Late Eighteen

40| Chapter forty

I saw one of my classmates, Carolina, across the large room and I could hardly recognize her. Why do girls take so much pleasure in decorating their faces like witches? I have no hate for makeup, don't get me wrong. I just dislike the fact that people tend to overdo it a lot. Some girls look like clowns, but their friends prefer not to tell them so they don't take offense.

I adjusted my tux and proceeded to walking around the room for a bit. I look heavenly good, if I do say so myself.

"I'm going out to take a call, will you be okay by yourself?" My sis said beside me. I completely forgot about her, only just remembering that we came together.

I looked at her with eyes full of curiosity. "Why can't you take a call here? It's that man, abi?"

"Which man did you give me?" She slapped my head upside down and I winced. "Foolish boy."

Almost immediately my sister left, my eyes couldn't help but wander about, hoping that I get to see Ruth around somewhere. Our eyes locked and I saw her coming towards me in a black elegant gown from afar.

A slit stretched from the right side of her leg, almost above her knees to the middle of her thighs. The dress was also adorned with a V-shaped neckline, exposing not too much but a little bit of cleavage, just enough to draw some attention. I could see some of our classmates rearing their ugly eyes on her, all fixated on her beautiful. Hell, even some teachers couldn't help but spare her a glance.

She's just so beautiful.

"Hi." She said as she reached my side, looking at me up and down. "You clean up nice, I almost didn't recognize you. " My heart giggled at the fact the fact that she was admiring me too, I found it particularly hard to keep the smile off my fact too.

"I mean, you look beautiful too." I waved my hands obnoxiously around me, obviously carried away by her intense eyes looking into my soul. "You know, with your h-hair all packed up and everything. And your dress too, i-its i-t's just wow."

The laugh tumbled out of her in waves. "Where did the confident Micheal go? Stuttering sure looks good on you."

"Whatever." I said with a pretend frown on my face.

"Well, it's best I leave you now, I have a speech to give later. The programme is about to start and I haven't even found my seat yet."

Ruth ended up being valedictorian of the year in our set. I mean, I kind of expected 'cause she's one of the most respected prefects in the school, also being part of the executives of the students board
for events and planning. Apart from that, she's also academically sound. Our WAEC results aren't out yet but I'm sure she'll be one of the best across the globe, so it was bound to happen anyway.

"Goodluck, I'm sure you'll ace it, I'll be watching from up here. Can you find me after the programme though? I have to ask you something important." She agreed. We big goodbyes and I watched her walk away.

I think it's time, I might as well rip the band aid off.

• • •

By the time we came to the end of our graduation, it's past mid day and I could see the look on everyone's faces. If there's one thing Nigerians can never do, even if a gun was pointed to their heads, it would be to adhere to time. The programme was scheduled at 10am and was supposed to end at about 1pm. But alas! It's past 3pm and we're just about rounding up on the final touches.

Ruth's speech was magnificent.

That was about the highlight of my day, and from the looks on the faces of the audience when the speech was being taken, I could confidently say that perhaps it was the same for them too.

Who knew Ruth could talk so intelligently? At the same, interestingly, 'cause the speech was anything but boring. She managed to squeeze in occurrences from her life—funny ones—that structured her to be the person she is today.

Anyway, things have just about rounded up and I'm on a mission to look for Ruth.

I told that big headed girl to look for me after the programme and now I can't find her anywhere.

My nerves are skyrocketing and I can just about feel my palms sweating due to anxiousness.

You guessed right, I'm going to ask Ruth out. On a date. Isn't that crazy? I hope she says yes.

"Oh hey." I breathe as I bumped into Ezekiel. He's in a button down shirt and fitted pants, his shoes all shiny and expensive. Sincerely speaking, Zeke is one handsome guy for sure but I'd never admit it. In a way, I could see why Ruth fell for him.

Too bad he fumbled her.

But that's okay, I'm here now.

"Micheal hey, I was just leaving." He switched his suit jacket from his left to his right hand. "Have you seen Ruth anywhere? I have a flight to catch soon and I really need to tell her goodbye."

Oh that's right, he's supposed to leave for the US today, how could I forget?

"I have no idea either, I have to talk to her too but I can't find her anywhere."

He nodded slowly as if disgesting my words, and then silence followed for about five seconds. "Soooo— You finally got the girl, huh?"

I furrowed my brows in fake confusion, "What are you taking about?

"It's okay, you don't have to hide it from me. I know you like her." He smiled for a bit, a distant look in her eyes. "We aren't that close, but I know you're a great guy. Treat her right."

Don't worry, I am far better than you are, I'll surely treat her better than you would ever do.

I could only but nod at him.

"Nice talk. I'm gonna go look for Ruth, I wish you the best."

Somehow, I felt like that later part of his sentence wasn't limited to just the present. I doubt our paths will cross ever again, so I might as well wish him well for the future ahead.

"Hey." I called out to him just as he was about to walk away. "You're gonna do great."

He stopped for a minute look at me. "Guess you aren't as bad as I had thought." Then he walked away.

I watched him walk away until he was out of sight.

I could feel my insides rest, a soft feeling of peace suddenly overcoming me. Talking to Zeke somehow put me at peace, and I could hardly  tell why.

Oh, well.

On to new beginnings.