Chapter 68

Jadesola Coker

I didn't have to hide any longer. There was a burden that got lifted up my shoulder ever since that day. I didn't have to listen and let what people know about me or have once seen me look like deprive me of what was ahead of me. Though it was slow, but was never late. Though there was a delay, but it was just a matter of time. When I finally did my first jamb at nineteen, both mom and Dad couldn't believe the score I had. Having two hundred and eighty five was the result of late night candles.

Ever since I came back from Abuja, even I, knew something had gone wrong with my brain. I was no longer the old Jadesola in academics. What I spent my time most whenever I wasn't cooking was reading. Reading became an important part of me. I learnt a lot. I read ahead, I met people through books, and prepared myself ahead the jamb exam. But with everything, I wasn't given my preferred course, and I had to stay behind again while another set of people secured the admission.

My Dad decided I go to a private university instead, but I chose to wait again. This time, I didn't experience so much heartbreak cause I was already working as a cook in one of the big restaurants in Lagos. I enjoyed the work and the pay. Instead of waiting without doing anything, I decided to start a life myself. Another lesson I learnt in my life, instead of blaming myself and blaming everyone around me, I had something I could build up, and that was my cooking skill. Instead of just walking around the street while waiting, I saw many youths of the same age with me learning skills because who knows what the future holds. Many don't even end up working with what they read in school, so any opportunity seen should be taken to learn a skill of one's choice.

"Jade, when is the tutorial again?"

"Tuto or what did you guys just say?" I stared at them. I couldn't believe they were expecting another tutorial from me again. I dropped the last cloth I was packing inside my box.

"Haven't you guys gotten it yet?"

Funmi spoilt her mouth. "Jade, we know you've gotten to chapter eight of that textbook, so just explain it to us.

You know now With your explanation, it will enter once I carry the textbook." She

smiled, and next to her, Chioma chorused in pidgin. "Yes ooooo Do us well Jade. I

never know say Law dey hard like this ehnn! See my bones. I don read die!"

I couldn't help laughing. My GP was on four point, and I knew the price I paid for it. I stared at both Funmi and Chioma. I wondered how Funmi knew I had gotten to chapter eight of the textbook. I couldn't tell why she find it so difficult to read. But I couldn't say no, because she had been so helpful to me since my first year. We had been staying together as roommates for three years, and I never regretted it. Except that, she wasn't that serious with her studies. Tall, fair in complexion, with a set of figure eight that made her appear like a model. I wasn't really sure why she chose law over being a model. It was obvious modeling was her passion, but yet, she was studying law.

Her body was spotless and clean. The same body men couldn't look away from, and left some heartbroken because she never cared. She was too overwhelmed and distracted by her stature and shape. She loved life too much. To hang around a lot. With such lifestyle, I wondered why she still chose law. And despite how I admired her, she still wanted the size of my boobs, and was always joking about it.

At twenty, I finally gained my admission, and that gave me some confidence. By then, Kemi was in final year, and after my first year, she left for service. We couldn't spend so much time together, and since then we barely saw each other because she

decided to relocate back to Abuja where her parents lived after her NYSC. During my second year, Pearl left too, leaving me to continue my journey all by myself. I missed them, but then, it was true that some friends are there for a season, a reason, and some, for life time. During the time Kemi was in Lagos, her support was beyond my imagination. Arabella cried her lungs out causing my mom and I to realize how much Arabella had been too attached to Kemi.

Always on my white and black outfit, perfectly tucked in, giving me that look some other departments admired. I became a law student like I dreamt about since I was young. It was my dream, and slowly, it was shaping right before my eyes. The most funny part was whenever I decided to tackle my Dad, getting us to argue and laugh at each other, putting Mom in the middle. Sometimes, Dad and I would joke about Mom coming to my school to study law telling her about criminal defense law, civil law, and twisting everything around to cause confusion.. But of course, she would also advice us it wasn't too late for us to come study in faculty of education. We were all that close anytime I visited them at home.

Suddenly, the door of our hostel burst open, hitting the wall behind as the three of us looked up in shock.

"Haleema are you okay?" Funmi was the first to ask, but instead of getting a reply, Haleema ran to our toilet with full speed. Her legs moved like she was on a field running for a competition, hitting the ground with her mighty stature. It was that bad, getting us worried about what might have happened to her. She was Funmi's close friend.

And that was how I got close to her. Jeez!

The smell was that of a fowl. It was beyond bad.

"Haleema, what nonsense have you eaten!" Chioma shouted in annoyance. We all covered our nose as we ran outside the room down to where we weren't able to smell something as horrible as that. I couldn't help the laughter that bursted out of my mouth after we stopped. Others did the same too, realizing how far we had run away from the room. I should be on my way home already, but with the girls around, I knew it was gonna take me half of the day to pack. She was always like that. Eat, eat, and eat till she ended everything in the toilet. I would have said she loved food, but collecting from anyone she sees, or taking any food she sees was another meaning

on its own.

She came out breathing slowly. "Girls I'm sorry." She apologized, and all of a sudden she started laughing. "Don't tell me I sent you all out here?" She laughed, seeing how far we were and apologized again, but the girls weren't taking it. Haleema looked at me. "Jade are you going home?" Funmi hissed in reply, and walked inside first. We followed while Haleema was still laughing like it was funny. Though it was, but not anymore. Funmi sprayed her

perfume instead, and switched the fan to the highest number. It wasn't up to a minute we walked in when Haleema grabbed another thing again.

Heavenly Father.

That was one habit I didn't like about her.

"Rat!" Funmi shouted. "I said rat has eaten it!" I knew, but I didn't shout. It was too late before she realized it was the bread Funmi was shouting about because she was already chewing the bread in her mouth causing the rest of us to burst into laughter as she ran to the bathroom with her big stature, vomiting her spit instead. She hit her chest along, but nothing came out after all. I packed the rest of my things and zipped up my bag immediately. I was dressed already. I couldn't miss the next day because it was an important day for Arabella. She was going to clock six, and it was their big day in school. She had been disturbing mom to call me all day just to make sure I come home to follow her to school. I was about leaving when Haleema finally came out of the bathroom.

"You said you have a gist for me." Funmi said. Immediately, Haleema ran to her phone and gave it to Funmi. All of a sudden, Funmi shouted in excitement expressed with her eyes. Her laps were shaking as she kept bouncing it repeatedly on the ground. As if that wasn't enough, she ran to me, and hugged me, while Chioma and I were just staring at each other wondering what was going on. Of course, Haleema stood there laughing like always. It was her ministry. She was good at it.

"What is it?" Chioma and I chorused at the same as if we read our minds.

Funmi released me and stared at us. "It's Goriola Adams!" So what!

He was still the President's son because his Dad went the second time.

"So what!" God! It was as if Chioma was reading my mind. I liked the babe for always been blunt. I knew almost everyone had a crush on him, and despite the fact that he was out of the country, his fame was still reaching here.

Not a good luck for a person who wanted to stay low key. "Funmi!" I shouted for her to speak. I still wanted to ear it anyway.

"He's back! And I'm the model he chose to take the magazine cover for his clothing line!" Funmi announced with so much enthusiasm, and excitement. .

But I still couldn't believe my ears. Goriola was back!