Short Story: The Day I Said 'Yes'

All that while, I had eyes on this guy in my vicinity. Unknowingly, he was into me too. I remember how I would brush my hair perfectly and change my clothes any time I was sent on an errand, just because I dreaded coming into contact with him dressed in an unkempt way. Whenever I was going to buy something at their supermarket, I would rehearse a different kind of catwalk, just to impress my crush.

Gradually, I was able to catch his attention and we fast became friends. I never spent time with my friends and family any more. I shared most of my time with him, the only person that mattered to me most at the time. Mummy would occasionally send for me to come home, sometimes to come help in the chores. I had just had enough of it, especially not now that I had found the most handsome and important person.

I knew he was just a friend. However, I was ready to travel the miles of friendship with him. I cared less what that might cost me. The teenager that I was, I was so naive and couldn't realise that our friendship was turning me into a ruthless irrational being.

That day came, and he said some sweet words I hadn't heard before, except in soap operas, into my ears. My heart began to race and I was lost for words. When I hesitated in giving him a reply, I liked how he was patient and gentle about my delayance.

A day came which saw everyone in town adorned in red. Our father told us it was a day set aside to share love with loved ones. One person came in mind immediately. That night, I sneaked out of home to meet my lover. When I had seen him, I told him I had good news. That day, I said yes to him. We had a long walk.

When I was tired, he took me to a strange house with a sign board in front of it inscribed, 'West Gate Lodge'. We met a young man sitting at the gate. My lover greeted him in a friendly manner as though they had been good old friends. The young man ushered us into the house where he gave us a key, and showed us to a room.

When we had entered one of the rooms, my lover grew red hot eyes. Instantly, I knew there was trouble.