Chapter 2: Emeka's Public Proposal

I late reach the graduation party because my uncle send me last minute make I go buy bread for him pregnant wife. As I dey hustle enter, dust never clear for my slippers, I see the school fine boy—Emeka, tall, light-skinned, always dey shine for inter-house sport—he dey try yarn Halima something serious.

Guy stand there with bouquet, dey form guy-man, you go think say na Nollywood audition, but as I look well, I see say sweat dey gather for him forehead. “Halima, I no too sabi this kind thing, but I no wan carry regret for mind. I like you. Abeg, be my babe?”

Our classmates begin scatter, dey shout as if dem dey watch football final. Some dey slap table, others dey raise plastic cup. Some dey snap, others dey record video—na gist for WhatsApp later. “Say yes, say yes!”

Another person, I think na Ngozi, carry her ogbonge voice add: “The campus queen and campus king, na una sure pass!”

My own chest just tight like say person tie am with wrapper, but I no wan dull, I follow dey chorus: “Say yes, say yes!” Even though my mind dey inside hot pepper soup.

Halima just shift look my side, her face change like say person pour her cold water. I see small surprise for her eye. Last last, she clear throat, then gently tell am no.

Everybody sigh, the kain sound na like when NEPA take light and generator refuse to start. As if dem lose bet.

Emeka just pause, arrange face with forced smile. “No wahala, make we just dey friends.” You go see say e dey pain am, but guy try package am well. E quick collect him respect, shout, “Abeg, make una no dull, chop, drink, enjoy!”

As if say them no just use public shame serve am bitterleaf soup. The courage e get, I salute am for mind. No easy to stand for ground when your leg wan shake.

I just respect the guy, for the kind package and mind. E still dey form big boy. I wish say I get small of that him courage.