CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT: WHAT DO YOU WANT AS A BIRTHDAY GIFT?
"Happy birthday!" I heard as I prepared to go for lunch during break.
I looked up and froze. It was Daniel.
Why, of all days, did I have to see this idiot on my birthday?
"Thank you! I can't believe you remembered my birthday," I replied, hurriedly arranging my books in my bag, silently praying for Morayo and Victoria to hurry up so we could go together.
"Why wouldn't I remember?" he asked with a smile.
"Coming from someone who literally forgot me before," I retorted, rolling my eyes without looking up.
"I already apologized! I thought you would have forgiven me," he added, trying to sound sincere.
"I have! I'm just… surprised you actually remembered my birthday," I said, still avoiding his gaze.
"I'm sorry, okay?" he insisted, giving me a look that tried to plead with me.
"Thank you, at least. You remembered my day," I admitted, feeling a little softened.
Suddenly, a chorus of "Awww!!!" came from some classmates nearby.
"You're welcome!" Daniel said, ignoring the attention. Then he asked, looking directly at me, "Aren't you going to look up?"
"Why?" I asked, suspicious.
"Don't you like seeing my handsome face?" he teased.
"Lol! People have deceived you!" I said, smiling. But then my gaze fell on the large gift box in his hands, and my smile froze.
What? How did I not see that? Why didn't I notice it before? Why would he even gift me something? My mind went into overdrive.
"Here! Happy birthday!" he said, placing the box carefully on my table.
I reached out and touched it, feeling the hard surface beneath my fingers. Suddenly, his hand brushed mine.
"Don't think of trashing it without even seeing what's inside," he said, locking eyes with me.
"Urgh! You don't need to look at me like that and touch me," I said, pulling my hand away quickly.
"Okay, okay… Sorry! I'll be pleased if you accept it," he said, slipping his hands into his knicker pockets, smiling before walking away.
"Wow! He gifted you!" Morayo exclaimed as she ran toward me, tapping the box lightly.
"Yeah… he actually surprised me," I said, shrugging with amusement. "Where were you guys since?" I asked, seeing Morayo and Victoria standing behind me.
"We were just waiting for him to leave after giving you the gift. We didn't want to interrupt the moment," Victoria said, playfully tugging at my leg.
"I was expecting you guys to come earlier, but anyhow sha…" I muttered, brushing the thought aside. It had already passed.
"Who knows what's in the box?" Morayo asked, lightly knocking it.
"Hey! Be careful! You don't even know what's inside, and it isn't for you," Victoria warned, glaring at Morayo.
"It's okay! It's not like it's something super special," Morayo shrugged.
"Still…" Victoria said, shaking her head.
"Let's go and eat! You guys are buying the food since today is my birthday," I declared, placing the box safely in my bag.
"What if they steal it?" Morayo asked, feigning concern.
"Urgh… it's not that special," I said nonchalantly.
"Even so, a birthday gift is special, even if it's from anyone," Morayo replied, slipping the box out of my bag and holding it carefully. "Let's go!" she said with a wink as we walked out together.
---
Later, during the leisure period, I already had three gifts: one each from Daniel, Ayo, and Victoria. Morayo decided to pay for whatever I bought at the canteen since she hadn't prepared a gift.
I sat on my seat, reading a short storybook I had bought at school for fifty naira, waiting for Morayo to return. Victoria was busy chatting with John, who seemed unusually cheerful that day.
"Didn't know today was your birthday," I heard a familiar voice say. I looked up and froze. Ocean-blue eyes met mine.
Samuel?!
"I didn't tell anyone," I said, still in shock. "What are you doing here?" I asked, remembering that he was usually busy with competitions.
"Just came to greet my friend," he replied calmly, sitting beside me.
"You'll get shouted at when you go back," I teased.
"Nah, I'm free for now… until next week," he said, casually glancing at the board as if reading something.
"Oh… okay. Lucky you!" I replied, still surprised.
"Yeah," he nodded, then turned to face me. "I didn't get you anything for your birthday since I didn't know." His tone was serious, almost apologetic.
"There's no need! How did you even know today is my birthday?" I asked, curious.
"Daniel. I overheard him telling my friend about gifting someone he's close to. I asked who it was out of curiosity, and he mentioned your name," Samuel explained with a smile.
"That explains it," I nodded, looking away briefly.
"Happy birthday!" he said warmly.
"Thank you, I appreciate it," I smiled, feeling touched.
"How old will you be?" he asked.
"Tenth," I said straight-faced, then smiled.
"You're still young," he remarked.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Turned twelve last month," he said.
"Last month?"
"Yeah, during the holidays. I celebrated in Abuja since I wasn't at home."
"Oh… okay! You're still young by the way," I said.
"Not like you!" he teased.
"Yeah, I know!" I laughed.
"Thank goodness you do! You can't date at this age," he said jokingly.
"I don't know, and I don't care," I replied with a shrug.
"Now, back to your birthday," he said, suddenly serious.
"What about it?" I asked.
"What do you want for a birthday gift?" he asked, looking at me intently.