CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE: I THINK I LIKE SAMUEL
I raised my eyebrow, wondering what was wrong.
"You are red-stained on your skirt," he answered softly.
I froze the moment those words left his mouth. My mind went completely blank.
"What did he say?" Daniel asked curiously, noticing the sudden change in my expression.
"Nothing!" Samuel quickly replied on my behalf.
"I didn't ask you any question, did I?" Daniel shot back, confused.
"Well, it doesn't concern you either," Samuel responded calmly, tilting his head as his eyes remained fixed on Daniel. "As long as she heard what I said, that's enough—right?"
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. So, if I had actually walked to the front of the class to answer the question the teacher asked earlier, that's how I would have been the laughing stock of the entire class? The thought alone made my stomach twist.
It was all too much to process. I turned to look at Samuel, and something inside me shifted. He saw me in such an embarrassing moment, and instead of mocking me, he shielded me from humiliation.
Trying to shift Daniel's attention away from Samuel, I forced a smile. "Daniel, can you help me buy my food at the cafeteria?"
He hesitated for a second before nodding. "O-okay. What do you want?"
"Spaghetti, stew, and tail fish. Everything should cost about seven hundred naira," I said quickly, not bothering to hand him any money. I knew he had enough cash on him, and I could always repay him later after buying sanitary pads.
"Okay, if you say so," he replied.
"Thank you, Daniel," I said with a weak smile.
He looked between Samuel and me, then smiled faintly. "You're welcome." With that, he left the class.
Silence settled between Samuel and me. I felt awkward and embarrassed, my face still hot.
"You don't have to feel bad," Samuel said softly, breaking the silence. He reached into his bag, pulled out a cardigan, and handed it to me. "Here, tie this around your waist. Nothing can make me change how I see you."
He smiled, and the sight of his dimples made my heart skip.
Instantly, a memory flashed in my mind—back in J.S.3, when he'd once said he liked me. That same feeling returned, fluttering gently in my chest.
"Thank you," I whispered, smiling sincerely. "Thank you for everything today."
"You're welcome," he said, still smiling.
I tied the cardigan around my waist and stood up, relieved that it covered the stain. "I'll be right back," I said after taking some cash from my bag to buy sanitary pads.
He simply nodded as I walked out of the class towards the hostel.
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After cleaning up and changing in the hostel, I felt more composed. I had to beg the matron for the key so I could access the washroom and properly wash my stained uniform. I also made sure to clean Samuel's cardigan before returning it.
Outside, I spread both my uniform and the cardigan neatly on the clothesline to dry under the sun. The light breeze carried the faint scent of detergent, which somehow eased my mind.
I hurried back to the classroom, hoping I hadn't missed much of the break period. As I approached, I saw Daniel standing outside the class, talking to Joan. He didn't notice me, and honestly, I didn't want to interrupt.
When I got inside, I saw a covered plate of food on my desk wrapped in black nylon. He must have left it for me.
Samuel was sitting comfortably on his seat, sipping Bigi Apple—one of those Nigerian sodas—and nibbling on a SuperBite sausage roll. He was chatting with Gift, who, to my irritation, was sitting on my chair. From the look of things, Gift was doing most of the talking.
"Hey!" I called out, catching Gift's attention as I moved closer.
Both of them turned to look at me.
"I want to sit on my seat," I said calmly.
"Okay," Gift replied immediately, standing up without protest. "I'll tell you the rest later," she said to Samuel before walking off to her own seat.
Samuel nodded slightly and watched her leave before turning his attention back to me.
"Daniel left your food on your table," he said, pushing the plate towards me and handing me a bottle of water. "I thought you forgot to tell him to buy you a drink, so I wanted to get something for you. But since you're on your period, I got water instead. My sister always says sugary drinks worsen the cramps, and I don't want that for you. So... water felt safer."
His tone was sincere—gentle, even—and for a moment, I was lost for words.
It hit me then: Samuel might actually be the kind of guy I've been wishing for. He's thoughtful, observant, and understands without me saying much.
"Thank you," I said, smiling genuinely.
I brought out some money from my pocket and handed it to him for the water.
He shook his head. "No, please. I just did it out of concern. It's not right to take money from you for that."
"Okay then," I said with a small shrug, smiling. "Thank you anyway."
As I unwrapped the nylon, the aroma of the food filled the air. Daniel had gotten me exactly what I requested—spaghetti, stew, and tail fish. My stomach rumbled in appreciation, and I couldn't help but smile wider.
"How are you feeling now?" Samuel asked after a brief pause.
"Normal, like usual," I replied with a light laugh. "Except for a bit of pain under my stomach. But I'm fine."
He nodded, watching me quietly as I dug into my food. There was a certain calmness about him—steady and gentle.
After a while, Samuel stood up. "I'll be back. I want to see my friends."
"Okay," I replied, my mouth half full of food.
He smiled faintly before walking out of the class.
I watched him leave, the bottle of Bigi Apple still on his desk, the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the air.
Maybe he had only been waiting for me before going out, making sure I was fine and settled. That thought made something warm bloom inside my chest.
I looked at his empty chair, then at the food Daniel had bought for me. Both of them cared in their own ways—but somehow, Samuel's actions spoke louder.
He noticed things Daniel didn't. He understood things without me having to say them. He was calm, thoughtful, and quietly protective.
I sighed, resting my spoon on the plate. Maybe it was time to admit it to myself.
I think I like Samuel.