BACK TO COLLEGE

★★★★★

The rest of my holiday was a blur. Apart from the daily video calls with Richard and the weekly ones with Gabriel, Sophie sometimes called in between. The funny thing is that I always looked forward to Gabriel's calls. Just to know how Selena was doing, I guess.

Sometimes he'd talk about how his dad is trying to convince him to quit music class and computer engineering and change courses to banking and finance. Other times he'd make funny noises or mimic cartoon characters, just to make me laugh.

Richard called everyday, to tell me he's either thinking of me, or missing me. We never used the L-word yet. He was more open than before. I got to talk to his brother. Yay. I was really nervous at first, but when I heard the little boy's voice, Emeka came to my mind immediately and I found myself playing with him, asking him his hobbies, if Richard treats him well and all that. His name was Jayden. Ten years old.

AUAS had sent me a mail to explain why the school didn't resume on time. They were setting the music class with more equipment. I was so happy with the news. Resumption was on twenty eight of January. As usual, I packed my clothes from my Ghana must go bag and put it in my travelling bag. Lida decided to drop me at my hostel on the twenty seventh.

"Lizzy? You came back early too?"

"Yeah. That's the standard, because on twenty eight, classes start. Besides, there will be change of schedules and all that."

"Jeez. It's a good thing I came today. Thank God."

"Lucky you." I dropped my bags by my side of the room and laid on my bed. Lizzy was talking to someone on the phone, so I unconsciously listened to her own part of the conversation.

"No, you're the cute one." Silence.."I'm sorry about that, I told you"..."Why should I tell you first?"..."I love you too." I looked at her after her last sentence. She had finished with the call.

"Who was that? You're using the L-word with him or her."

"Well, I guess we bonded during the holiday, and he asked me out!" She said, giggling like a little girl.

"And do I know this person that you 'bonded' with?" I said, suspicious. Probably Zac. Ha!

"Gabriel." What?!

"What?"

"Well, I've not told anyone apart from Sophie. I've had a crush on Gabriel since high school, but he never dated. He kinda stopped, so it ruined my chances of making a move on him, but during the holiday we spent most time in your house talking and he popped the question on New Year's Eve. I had to say yes, Dhurr."

"Wow," I said. So this is how he felt like when I didn't tell him about Richard. Hurt. Displeased. Jealous? No. I wasn't. I have my own boyfriend.

"Right? I couldn't believe it too. I thought he was joking cause he left after that, but he said because of Selena he had to leave. Thanks to you Mona."

"Yeah I guess." I couldn't believe it. He talked to me all through the holiday ans never told me? Was he also video calling her? I hate this feeling.

"I know about you and Richard too, so don't play that innocent girl card on me."

"Well, it's official too," I said, trying to sound normal, "We've just not used the L-word yet."

"Don't worry. Richard's a hard nut to crack. You're probably the first girl he's dated this long."

"Ooh. And Gabriel?"

"He did date in high school. I think twice. Long term. So I'm kinda over excited right now."

"Yeah." I couldn't stay there any longer. I went for a walk in the school's premises and found myself in the newly decorated and furnished music room. It was empty, luckily. I found myself moving over to the piano. I was drawn to it. The piano made me feel at ease.

I ran my fingers along the keys, flexing my fingers as well as preparing it for what I was to play. I didn't know yet. Soon, I found myself playing Forelise. The piece reminded me of Gabriel during the holiday. I couldn't stop listening to it. The first part wasn't hard. It started with E and E flat. That's if you're using C to count it.

It was smooth, composed, just like him, then as it continued, I thought of Richard. Fierce, yet soft hearted. The piece had me thinking about myself and these two cousins. I continued playing though my fingers were hurting, because I kept on playing it over and over again.

Finally, I stopped. Kelechi was in my mind, so I made a mental note to call him. When I opened my eyes, a small crowd had gathered in the classroom. They were all staring at me.

"What's happening?"

They started clapping. Jeez is there any loose knots in their heads? I shrugged it off and tried to force my way through the crowd. I was crying. I moved out of the school area and went a little bit further when my phone rang.

"Hey."

"Hey? What's up?" I said, cleaning my eyes with the back of my hand.

"Are you crying? Where are you?"

"I'm fine Richard. I'm out of school premises now."

"Why? Come back. Schedules are being shared."

"Sure. I'm on my way. Anything else?"

"You were in the music classroom? You play Forelise really well."

"How did you know that?"

"A lot of people took a video of it. It's trending."

"Ooh."

"You don't sound well, baby. What's the problem?"

I didn't know if I could talk to him about it. I had my academics to worry about. I see why my parents told me to avoid having boyfriends in Secondary School.

"Can we talk when I get back?"

"Sure. Anytime." There was a short silence after that, then he said, "I love you. There. I said it!"

"Richard?"

"Was it too early? Mona I really don't know what to do. Weird, cause I'm a play boy."

"Hey, don't call yourself that. You're my boyfriend." I knew he'd be blushing, so I laughed when he didn't say anything. I didn't know if I was ready to tell him I loved him or not.

'Do you?' Mathew asked.

'You tell me. I don't know what I'm doing anymore.'

'You can't tell him yet. You're still having those thoughts about Gabriel.'

'I'm not.'

'Sure.'

"It's okay if you're not ready to tell me yet. We're still new to this anyway. I can keep on telling you and you'll just have to listen." This made me to like him even more. He wasn't rushing me at all.

"I'm in school premises now. Babe."

"Aww. Say it again. Again."

"Babe." I couldn't help but smile when I heard him fake-crying. I could imagine him touching his chest too.

"You just made my day. Come over to music class. That's where we are."

"Okay." And the line went dead. I made my way to the music room and found everyone there. Bola, Michael, Richard. Gabriel too. I didn't even know how to face him.

"I see you've been in touch with the new piano, Monacei."Mr Link showed me a video of me playing Forelise on the grand piano.

"I'm sorry. I got carried away with the piece so I couldn't help but play it. I'm-"

"It's fantastic! Don't you think so?" He asked the class. They all chorused a yes. So he dismissed me after saying he'd post it on the school's website.

My seat was still between Bola and Gabriel. I couldn't even look at him in the eye. That weird atmosphere was back again. Sighting an empty set beside Richard, I apologized to Bola for not sitting with him and made my way over to Richard. He put an arm around my shoulder and I saw Gabriel narrow his eyes at us.

The class took off immediately. Mr Link was explaining various Classic musicians and their style of music. Beethoven, Wei, and others who were well known Classics. Richard's hands didn't move from my shoulder and I found myself getting​comfortable under his​ arms. No PDA's!

I sat up straight and found Gabriel's eyes on mine. I didn't know what he wanted, but I didn't care. The music class was the only class for the day. Mr Link gave us our new schedule and told us to be on time for our classes. With that, we all left to our various hostel rooms.

"Mona?" It was Gabriel. We were close to my room. Richard decided to escort me. I needed the company so I didn't refuse.

"What's it?" I asked nonchalantly.

"So you'll just ignore me because you're dating my cousin?"

"No, I'll ignore you because you didn't tell me you were dating my roommate."

"I wanted to tell you. There was not a good chance."

"You had twenty seven days and thirteen video calls to tell me."

"Well, I'm sorry you didn't get to hear it from me."

"Um.. What's going on?" It was Richard.

"Stay out of it," Gabriel and I said in unison.

"I don't get it. I never felt any vibe from you too. You don't like her do you?"

"What do you mean by vibe? I never thought you were going to date my cousin that I want nothing to do with."

"I told you I liked him earlier. You didn't tell me about yours."

"I'm sorry if I didn't have a chance with you talking everytime!"

I didn't know what to say. Talking? He didn't enjoy my blabbing? He always acted like he did.

"I... I didn't mean that Mona."

Richard was quietly observing the scene in front of him. I wondered what he'd think about it. "Look mehn, just stay away for sometime alright?"

"Stay away? You should stay away."

"Don't mess with me now Gabriel. You know things will get ugly."

"Will you just stop it?" I said to the both of them. I stormed into my room without saving any of them a glance, and thanked God that Lizzy wasn't in.

I laid on my bed, about to cry when I thought of KC. Yeah, cue him to enter my mind at a time like this.

_____
Yeah, cheesy chapter. I'm sorry for that😔

To make up for that, I'm making the next chapter something you won't expect 🌷

Munaloves y'all ❤