Chapter 56 When Apologies Cut Deeper
Godiva POV
“Don’t bother, girl, you’ll find someone better,” Dina murmured, pulling me closer.
“I actually wish this apology never happened, because why does it hurt more than all he did?” I choked out as tears welled up in my eyes.
“Easy, girl, it’s better. At least whatever he does now wouldn’t get to you as much as it did when you thought he had romantic feelings for you,” she continued, still patting me gently.
“You don’t get it, bro,” I broke, finally letting my tears flow. “When Leo did what he did, it was easy letting go, because of Jerald, but now that Jerald is involved, how do I heal from this?”
“Maybe it is time you consider Hakeem,” Dina teased, trying hard to stop herself from laughing.
“Or maybe Ben?” I muttered under my breath.
“What did you say?” Dina blinked, letting go of me.
“Come on, girl, I was just kidding,” I waved it off quickly.
Silence fell in the room for a while before Dina finally broke it. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, do you have feelings for Ben?”
“No, why do you think so?” I hesitated.
“Thank goodness,” Dina exhaled deeply. “Don’t forget, I, your best friend, have feelings towards Ben.”
“Don’t worry about that. After all, it is evident Ben has eyes for you,” I assured her.
“That’s what I thought, but recently, I’m beginning to doubt that,” she admitted, her tone turning serious.
I didn’t want to push further because recently he had been particularly nice toward me. I guessed I was already confusing his niceness for feelings too.
“Am I starved of love?” I wondered to myself as I walked back home in solitude. I couldn’t help but feel I betrayed Dina because a part of me was being attracted to Ben already. “Well, I guess it was all because I was lonely,” I muttered aloud as I shut the door behind me.
“What loneliness are you talking about?” Mama fired immediately the second I shut the door.
“Jeez, Mama, you scared me,” I flinched, ignoring her question.
“You’ve been so out of it lately, hope you’re good?” Mama worried, taking my backpack off my shoulder.
“I’m good, Mama,” I softened, gently pressing my lips on her cheek.
.............
“Happy Valentine’s, my love!” I squealed, throwing myself on Dina.
“Happy lovers’ day to you, my Val since forever,” Dina screamed as we kept jumping in a circle for a while in front of her house.
“What did you get me this year?” Dina beamed enthusiastically.
“Turn around,” I gestured, smiling. “Ta da!” I presented, handing Dina a teddy, flowers, chocolates, and her best anime series.
“Sick, bro,” she gasped, hugging me. “It’s my turn, my turn, so turn around,” she bounced excitedly.
“Wow,” I breathed, looking at the wine, perfumes, headset, and romantic novel Dina just handed me. “You sure know me more than I know myself,” I teased.
“How about we drop everything at my place and get it after school?” Dina suggested casually.
“That’s nice, but don’t you think Mum will query us?” I whispered.
“Come on, girl, you still haven’t learnt from me?” Dina scoffed, snatching the gift from my hand and heading straight to the garden area behind the house. I knew she was about to get in through the window, but I worried her white shirt was going to get stained.
“Love is in the air,” someone echoed in the hallway. Everywhere in school was either red or white. The hallway was decorated beautifully, with everyone holding at least a rose flower. Dina and I were the only ones holding on to each other without a flower.
“I wish we picked a flower from the bouquet I handed you,” I leaned in, whispering into Dina’s ear, making her burst out laughing.
“Excuse me, sir, I have flowers to deliver to someone,” the delivery man announced, standing in front of the classroom door. Without saying a word, the teacher simply gestured him in.
“Please, who is Miss Godiva?” the delivery man asked suddenly.
“Diva, it’s for you!” Dina shrieked excitedly.
I froze, surprised and confused at the same time, as the delivery man handed me a bouquet of well-scented rose flowers. Ignoring the noise and murmurs from the classroom, I turned immediately to Jerald, hoping to catch a cue from him, but the surprise written all over his face told me he wasn’t the one who sent it.
“Read what’s in the letter,” Dina urged, pointing at the note attached to the bouquet.
“Dina and Godiva, you both focus or go to detention,” the Agric teacher thundered.
“Sorry, sir,” we chorused, as I dropped the bouquet. I anxiously waited for the bell to go so I could check out what was written in the note.
“Happy Valentine’s Day to the one who makes my imperfect world almost perfect, occupying my heart with your charming smile. Be my Val, not just today, but forever, Diva,” Dina and I read anxiously the second the staff left the classroom.
“Wow, I want to smile, but I can’t even smile since I have no idea where this is coming from,” I exhaled, taking a deep breath.
“Do you have anyone in mind?” Dina wondered absentmindedly as she continued admiring the flower.
“Wait a second,” I stiffened as an idea crossed my mind.
“What’s the meaning of this trash?” I snapped at Hakeem, throwing the bouquet on his desk.
He glared at us for a while, gave a slight nod, and turned to Jerald, completely ignoring us.
“Are you deaf?” Dina lashed out.
“Are you attention seekers?” he shot back. “Even in your dreams, I’d never give any of you a flower on a special day like this.”
His words and attitude made it clear he truly had no idea about the bouquet.
“Did you notice Jerald’s indifference as we spoke to Hakeem?” Dina pointed out as we threw ourselves onto the seat.
“I really don’t know if that’s how friends act toward each other,” I admitted, looking dispirited.
“Why is he approaching us in that manner?” Dina frowned suddenly.
“Who?” I lifted my head.
“Why is he looking furious?” I tensed as Jerald approached us.