Dele's voice carried the weight of finality as he
straightened his tie. "Off you go, and keep it tight."
Bimbo smiled faintly. "Of course. You should know me better
than anyone."
"I do," Dele said, his eyes narrowing with meaning. "That's
why we're giving this a try. People change. People pretend. It's all different
in the end."
Bimbo hesitated. "Brother Dele, I won't betray your trust.
But my Teni… she's not being given the same chance I've been handed.
"That's because we trust you," he replied firmly.
"Isn't that unfair to her?"
"No one said she's bad," Dele answered. His gaze drifted as
though remembering. "But Teni… Teni can't be held in place. You've seen it
yourself."
Bimbo's voice softened. "We should give her a try."
Dele studied her. "Do you want to switch?"
She almost laughed. "No! I could never. I can't be in
Theatre Arts. I love law."
"That's why you're making your mother proud. And me as
well." His lips curved into the rarest of smiles as he embraced her.
Moments later, he sent her off at the airport.
….
By 6:45 p.m., I finally arrived at my apartment. The air
outside was cool, but inside my chest there was a fire of triumph. If there was
ever going to be a switch between Teni and me, it wouldn't be in academics or
privileges—it would be in our very lives. She had played her cards poorly,
entangling herself in rebellion and friction, while I was handed the moment I
had long dreamt of: freedom.
I smiled all the way from the station to my new home, people
staring as if I were a lunatic. If only they knew. From Father, to Mom, to Brother Dele—everyone had tried to
shield me, to protect me. But protect me from what, exactly? Whoever chooses to
spoil themselves will spoil, no matter how much they're given. Having
everything, but not the life you want—that is the true cruelty.
I made sure to carry myself with a perfect profile, never
letting anyone read what burned inside.
I reached my door and knocked.
"Who's there?" a female voice called from inside.
"Hello…" I smiled instinctively.
The door creaked open, and she beamed at me. "Please, come
in. We've been expecting you."
We? I thought, surprised. I had been told it would be just
me and one other roommate, both female students.
"Actually, I invited my friends over to celebrate your
coming," she said, laughing lightly.
"Oh… that sounds cool," I answered with a smile.
She burst into a fit of laughter. "I'm only joking. Nobody's
coming. It's just you and me. But I did make something for you. Feel at home.
I'll be back."
I sank into the couch, letting the warmth of the small guest
room wash over me. The cream-colored walls glowed softly beneath the lamplight.
Minimal furniture made the place feel simple, but cozy.
She returned with a pack of pizza and a tub of vanilla ice
cream. We ate together, laughing at little things, before she showed me to my
room.
It still chilled my soul how kind a total stranger could be
to someone she had just met. At the end of the day, pride kept us from asking
each other's names. Maybe we were simply too carried away.
---
The next morning, a knock rattled my door.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"I'm coming," I yawned, dragging myself up.
When I opened the door, she was already smiling brightly.
"Hello! How was your night?" She walked in without waiting for an invitation.
"I'm fine," I said with a small smile.
"I'm Wendu," she said at last, turning to face me.
"I'm Bimbo.
"I think Bim sounds cute," she teased.
"Okay, Wendu. That's new."
She chuckled. "It's actually Chiwendu. An Igbo name."
"Oh, I get it."
"Up for breakfast? Come to the dining room. I'm waiting."
"Alright. Let me freshen up. Thank you."
"You're welcome. See you there." She glided out of the room.
This was new. I had always known there were girls like her,
but Wendu was different—so girlish, so free. Ya, you know what I mean, I
thought to myself. But that wasn't for me. I wasn't trying to create covetous
memories with a woman—never. My eyes were on the world, not on fleeting
desires.
When I walked into the dining room, the food was already
served.
"What's your schedule today?" she asked, curious.
"Meeting the H.O.D.," I replied.
"You're going for lectures?"
"Sure," I said between mouthfuls.
"Should I pick you up after school?"
"You drive too?"
"Of course. I own a car."
I raised my brows. "You must be some rich kid."
She tilted her head. "So are you. A simple student can't
afford this apartment. I was told your people turned it down when they heard
you'd have a roommate. Your brother came himself to check the building." Her
lips curled playfully. "He's cute, I must confess. And you—you've got quite a
resemblance."
I don't know if she's into both genders, I thought uneasily.
My family despised such things, and here I was, caught in another twist.
Still, I told myself, I could play this game my own way—and
win.