Fool's Paradise

Chapter Six

Wednesday afternoon after classes, The Dudes was sitting at their usual spot by the basketball courts. Kaye spotted Suzanne Aseya walking towards the swimming pool at the other side of the football field. He got up and followed her.

Alex grinned and said, “Things are really serious with those two. So what’s up with you and Laura?” César Kamani shrugged, “The usual, why?”
“I don’t know,” said Alex, “It’s just that lately you’ve been a little distant with her.” César sighed, “You’re right. It’s just that lately I find myself getting irritated by her.”
“Why? You two seem so tight.” Danston interjected.
“That’s the thing, I was hoping that we could be tighter but all she wants from me is sex.”
“So? Man, most guys would love to be in your shoes!” Theo pointed out. César made a dismissive gesture, “You guys wouldn’t understand.”
“Try us.” César turned to look at Danston, saw his deadpan face and sighed heavily, “It’s just that I want more than sex. Anybody can have sex. Damn, animals just have sex. But I want to be able to have a meaningful relationship with the lady I love!”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t see what your problem is. Laura’s the hottest chick in the school.”
“Like I said, Theo, you wouldn’t understand.”
“You know, César,” Danston said, “I hear what you’re saying. I mean I wouldn’t mind too much if I was in your position and all, but I can see where you’re coming from. I’d probably feel the same if I were in your shoes.”
“You know my big bro, Basha, once told me that sex isn’t going anywhere; that it’s okay to abstain until the time is right.”
“Hey, I hear you1” Alex chipped in.

Just then, they noticed Juliana Kagimba walking towards them. Alex expressed surprise at her moving about without Laura. “Those two were beginning to look like Siamese twins.” Juliana greeted everyone and then told César, “I need to talk to you.” They moved a small distance and got into an animated discussion that lasted a long while after which Juliana turned and walked away.

As César rejoined his friends Danston asked, “What’s the deal?” With clenched jaws and shifting his weight from foot to foot César said, “Laura’s been dogging on me.” Danston raised a casual brow, “Are you surprised? You yourself said that she was easy.”
“Yeah, I know but it still doesn’t change the fact that I don’t like it. I was hoping that the things would be different, you know, that she’d style up. I haven’t even so much as looked at another kyana. I gave her all the chow she wanted hoping that she’d be hooked onto me. Yeah right, probably just my ego talking.” Theo patted his shoulder, “So then don’t let it get you down. There’s other fish in the sea.” Then he chuckled and added as César walked away, “I heard that Aida has a thing for you – Ouch! What did you hit me for?”
“You talk too much.” Danston admonished.
“What, I’m not allowed to express myself?”
“We’ve just been talking about abstinence and your talking about other fish in the sea? Get real!”
“It was just a joke meant to boost his ego. Damn!”
“Bad timing my friend, bad timing; it’s a good thing that he didn’t hear what you said.”

The bell rang for games. One could opt for sports or the various clubs that met in this period. The boys made their way down to the main hall where the performing arts club met every afternoon; rehearsals for the school’s annual dramatic production were currently on.
Danston made his way back to Ouagadougou; he had an distaste for organised sports sessions, he preferred to practice his martial arts on his own. No one was allowed to be in the dormitories during games time, but Danston being Danston…

♣ ♣ ♣

That evening, just before prep begun, Laura saw César and called out his name. It would seem that he did not hear her because he did not break his stride, disappearing behind a block of classrooms. She hurried to catch up with him but when she turned the corner of the classroom block, he was nowhere in sight. She checked in every classroom and he wasn’t in any of them. When the bell rang for prep she headed for the library, she would see him at short break.

César had run round the block of classrooms in order to avoid Laura. He was relieved when he saw her heading for the library. He went to his class and settled down to read. A quarter of an hour went by and he realised that he was still on the same paragraph. He couldn’t seem to concentrate on African nationalism. He fidgeted about and sighed, it was no use; Laura was destined to occupy his mind because he couldn’t seem to get her out of his head.

As the juniors were heading back to their dormitories after the first prep Laura peeped through the window into César’s classroom but he wasn’t in. Spotting The Dudes standing just outside the door she went to them and asked if they had seen him. They pointed her in the direction of the senior one classrooms.

She found him in a very dark spot behind one of the classrooms. She stood rooted to the spot, shocked by what she saw. César was engrossed in a kiss with Juliana. Deeply distressed, she spun on her heel and ran to her dormitory in the process, jostling Aida Namatovu. Concerned, Aida followed her and found her crying on her bed. “Hey, Laura, what’s the matter?” Laura looked at her with teary eyes, “Thanks for the concern Aida but to be honest, it’s not something I want to talk about right now.” Patting her on the back Aida stood up from Laura’s bed, “I understand. It’s something to do with César though, right?” Laura nodded. “Well, when you feel ready to talk, please don’t hesitate to come to me.” Laura nodded again and Aida left the room.

Meanwhile, César and Juliana pulled away from each other. “I guess it worked,” César commented dryly. Juliana shrugged, “I thought that was the whole point?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Anytime.” César watched her go. He had always thought of her as a bit of a cold fish but tonight she proved him wrong. He had actually enjoyed kissing her. Laura catching them had been her idea. The initial concept was to make Laura jealous so that she could know how it felt to be cheated on, but this kiss had changed his perspective. Theo’s words earlier on echoed in his mind, there were other fish in the sea. Maybe Juliana was the one. He was a little confused. He’d just have to see how things went.

He found his friends waiting for him outside the Senior 5 classrooms just before the bell for second prep. “I gather everything went according to plan because we saw Laura zooming back to girl’s end and she looked mad,” said Danston. César shrugged nonchalantly, he wasn’t enjoying himself. “I told you Juliana had a thing for you. Why else would she be willing to be the “other woman”?” Alex whispered to him.

Just then Aida stormed up to César, all up in his face, “It was only a matter of time before you hurt Laura. I always knew that you were a no good dog and you’ve just proven me right.” Visibly shaking with anger, César spat back, “You know jack about what’s going on so I suggest you mind your own bloody business!” Aida opened her mouth to respond but Danston calmly cut in, “Aida, chill! Get the full picture first and then make a conclusion. As Head Girl, you should know that. Besides, it really is none of your business.” Aida’s mouth clamped shut, at loss for words. In a huff, she walked away. Alex wiped his brow in an exaggerated manner, “Phew! You’re as tough as nails to take on Aida like that!
“Man, César! I knew Aida had a thing for you,” grinned Theo.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Ignore him, César; he’s talking a load of crock.”
“No, Danston, I want to know what he meant by that statement.”
“Don’t make a big deal about it; Theo thinks every girl wants you. You know how it is.”
César didn’t look convinced but walked back to his class. “Theo, you need to think before you talk.” Theo looked at Danston incredulously, “Why are you always on my case? Can’t a brother express an opinion?”
“Only if it’s valid.”
“Oh, that’s right; I forgot that you’re ‘Mr. Know It All’!” Danston ignored Theo as the bell sounded and walked to his class for second prep.