Fourteen Letters and Kisses

by Adurakoya Aremu

  "Dear Samira,

  I hope you got my rose because it symbolizes you. You're that rose in the middle of thorns and you lighten up my life. I will wait patiently for that day when you will be mine. I love you.

  P.S. Count down begins today and you have thirteen letters left.

  Your Secret Admirer,

  R.J

  I couldn’t comprehend what just happened for a few seconds until it dawned on me that I might gotten myself a secret admirer which is really cute if you ask me. I became nervous and excited at the same time because no one has ever really asked me.

  There is a R.J out there now who claims to be in love with me but who is R.J? Could it be Raymond Joe? No, I don't think so. The last time I checked, Raymond Joe got a better offer at a company in Texas, USA so he left. Just like that. So who else could be R.J?

  And this R.J also said that I have only thirteen letters left? What does it mean? I kept pondering over it until I slept off again.

  Six

  February 2, 2020

  I couldn’t go to church today because Mom and Dad were not around and there is no one to drive me. Besides, I would have loved to stay back home and heal my broken heart with a bowl of ice cream and also imagine how the anonymous R.J will look like. But what I didn’t expect is getting another letter today. The letter came today just like it came yesterday and I quickly tore it open again.

  Dear Samira,

  I hope I didn't scare you with my first letter. I was hoping you wouldn't think that it was some scammer. Samira, I'm for real. I really love you and I want to do this the right way. And while this may sound cringey, my heart beats only for you. I love you, Samira.

  P.S. There are twelve letters more.

  Your Secret Admirer,

  R.J

  Okay, now this is getting serious. I really do have a secret admirer. I had thought of the possibility of the first letter being some joke or truth or dare but now, it seems it is real. I'm really getting love letters. I think I need to start working on my appearance more. Whoever this R.J is, I'm curious to know him.

  Seven

  February 3, 2020

  I received my third letter today. I was in class when I received the letter. It had been neatly placed in my locker with a red ribbon and a single white rose flower. It still feels kind of strange because I never get attention from my school mates but now I might. What if R.J is in my class? I opened the letter and read:

  "Dear Samira,

  I hope you got my rose because it symbolizes you. You're that rose in the middle of thorns and you lighten up my life. I will wait patiently for that day when you will be mine. I love you.

  P.S. You have eleven letters left.

  Your Secret Admirer,

  R.J

  I could feel the heat rush to my cheeks as I read the letter over and over again. It just dawned on me that I have a secret admirer in this school, the last place I would think of. I looked around the halls to check if someone is watching, anything that could point out who my admirer is but everyone looks normal.

  I sighed in disappointment before placing the letter and the white rose neatly in one section of my back pack where it would not get crumpled.

  The letter said I have eleven letters more. Does that mean that I'll get to meet this secret admirer after the last letter? Oh God! I just can't wait.

  I smiled all through the day. I couldn’t stop it.

  A new teacher had replaced Mr Raymond Joe but he is unfortunately nothing compared to him. Everyone in class had reacted to the news of Raymond leaving but we had no choice but to accept it.

  Idara also apologized to Alvin for slapping him in front of the whole class. Alvin had not replied and Idara had walked over to Leo. I don't know why it seemed like I was the only one who can observe well. I know that while Alvin and Idara acted as if they don't care or love each other anymore, they actually still do. Their body language says it all. They make eye contacts several times and I have caught them kissing in an empty class before Idara pushed Alvin away and ran out.

  I smiled at the thought of being in love. Love hurts, yet we fight for it. I thought of the possibility of R.J becoming my second love. I don't even know who I'm really in love with: Raymond Joe, R.J or the letter. I also know that Raymond Joe could be R.J but last I heard of Raymond Joe is that he had traveled out. So there is definitely someone else bearing R.J.

  Eight

  February 4, 2020

  The fourth letter came today and it was placed exactly where the third one was placed. This time, the letter was in white ribbon and a single red rose. I quickly opened the letter.

  Hello Samira,

  Did you feel the tingles I felt whenever I look at you. When you sit on those railings and stare at the sky and you thought that no one is watching? Well, I did. I always notice you, my love. When I'm with you nothing else matters. And when you walk through the hall ways it seemed as if it was just you and I and no one else. You take my breath away, sunshine.

  P.S. You have ten letters more. Do you know what that means?

  Your secret admirer,

  R.J

  Wow, whoever this R.J is must have been watching me for a long time. If he knows that I often sit on those railings in my secret place in school, then he has definitely been watching me for a long time. I guess that my secret place is not so secret anymore.

  R.J. had also asked if I know what it means after receiving the rest of the letters. I really wish I knew. I could only think of two things that would happen after I receive the last letter: I'll meet this R.J or not. What happens when the I receive the last letter and R.J doesn’t show up? That would really break my heart and I will hate guys for real.

  I walked into class and I almost ran back out with all the commotion. Alvin and Leo were punching each other. Their faces looks all battered and no one is willing to stop them. Everyone seems to enjoy watching two guys fight over a girl. I started imagining R.J and Raymond Joe fight over me. It will be really fun to watch.

  Nine

  February 5, 2020

  I received my fifth letter today and I couldn’t wait to open it. Everyday, I anticipate the arrival of the letters. This one came in a different way. Our new homeroom teacher was in class when a delivery man entered and asked him for permission.

  "Samira Wilson-Jones?" The new homeroom teacher called.

  All eyes darted to me and I almost sinked into my chair but I answered anyway.

  "Delivery for you, mam." The delivery man said and I walked over to him.

  He gave me a single green flower and a letter envelope which was also designed in green. I signed on the book he gave me before walking back to my seat. Everyone still continued to stare at me. It took everything in me not to shout at them and ask them why they care but I know I couldn’t.

  After class I quickly ran to my secret place and opened the letter.

  "Samira,

  Did you like my little surprise? I'm sorry if that was a little far-fetched, I just couldn't help but let everyone know that I love you. You have all the attention on you now. One day we will meet and I will carry you over my shoulders and shout to the world how much I love you. Do you know what the green rose means? It signifies eternal love. I hope you and I will be together forever. Think about it, we would be couple goals. I love you.

  Love from your Secret Admirer,

  R.J.

  My heart beat pounded against my chest as I read the letter over again. Oh my God! I'm in love. I'm in love with someone I don't even know. Someone that might turn out to be ugly or something I don't like. I placed my right hand on my chest to calm my heart. That was when I heard them.

  I quickly crept close to where the voices came from and watched as Tacha and Leo argued.

  "You know, I don't understand. Do you even love her?" Tacha asked Leo and Leo shrugged.

  "I know what I feel and I dont care what anyone thinks." Leo replied.

  "Why were you and Alvin fighting then?"

  "It wasn�
��t my fault that the guy couldn't handle loosing a girlfriend. Besides, I thought you were dating him." Leo said.

  Tacha looked uncomfortable when she replied, "You won't understand."

  "But Leo, I've known you for a long time now and I can tell that there is an hidden agenda. You can't just start loving Idara all of a sudden. What are you planning?"

  "Don't you see it? Don't you understand at all? Alvin has everything! He has the looks, the grades, the popularity and the most beautiful girl. I'm richer than him but even I don't get that attention. At least now I have something he wants the most." Leo broke down.

  I couldn’t help but pity Leo. He was just like me, walking through those school halls and nobody cares about you. Nobody wants you and he just had to do something.

  "So that's it. You took Idara from Alvin because you are jealous of him. You are using her." Tacha accused.

  "I didnt take Idara from Alvin. Idara is old enough to make her own choices and she chose me. Yes, I wooed her from the beginning but the choice was left with her. That was what it started as, but that is not what it is now. Tacha, I really love Idara and I'm not willing to let go. I truly love her. It's like I can't think of anyone else but her."

  My lips crept up in a pitiful smile. Leo was never a bad person after all. I have watched him buy the world for Idara. They are always on dates and he is in love with her. This guy must be going through a lot. I didn’t want to hear any more so I crept back the way I came and took the short cut to class.

  Ten

  February 6, 2020

  The sixth letter was miraculously found in my bag. How it got there I don't know but one thing I know is that this R.J is really smart. The only time I had been away from my bag was when I went into the restroom and left my bag in class. R.J miss definitely someone from my class then or how else could I explain the appearance of the sixth letter in my bag.

  I waited until I got back home before I read the letter.

  Dear Samira,

  You are my favorite person in the world. I have fallen in love with you and it seems strange - this has never happened to me before. But I'm loving this feeling.

  R.J.

  Your Secret Admirer.

  Well I may be loving this feeling too. Because now I wake up everyday expecting the next letter. It is like a puzzle that needs to be solved.

  R.J better be an handsome guy.

  February 7, 2020

  I had to avoid practicing tennis with the other girls from my class. Most of them are snobbish and I don't even have any friends so it's always boring to me. No matter how much I enjoy playing sports, I never enjoy playing sports in school. So I decided to watch the guys playing basketball instead.

  While watching them I was hoping that there would be a clue that will point me to who R.J is among these boys. While I was searching for the clue, a junior came over and handed me a box. I already know what it was. He turned to leave but I called him back.

  "Who gave this to you?" I asked the boy.

  "I don't know him. He was some guy and he said I should give this to you." He replied, sounding honest.

  "Care to explain what he looks like?" I asked again. I'm getting really desperate for the need to know who this R.J is.

  "Erm... I don't know. I didn’t really look at him." He said and hurriedly left.

  Oh no! Who are you, R.J? A ghost?? Show yourself if you ain't one! Aaaargh!

  I tore open the letter and read it.

  Dear Samira,

  You want to see a movie with me? I'll be at the Sweetwater cinema by 5pm. I hope it's a date.

  R.J

  Your Secret Admirer.

  Now that is a fu***** clue. After school, I quickly rushed back home and met mom eating at the dining. The house helps seems to back again.

  "Hello darling. How was school today?" Mom greeted.

  I have really missed my mom as she and dad are my closest friends. So I quickly ran to give her a hug.

  "I missed you, mom." I told her.

  "I missed you more, darling." She replied. "Come and join me so we can catch up."

  I checked my wristwatch and it was already 4pm. The Sweetwater cinema is a forty five minutes distance to my house.

  "I'll do that later, mom. I have an appointment." I told her and quickly rushed out.

  I am sure that Mom will still be home by the time I'm back so I wasn't worried. I got to the cinema at exactly five in the evening. The movie has already started showing so everywhere is dark. I grunted. How in the world am I supposed to see R.J here?

  I decided to wait until the end of the movie so I did. After the movie, the light came back on and I quickly scanned the area. A group of young boys caught my eyes. It was Alvin's group. They were four in number - Alvin, Justin, Alexis and Tristan. A familiar short boy ran to one of them - Tristan and he held his hands as they walk out of the cinema together. That was the boy that delivered my letter and now I noticed that he looks a lot like Tristan.

  Oh. My. God. Could Tristan be R.J?

  Eleven

  February 8, 2020. 9am

  "Oh. My. God!" I mouthed to myself as he slowly turns to face me. He was holding a beautiful neon green-coloured bouquet

  This has got to be a dream. I'm finally meeting R.J and dang does he look so cute. Cute haircut, cute eyes and cute lips. Hell, he is tall and would really swallow me anytime. Yes! I hit the jackpot.

  "Erm..."

  "Hey." He greeted with a smile creeping out.

  All I wanted to do at that point is to jump on him and suck the life out of his lips.

  "H-Hey..i-it's you." I stuttered and he chuckled.

  "Yes, it's me. I'm R.J"

  Funny enough, he doesn't even look like some kid from my school. He looks like all these billionaire CEOs that have all the girls swooning over them.

  It was awkward standing in front of him and having him looking at me like he was ready to eat me up. Before I could blink, he was in front of me with his hands handing the bouquet to me.

  "Oh." I said just realising that I was meant to collect the flowers.

  I brought the bouquet close to my nose and sniffed it. It smells heavenly. I was lost in admiring the bouquet when I felt his fingers brush lightly on my chin causing me to look up at him. I swear I could get lost in those eyes.

  He lifted my chin up gently and brought his face closer to mine. I closed my eyes expecting the kiss but I got something else in return.

  A pillow thrown on my face which caused me to groan.

  "Quit dreaming! It's time to get up and play the day away."

  Yup, it's my mom. Always ruining everything.

  "Why did you do that?" I whined at her and she laughed.

  "You were obviously trying to kiss someone in your dreams. I thought it would be good to interfere at that point." She laughed again.

  "Aaargh!" I whined again.

  "Common go get ready joor. We are doing a Mom and Daughter's day out. I've missed my baaaby." She sang the baby part and I rolled my eyes.

  As much as I loved hanging out with my mom, I wish she would have just let me have a taste of R.J's lips. I turned on the shower and started thinking about R.J.

  How would he even look like for real? Would it be exactly the way I imagined him?

  I thought how about those letters, what if I don't get one today? It's a Saturday anyway so it is likely that I don't get any letters today. I shrugged the thought off as I turned off the shower and dried my body with my pink towel.

  I stepped out of the bathroom and took care of my skin (girls stuff) before putting on a sunshine yellow satin long designer gown that my mom already picked out for me. Yea, I know. My mom loves it when we wear the same thing. It's called twinning and bonding up.

  Off we go.

  We went to different places for fun like the park and we rode the roller coaster. We even played the bear game but didn't win anything. So mom got me a big teddy bear to lift my spirit. We ate ice cream and asun, don't blame us, and we took picture
s. Lots of it.

  We visit an art gallery after to appreciate art. Yea, I love paintings especially nature paintings. It was wonderful. Then we went shopping after.

  Mom loves to shop.

  I saw a pink Prada fluffy flip flop and I fell in love with it. Mom was checking clothes so I had to call her.

  "Dee, I'm getting this Prada flip flop." I told mom.

  Mom loves it when I call her Dee in public. She feels calling her mom makes her look much older. She doesn't wanna grow old at all.

  "Get whatever you want, dear." She replied and continued shopping for dresses. I didn’t bother looking for dresses because that is what Deep is good at. So I let her thing.

  We took pictures while trying out the dresses and mom posted it on her Instagram page. She is the social type.

  Suddenly, I started getting Instagram notifications and I checked to see what it was. Apparently, mom had tagged me in her Instagram posts and I started getting new followers.

  Why not enjoy the attention, I thought.

  I took a few pictures and posted it on my page @Mira Wilson-Jones. I got a lot of likes after and dad even commented.

  "Having fun without me, really?"

  I laughed and showed mom who also laughed.

  "Not our fault you're away in la la land..." I replied to his comment and he liked it seconds later.

  Then he facetimed mom. They started doing their lovey-dovey stuff which I wasn't interested in so I busied myself taking more pictures. Mom told me after the call that dad promised to come home soon, probably before the month ends and I was happy. I'm always happy when there is a full house because we make jokes all the time and poke each other. We even cook together sometimes which is really fun as we play kitchen games together. At least, I was blessed with a happy family which is all I could ever ask for.

  Mom decided that it was time to go home so we could prepare for church service tomorrow. I also love going to church. It is always lively and you get to connect with God. There is always happiness and joy when you're in the presence of God and his people.