Chapter 10 --- Goodbye Mic

It’s been two weeks since I and Mic spoke. We had our final project defense the following Monday after the heartbreak episode that happened on Saturday. I had to help myself understand I was getting the certificate for me and no one else so I took my mind off all thoughts about Michael and focused on preparing for the defense. And the hard work paid, the external examiner said I did just great.

Convocation was scheduled for Saturday which was today. It’s been hard for me to move on, I can’t. I still love Michael so much, even though he turned out to be a far from the person I thought he was.

We’ve done all the necessary things that were required by the department and also collected our graduation gowns. School has been very quiet because all students went home a week ago leaving the graduating students behind. I and Michael saw each other every time we were at the department but we never spoke to each other, he was always with Betty and they were always laughing and calling every boy’s attention with the nuisance they constituted. Raphael has called me severally but I’ve ignored his calls and messages. He’s the reason why I’m here and even though I know he’s not responsible for Michael’s behavior, I don’t want to talk to him.

“Will all graduating students please stand” the Pro Chancellor said as he waited for us to adhere before he continued with his speech. Even though a part of me was still broken, this moment brought so much joy to my heart. When I was young I always looked forward to it. I only saw it on TV and prayed I also experienced a moment like that. I turned over to look at Michael again. I have been stealing glances at him. I remember how we met, and all those times he acted like he really loved me, it felt so real. Those memories have me holding on to him even if I’m mad at him, I’m still holding on to him. A part of me tells me he still loves me but only acted that cold towards me because he was angry and I have decided to believe that.

Not everyone had their parents present for the convocation ceremony and I was part of them, I had spoken to my parents and informed them about it weeks ago but they are both very busy people and had travelled for an important meeting. It wasn’t really a big deal to me though because I wasn’t a fan of large gatherings and right after the convocation ceremony everywhere was going to be filled up.

My Mum had booked a flight for me to Abuja, even though she and dad weren’t at home they wanted me to leave school immediately the ceremony was over since they weren’t here and because of the high rate of theft that usually happened during convocation ceremonies and I couldn’t wait to leave as well. Over the weekend I received an email telling me I was shortlisted for the position as a fresh graduate intern I had applied for at an NGO which was at Abuja and the interview was on Monday. This was very important to me because for my service year I could easily fix the organization in as my PPA through the help of my parents.

I was in my feelings, couldn’t believe all what I and Michael had, would come to an end just like that, I thought he was real and poured in every bit of my soul into loving him. Withdrawing was going to be hard, very hard. And that’s why I’ve guarded my heart for so long because when I love, I love very deep. I was willing to talk to Michael after the ceremony was over.

After hours of getting seated and standing, presentation of awards and degrees and a lot more, the event ended. It was a beautiful moment for me and I’m pretty sure it was for everyone. I watched as everyone walked over to their parents and the tents they had set up for celebration, some of them had their whole family members present which was a beautiful thing. The best moments should be shared with the people you love.

I’ve had my tabs on Michael. I was walking towards him to talk when Raphael appeared in front of me.

“Hey, Ladi, congratulations” he said, stretching his arms forward to give me a handshake

“Thanks, you too” I replied, smiling and acknowledging the handshake

“Are your parents around?”

“No, something came up so they had to cancel”

“Ok. It would be lovely if you could join us, my tent is over there” he pointed towards his tent. I look to see few people there, his mum and his siblings I guess.

“I would love to, but I have a flight to catch and I can’t afford to miss it. Thanks for the invite though” I smiled

“Oh, okay. I wish you a safe trip, I’ll stay in touch” he said. I wondered what gave him the assurance I wasn’t going to air him as usual

“Thanks” I formed a smile.

Now I had lost Michael, I couldn’t find him anywhere around, I decided to call him. Just as I expected, he didn’t answer. I let out a deep sigh and walked over to Florence’s tent, she and Jackie were sharing one, because their parents knew each other and since Jackie’s parents couldn’t make it to the event they decided it was best to do things together with Florence.

“Hey guys” I laughed out loud

“Hi girl, congratulations” Florence said while reaching to give a hug

“We did it” Jackie said as she also reached to give a hug

“Yeah, we did” I said

“Come and meet my parents” Florence said as she took me to the other end of the tent

“Good afternoon Sir, Good afternoon Ma” I tilted my head downwards as a sign of respect

“Good afternoon dear, how are you” her dad replied

“Fine, thank you Sir ” I replied

“Congratulations my dear, May you all excel and achieve success In Jesus Name” her mother said, taking another spoon from the plate of jollof rice that was in her hand.

“Amen, thank you very much ma”

“So, you’re leaving soon, huh?” Florence said

“Yes, right after I see Sonia”

“Okay, we’ll miss you”

“I will miss you guys too” I smiled

I called Michael again but he still wasn’t answering his calls, I had nothing left here anymore. After seeing Sonia and exchanging pleasantries, I returned the graduation gown and went over to the hostel to get my things. They were quite much, so I decided to give most of them to a young lady who said she was giving things to charity, leaving me with just two little boxes and a hand bag.

I decided to send Michael a text message before I ordered a taxify ride

*hey, I don’t know why you’re still not taking my calls, I understand you’re still mad at me and that’s fine but please I need to see you before I leave, it’s almost time for my flight and I have to see you. Forgive me for the harsh things I said the other day, I over reacted and I’m sorry. I love you so much Mic, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me and I really can’t imagine a life without you*

I stared at my phone as the message got delivered immediately. The flight would take off by 4pm and this was 3:15pm. I had to leave the school premises in the next 10 minutes, because the airport was a little far.

After waiting and not getting a reply, I ordered a taxify ride. It was 35minutes to the time the flight would take off. The taxify ride wasn’t far from school, because 3minutes after I ordered the ride, it showed up. I couldn’t believe Michael would refuse to see me after the text I sent. I guess he never really loved me. A part of me, wanted to wait, look for him, kiss him, and tell him just how much I loved him, but was it really worth it, who knows maybe I was going to find him with betty.

Can’t believe I’m doing this, One thing I know for sure is this is one of the best decisions I’ll ever make, that’s what I had to tell myself just so I could go ahead with the decision I made. I picked up my phone and looked at the notification bar hoping I’d get a text from him, still nothing, I let out a sigh while holding tears back, the flight would take off soon and this would really be the end, and also a new beginning, that was what I had hoped at least.

The flight was taking off already. I unlocked my phone to go through our pictures again. looking at pictures of us just brings back memories, I wish my heart didn’t ever fall for someone like him, I wish he loved me back too, I thought to myself while tears rolled down my face, I guess I couldn’t hold them back for too long “I loved you, I still love you” I said while staring at the photo.