Chapter 13: Break up

The breeze injected with multiple endurance as I crawled out of bed to brush my teeth. Though dawn came slowly, it was followed by the brilliant blue sky of morning. I disconnected the charger from my phone since it was already fully charged.

It was Saturday and all I could think about was how and only how I would get my dirty clothes washed. If I were to be home, using a washing machine would have been easy and my problem would have been solved in just no time. But here in school, my hands will have to do the job. I carried out my laundry, it was a heavy load but still I have no choice than to do it by hand.

I started hand-washing my clothes, squeezing each one hard and harder in the bucket. This is evey students frustration, shouldering the worries of washing by hand. Particularly in my hostel, everyone were at one angle or the other with their hands as their savior. Shade was no difference too, she was there in a corner battling the mountains of her laundry.

The day became so clear and the beginning glow of the Sun broke through the clouds. The time couldn't be more than past eight o'clock or something thirty minute past eight. I felt approaching footsteps and a tall, well built, black figure appeared with jiggling keys in his hands.

It was Dele and he looked disappointed.

"You know it is not very okay when you love someone for material benefits." He said aloud but thankfully, others were in their business.

"What are you doing here Dele? Respect yourself and leave this place now." I said quietly but loud enough for him to hear.

"Sure, I will leave. I just wanted you to know; just like I have always thought about you, you are just a rat looking for where to steal your daily meal. I tested you and you failed." He said as he walked away leaving me shrouded in dilemma and regret.

I watched him entering into his car, reversing and finally zoomed away. I was left frozen, couldn't believe what I just saw.

"Cynthia! Cynthia!"

I could hear my name in the distance and the voice up close. I finally opened my eyes as it appeared it was Shade. She has been trying to wake me up.

"Wake up big head, we have class to run to." She said walking in the bathroom for her bath.

"What? Class? Isn't today Saturday?"I asked stressing in bed with a loud yawning.

"Saturday? You wish. It's Friday my dear, snap from your slumber." She chuckled as she finally entered the bathroom, closing the door.

Almost getting to the lecture theater, I could see Dele from afar off. It appeared he sighted me too, perhaps he was looking for me. He seemed alert and careful about finding me. I made a sudden quick of movement to avoid his stare as he started approaching.

"Not this morning bro, don't come at me " I muttered

Shade seemed to have also notice he was coming as she tapped on me to see Dele, which she referred to as "cutee"

"I know I can see him" I responded with a somewhat harsh tone.

"Hello, Dele, Mr handsome. How are you? We didn't see you yesterday? Cynthia would not let me rest, she kept shouting your name, This love I Stan" She gave a wink which complimented her big smile revealing on her face.

For a reason or two, I hated what Shade said. It would have meant nothing if Dele and I are on good terms. "Why did she have to come up with a lie?" My eyes fluttered open and I gave her a look to make her know she said something that made no sense. She saw how I looked at her with a grim expression and walked away slowly and a little faster and faster until I saw her enter the lecture room.

"You shouldn't have done that. She was only trying to be nice" Dele's voice breezed into my hearings and distracted me from looking afar at Shade.

"And who are you to decide if what I did was right or wrong?" I blurted as I continued to hassle him for his words or, the fact that he walked up to me.

"See Mr. Just get away! I do not want to see you ever! We are done okay? Let that stick!" I said fiercely. He looked embarassed but stayed anyway. The longer he stayed the longer I got irritated by his presence.

"See, just go. Maybe later when I am cool, you can come back but now, just go!" I said as I walked out on him. At least if he would not leave, I can.

He stood for a while before going to talking with his friends. I knew he was shattered in sadness judging from the expression he wore on his face. However he acted all cheerful and lively talking among his friends.

The lecture was suppose to last for two hours but the lecturer used only forty-five minutes. Just as he was heading out from the lecture theater, I could see Dele coming at me again.

"This guy no dey tire? [ Don't he get tired?]" I said in a mumble as he kept on approaching.

He sat next to me for some minutes before he could muster the courage to talk as his body tensed up.

"Cynthia, I... I... believe we can settle this," he said in a low tone and a quivering voice.

"Settle what bro?" I responded almost immediately as he speaks

"I thought you love me?" He asked still in a low and shaky voice.

"I did? "I asked being sarcastic and mile-wide smirk on my face.

"So, you only wanted me because you thought I was loaded with cash?" He asked as his eyes were covered with red veins.

"Is he going to cry?" I thought as I turned to look at him straight in the eyes.

"What is love without money? What will I gain if I stay with you? Life is always about choice, acceptance and betrayal. Don't take it too personally, life is just such. Sometimes we get rejected but it doesn't mean others won't accept us. Move on Dele, you are not my choice."