CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED: A NEW BEGINNING
People often think every love story begins with fireworks.
With grand confessions.
With dramatic moments that change everything overnight.
Ours didn't.
It began quietly.
With a simple "yes."
And somehow...
That made it feel even more real.
Monday morning arrived with the familiar blast of the assembly bell.
Girls hurried out of the hostel, adjusting their berets and tucking in loose shirts as they rushed to join their classes on the assembly ground.
The compound buzzed with the usual Monday energy.
Prefects reminded students to stand properly.
Teachers moved from row to row inspecting uniforms.
The principal stepped onto the podium with his microphone, delivering the weekly announcements before leading the school in prayer.
I stood in line with my classmates, trying my best to focus.
Trying.
Because every few seconds, I became painfully aware that Samuel was standing only a few rows away with the boys.
Yesterday, we had agreed on something.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing childish.
We would keep our relationship private.
At least for now.
Not because we were ashamed.
But because boarding schools had a way of turning the smallest matter into the biggest rumour before lunch break.
Neither of us wanted that.
As assembly ended, students began walking back towards their classrooms.
Victoria linked her arm with mine.
"You've been smiling since morning."
"I have not."
"You have."
Morayo joined us from behind.
"I noticed too."
I rolled my eyes.
"You people imagine too much."
Victoria laughed.
"We'll leave you alone."
"Thank you."
"For now."
The emphasis on the last two words made all three of us laugh.
The first lesson was Mathematics.
Our teacher spent the entire period revising questions from the continuous assessment test.
As always, Daniel had an answer for almost every question.
Sometimes correct.
Sometimes confidently wrong.
When the teacher corrected one of his mistakes, the whole class burst into laughter.
Daniel placed a hand dramatically on his chest.
"Ma, you've embarrassed me."
"You embarrassed yourself," the teacher replied.
Even she laughed.
The classroom relaxed immediately.
I glanced towards the back where Daniel sat beside Gift.
He caught me looking and pulled a funny face.
I laughed before quickly returning my attention to the board.
Samuel noticed.
"What?"
I whispered.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you smiling?"
"I remembered something."
He nodded without asking further.
There was something comforting about that.
He never demanded explanations when I wasn't ready to give them.
Break period arrived.
Students rushed out as usual.
Daniel stood and stretched.
"Canteen?"
Gift nodded.
"I'm coming."
They left together.
Samuel remained behind, pretending to arrange his notes.
I smiled.
"They've gone."
"I know."
"So why are you pretending to be busy?"
He laughed quietly.
"So nobody will think I stayed because of you."
"You did stay because of me."
"I know."
I shook my head.
"You worry too much."
"I'm learning from you."
I couldn't argue with that.
We sat quietly for a few moments before Samuel reached into his bag.
"I brought this."
He placed a small wrapped biscuit on my desk.
I looked at him.
"You really like giving people things."
"It's only biscuit."
"You'll make it a habit."
"Maybe I already have."
I smiled before taking it.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
No one saw the exchange.
Or at least...
We thought no one did.
Outside the classroom, Victoria happened to glance through the window as she walked past.
She saw Samuel smiling.
She saw me smiling back.
She didn't stop walking.
But a knowing smile spread across her face.
"Hmm," she muttered to herself.
That evening, after prep, the girls returned to the hostel.
The room was as lively as ever.
Thirty girls sharing one room meant there was never complete silence.
Some girls polished their sandals.
Others revised notes using rechargeable lamps before lights-out.
A few discussed the coming promotion examinations.
I climbed onto my upper bunk while Gift folded her uniform below.
After a while, she looked up.
"You seem happier these days."
I smiled.
"Do I?"
She nodded.
"I think so."
I hesitated.
Then climbed down carefully.
Standing beside her bed, I lowered my voice.
"Can I tell you something?"
She looked surprised.
"What?"
I smiled nervously.
"You have to promise not to shout."
She laughed.
"I won't."
"And don't tell anybody."
"I won't."
I took a deep breath.
"Samuel asked me to be his girlfriend."
For a moment...
Gift simply stared at me.
No expression.
No words.
Just silence.
Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
A small smile.
One that looked genuine.
"I knew."
"You knew?"
"I didn't know for sure."
She shrugged lightly.
"But I suspected."
I didn't know what to say.
After everything...
After all the confusion...
After silently liking the same person...
This conversation felt almost impossible.
Gift looked down briefly before meeting my eyes again.
"I won't lie."
Her voice was calm.
"It hurts a little."
My chest tightened.
She smiled again.
"But I'm happy you didn't lie to me."
"I didn't want to."
"I know."
She stretched out her hand.
"Congratulations."
I looked at it for a second before shaking it.
"Thank you."
That simple handshake changed something between us.
We didn't suddenly become best friends.
Years of distance couldn't disappear overnight.
But the quiet rivalry that had existed between us...
Finally ended.
Later that night, after the lights went out, I lay awake beneath my mosquito net.
Around me, the hostel slowly became quiet.
The familiar sounds filled the darkness.
Girls whispering before sleep.
The distant bark of a dog outside the school fence.
The soft hum of the generator from the senior hostel.
I smiled to myself.
A few months ago, I had been wondering whether Samuel even noticed me.
Now...
I knew the answer.
Life felt peaceful.
Simple.
Almost perfect.