We got to the airport just in time to check in and board the plane. Chidi opened a Nigerian web page for me on his phone. It was full of funny quotes.

“I’m really tired,” he said, “you can read this to keep you occupied.” He fell asleep immediately he strapped himself in. I wondered how he managed to do it. The journey back to Kumasi was turbulent and though the websites had funny quotations, I still couldn’t help but panic any time it seemed like we had entered a pothole in the air. I guess I now knew how the disciples felt when Jesus was asleep in the boat while the storm raged around them.

I began smiling as I scrolled down the page. Trust Nigerians to do something like this. A few of my favourite quotations were:

Only a courageous woman can fry a bunch of plantain without tasting any. Albert Einstein

He who fully unwraps moin moin before eating it cannot be trusted to keep a secret. Abraham Lincoln.

Any man who uses his teeth to cut shaki from pepper soup with his eyes wide open is not afraid of anything. Martin Luther King Jnr.

He who asks for stew on top of jollof rice has trust issues. Isaac Newton.

Any man who drinks akpeteshie without squeezing his face is capable of murder. Michael Faraday.

Drinking gari doesn’t mean you’re poor but allowing the gari to swell up before drinking is poverty. Queen Elizabeth

No matter how hot your temper is, it cannot cook yam. Goodluck Jonathan.

I had to wake Chidi up when we got to Kumasi. He drove me home and said hi to Dad and thanked him for allowing me to go. Dad and Sarfoa were watching ‘The Onga Food Tour’. Chidi gave Sarfoa the rest of the chocolates he’d bought.

“Thank you for everything,” I said as I led him out of the house. I knew he knew everything included going to the La Beach.

“I had a really good time.”

“Me too.”

I leaned in to kiss him. He kissed me back and if anything this was even better than our first kiss.

Our porch lights came on and we pulled apart though I didn’t think Dad had been watching. I walked him to his car. We kissed again and he drove off. I was glowing when I went back in.

“You had fun?” Dad asked.

“Yes.”

I expected him to say something about how my eyes were smiling because this time I did know they were smiling. They were probably even laughing. I was deliriously happy and I couldn’t keep the goofy grin off my face though I tried. Dad smiled at me but his eyes were sad. He was probably missing Mom. I said goodnight to him and Sarfoa, ostensibly to study, but instead I lay on my bed and dissected the day, minute by minute. I left my favourite parts for last.

Chidi hadn’t come to church on Sunday. I’d called him as soon as the second service had ended and he said he’d overslept. He’d been more tired than he’d thought and had still been in bed even though it was past 1p.m.

I was really glad to see him that morning. He still looked tired, though he told me he had spent the entire day in bed and hadn’t even gone to shoot pictures of the animals at the zoo. The dark circles were back under his eyes and he seemed preoccupied with something. We held hands as soon as Sarfoa got out of the car.

At lunch he had only half a cupcake and instead of his usual bottle of coke he had a bottle of Lucozade.

“Is your tooth bothering you again?” I asked.

“No. I just don’t seem to have an appetite.”

“Can I come over today? After school?” His eyes brightened.

“Sure.”

I expected Sarfoa to ask to tag along when I told her and Dad I was going over to Chidi’s, but she didn’t. Dad didn’t say anything either. I met Brother Emeka at the door. He asked if I’d like to stay for supper. I said I’d have to ask Dad first so I called Dad who didn’t have any objections.