KALEIDOSCOPE EP 7: SWIRLING MIST

“Could you please, help me with the lip stick over there” Sheila beckoned on Lola who was still lying on her bed. She passed the lipstick to her yawning consistently while Sheila took time to make up her face.

Sheila hurriedly removed her bag from the stand and started packing her books inside.

“Am I going to get an explanation for yesterday?” Lola asked trying to lay her bed.

“Lola..” she gave a big shrug the one that admits her level of frustration, suspending what she was doing. “thanks for the worry and trouble I made you go through yesterday, I really appreciate it but right now I have a class for 8 o’clock you don’t have any until 10” Lola was etched with disgust. “ … as for your question?.. Would think about it” she moved closer to Lola, placed her right hand on her shoulder and tried to find a light convincing tone “…am fine OK?” she said.

“… and you want me to believe that?” Lola said questionably

“You have to...” she broke in before she could say more, wearing her flat ballerina shoes with her tote bag

She scuttled towards the table making sure she didn’t forget some of her important notes.

“Who is ready to go to school?!!” April said swinging the door open all dressed up with her skinny jean and check shirt looking smashy

“I am..” Sheila said croaking her words, not sure of April’s reaction She took a last look at her book shelf before walking behind her.

“Cook o...” Sheila muffled

“What?...” Lola yelled, Sheila parried away leaving the door ajar.

“Really???! …”she thought aloud as she hissed, walking towards the bathroom.

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April and Sheila headed straight to the hostel gate, treading cautiously down the street, they frowned at the inevitable dust by the roadside hoping they could just hitch a ride.

“Your behavior yesterday was uncalled for, Sheila” April said adjusting her almost scattered bulb hair

“Am sorry about yesterday..” she said with a little bit of penitence

“Well…Dami is really angry o” April said.

“Don’t worry I would bribe her” she said winking…

“I hope it works anyways… so are you going to let me know the problem plaguing you? April said giddy thinking that might lighten up the mood.

“I don’t have a problem...” she responded looking away with the pretence of getting a taxi that would take them to school.

“Then how about yesterday’s drama…running out of the house like a ranging lunatic? April persisted this time with the aim of getting the answer she thinks she deserves

“Nothing, just needed to get somewhere” she answered giving a wry grin.

“Do you like Yinka? …you know” she paused “…feelings and stuffs” April fluttered her lashes

“April!!!!?” she yelled, astonished “he’s not my type..” she concluded. .

“The cute deep voice from outside yesternight was assumed to be yinka.. not until you said   Lolu” April said winking again

“Ha! No o… plus abegi don’t even think to that side o” she smiled slyly.

They looked left and right before crossing the busy road. Standing by the roadside looking around for means of mobility.

“Then what is it?” April said almost getting discouraged with her interrogation gone bad.

“You see…” Sheila exhaled “some things are just meant for you and you alone…”

“So you aren’t going to tell me?? She waved her hands dropping them on her chest with her neck tilted in her direction.

“Something like that…” she jettisoned hoping it ends there.

“ tchewww…you are just too stubborn” digging out her phone from her bag.

“Thank you” she smiled as she focused on her previous task.

“Really?” she squeezed her brows, her lips were set in a pout of annoyance while she had a long hiss…

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“Hey!” she tapped her gently on the shoulder trying to get her attention.

“Oh! Sheila, it’s you!” the tall hour glass shaped girl turned towards her

“Can we take few steps away from here… please? She asked softly holding her bag with both hands, a little bit of nervousness fell on her.

“Yeah sure...” the other girl responded, astounded still not sure of what might be happening.

They walked few meters away from the crowd to a serene area. Standing under a deserted tree few inches away from each other not too far but close enough for whispers..

“Rhoda, I was at your house yesterday evening!... I knocked several times… you never opened.” Sheila breathed looking around to see if anyone was listening.

“Me???” Rhoda answered non chalantly.

“Ehen Ehen…” she shook her head simultaneously “…me!” Sheila responded sarcastically, curbing her dissatisfaction

“Was probably not in…” she said with her head tugged backup she stood feeling all poised.

“lie! Rhoda! Lie!” with a snide reaction wishing she could say that with the loudest tone coming from her guts “you were in.. was hearing voices”

“Oh!..” her expression showing admission to what April said. “ Urhmmm…was probably busy…”she twitched her eye “you could come over tonight… would open the door. For you… just you” she said giving a broad grin.

Sheila tried not to remember what she has been exorcizing for months, she grunted in annoyance “Yinka is back… that’s why I've been wanting to see you...” she continued.

“yeah, saw him briefly earlier this morning… so why exactly have you been looking for me?” she said with her soft puppy eyes

April continued like she didn’t notice “you promised he won’t be coming back”

“… and now he’s back!” Rhoda concluded with her expression showing tiredness. She pulled out two lollipops from her back like those were going to help with her patience.

“Do you want some?” she asked April who was already looking in another direction.

“Some what?!!!...”she answered almost yelling. Rhoda pointed one of the lollipops at her, pouting her mouth.

“Oh! That…” she said with all uneasiness “No, thanks” she snapped

“C’mon Sheila I'm not gonna poison or drug you. This would maybe serve as a tranquilizer..” she moved closer, “you need to calm down” she said softly… she stylishly put her hands on her shoulder hoping she would be pacified.

“Thanks..” she collected the wrap quickly not wanting more close eye contacts.she removed her hands from her shoulder while she took a deep breath

“Would go see yinka… infact we would go see yinka” she said assuring Sheila.

“That is it…” she responded with visible quality of peace, nodding her head admitting Rhoda just hit the nail on the head

“Come to my house this evening... we would talk better…” Rhoda suggested unwrapping the little pop she was holding..

“Nope” Sheila prompted looking at her wrist watch “...Would call you, just pick up your phone and stop acting busy”

“Ok then, anything for you” she answered slowly and deliberate.

A lull fell on the conversation for few seconds leaving them to stare at each other, hanging her sweet between her teeth while Sheila hoped she says something… Maybe it didn’t just work out the way Rhoda planned.

“I should leave now, I've got a class in 10 minutes” Sheila voiced out, taking a glance at her watch strapped on her wrist. She adjusted her bag and walked swiftly away from her.

“See ya soon” Rhoda mumbled that out of uncertainty.

“I would pretend I didn’t hear that," Sheila had that ringing in her head as she trotted off.

  ....to be continued

Written by: Debby Oni

(...also read Episode 1,2,3,4,5 and 6.. stay tuned for new episodes, thanx)

  click to read Episode 6

                                           XoXo..... <3

                                                Debby....

    (...your comments would be appreciated)