Thirty-three

💙Ugwa💛

I entered the house and saw dad sitting with mom beside him, probably begging him

Me: mom, dad

Only mom looked at me. Dad is still very angry

Me: Anibe didn't do anything

Dad: Ojonugwa, to your room now!

He didn't look at me. Dad thinks I'm trying to support my brother

Me: he's not responsible for the pregnancy

Dad: get out of here Unugwa!

I sighed. I'm not gonna chicken out

Me: I went to a restaurant and saw that same maid with her mother talking. I eavesdropped and they were talking about Anibe. Dad, it's a setup to get money from you. They were even scared you'd ask for a DNA test

Mom: how true is what you're saying?

Me: so true mom. The only mistake I did was not recording it

Dad: whether he's responsible or not, he still slept with a maid. If he didn't do it, what guts would the poor girl have to pin a child on him. That idiot is not stepping a foot into my house. He's a bad influence on the rest of you

He stood up and walked towards the stairs

Mom: Samson please! Samson!

Dad went up nonetheless. Mom palmed her forehead

Mom: if I die, Anibe is responsible for my death

I sat beside her and hugged her

Me: no, if you die, dad and Anibe are responsible for your death

She chuckled and raised her head

Me: but Anibe doesn't get angry like this. Usually, he's cool when dad rants

Mom: he might be fed up

I sighed

Mom : have you eaten?

I shook my head

Mom: go and eat. Don't worry about Anibe. He's not hardhearted

I nodded and went to the kitchen. I called his number but he didn't pick. I was worried. So worried

***

The next day at school, I was so moody. Andy didn't like it at all. He kept trying to cheer me up but I just couldn't

Andy: babe, I hate your mood. It's hurting me

He held my hand after the teacher left the class

Me: I'm just worried

Andy : about what?

I looked at him and sighed. I didn't want to tell him what really happened but I needed to tell someone that I'm worried about my brother

Me: my dad and elder brother had a clash. And he left home since yesterday. He's not picking my calls and I'm not hearing anything from him

Andy: don't worry sweetie, if it's Anibe then he'd come back. I don't think he has a cold heart

Me: I just hope they stop fighting. It's ugly

He chuckled

Andy: it's normal. At least your dad doesn't hit Anibe

Me: no way. My dad isn't like that.

Andy: my dad can even stab me to death if he starts on me

Me: what! I thought you just don't blend in with him. He actually hits you?

Andy: with anything he sees. The last time, he almost hit a filled bottle on my head

I gasped

Me: I'm sorry about that. You're quite unfortunate

Andy: Daniel and Dad.... Hahaha

I laughed with him.

Me: just don't get ugly. I don't want your face tattered

Andy: nah, I'm still the cute guy

He winked at me and I flushed out. I love it when he winks at me.

***

Three days later, no sign of Anibe. The house is awkwardly quiet and boring. Sometimes I take a look at his room, hoping I'd see him on his bed watching a video on his laptop. But that idiot didn't come home.

And dad refused to do anything about the maid, he didn't ask her to keep the pregnancy, neither did he ask her to abort it. I kept telling him that he should make them go for a DNA test to check the baby's gene. He just ignored me

It's already Friday and I texted Anibe in school to please pick me up then we'd talk. He hasn't replied and I hope he doesn't decide to ignore me

Andy: are you okay?

He was sitting on my desk

Me: yeah. What's up with you?

I tucked my phone in and faced him

Andy : just got back from photography class

He took my hand and squeezed it. I smiled, he just loves holding hands

Me: how was it?

Andy: we took pictures of awkward things. Roberto took a picture of the teacher's butt

Me: what? Hahaha, why would he do that?

Andy : He says he has the flattest butt ever.

Me: who's the teacher?

Andy: (in whispers) Mr Ruiz

I giggled. I'd check his butt out later though it's awkward

Me: does Roberto like photography too?

Andy : nope. He joined because I was there. But I think he's beginning to like the class. It's fun

I nodded and watched as he used his two hands to play with my fingers

Andy: Ugwa, about that first date... How's it gonna go?

Me: it can still hold. As long as its early

Andy: okay. I'll plan the restaurant. Or do you want a garden?

Me: wow, a garden would be really nice. We can make it a picnic

Andy: yeah

Me: I'll get the food ready

Andy: I'll get the place ready

I smiled

My eyes moved to a pair of eyes staring at Andy and I. It was Agnes. Why is she staring at us? Maybe she's happy I fell for Andy and not her Daniel

But, our classmates don't really know we're together. Maybe they'd guess cause the way we've been acting in school, even a blind man would feel the love.

I must say, I'm falling deep in love with Andy every minute. The way he looks at me, the way he winks at me makes me wanna blow up. I love it when we hug after closure and when he pecks my cheek when we come to school.

In fact, the first thing I think of when I wake up now is his text. And the last thing I do before I go to bed is to text him

And I've saved a lot of his pictures. We've also taken lots of pictures together.

If not for the worry Anibe left in my mind, I wouldn't be thinking about anyone else but Andy

💛Andy💙

I knew Ugwa really missed her brother. And she was so worried about him. I just wish I could keep her happy always. It hurts me to see her moody and her mood doesn't change no matter what I do to change it.

But it seems she's lighting up a bit. And I'm glad about that

I'm actually planning a superb first date for us. She's really going to love it.

I checked my wrist watch

Me: babe, I have another class now. I have to go

Ugwa: okay dear. Learn well

I chuckled and squeezed her fingers softly. She smiled and stared at me. Those eyes that could freeze my whole system. Our eyes kept being glued to each other. No one was looking away and it felt like she was penetrating my soul. I felt relaxed and happy with those eyes looking at me in the sweetest way

Then Loretta came and spoilt the moment

Loretta: earth to Mr and Mrs Del Solo

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Ugwa chuckled and looked at her. I looked at her too

Me: why ruin the moment?

Loretta : because I want to create a better one

Ugwa: huh

She handed us some pamphlets that were designed with hearts and roses and kisses. All red

It read COUPLE SLEEPOVER

Me: what the heck is this?

Loretta : can't you read?

Ugwa: couple sleepover?

Loretta : yeah. It's a sleepover for couples

Me: so...

Loretta :you both are invited. It's gonna be from this Friday night to Sunday evening. There's gonna be chocolate, cakes, games, pyjama party, whatsoever you can think of

Ugwa: wow

Loretta : and it's also going to be your first sleepover together

She jumped, clapped and giggled. Funny girl

Loretta : my mom has approved of it. My dad won't be in town so it's safe

Andy: you told her about us

Loretta : yeah, whatef!

She rolled her eyes again. Ugwa looked at me and I furrowed a brow at her.

Loretta : so, are you guys coming?

Before we could answer

Loretta : of course you're coming! Ugwa as Andy always calls you, and I wonder why. Anyway, we need to go shopping. We need to buy some things. You get?

Ugwa: uhh sure

Loretta : and Andy, you go get something too. Okay?

Me: sure

Loretta: now it's girl time. Get out!

She waved at me, telling me to get out

Me: babe, let's go

I pulled her up

Loretta : no, you're the only one leaving

Me: and I'm leaving with my girlfriend

Loretta : what are you trying to say?

Me: that you can't push me out because you want to speak with my girlfriend. You want to talk to her? Take permission from me

Loretta : what?

Ugwa: he's right you know

She groaned

Loretta : Andy I want to talk to your girlfriend

Me: five minutes

I squeezed Ugwa's hand and released her. I smiled and left. As I got outside the classroom, a girl called me. I looked back and it's Agnes

Agnes: hi

I was surprised. It's literally the first time she's talking to me. She's just like Daniel, always looking down on others even if they're higher and better than her

Me: hi

Agnes: there's a free giveout this Saturday in my mom's restaurant. You're invited

She stretched a ticket

Agnes : I hope you can come

Me: wow... Uhh, thanks

Agnes: see you tomorrow then

Me: I'm not sure if I can come though

Her face changed

Agnes: what?

Me: I can't come

She huffed and took the ticket from me

Agnes: it was nice talking to you

She went back to the class. I chuckled. What the heck?

Roberto came out of nowhere and stood beside me. I looked up at him. Roberto is so tall. Really taller than me

Roberto: did the witch do something?

Me: she invited me to her whatever

Roberto: what? Agnes invited you somewhere? Are you serious?

Me: whatever. Let's go to class

We turned and went to our next class

💛Ugwa💙

School's over and I'm just looking for Andy to get my goodbye hug.

Loretta and I have planned to get the things this Saturday because the sleepover is next Saturday now, after I told her about the Sunday date

We walked together out of the school and Agnes approached us

I muttered under my breath

Me: what again?

Loretta : the witch

She reached us and crossed her arms

Agnes : I see you've succeeded in sending Daniel away. And now you're into Andy?

Me: what's your problem?

Agnes: my problem is you not knowing your place here. Stop eating from every plate while you're supposed to be a maid serving the guests

I chuckled. Agnes knows that I'm richer than her. And more important in this school. So she's just trying to intimidate me and put me under check using my complexion. And that's racism

Me: who even invited you to the party?

Agnes: don't try to act tough. Just stay away from what's not yours

Me: and what exactly isn't mine? Daniel? If it's Daniel, don't worry I'm not into him. You can travel to the USA and marry him

Agnes: keep your Daniel to yourself

Me: my Daniel now? I thought you called him your Daniel

Loretta : okay, enough of the drama Missy. Agnes, if you're trying to say she should go have Daniel since you now want Andy, this isn't your mother's restaurant where you can order macaroni and cheese only to change to spaghetti and meatballs few minutes later. So if you would excuse us, we've got home to go

Loretta pushed her away but the feisty girl slapped her.

Loretta : you witch!

And she slapped her back

I pushed her away from Agnes and pushed Agnes away. She tried to hit me too but Loretta pulled her down

Andy came at that moment

Andy: what's going on here?

He walked to me immediately and held my hand

Agnes stood up

Agnes: why don't you ask this thing here

She pointed to me

Andy: babe, who's the thing I should ask?

Me: maybe you should ask the thing you told you

Andy: Agnes, who should I ask?

Agnes: what? You're saying I'm a thing? You're following this girl?

Andy: hmm, Agnes maybe you should just go home okay

She huffed and stomped out

Andy: what's her problem?

Loretta: threatening Unugwa

Me: first it was to leave Daniel cause she thought I was gonna steal him away from her and whatever she was thinking

Loretta : and now I think she's trying to make Unugwa stay away from you

He chuckled

Andy: me? Is she insane?

Me: I wanna go home

Andy: you're not going home now

Me: why?

Andy: let's leave here before they close the school doors

We walked out of the empty lobby and went outside

Loretta : I'll see you tomorrow at the mall Unugwa. Bye Andy

She waved at us and left

Andy: come with me. I brought my car

Me: but I think my driver is already here

Andy: go tell him you're staying for a few hours

Me: where are you taking me?

Andy: babe...

Me: okay. I'll be right back

I went to the parking lot and told my driver I'd be staying for a few hours more. He nodded and left.

The school was almost empty now

I went to Andy's car and he drove me to a lonely street with only a red car standing by the roadside

Me: Andy?

Andy: come out

I came out and he held my hand and walked me towards the car. The door opened and Anibe stepped out. I screamed and ran into the idot's arms. I've missed this fool

He dropped me and chuckled

Anibe: I guess you missed me more than I missed you

I hit him on his chest

Me: you idiot! You fool!

He laughed and rested on the car

I crossed my arms and stared at him

Anibe : thanks Andy

Andy: you're welcome

Me: so you two planned this?

Anibe : yeah. I texted him to bring you here. My house ain't far from here. Come on let's go

I looked back at Andy and ran to him. We hugged and I kissed his neck

Then I whispered