Salimu guided her gently, moving with unusual urgency, while she responded to his touch. He leaned closer, brushing his lips along her spine, keeping the gesture light yet deliberate.
---
He carefully explored areas that elicited strong reactions from her, but with restraint and a delicate approach. The sensations built gradually, causing both of them to react physically while keeping the act private. After some time, they settled, with Salimu moving back slightly and resting beside her, while she lay quietly, breathing deeply.
"Get dressed, let's not do this again; I wake up very early," she whispered softly, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
"What about the door, who will close it?" he murmured.
"I'll handle it," she replied.
---
The next morning, Rama arrived at school as usual, reaching around 12 o'clock. He noticed Manjenje standing near the school football field. Without greeting, Rama passed him and went straight to the classroom.
Early that morning, he also noticed Monica wiping the board in preparation for the new school day. He greeted her briefly and then continued to his seat to place his bag down. Turning back, he saw a girl arriving and smiled when he noticed her nearby.
"Do you know what Manje asked you?"
"Ah, leave him alone; he would have had trouble with me, he wouldn't have said anything if I wasn't nearby. I'd have noticed if he tried anything, I wouldn't let Frida or Atu wander off to buy notebooks," she said.
"Be careful; don't be late for your assignment. You'll face your guardian if you do," Monica warned.
"Who would allow me to be punished, aunt? If he wants the whole school dissected, let him try. He knows everything about me and Frida, so listen—don't show weakness when he's watching. Stand firm and defend yourself," Rama replied.
"Alright, just start; be cautious," Monica said. Rama entered the classroom and greeted everyone, though only Monica responded.
"The issue is the troublemaker," he said, showing his fist humorously. "I'll be your guardian; our class monitor won't notice anything," he added with a laugh, making Monica happy before lightly tapping her arm jokingly.
Frida entered the classroom accompanied by another student, drawing attention from everyone as she approached. The girl ran to hug Monica excitedly, while Rama simply watched.
"And me? I want a hug too, not just her!" Rama shouted, reaching out, prompting Frida to chase him playfully.
"Hey! Don't start tiring her out so quickly," the girl with Monica teased.
"Just let it be; many will grab him before she notices," Monica replied.
"This one is like a bank, always open; go take what you need, you'll regret missing the chance," she added, making Monica laugh loudly, though the classroom door banged heavily.
"Clean up! Stop chatting and get to work, grab the brooms!" Manjenje's stern voice ordered.
All the students stayed silent upon hearing this, including Rama, who kept quiet the whole time. Even though the order was not directed at him, he joined in, not wanting to speak.
---
Rama remained quiet as usual while they went to clean. His peers talked and laughed, but he kept his mouth shut, ignoring most around him. When Frida teased him, he swallowed his irritation to avoid causing a scene.
Upon reaching the storage area with the brooms, he saw many things he didn't like but endured until they neared the main office. Silence settled, and they began sweeping. Worse, Manjenje supervised them closely.
They had to be careful, since some were being watched for potential punishment. The exercise continued, and the teacher occasionally became agitated when stopping to rest between the three students.
Finally, a female teacher arrived where Rama was.
"Rama, take a broom and come to the office immediately," she instructed.
"But teacher, can't you see they're cleaning?" Manjenje complained, surprising his companion wearing a long kitenge dress.
"They won't finish in time; join her," the teacher said, holding his hand and leading him out, leaving Manjenje frustrated since the authority he feared wasn't present.
She fumed, "Hurry and finish before I tell someone to dig a hole for you!" Her tone left no doubt. Though it was their turn to sweep, they weren't usually supervised so strictly.
These words made Rama glare with contempt, knowing exactly what was in her mind. Despite being older, she seemed petty, revealing childish behavior, especially when it came to handling a girl under her authority.
---
"What have you done, Manjenje?"
"Nothing, I'm surprised she just came to the classroom, scolded us, and supervised cleaning when we're usually unsupervised," he replied.
"Some people are careless and it's not even their duty ; the older ones see it clearly," Teacher noted.
"Ah, teacher, you're also like that," Manjenje said.
"Better you stay over there; we laugh freely here while you show your small hypocrisy. Write it down, then lose it. Otherwise, you and your girl will regret it," the teacher said.
"My girl, who?
"Rama, you know, don't act childish. We live in the same street; you think I won't notice how you handle her? I saw it clearly," said the young teacher, slightly older than the students.
"(laughs) So you saw; let my girl go then," Rama replied.
"Come on, let's go to the office before they leave," she added.