Temidun asked. “Plan! I don’t have any plan. See it’s late, let me take my leave.” “Where is he?” Temidun asked. “Who? Oh! You mean Kay. He’s outside.” She replied. “I know he is outside. I know you can’t come here alone, reason why I asked.” Temidun said. “Temidun, I want to advise you as a friend, let him go, whatever will be, will be. If he’s meant for you, he’ll be yours. Don’t hurt yourself.” “Okay, I hear you. Do I still need to see you off, since he’s outside?” “Yeah, no need. Take care of yourself.” “I will thanks.” Temidun replied, they both wish each other a safe journey and she hugged her this time. She walked Iwalade to the gate and closed the gate behind her.
“What took you so long nau, its five minutes past nine.” Kayode said when she walked up to him. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.” “Okay o, sha let’s go.” He said and they left the place, walking towards Iwalade’s house quietly. “She saw us.” Iwalade said, breaking the silence. “Saw us, I don’t get.” “Temidun saw us kissing.” “She was at my house!” “Apparently, she left when she saw us kissing.” “What did you tell her?” “The truth.” She said as they both stopped in front of her house. “Come.” He said and pulled her into a hug. “Take care and safe journey. “You too.” She replied as he released her. They waved at each other. She entered into the house and he left.
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