The Golden Duck

From Benny:

 As a late bloomer in life, I got to experience pleasures late in life. While I was enjoying the pleasures of toys  and action figures, my mates were already on cartoons, while I was watching cartoons, they were already inclined with sports. As such it was no surprise to me that I didn't have any idea about the whole dating experience when they were already veterans in it.

However, my first experience with affections for the opposite sex was in Js 3 when I became... "aware" about this particular girl; I was literally obsessed with Rachael. She was a family friend who attended the same church I did. After the whole junior WAEC exams, we were given 5 months break of some sort to stay at home and await results.

That's when I started seeing Rachael more often than ever. We got to talking, and became close, I had this crazy longing for her that every-time I wasn't with her, I felt uncomfortable. It was my first time ever feeling this way about another human being. Nothing could take my mind off her. Sundays became the best days in the week for me, as I just got to see her, not talk to her ooo, just to see her walk past and I was good for the entire week.

I grew fond of her mother, who in turn was very nice to me. Hey, since I didn't know how to express this unusual feeling, I was hell bent in making Rachael a part of my life, I'd do anything to ensure I saw her more and more.

Apparently, Luck was on my side some few weeks later as her mum had this crazy idea that I spent a few days with them. I couldn't believe my ears!!! I got to wake up in the same house with the love of my life?

Even before asking my parents I had already packed a bag full of all my party clothes and new underwear. No agent of the devil was going to cock-block me!

Day 1 in the house, I just got to learn how they lived, I didn't get much time to spend with my love as her mum was always on my grind on what I should do, where we should go n shii!!! Who send all those ones?!!!

Day 2, we got to talking, laughed at a few jokes together and threw looks at each other's way. I was a BOSS!! In no time, I was going to kiss this fine geh!!!

Day 3, we saw a movie together, I played with her legs as she laughed and smiled at me. My morale was building, I could kill a lion by just shouting at it with the kind of courage I had.

Day 3 evening, I went to brush, and shower so I could be fresh and clean when I sealed the deal. Coming out of my room, I saw the entire house packing and bustling here and there. I asked what was happening, I was told Rachael and her siblings were going to spend the holiday..... abroad... with their family friend.....

I died inside!.

So why was I here?

What was I supposed to do in her house without her around?

Why didn't the wicked girl tell me?

Is this how life was?

What was I to do with all these feelings I had?

I was to spend a week in their house, but I ended up spending a month in their house with hopes of waiting for her to come back home, and we could continue what we had going.

Eventually, I had to go home. I bottled up whatever affection I had in me and pushed it deep down. I made up for the loneliness I felt by diving into my love for games, cartoons and sports. I never allowed myself to feel that way again.

If I wasn't careful I would have declared celibacy... Even my friends gave me a nickname the "golden duck" (a cricket slang for players who just keep on protecting the wicket but don't make any runs.)

********** to be continued **********