The Diary of an Assistant Boyfriend: TRAVAILS OF THE FRIEND ZONE (Episode 7)

My name is ADEBISI OLADELE.... Welcome to the friend zone!
I promise you, I'll never forget you! I was holding Christiana's hand that night. We were in her compound already, walking towards her room. Hmmmmnnnn! I hope so, Christiana replied. I know so! I affirmed with all the assurance I could get then. Christy, you mean a whole lot to me, you are one of the most important persons in my life, in fact you are the most important person to me in this school. Of course, she was.
Haha... Dele ki lo se e... What's wrong with you? Christiana looked at me as I entered into her room with a long face. It was indeed unlike me, but I needed to play the scripts. I have got only two weeks! Hmmmnnn, Christiana, there is this thing I cherish so much but I know I cant get it. You cant get it bawo? Should I borrow you money to buy it? Christy's words nearly made me burst into laughter but I had to compose, I have a script to play out. Its not a monetary issue, Christiana dont bother yourself. You cant understand.
Few days later, Christy was in my room, we had this new routine of staying indoors (my room) for like 2 hours, sometimes in the dark gisting and on few occasions we just lay on the bed silent. All we do is just listen to each other breathe (trust me, that's all that normally happens). Tonight is about to take a new turn. Christiana, go home! I blurted out suddenly after a few minutes of silence and staring blank in the dark. Haha, why? She asked surprised. Christiana, the truth of the matter is I am indeed very crazy about you and all I can think of now is to feel the taste of your lips... Please go home before i do anything stupid. Without further ado, christy left my room that night.
Shiiiit! That was not part of the script. Gosh! I am actually crazy about her now. Film done turn reality for me. Chaaaaii!
That night never affected our relationship one bit. We continued our usual close kinda friendship. Almost everybody knew us together. Is that lady your sister? Elizabeth, a fellowship friend once asked me. Nah she is my friend, I replied laughing. Ehen? You guys kinda look alike ooo, she tried justifying her question. Ehen? I am actually hearing that for the first time, lol. I knew she wanted to ask if she was my girlfriend, but she just decided to 'spiritualize'the question.
Hello are you at home? Yes I am. Christy called to confirm where I was. She knocked my door 7 minutes later. We resumed our new routine of lying on my bed to gist. Few minutes later Christy's lips were locked in mine (I have forgotten the details of how we got to this point... I know most of y'all has been looking forward to this point.. We are here now), it lasted a couple of seconds... Jeeezzz! It felt like heaven. I stopped even though she wished to continue. I am sorry, I apologized. Christy left that night and she promised to check on me in the morning.
I was still on my bed around 10:30am when I heard Christy's voice in the veranda. You have come again abi, that's how you'll be sneaking in without greeting us abi. Go inside your husband abi boyfriend de ni is waiting for you. Sanmi, you are very stupid, ode oshi! Christy replied sanmi's whining. Good morning, you are still in bed? She greeted me as she entered my room. She sat on my bed beside me. I changed position, i decided to sit up. How was your night, i asked. Fine, she replied.
Dele, you see ehn! I have a wood at hand and a fire burning. Something tells me to put the wood in the fire but after examining the wood properly, it doesn't fit the class of those I burn in the fire. Another voice is asking me to drop the wood then, but I know I can't just drop it like that. I can't let the wood go. I listened with rapt attention as christiana delivered her parable. Dele, I like you very much and you mean a whole lot to me, but i just can't date you. We won't last! Hmmmmnnnn.... I breathed in deeply. I wasn't really surprised at her words. I never expected Christiana to date me but with yesternight's kiss, I thought I had some chances. We can't be more than friends even after that kiss. Gbam! Dele, ti e ti ba e... You have been FRIEND ZONED!
Life continued as if nothing happened. Christy and I still kept a close friendship profile but I still desired her. I made one more attempt to kiss her and she politely refused me, Christy wanted to keep me just as a friend. The days were rolling by, we started rounding off our pre-degree program. The thought of going home for a long period of time without Christy usually downs my mood. The fact that we might not be seeing again forever nearly kills me. I remember one night in my room, I held Christy's picture in my hand and I played "Goodbye My Lover" by James blunt from Lekan's phone. Tears rolled down my cheeks that night, yes it was that serious. Anytime TREASURE (A movie soundtrack performed by emeka ike and kate henshaw) or Goodbye my lover by James blunt plays on any phone or any music device, Christy comes to mind. I still remember her whenever I hear those songs.
August 16, that year, the D-day. It was a Sunday afternoon, my last day in the Egba provincial capital. We had a final thanksgiving service at the fellowship, it was the bomb! I got home later in the afternoon, my bags were already packed. Christy came into my room, I hugged her. There was no time for greetings and pleasantries, we knew we needed to say our good byes. Tears were already rolling down her cheek before I could make her sit in a chair. I knelt down (rara oooo, I wasnt going to propose), Christy, even though I don't know if we'll get to see again, I'll never forget you. I promised her again, the second time. Dele I'll miss you, she said crying. I'll miss you too, I replied as we locked ourselves in a warm and tight embrace.
Guy, make we dey go ooo... Lekan's voice separated us. Christy and Nkem saw us off to the main road. We waved down a taxi, main garage meji.. E wole, the driver replied! I collected my bag from christy to board the taxi. I love you! Those were Christy's parting words to me as our driver zoomed off. I watched her blow me a kiss before turning her back obviously to wipe her tears.
10 months 11 days after, I saw Christy again. I remember skipping a practical make up class that morning. I carried that course, but who cares?, in as much as christy is involved, the whole school can go ablaze for all I care. She shed tears again as we hugged in front of the university library. She got her admission the next academic session. We resumed our friendship but not as serious as it was before. We still talk even till now. She even calls me 'baby' whenever we get to see or talk on phone.
With all these, I and Christy were never more than FRIENDS!
"I am happy we are friends, but I am very sad that's all we will ever be"
My name is ADEBISI OLADELE.
That is my story!