The Sun in Our Eyes (ii)

I should know by now that a boy at my age should have at least a girl playing the hide and seek game with him but I pretend not to. So while my friends go ahead to brag about the girls that they have won in their famous (or infamous) conquests, I just listen halfheartedly and then when my turn comes, I change the subject mostly to ball because I know my friends hear and understand the language. Of course, after a while, this didn't escape their notice and they tagged me 'oyobo'. At first, I thought it couldn't be so bad since it almost sounded like oyinbo (okay not really...but close) so I didn't mind but with the gales of laughter that accompanied it, I knew it couldn't be good. When finally, I asked 'Denike, she had gritted her teeth in anger and told me to stay away from 'the alaisans' calling them 'goats' much to my amusement. When I pestered her enough, she admitted that it meant a man...who likes his own kind. I couldn't eat that night. Carefully, I started to examine myself wondering where the gods had made the error. Of course, I couldn't stay away from those foolish things I called friends since I would have been called worse...weak. So, I endured and kept my fear to myself. After all, I am a man.
When I met Dede, the dark-skinned girl who lived next door to Mama Ade, I was curious. She was one of those city girls who for no obvious reasons start living in the village generating enough suspicions like "Her husband sent her away because she could not have children" After all, isn't that usually the dilemma of these beautiful women? Don't get me wrong, Dede's quite young but she is not a child and I know she would be old enough to be my elder sister if not aunt. but I couldn't quite help liking her since she was not only beautiful but educated. I loved going to mama Ade's place just to hear her say my name in her sultry voice "Sife" She would say "How are you today?" All the while giving me a radiant smile. I lived for that smile everyday. And soon enough, little questions led to little pieces of fish and then to inviting me to her room...just to watch TV (yes, she had that too) I can't think of a time when she didn't have to put it off before I realize I really have to go home. Then with a laugh and a promise to watch again anytime I come around, I would skip home happily.
Of course, my friends noticed my odd behavior but I didn't tell. I'm not ready to let the world know what I have for Dede. 'Denike on the other hand, guessed right the moment she noticed (witch that she is) and I couldn't deny it (yes, one of my curses. I cannot tell lies too). But that is okay, 'Denike was quite nice about it. I think she saw what I saw too; a 14 year old boy who likes a lady in her twenties (I rummaged through her baggage one day when she hurried out to get something for the stew she was cooking. It's bad but I couldn't help it. Besides, I didn't steal anything!..even though I was tempted to). What am I thinking? She can't possibly like me! But then again, I don't know if I'm thinking at all. At least my friends turned out to be wrong. So, for now, I am content.