Chapter Four – There's No Better Fuel Than Embarrassment.

I went through the rest of my tests very well. I buried myself completely in studying. I was mostly in the library or 24-hour reading room so I wouldn’t have to run into Boateng in the hall. Lara had told me on different occasions that he had passed by and asked of me.

After he got his car, he used to give us a ride to class. After what happened, I always left for class really early. I guess I should thank him. Not only was I studying more, I was early to class too. Who knew embarrassment could do this to a person? Next time I needed motivation, I should consider embarrassing myself.

My math teacher in SHS had the horrible habit of calling out names and marks in order of performance. It actually shocked me that she had time to sit and arrange the papers given that she was so lazy. One day, my name was the last but one name called out. I was so embarrassed. I opened up my books and taught myself math from first year all the way to third year. By the time the next test came, my name was at the top.

You often hear girls shouting “Boss babe”. That, dear reader, is a Boss babe move. There’s no point crying more than once over something. Beyonce gives herself a day to feel sorry for herself and thereafter conquers the world. Cardi B borrowed this advice and so did I.

On Friday night, I was packing up my books from the library when I saw Boateng approaching. There was nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide. For a second, I contemplated folding myself into one of the shelves. That should tell you how bad it was. I didn’t want him to know I was hiding from him but I didn’t want to see him either.

I steeled myself as he approached.

“Hi” he said with a smile.

“Hi” I replied without stopping what I was doing. I flung my bag over my shoulder and started to walk.

“I brought the car. Let me give you a ride back to the hostel”.

“Don’t worry. I want to enjoy fresh air”.

Did you see that? Complete boss babe move. I was in charge of the situation. Anyway, back to the story.

He didn’t back down. He grabbed my arm and turned me around.

“I know that you’re upset with me and rightfully so. The way I acted was not fair to you and I’m very sorry. I should have told you before getting back with Farida.”

I yanked my arm from his grip a little more violently than was necessary. I’m not sure if it was because I was emotional or because I enjoyed feeling like I was in a telenovela.

“Boateng, you’re a flirt. I’ve known that almost as long as I’ve known you and it was never a problem. No matter what you did I never judged you. I never talked about it. I’m not angry that you’re back with Farida. I don’t care. I’m hurt that you didn’t respect our friendship enough not to flirt with me.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I respect our friendship. I respect it more than anything, Araba. I promise. I’m so sorry.”

“Did you even mean what you said? Did you mean it when you said you liked me?”. I hated to sound desperate but I really needed to know.

He took a little too long to answer. I shrugged. “I don’t care.”

I walked away as quickly as possible so he wouldn’t see me crying.

Lara was trying to be her own boss babe by moving on from Kwame. The night before he had invited her to come over and watch a movie which is code for an entirely different thing. She said no and was doing her best to stay away. She even went for midweek service. That was some serious effort giving that she never even went for Sunday service.

Kwame on the other hand was not doing so well. Today, he decided he would not let it go. After three failed attempts at studying, he came knocking on the door. I was out so it was just him and Lara.

“I’ve been calling and texting you. What’s up? Are we fighting?” he asked.

“Nope. Why would you think that? I’m busy with my own things. Don’t you have a girlfriend to be visiting right now?”. Her cheeky tone was not lost on Kwame. For someone so perceptive he was very aloof about the consequences of his actions.

“Why are you upset? I thought we were cool about the whole thing? Now, when I call, you don’t show. What is going on?”.

“I woke up and realized that I’m not in the mood anymore. People have started talking and it’s only a matter of time before your girl finds out about us. I’m really not in the mood for that kind of scandal. Araba will be coming to the room soon and I don’t want her to see you here. Please go.”

***

Lara had noticed that Boateng wasn’t coming over anymore, neither was I going to see him. She had occasionally gone to visit but I didn’t go with her and when Boateng had escorted her back he left her at the door without coming in to say hi to me.

“Araba what’s going on between you and Boateng. I’ve noticed that something is off between you two. What happened?” she asked with concern.

I cried as I told her the story.

“Wow. How could he do that? Why are you now telling me this?”

I told her I wasn’t ready to talk about it because I was too embarrassed.

I was about falling asleep when my phone buzzed to a notification from the group. Carl was turning 19 and he was throwing a birthday party to celebrate. Lara and I texted that we would be there. So did Boateng and Kwame.

This was going to be interesting.