HER SEARCH FOR MARY

Remember I said I had to bring Mary back......

Well, I did.

Convincing Mary was a big deal, I must confess. I'm just glad that at the end I no longer held on to someone else's blessings.

Okay, I'm not actually lying.

The state I found Mary in was a proof that I was actually holding on to her blessings.

That day after my discussion with my grandmother, I started strategizing on how I would locate Mary.

I barely knew her house. So I decided to start from there.

So on Saturday morning of that same week, I told grandmother that I wanted to go look for Mary.

"You seriously plan to bring Mary back because of a madman?", she asked.

What could I say?

I didn't meet any madman but I just needed Mary back.

I was glad she didn't stop me.

That was my first time going out with no destination in mind.

In my search for Mary (who wasn't missing except from her duty at grandmother's house), I bumped into an old classmate from school.

Oh yes! I switched schools.

Grandmother worked it out for me. I'd be forever grateful to her.

Not that I hated my previous school but it reminded me so much of my inability to please my parents.

With Peterson for instance, I just needed the space to breathe........

We call himJohn....I mean the old classmate I met with.

John used to be Peterson's worst nightmare. I don't know about now.

Rumor has it that John once got into a fight with Peterson, where he literally broke Peter's nose.

They were neighbours at that time, so I heard.

"Hola!" , John said.

"Hola! Buenos días?" was my reply.

His sudden silence showed that he knew little or nothing about Spanish.

Believe me I could tell....

John had always tried to put himself out there even when he barely had something to offer.

I remember when he contested for class captain and the entire class protested that he had no right to contest.

Don't blame them,John definitely had a bad reputation.

He was the oldest in our class at that time. That was because he repeated classes......

Anyway, John eventually became a smart student. He didn't show off like someone I know of.

"Wow, I'm surprised to see you here John" , I said in an attempt to save the conversation.

"But what are you doing here Ama?", he asked.

Ama? Only if I knew the meaning myself I would've told you.

Ever since he got into a fight with Peterson, that was howJohn referred to me.

"Well, I'm looking for someone", I said.

"Really? Who is that?"

"Mary. Her name is Mary"

"Oh, Mary from school?"

"No o! Mary from school how? This is a different Mary"

"Ok. Where does this different Mary live? I could escort you to her place if you don't mind"

Now that I didn't know her place what was I supposed to do?

I didn't know how to say the truth without sounding crazy.

So once again, I lied......

"Well, I'm not heading to her place just yet. I wanted to take a stroll first you know just to admire nature"

Admire nature indeed.....I would rather sleep or watch a movie than stroll or admire nature.

"Oh, well in that case let's go for a walk", John suggested.

At that point, we were in front of a convenience store. I looked ahead to know how long this walk would take.

"So John how's school?"

I can't believe I started the conversation. I guess I was nervous.

What if this walk ended and I still didn't know where to go?

"School's just school", he said.

He didn't look happy. I was sure something was going on in school. I wondered what it could be.

Although John was now doing well academically. He was preparing for his external exams too.

"You didn't even say goodbye", he added.

Yes, I couldn't say goodbye because I wouldn't miss them in school.

I had no best friend or friends at all. Only class and school mates.

I was a loner! Neither introverted nor extroverted.

Not everyone liked me so......

"Yeah. It happened suddenly" , I said.

That's the truth anyway....

Twenty minutes had passed and we were still walking. Suddenly, I found myself in front of Peterson's house.

"What are we doing here?", I asked trying to suppress my anger.

"This is my destination. I know you can't stand Peter but he's my guy and I'm here to collect past questions from him. You know exams are around the corner"

Did John just call Peter his guy or am I hearing things now?

John and Peter are friends? Wonders shall never end.........

"Ama, calm down. I'm with you. You don't have to worry. We would go in now, get the past questions and I would escort you to Mary's place like I promised"

Although his words were convincing, I knew I would never be comfortable around Peterson.

So we were let into the house by the gate keeper. I didn't know what to expect. I just kept a straight face and followed John from behind.

"Keep up Ama", he said

"I'm right behind you"

He looked back to see the distance between us. He laughed and I laughed too. I must have looked pathetic.

Entering the living room, I couldn't help but appreciate the decor. The Gbesinros definitely had a good taste.

While we waited for petty Peterson to show up.....I saw Mary.