CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
"If others are talking, are you supposed to be talking?" the boy changed his tone and directed it toward the girl.
"What are you trying to say?" the girl demanded, dropping the broom she was holding and walking toward him.
"Hey! Hey!! Don't start any unnecessary fight just because you dropped the broom," I interjected, walking between them. Honestly, it wasn't entirely barging; this was a discussion everyone had the right to weigh in on.
"You didn't hear the nonsense he just said?" the girl asked, clearly offended by my interruption. "What does he take me as? His junior?" she added, turning sharply to face him.
The boy smirked, his eyebrows rising in challenge. "Lol! Were you about to beat me?"
"What if I am?" she shot back, clenching her fists and locking eyes with him.
"Well… you don't have anything to use to beat me," he shrugged and turned away, clearly unimpressed.
"Hey! You're the one adding pepper into an already spicy soup," I suddenly said, stepping directly between them.
"Don't make them fling you if they start fighting," a girl on the opposite end called out, breaking into laughter.
I ignored her remark and focused on keeping the two apart. "Listen, breakfast will be served in the dining hall anytime now. That means a pause to your sweeping, and a punishment is waiting for you if you don't calm down," I warned the girl.
"Just because of what you said… if not, I for don beat him scatter ground!" she replied with a serious face before picking up her broom to continue sweeping. (I for don beat him scatter ground means I would have beaten him badly.)
"Wait!" the boy shouted immediately, processing her words. "What did you just say?"
"OH MY GOD! Can't you guys just act mature for once, even if you aren't?" I exclaimed, already fed up with their childish arguments.
"Lol! Una don make third party talk. She no suppose talk," another girl at the opposite end laughed.
"Again… because of her, I am going to ignore you," the girl said as she returned to her sweeping. I exhaled a deep sigh of relief and finally returned to my seat.
"You did great!" Morayo whispered, giving me a small, approving smile.
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Many interesting things happened at school, along with various experiences and lessons learned. One tradition that always stood out during birthday celebrations was the making of a "Garri Cake." It was a simple yet clever substitute for a proper cake.
The garri cake was made by combining garri (cassava flakes) with butter, milk, sugar, and a little or no water, all mixed in a can. The mixture was stirred until thick and then shaped neatly within the can. Peeling it out to reveal a perfect shape always brought a small sense of accomplishment and pride. Garri cakes weren't just tasty—they were practical, especially when parents couldn't provide a real cake. Good friends made the celebration even better, helping create memorable birthday parties with laughter, gifts, and thoughtful surprises.
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As for Samuel, he had been busy attending competitions and hadn't been around much until exams or test periods approached.
What about me having a crush on anyone? Well… yes, I did.
I had a small crush on John, but there was a problem—he was my friend's boyfriend.
How did they even start dating? I was shocked as well that John had feelings for Victoria.
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ON THE DAY JOHN ASKED VICTORIA OUT
As usual, John had started being closer to us, but he looked shy around girls at that time.
After all our midterm tests, Morayo, Victoria, and I sat together on the chairs, gisting about how unusual some people could be and sharing funny school stories.
John approached us, scratching his head, his eyes scanning us like he was trying to communicate telepathically.
"What do you want?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
"Um… can you excuse Victoria and me for a while?" he asked, glancing at Victoria and slipping his hands into his knicker pockets. (Knicker is the Nigerian term for shorts.)
Morayo and I exchanged glances, then she whispered into Victoria's ear, nodding toward John. "Okay, we'll excuse you," she said, pulling me aside.
"What did you whisper to Victoria?" I asked Morayo as soon as we had some privacy.
"I just told her to let us know what John says," Morayo answered, looking back at Victoria and John with curiosity.
John sat beside Victoria with a smirk that was half shyness, half confidence.
"I think he's asking her out," I whispered to Morayo, shrugging.
"You think?" Morayo asked, raising one eyebrow at me.
"Yeah, why else would he be this close to us like we're friends or something?" I replied, giving an obvious answer.
"True talk!" Morayo agreed, nodding as she observed John and Victoria carefully.
A twinge of jealousy or confusion hit me as I watched them. "Gosh! Are you her mother?" I muttered under my breath. "Why are you looking at her as if she might get lost or something?"
Eventually, Victoria told us that John had indeed asked her out. Morayo and I smiled for her, but I couldn't shake the little ache in my heart. I looked at John, feeling a strange mix of disappointment and confusion. Why did I feel this way?
I tried to think of other boys I might like… Daniel? No! Samuel? Maybe… or maybe not.
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Weeks passed, even after the midterm break.
On my tenth birthday, I woke up like any other day. Almost immediately, I heard cheerful voices greeting me.
"Happy birthday!" Victoria and Morayo shouted simultaneously, which alerted other girls to join in.
"Happy birthday!" echoed through the hostel and the school corridors, the voices overlapping in harmony. I smiled, feeling the warmth of friendship and the joy of being celebrated.
It wasn't just the garri cake or gifts; it was the presence of friends who genuinely cared, the laughter that filled the room, and the feeling of being acknowledged and loved. That day, I realized birthdays weren't about the presents—they were about the people who made life memorable.