I stood up and tried to follow the figure. The wind began to blow, and I felt it was calling to me for some reason. Navigating through the crowd was difficult. Some kids were bothering me by tugging at my feet, while teenagers watched me with disdain nearby because I was blocking their view. The commotion resulted from my attempts to adjust my position and get out of their way. Overall, escaping the mass of bodies packed together like a formidable ball of warmth proved challenging.
As I approached the back of the group, I turned left, and there she was—Fata, the girl whose thoughts kept me awake at night. She was the one I dreamed of running away with to a fantasy island, the fire that ignited my soul. I had to keep my cool. “Calm down, don’t mess this up,” I reminded myself.
“Shut up!” I blurted out, completely unaware that I had voiced the conversation in my head.
“Oh, hi,” she sang, turning to look at me. Her voice was melodious; if sunshine on a bright day and hand-picked roses could speak, they would sound like Fata. “Were you talking to me?” she added with a smile. I noticed the fine lines on her face, the symmetry of her facial features, the curve of her lips, and her nose that gracefully complemented her appearance. I wouldn’t call her perfect; she was beyond that. My heart swelled with joy at the sight of her beauty.
“No, I wasn’t talking to you, Fata. I didn’t know you were coming to Moonlight Tales tonight.” I smiled, thankful for the night as my blushing face was hidden in the dark.
“I had just finished helping my mother cook dinner when I heard the children singing in the backyard. Curious about what story they were telling, I went to listen.” Fata sang again—or at least I thought she did. She was the only daughter and the eldest child, with four brothers, whom she often looked after as if they were her kids.
She was captivating, I swear. If she let me, I would hold her face, look deeply into her brown eyes, and plant kisses on her forehead. I fantasize about laying her down by the beach, speaking softly, and sifting my fingers through her hair to help her fall asleep. I would sing with my croaky voice about how her looks bring me joy and tease the moon and sun for being jealous of her. I would beat the drums in the forest and listen to the strings of my heart play when it all fades. What a boy’s mind can do when he’s in love is strange. I need to keep it together because she is right there before me.
“Did you get your results for the Central High School entrance exam yet?” she asked.
“I heard they are out. Daada says he will get mine next week. What about you? Have you seen your results?”
“Yes! I’ll wait to hear your results before sharing mine,” Fata said with a broad smile—the type that melts my heart. That sounded wonderful! It meant I would have a chance to see her again. I hoped to attend the same school as her, but I wasn’t sure how that would work out, especially since the Dibia had asked Daada not to let me stay away for too long. Could it be possible that they would keep my leopard restrained and under control? What if it got loose while I was away at school? I shrugged at the thought. She might have noticed my unease because she looked concerned.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “Let’s return to the group.”
“Of course! Someone was about to tell a story when I stepped outside for some fresh air!”
As we walked back together, I noticed some boys making faces at us. Among them was Obi, who had bullied me throughout middle school. I didn’t let it bother me anymore; I was determined to prove my strength if needed. A leopard can’t change its spots, and I hoped I would never resort to violence to prove a point…
…To be continued…
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