Behind the Classroom walls

They stayed in the balcony, waiting for them. Amaka and Chris were a bit worried because they had waited long, sitting at the balcony. They were a bit upset. "But what's all this, what is taking them so long to get here?" Amaka asked. "I'm also furious right now!" Chris exclaimed.

Just then, Iyiola and Enoch came in holding hands. They couldn't help but notice the look on the duo's face. "What is wrong?" Iyiola and Enoch chorused. "We are the ones supposed to be asking what's wrong," Amaka replied sharply. "We are sorry," they chorused once more.

Chris was finally calmed. "We have been seated here for over 30 minutes waiting for you guys. Next time, please don't keep us waiting," he said.

"Let's continue with the story. But this time around, Iyiola will be the one to continue from where I stopped last week," Enoch announced.

"That's good, let's keep the ball rolling," Amaka said.

"After the examination that day, I started having feelings for Enoch, but I decided to be crude with it. I wasn't aware that he also had feelings for me, until..." Iyiola began to narrate her part of the story.

Days became weeks, weeks became a term, and terms became a session. We had just resumed from our SS2 third-term holiday. I couldn't hold my joy at being in the highest class in senior secondary school. I made sure I ironed my clothes, watching over them countless times to ensure they were safe. I cleaned up quickly that day and went to school to display my newly bought uniform.

I had always dreamed of this day when I would be sitting in the classroom wearing a long tie on my school T-shirt. I entered the classroom, where some of my classmates were already seated. We exchanged pleasantries, welcoming one another to a new academic session.

I felt I was the center of attraction until…

The scent of perfume caught my attention, and Enoch walked into the class, wearing a nose mask. He exchanged pleasantries with everyone. "Fine boy," a classmate teased him. He walked towards me.

She froze.

"Your new uniform looks beautiful on you," he said. I smiled. "Thanks." "How was your holiday?" he inquired. "It was fine, thanks," I replied. "Have you seen Chris or Amaka in school today?" I asked. "No, they should almost be here already," Enoch replied.

Our conversation was interrupted by Amaka and Chris's lively arrival. As we exchanged greetings, I couldn't help but glance at Enoch.

Amaka noticed my gaze and teased me about having a crush on Enoch. I tried to brush it off, but Amaka's words hit home.

The bell rang for assembly, and all the students trooped out to the assembly ground. As the students moved out, they chattered, exchanging pleasantries.

During the assembly, I found myself lost in thought, imagining scenarios where Enoch would ask me out.

Amaka's voice brought me back to reality. "You've been staring at him for a long time," she whispered.

I tried to play it cool, but Amaka saw right through me. "I've noticed you've had a crush on Enoch since you joined our group," Amaka said.

My face grew hot with embarrassment as Mr. Jacobs shouted at us to pay attention.

As we returned to our classroom, Amaka signaled to me that we would discuss this further.

Chris chimed in, "So Amaka knows about it too?"

Iyiola gave him a weird look, and Amaka reassured her, "Don't mind him, Iyiola. Continue your story."

One day after school, I headed to a nearby store to get a racket for my tennis training. I saw Enoch from afar, walking towards me. I slowed down, composed myself, adjusted my clothes, and wiped the sweat from my lips.

As he approached, my heart began to beat faster. I tried to avoid him noticing my emotions. On noticing me, he waved and told me to wait; he ran to avoid delaying me.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm fine, and you?" I replied.

"I'm good, thanks," he said. "Where are you headed?"

"I want to get a racket for my tennis training," he said.

My face lit up in surprise. "Wow!"

His face looked confused. "Yeah, wow. But why the wow?" he said.

I smiled, observing his cute face. "That's exactly where I'm going to also, with the same mindset."

"That's nice; I didn't know you also play tennis," he said.

I chuckled. "I've been learning it since I relocated to this place."

"But how come none of us in our group ever said anything about it?" he inquired.

"I think Amaka should be aware, because I told her that I was about to start tennis training at Sir Manny's Training Centre," I replied.

His look faltered in surprise. "Sir Manny!" he shouted.

"Yeah. Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking," I teased him.

He laughed. "What are you thinking?" he said.

His laughter echoed in my ear, my heart chattered in love, and my emotions were becoming a bit obvious.

"Are you trying to say that's the same place you're also getting your training?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm so happy right now," he replied.

"Same here," I said softly.

"Let's start going to the store," he said.

We both walked to the store that day and got a racket each. I got a purple racket, while he got a blue one.

The following day, just after school closed, I stayed at the corridor of the classroom, waiting for Amaka, who had gotten into trouble with a teacher. We were to meet at an empty class in the school; Chris and Enoch were already there, waiting for us.

I lost patience and couldn't wait for Amaka anymore. I walked to the classroom where we had planned to use.

"What about Amaka?" Chris asked.

"She hasn't come back from the staff room," I replied.

"I hope she'll join us soon," Enoch said.

I went to sit beside Enoch to read with him. I had no idea they were discussing something about me before I came in. What caught my attention was a beautiful pink card he rushed to cover as I approached him.

I held his hands and drew out the card from the book he hid it. As I navigated through the note, I was blushing. He and Chris's faces lit up when they realized I was blushing.

"I was planning to give you that today," he said, a little shy, pointing to the note I was holding.

I was short of words at that time; I didn't know how to reply.

"And now that you've read the content of the note, can I get a reply?"

My eyes scanned through the last sentence in the note, saying, "Can we be in a serious relationship together? I promise you won't regret it."

I had been the one always imagining a scenario like this, but I wasn't expecting it at that moment.

"Truth be told, I like you, and I don't think I have any reason to decline," I stammered.

"So, what's your answer?" he spoke with expectations.

"Hmm... Yes!" I said.

He jumped up, taking a sigh of relief. Chris hugged him. He then walked close to me and hugged me tightly.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," I replied.

That was how we started dating. This whole thing happened just two weeks into SS3.

Amaka said, "I still regret till now for missing that moment."

Iyiola replied, "That's why we're tracing back the memories together."

We all laughed. Amaka's younger sister walked into the conversation to deliver the snacks her mom baked for them. They all stood up and went inside the house to appreciate Amaka's mom, and soon they were back outside.

"I'm seriously enjoying the memories we're sharing," Chris admitted.

"It's fun," the rest chorused.

"Let's continue," Iyiola suggested.

"Sure."

Our relationship grew stronger and stronger; we shared different thoughts to keep the relationship going. We also didn't neglect the importance of reading together in a group, and this helped us start preparing for WAEC.

We started attending the tennis training session during the first-term break. I and Enoch would always walk together to the training ground, and this continued for the two weeks of our holiday.

One memorable experience I wouldn't forget during our training session was a particular day... As usual, I and Enoch walked into the training center. We greeted Sir Manny, who was gyming.

"Good morning, master," we chorused.

"Good morning, how are you doing?" he inquired.

"We're fine, sir," we chorused.

"I'm going out now to my child's birthday party. I'm sorry I forgot to tell you guys yesterday that I wouldn't be around, but I trust you both should be able to coordinate yourselves and train together."

"Oh!" I exclaimed.

"We'll try our best, sir," Enoch replied.

That day, after Sir Manny left, I and Enoch trained for some time, and Chris suggested we should go to the swimming session. I obliged. We walked to the swimming session, where we met other teenagers swimming.

I pulled off my clothes, hung them on a hanger right beside me, and jumped into the water, keeping a distance from Enoch. I'm sure he would be wondering why I had to do so. Actually, I did so in order to obey my parents' and God's warning and instructions, as you guys already know my dad is a pastor, and I wouldn't want to do anything to tarnish his image.

After swimming that day, we went home, having a wonderful experience.

Our WAEC examination was four months closer, and I and Enoch didn't have more time to talk like we used to. We even couldn't read as a group again, as we had already devoted one month for personal reading and the remaining three months for joint revision.

We only met in school and talked casually, but we both agreed to suspend any other things in order to prepare for the examination.

"You guys are just funny," Amaka cut into the story.

"Why do you have to cut into my story?" Iyiola said, acting angry but in a joking form.

"I'm sorry," Amaka pleaded.

Iyiola was a bit tired and begged Enoch to pick up again from where she stopped.

"Please, one of you should continue the story. I need to know what happened next, because I'm always missing the real scene," she said jokingly, pointing at Iyiola and Enoch.

"I'll continue from where she stopped," Enoch said.

"Are you ready?" he shouted jokingly.

"We're ready," the rest chorused.

I had just wrapped the gift I needed to give Iyiola for her birthday and needed to add a love note to the present. I tore a sheet of paper and wrote what I had in mind. It was like I had just poured out the love I had for her.

I waited with great expectations as I progressively took my bath and got ready for school. I kept hoping she would appreciate the perfume I bought for her.

On getting to school, I couldn't find her in the class, but I was told a teacher sent for her. I removed the present and took it to place in her bag. As I opened the bag, I was shocked at what I saw. My heart seethed with anger as I glanced through the note.

She walked in, holding a present someone gave her, and noticed I was holding a present for her.

"Ahhhn!" she exclaimed in surprise.

I didn't utter a word, as I was fuming inside.

She noticed I was mute and observed my stern look.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"What is this in your bag?" I said angrily, trying to avoid calling the attention of other students in the class.

She moved to her bag and read the note attached to a present in her bag.

"What?!" she exclaimed.

In case you might be thinking what was in the note, I didn't read the whole epistle Teddy, a classmate, wrote in the note. But what caught my attention and made me seethe with anger was: 

"I appreciate the time, the love we've spent together. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Your Soulmate, 

Teddy."

I didn't want to hear any word from her again. I dropped the present I brought for her on her desk and wished her a happy birthday.

She froze at that same spot for about three minutes.

Since then, I had turned a deaf ear to her, but I didn't want to break up with her because I hadn't found any reasonable evidence. I kept avoiding her everywhere I went, even in school.

Chris noticed this and I had to tell him what happened. He didn't believe me. He told me he was going to find out.

Iyiola came countless times, begging and begging, telling me she knew nothing about it. But I turned a deaf ear to them all. She even sent Chris to beg me, but my heart was already hardened to leave her. I didn't believe her until the day a friend of mine, who is also Teddy's best friend, told me that Teddy is currently depressed because his girlfriend threatened to break up with him for calling her a friend. I laughed, having no idea where the story was heading to.

He furthered, telling me that his girlfriend's birthday date was the same date with Iyiola's. He had no idea I and Iyiola were dating. He said that Teddy mistakenly placed the note he had written for his girlfriend in Iyiola's present, and Iyiola's note in his girlfriend's present. That's why he had been acting strange for some days.

My heart lingered in pain. "I have offended Iyiola," I said to myself. Immediately, I walked into the classroom to apologize to her, and we bumped into each other. Teddy had just told her the same thing, and she was also coming to tell me.

"I'm sorry," the two of us said together.

I held her hand and drew her inside the classroom and sat at a free space at the back. She told me what Teddy told her, and I told her it was the same thing with what his friend told me. We continued talking intensely and laughing.

That was when Chris walked into the class and greeted Mrs. Oladapo, the biology teacher, and also Amaka came near.

"Why am I always missing important information? I didn't know the two of you had a misunderstanding, all I know was Iyiola's birthday," Amaka said.

The four friends enjoyed the moment they spent together and departed to their homes.

Seven months later, Enoch received a message from Iyiola, and his heart skipped a beat. He felt like his life was about to take a dramatic turn.

"What's wrong?" Chris asked, noticing Enoch's sudden reaction.

Enoch's eyes were fixed on his phone, his face pale. "It's Iyiola," he whispered. "She just sent me a message... 'It's out'."

Chris's eyes widened in anticipation. "What's out?"

Enoch's voice trembled. "I don't know... but I have a feeling our lives are about to change forever."

The room fell silent, filled with anticipation and suspense.

What was "out"? Only time would tell...