DIARY OF DORA

By: Amarachi Ayozie

Situations push you to do so many things, those you want to do and those you do not want to do. As a young girl with my big and bright dreams I imagined I won’t find myself in a tight corner. But alas! My story came. It started during my first year in the university. I had a good friend, Laura. One day we were both in the kitchen cooking and we started chatting, 'Dora, do you know that Stephen is really on my neck about dating him?' I really didn't know how to answer her.  On the outside she claimed she could never date him, but on the inside she desired him the same way a monkey desired banana. 'What do you think about him?' I asked her, 'I think he is okay but I can never date him.' 'Hmm, long story'. I thought.

Three days after that incident I was going by the university library and I accidentally missed my step and fell flat on the floor, 'Oh my God! , I was more pissed than embarrassed. I got up quickly and arranged myself amidst the sympathy from on lookers, surprisingly, and Stephen helped in picking my books up. “Here are your books”, he said as he held them up to me. It was at that moment I saw his eyes. Gosh, they were so sparkly. 'Thanks', I said quickly. 'You are welcome', he answered back.

I continued walking recollecting his face and eyes and said inwardly ‘No wonder Laura pined for him so badly, He is every girl's wish. There was sure to be some competition for this guy. In class, I found myself reliving the incident, 'I must be out of my mind', I thought.

I pushed the thought aside I concentrated for the day's lecture. Destiny can be delayed but never denied. It turned out that Stephen was a member of the Dance and Drama Troupe that I joined the following week. As a very good dancer I quickly made friends and that included Stephen. Laura didn't seem to mind.

As a first year student I took the troupe's activities very seriously. Stephen seemed very impressed and as the group's dance director he gave me roles that showcased my talents. As some people will say, 'pepper body no de change'.  I noticed whispers whenever I passed among course mates and lodge mates, 'people dey talk o', I thought to myself. One faithful Friday morning, Laura and I were doing laundry together and as it is said that “whenever two or more girls are gathered the leading topic of discussion would be about guys”, so it was for our case that day. Stephen was at the top of our agenda!  'I hear you and Stephen have become good pals, Laurel asked. 'Kind of, we talk and share ideas. He is really a cool guy, I like him', I answered forgetting the secret desire of my dear friend. Five minutes passed without either of us saying anything. I then looked at Laura’s face; gosh, she was boiling with anger...Omo! I quickely asked: 'Laura, what is wrong?'

That question brought out all the words she had been cooking in her mind. And it was a hot serving. 'You are a bad friend!’, she shouted. 'I told you he was unto me and you couldn't live with the fact that a guy like Stephen could really like me.' Girls were already staring at us; I was dumbfounded, words left me. Before I could say 'Jack', a bucket of water was poured on me and that was how I recovered my stamina. Physical combat was practiced that day.

News spread like wild fire and Stephen called both of us and made the situation clear he still had it for Laura. You needed to see the sheepish smile on her face. Ahh, Girls! Our wahala too much sha!!

Stephen told Laura to be more open minded. 'If you feel the same way about me, say so.' Laura then admitted she had the hots for him. I was relieved and a little bit disappointed. He was such a gentle man. Laurel apologized for her attitude and behavior to me and I apologized too.

Hmmmmm…they say “All is well that ends well”  

(Culled from: VOX MAGAZINE)