180 days with my crush

Rachel POV

Everything took a drastic turn after it became known that I was married. The lively and fun-filled environment turned cold. As much as they were all surprised by the news, some were disappointed that I didn't inform them while some weren't even happy about it.

After Sarah confronted me for being discreet about my marriage, it felt like I was slapped so hard in the face. I ran to the gathering, ignoring my left sneakers that took that moment to slip off my foot, collecting the phone abruptly from Usman. Immediately, the picture of Aderemi and I met my eyes. I would have lied about it if the note under the picture didn't give anything away; "The Nigeria Super Eagles player and his wife," unanswered riddles echoed through my mind. My eyes narrowed at the picture, and I saw my fake wedding ring shine like a diamond from the phone. My mouth became dry instantly. What have I gotten myself into? I should be happy that the whole world knows he's married but I'm not

"So, you got married without anyone knowing? " Sarah scowled behind me

"A footballer at that" Wonu injected

"Not just a footballer but someone she's been crushing on" Caleb squeaked

"Maybe she was crushing on him because they were married" I heard someone whispered

My head was reeling like the rim of a bolt. My headache increased from zero to one hundred and twenty degrees. I felt like a child who was caught doing something wrong.

"You should be happy for her instead of having different assumptions about her" Adedamola said

"Happy? She must have charmed him with Juju" Sarah the nerd scoffed

"How did it happen? I thought he had a girlfriend" Ray asked, looking directly at me

"Well, you can't blame us for having an assumption. I've always thought she was innocent, an open book at that, but she feels different right now. I should have known when she's always claiming to be going home every weekend" Ray murmured

Mary forced her way into the group and stood in front of me like it was her battle

"You should all be ashamed of yourselves. She kept it from you because she knew you would all react like this" Mary said. She turned and looked directly at me, searching for what I did not know. Loving someone isn't a bad thing. Being a simple girl shouldn't be a sin. I wasn't planning to marry him for long; it was supposed to be a short-term deal: complete my task and leave like it never happened. Now, I have my classmates to scrutinize my private life. Now I have the whole world running their eyes and mouth over what's supposed to be a secret. How do I cope when everything ends after the deal is off?

I didn't even know I was crying until I felt a handkerchief pressed on my face, wiping the drops of tears from my eyes. I looked up to see who I had forgotten was there - Olufemi- His presence must have been fuel to my tears because they ran out of my eyes as soon as I laid my sight on him. He took my left hand and led me away from the group. He took me to his car, opened the door, and helped me into the seat. He closed it as soon as I was seated and left me to express my grief.

It took me over a few minutes to stop crying. I heard the door open, and he took his seat on the driver's side. He never said anything; he just sat there, making me feel secure. At last, I stopped crying, blew my nostrils on his hanky, and sighed

"I will wash the handkerchief and return it later" I spoke at last

"Do you feel better now?" He asked, genuinely worried

"I am" I must have been so overwhelmed by the shock. Maybe it was why I cried. It was hard trying not to think about my future at this point. I hope I will not be a mess when I eventually get a divorce.

"A penny for you thought"

"I'm better now" I smiled. It felt like a thousand years since I've smiled last

"Is it so bad to let people know you are married?"

"I thought Mary already told you why I got married" I countered

"Do you still want to continue the relationship?" He asked. Isn't it foolish of him to ask such a question? At this point I have no choice, do I?

"I have no choice" I answered

"I never start what I can't finish," I told him. It sounded phony even to my ears. I love this man too much to give him up just yet. I know the repercussions of going ahead with this charade, and I'm also aware it will be more brutal if we end things now.

A low, hesitant rap on the window fractured the calm atmosphere, and I swung around, anticipation yielding relief as Mary's features came into view. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth. I do not think I'm ready to see those people right now. The look on Mary's face showed worry at first but instantly relieved as soon as she saw my face. She must have realized that I was feeling better after speaking with Femi.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course, I am"

"Why haven't you called him? he should be here with you at this time" I don't know why she doesn't like him. Aderemi is the coolest guy I've ever met. I don't understand why Mary wasn't seeing what I saw in him

"There's no reason why I should call him. He will be with his friends" I said defensively

"You should call him; he might not have seen the news," Femi said.

The urge to reach out to him wrestled with my reluctance, not because he wasn't worthy to know what happened, but because I feared burdening him with unnecessary concern. I had a little idea of what I'd be going through when I made the deal he couldn't reject and this wasn't the time to have regrets....at least, not yet

"I will take you home" I heard Femi say from the driver's seat. I looked up at Mary who looked pleased with that decision

"You need to rest. I will tell them you left" Mary said. Femi's thumb pressed the ignition, and the car sprang to life, its engine humming a gentle Melody. The garage's silence was shattered, replaced by the soft crunch of the gravel beneath the wheel.

As Mary vanished into the rearview mirror, her wave suspended in mid-air, the reality of the impending crumbling of my marriage to Aderemi struck me with the force of a gathering storm. The ache in my chest, a hollow resonance, seemed to reverberate through every fiber of my soul.

My life is in trouble