Chapter Twenty-Six – Valentines Is Coming, Where is Your Boyfriend?

Every year, on February the 14th, people’s lives are changed in miraculous ways. 40% of the time, they insert themselves into relationships that they have no business being involved in. 60% of the time, it ends in cold bloody tears.

It’s that time that girls become painfully aware of their singleness, boys sell their organs to buy lavish gifts and parents risk their children doing the stupidest things possible.

My father is the best father in the world. Seeing as I have no boyfriend, every year on Valentine’s Day, he surprises me with some lovely gifts that reminds me that I may have attachment issues, but I’m still loved.

This year was different though. I wasn’t afraid that I’d get nothing because I knew my father’s chocolates would be arriving. I was afraid that Sly might not do anything for me. After all, we still weren’t official yet.

Believe me when I tell you that I tried my hardest not to care. All my attempts failed. In the morning I would find myself thinking what he might get me or what he might do. Now here’s where it gets worse. I had carried my savings which I had planned to invest in a new wig, to get a new watch for Sly. That thing was not cheap.

Reader, I have lost my sense. I dare not mention the amount I spent but it should have been a criminal offence.

Anyway, the day came. There was no text from Sly. I figured he might be waiting till midday or something to wish me. All the same, I texted him to see if he might bring it up. That scoundrel carried on like it was just another Tuesday. Bloody men!

Valentine’s Day was important for Lara too. In an unspoken way, this day would determine who Kwame would choose. The idea that a girl like that was willing to make herself an option irked me. However, having tasted the side effects of love, I could not judge Lara too harshly.

Marilyn as well was crawling through the dirt trying to cling to her relationship with Boateng. Today was important to her too. Today, Boateng could show how he really felt.

The game of love was live. Who would win and who would lose?

“I can’t believe you bought a caveman for Sly. Are you really that down bad?” Lara teased.

“I can’t believe you’re hoping that Kwame will be your valentine. Are you that down bad?” I retorted.

We laughed.

“No but seriously, it’s already afternoon and Sly is acting like nothing is going on. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“Girl, same!” Lara agreed.

I guess Kwame could say the same for himself as well. He had ordered flowers and they would be arriving soon but he wasn’t sure if he was making the right choice about who to give them to. He got a call from the courier and went downstairs to pick a bouquet of red roses. He set them down on the table and stared at them.

One man has the problem of no Valentine, another has the problem of too many.

I was soon to join the ranks of ‘gnashers’ on this all-important day of love. Sly texted that he was out of town and he was really sorry that we could not spend the day together but he wished me a happy valentine’s day.

Reader, my heart was heavy. It was as though a pile of cement blocks had been set upon it. My chest hurt so badly. If you didn’t want a serious relationship, you really could have said that. Now here I am with my heart broken.

Men will show you, reader. It’s written in their DNA. One female scientist by the name All Women Everywhere, took a DNA sample from a group of 10 men and under each microscopic view of their DNA, the words were written clearly there in bright red letters ‘men will show you’.

It has been confirmed by renowned doctor, Scorned Women that ‘fear men’ is in fact a hormone that is secreted regularly into men’s brians causing them to do senseless things.

What do you mean out of town? What is this? This abuse was far too much. As you can imagine, I’m very theatrical and many thoughts did occur to me. None of them involved direct communication, but each involved blocking Sly or hurting him in some cruel way.

Am I toxic? Yes. Yes, I am.

It was soon five o’clock and none of us had made any headway. I had cried into my pillow briefly but now I was munching on some chocolates my father had brought me. Lara was next to me doing same, staring at a text that Kwame had left on read.

She had seen the red roses pass by our room and head to Kwame’s. no doubt, whoever he gave them to showed where his heart was and there would be no point in fighting it. She was content to be a side chick when she wanted nothing more but she would not settle for the same position when she had been looking for a promotion.

Kwame picked up the roses and took a deep breath. As he walked out of his room, he looked left and right. Left would lead to our room. Right would lead to the staircase where he would go to Nana Yaa’s room. She was probably waiting for him.

He took one step forward and then another. Another followed and then another. As he took each step, he took them in one direction. There was no going back now.

There was a knock on our door and we opened it to see Kwame standing there with red roses in his hand. Nana Yaa would be sitting in her room waiting all night, sadly. Lara on the other hand was thrilled and surprised to see Kwame there. She grabbed the roses, kissed him and enveloped him in a hug.

At least one person had won tonight. The scene was so touching. The two lovebirds sat in a corner chatting.

I was very happy for Lara but having a partner to mope around with had been exciting. I pulled out my phone and texted Boateng to see if he had better luck.

He had bought a basket of treats for Marilyn who was over the moon. It was filled with some of her favorite snacks. “I love it. These are my favorite” she squealed. “Really? I’m glad” Boateng had replied.

Marilyn noticed that he was surprised by the fact that these were her favorite. The flag had been raised. The gift went from a 100 to a 10 immediately. “Yeah. Did you know that?” she asked.

You would think that having dated half of the university, Boateng would have been educated by now.

“Nah. This was one of their packages so I chose it. I'm so glad you like it babe.”

The surprise had been ruined. Marilyn in quiet resignation, handed Boateng his gift which was a card.

Now, Marilyn, let’s be very real here. I don’t think you can be too mad at Boateng if your idea of a gift was a card. A card? Come on now.

Had I been Boateng, I would have made you spit out all the chocolate you had already eating. I would then pack it into the basket and carry it away. A card? There’s a reason some people will never win in relationships and this is why.

In the card, she had written 20 things she loved about Boateng since they had been dating for 2 months. Okay, I’ll admit that’s sweet. It’s thoughtful. Okay, I’m switching sides now. Boateng shame on you. this girl went out of her way to give a thoughtful gift and you just threw money at yours like she was a common harlot. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Poor darling.

They say date men who like you. You would think that’s common sense.

Marilyn lost the game.

It was 8 and I was staring at the watch I had got for Sly wondering what to do with it. I could gift it to my father or even my younger brother. I could burn it in the fire. No, I’m just kidding. I don’t care how angry I am, I don’t like wasting money I struggled to save.

There was a knock on the door and it was Sly’s friend that we had met the day he called me friend. He had in his hand a box and handed it to me. I took it puzzled but secretly excited. It was definitely from Sly. When the guy left, I sat on my bed and opened the box.

There was a card at the top and I picked it to read.

“Dear Araba, my little funny bunny,

I know this was a terrible prank to play on such an important day but I think I know how your mind works and it does not like cliches. At 8pm was when you first sent me a text message that started our beautiful friendship. So, at 8pm today, I thought I’d send you this box. I also hope you’ll forgive me for the unreasonable delay.”

I was bubbling over with excitement.

The first gift was a scented candle which had a note saying “for your sense of smell”. The second gift was Airpods. I had been needing those for weeks. It said “for your sense of hearing”. The third gift in the box was a pair of shades. After watching our movie, we had passed by a store that was selling these beautiful shades. I tried them on but put them back because I felt they were too expensive and here they were in my hands. It had pink lenses with a gold thin lenses frame. It said “for your sense of touch”. The next one was a voucher to my favorite restaurant; the same one he had bought food from to surprise me. That was for taste.

I pulled up the cutest and softest pink blanket for touch. Under it was a box and another card. I picked up the card and opened it.

“I’ve given you one thing for each of your five senses but there’s one more thing I want to give you. Can I be your boyfriend? If your answer is yes, there’s a necklace in the box that I’d love for you to wear. I’ll be waiting for you at your favorite restaurant so we can use those vouchers. If your answer is no, my friend will be waiting in my room for you to return the necklace to him. I hope to see you soon.”

This was all too much. I felt too special. My heart felt like it might explode.

Kwame and Lara teased as I put on a red dress and the beautiful infinity necklace. I packed my purse with the watch and restaurant vouchers and stepped out of my room eagerly.

Sly was waiting for me in front of the restaurant in a neat suit with a flower in his hand. He looked so handsome and put together. He smiled when he saw me approaching and I smiled at him.

“I’m guessing this means, yes?”

“Yes” I said.