I never stopped wondering what Emilia was trying to achieve. And obviously, Bethany is a jealous lover. Even though, I haven’t told her my real intentions, she already knew I was into her. And seeing I and Emilia together would likely ruin things for me, plus she was at the gate.
Bethany was surprised and little bit angry to see her……
“Hello Friend”, Emilia said, smiling at her.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Derra told me, he is coaching you on chess and keyboard”
“He told you that?” Bethany asked, looking more annoyed.
Emilia: yeah, so I thought, it will be a good thing, if I join in the classes. Besides, I’ve always wanted to learn how to play chess.
Bethany: ohh, really?
Emilia: hope you don’t mind!?
Bethany: not really…. But you know, my mum is paying him for it.
Emilia: yeah. I know.
It was so obvious that Bethany is never in support for Emilia to join, especially in her own house.
After a while, I went out to meet her…
Me: who is that, Bethany?
Bethany: a friend!
Emilia peeped through the gate and waved at me…
Me: *surprised* Emi?? What are you doing?
Emilia: I came to tell you, I’m interested in the chess class.
Me: ohhh…that’s good. Can we talk about it, maybe tomorrow?
Emilia: I discussed it with mum and she wants to know the price.
Me: okay…wow… that’s good. Tell her, I’ll come over tomorrow.
Emilia: alright.
She left…
Bethany became more angry and jealous. She didn’t even say anything to me after Emilia left the compound.
Me: c’mon B…. talk to me.
We both went back inside to continue with the class…. She began playing the keyboard while I sing worship songs. After the keyboard class….
Me: are you angry?
Bethany: about?
Me: me and Emilia!
Bethany: why would i?
Me: then stop frowning nau
Bethany: I’m not.
Me: of course, you are.
Bethany: I said, I’m not.
Me: fine…oya smile for me.
Bethany: leave me abeg…. It’s time for chess.
Me: you know, if you don’t tell me, what the problem is, I won’t know.
Bethany: why did you say yes to her?
Me: her? I’m a chess coach, I teach people how to play the game.
Bethany: why must it be Emilia?
Me: *smiled* I teach everybody who shows interest.
Bethany: tell her No.
Me: huh? I told her YES already.
Bethany: eehh…tell her, you had change of mind.
Me: c’mon B. she will be disappointed.
Bethany: ion care.
Me: uon care? I care.
Bethany: if you must teach her, fine. Then I’m done.
Me: what? You can’t say that, B.
Bethany: when mum comes back, I’ll tell her, I’m no longer interested.
Me: and she will ask why?
Bethany: trust me, I can convince her.
Me: but I thought, you and Emilia are friends. Except there is something, you are not telling me.
Bethany: don’t you see the way she behaves around you.
Me: how?
Bethany: as if, you two are something else.
Me; *laugh out loud*
Bethany: why are laughing at me?
Me: I’m sorry-I’m sorry. *burst into laughter again*
Bethany: what? I’m done sef. Be going.
Me: I’m sorry. I swear, I’m sorry.
Bethany: stop laughing.
Me: don’t even deny it. You are jealous. You like me and you don’t want any other girl around me.
Bethany: dhurr.
Me: just tell me the truth and I will agree to your terms.
Bethany: I’m not jealous.
Me: fine. I’ll teach her.
Bethany: ohhh… okay, fine. I am. Now you know.
I love this my generation. She admits she was jealous. I know I could handle her and Emilia but how will I handle her and Regina. She doesn’t like seeing other girls around me and, Regina will always be around me. I mean, she’s like my MTN; everywhere I go. And as my bestie, we could be funny sometimes.
Me: okay then. I’ll be teaching only you.
Bethany: promise?
Me: yeah….
Bethany: thank you.
I showed her the moves of each piece again and their different points.
Bethany: let play a challenge
Me: *laugh* are you serious?
Bethany: yes. I may win you.
Me; not even with charms.
Bethany: let’s make a deal….if I win you, you will do whatever I want.
Me: and if I win?
Bethany: I’ll do anything for you.
Me: deal…. To make it easier for you…. if I don’t checkmate your king in 25 moves…you win.
Bethany: very well….
My students who is still learning wants to challenge her master and teacher. We both played and in less than 25 moves, I won her.
Bethany: how did you do that?
Me: you were opening yourself to attack. Do you notice, you didn’t even move your queen?
Bethany: I was saving her for the last.
Me: well, I wouldn’t do that. Use any piece when you have the opportunity to.
Bethany: fine. What do you have me do?
Me: uhmmmm…..
Her mum entered…
Bethany: hey mum! Welcome.
Her mum: thank you….why did you leave the gate opened?
Me: good evening ma. Welcome back.
Her mum: thank you. You are still with her.
Bethany: mum, I’ve learnt how to play chess very well.
Me: nah nah nah ….she’s still learning.
Bethany: I almost won him.
Me: not true.
Her mum: you show me…
Bethany: *laughed* mum, I’ll win you in 25 moves.
Her mum: ohh I like that. Show me what you can do.
Me: I love this.
Her mum was a good chess player. Her first move shows that; she moved the pawn in front of the queen, two boxes ahead.
Bethany: *laughed* I’m coming for your queen.
Me: be careful dear.
Bethany: don’t worry sweetheart, I gat this.
Wait a minute… she called me sweetheart in the presence of her mum. I noticed the expression on her face changed when she said “sweetheart”. I didn’t want to be interrogated or witness her interrogation, so I prepared to take my leave.
Me: ahmm… I think. I should be going now.
Bethany: no-no-no, watch how I’m going to win my mum now.
Me: uhm… she has captured your two knights and one rook…..
Bethany: but I still have my queen.
Me: okay o.
I waited until her mum won her.
Her mum: you have a long way to go.
I packed the piece into the board and was ready to go….
Her mum: hold on, Derra. Let me walk you down to the gate.
I knew, she was going to talk about what her daughter called me.
We both got to the gate….
Her mum: how is she?
Me: …. She’s fine.
Her mum: I mean, how does she behave?
Me: normal, I guess.
Her mum; okay. Apart from the classes, is there any other thing, you engage her with?
Me: ehmmm….not sure, what you meant but, we only play keyboard and chess. Is anything the problem?
Her mum: not really.
Me: ma, I know you are concerned about her well-being and you wouldn’t want anything to spoil your daughter. Trust me ma, I mean her no harm. I bet she didn’t know she called me “sweetheart”. It’s just her normal way of expressing her excitement.
Her mum: you got me. I trust you.
Me: thank you ma. And ma, I would love to make her class 3 times a week.
Her mum: why?
Me: other things came up.
Her mum: have you discuss it with her?
Me: no. I thought, it would be best to tell you first.
Her mum: alright.
I went back home.
Regina and Segun were waiting for me to know how my date with Emilia went. When I got back I was so tired and hungry…. I trekked from Bethany’s house to mine, cos I left my wallet at home.
Segun: gee, what sup nah?
Me: I’m hungry….any food?
Regina: how did it go?
Me: I’m starving…..can we talk later, pls.
After eating, I gave them the gist on how everything went.
Regina: now my turn… first, let me apologize to you…
Me: uhmmm what have you done?
Regina: I was the one who removed your wallet.
Me: what?
Regina: so that Emilia can save you…
Me: why would you do that?
Regina: what? Is it because I’m telling you….abegi.
Segun: *laughed* first do, no dey pain.
Regina: will you do me back?
Me: why will i?
Regina: good boy. My new fish is coming tomorrow o.
Me: I don’t understand. Are you the fishers of men?
Regina: yes Nah. I allowed him think he can catch me…..
Me: *laughed* chai.
Regina: he’s cool sha. I like him.
Segun: uhmmm
Regina: what?
Segun: nothing o.
Me: when he comes, we will see if he is welcomes or not.
Regina: KiNi. Don’t even make me talk o.
Me: you know, no one is allowed to date my bestie without my permission.
Regina: be nice o. his name is Frederick.
Me: uhm…. Tell him to come with take away o from spar
Segun: yes o. to appease the gods.
Regina: Shegez, you follow dey support am?
Segun: why not. ?
The next day.
Segun and I were waiting for Frederick to come by.
Regina: Derra, be nice o.
Me: I don hear. Hope you told him to come with the “take away”…..if not, Na cane we go use pursue am.
Around 12 noon….we heard knock on the door.