shadow of love episode 3

I opened the door and there he was, looking all cute and handsome. I couldn't help but stare at this wonderful creature God had brought to me.

Tobe: Queency?

I came out from my trance and ushered him in.

Tobe: Why were you staring so hard like you've not seen me before?

Me: Forgive me. I'm sorry.

Tobe: Anyways, looks like you're just stepping out from the shower.

Me: Yes. I just did. Give me a second so I can put something on.

Tobe: I don't really feel like going out. Let me rush to the mall and get us something to be busy with.

Me: That will be nice.

Tobe: And better be dressed before I return so you won't push me into committing the sins of the flesh.

I smiled and he stepped out. I bolted the door and started scanning through my wardrobe for what to wear. I finally settled for a crop singlet and a jean short. I was about going to put on my gen when my phone rang. It was Flord. He is a friend to Charles, Franca's boyfriend.

Me: Hello Flord.

Flord: Hi beautiful. How're you?

Me: I'm fine.

Flord: Do you have an idea if Charles is with Franca?

Me: Nope. She went to Holy Ghost.

Flord: Alright. He's not taking my calls same with Franca. If you reach them before me, tell them its important that I speak to both of them.

Me; You can drop the message with me. You sound so urgent.

Flord: Tell Franca that...... never mind.

Me: Flord?

Flord: I'll still call you. Take care.


That was strange. Something must be happening and I pray it's not bad.
I stepped out of the room and walked to the gen house, thinking deeply about what's been happening around me today. First, it was two mad girls coming to my room to talk trash and then Flord. I finished my business in the gen house and walked back to my block only to see that Tobe was already back. We went into the room together with the bags.

Me: Tobe?

Tobe: Yes my love.

Me: Are we dating?

He looked up from the bag with a smile.

Tobe: You haven't said yes just yet.

Me: Because you've not asked. You've not.

Tobe: Because you've not given me a chance to do that. I told you the other day that I'm falling in love with you and you acted like you saw a ghost. If I ask you out then, I'm sure you'll pass out.

He laughed at his own joke and I fell for him the more.

Tobe: Now I'm serious. I don't know what you're thinking but you're my girlfriend now. Do you have any objections?

Me: Two girls were here just before you came in the first time.

Tobe: How does that come in line to what I asked you?

Me: They asked me to stay away from you that you belong to someone else.

He scoffed and started laughing, clapping his hands and throwing his head backwards.

I looked on in shock, amazed at the reaction I was getting.

Tobe: And what did you tell them?

Me: What could I say?

Tobe: Wait! You mean, they said I belong to another and not one of them? Girls can be stupid.

He stood up and came to where I was sitting

Tobe: My love. ESUT is a complicated place, including the human beings in it. Don't listen to anyone of them. I belong to you and only you okay?

I nodded and he pecked me.

Tobe: I bought Scrabble. Let's play.



***×****************


I'd never being this satisfied in my entire life. Tobe and I were officially together, school was becoming more fun as almost all the girls envied me, wanted to be me. Hell. I was dating the son of the vice chancellor, the cute guy every girl wanted to be with. Hmmm.

Things wouldn't get better. He's found us a better apartment which happened to be a two bedroom flat, each room with it's own bathroom, a big sitting room, an awesome kitchen and a cool sitout. Franca had whined and complained about how we were going to be spending more going to school and coming home but I cared less. Who sigh? My boyfriend won't make sure I lack money. I was living in paradise just three weeks after he had asked me out, jocularly.

Some days after we'd settled down in our new apartment, we were in the kitchen, making spaghetti when the big discussion came.

Franca: So what plans do you have already?

I looked up from where I was slicing Irish potatoes.

Me: Plans about what?

Franca: Tobe and yourself.

I smiled. I've learnt to smile each time Tobe's name was called. That was how much I had fallen in love with him.

Franca: Quit being dramatic joor.

Me: Maybe you should rephrase.

Franca: See this girl, you think I'm joking with you?

Me: I know you're serious. But I'm yet to figure out the plans you're talking about.

She dropped the knife she had and came closer to where I was standing.

Franca: We've being friends for years. You better not start hiding stuffs from me now o. Not because of Tobechukwu o.

Me: Ahn Ahn. Stop nau. Okay. We're very serious and I love him a lot. He's everything I've dreamt of and wanted in a man.

Franca: Ewww.

I frowned at her and she smacked me playfully.

Franca: Kidding. Sex yet?

Me: A little romance here and there. Maybe he's not ready for sex.

Franca: Or maybe it's you who's not.

I shrugged my shoulders.

Franca: Either ways, just be careful. You can't trust men this days.

Me: I hear. But you trust Charles.

Franca: Mine is different.

Me: Same here. Mine is different.

Franca: Fine. Let's get back to the food. I'm starving.

She went back to chopping the tomatoes. I was sure I had seen something in her eyes but I couldn't place it. I just couldn't.

I shrugged it off and continued with what I was doing.


The dinning was quiet as we ate. I had gotten used to saying something while I ate. Franca was busy on her phone, any discussion I brought up, she'd give it a straight answer immediately and go back to whatever she was doing with her phone.

I picked up my phone and called Tobe. At least, I'll try to engage him in a discussion while I ate.

Tobe: Queency

Me: My love. How're you?

Tobe; I'm alright. Just missing you a lot.

Me: I miss you too dear. I'm eating and felt I should engage you in....

Tobe: Nope. You felt I should engage you right.

I laughed. Which ever way, he was right.

Tobe: How's FranC (he now called her name like it was Francee)

Me: She's fine. Do I hand her the phone?

i peeked at Franca and she waved her hand in a "no"

Tobe: But you just said you were eating? I'll talk to her later in the evening okay?

Me: Okay my dear. Tomorrow is Friday, mind if I come?

Tobe: Sure. I'll get the house ready for my princess.

Me: Please do.

Tobe: I love you Pamela, more than life itself.

Me: I love you Tobechukwu, my Prince in shinning armour.

We both giggled and hung up. I turned to Franca. Was it tears I saw at the edges of her eyes?
She caught me staring at her.

Franca: I'll be inside my room



I'm not one to hide my true feelings about something, the same way I'm not one to argue unnecessarily with someone. If you want me in, bring me in but if you want me out, just tell me straight up. I know it'll hurt but I love being with the truth. That was (is) Pamela for you.

I had tried to question Franca about her sudden mood but she ignored me, she had walked out and boom, she banged the door to her room and I knew I wasn't wanted in any way. I didn't know why she was suddenly behaving this way. Ever since I've known her which is all my life, she'd never acted this way. I couldn't finish the rest of my meal. I sat down, going through different thoughts as to why my best friend was acting this way. Wasn't she comfortable with the house? I will tell Tobe and we'll find somewhere else. No. I don't think it's the house. Was it the call I placed to Tobe? Then it struck me, she must be having issues with Charles and seeing me so excited about Tobe must have triggered something.

I smiled. That was it. It's not the first time they would be having problems actually and just like old times, they'll pull it off soon. But since this one is affecting her seriously because of Tobe and I, I'll give her some space and I believe that they will make up by the time I'm back on Sunday evening.


I didn't see or hear from her till the next morning. I had made cornflakes for the both of us. I knocked on her door but got no response.

Me: Franca it's me, open up. Breakfast is here.

Franca: I'm not hungry.

Her voice was calm and sounded not so Franca-like.

Me: I'm sure you've shat that spag out. Open up, I made cornflakes.

Franca: Pamela just go. Go enjoy your weekend. It's still morning so don't let me ruin it for you.

Me: I don't know what you're saying. I'm not leaving until you open up.

Franca: Why?

Me: Cause you're my best friend. You're like my sister.

Franca: Alright. But I'm not coming out. I....

Me: Look, whatever issues you have with Charles can be sorted out later. You don't have to treat yourself this way. Come out now.

Franca: Don't you have Tobe's place to go to?

Me: He's coming to pick me. We spoke this morning so since I've never being there, he decided to come and......

The door opened.

Franca: He's coming?

I was startled. She finally opened the door? Oh! She must believe that Tobe will help sort out issues between she and her boyfriend. I smiled.

Me: Yes. He's coming.

Her face lit up immediately. The first smile since yesterday.

Me: Tobe needs to hear this. His name now helps people snap out from their moods.

She took a bowl of cornflakes from me which was already drained due to the time it had spent in the thick mixture.

We ate away happily, cracking jokes and yabbing each other. She was my best friend after all and I loved her back to back.