OlaOlowo Media

CHAPTER 15 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD. Nina watched Jide closely as he drifted back from his thoughts... “Your story feels like something from a storybook,” Nina said softly, her words deliberate. “Every great love story comes with its own conflict. Was there no love triangle? No other boys who liked her? I mean, she’s quite a sight, you know. I’ve already noticed my classmate seems to be smitten by her—his name is Zino.” Jide shifted slightly.... “It was the other way around. There was this other girl... Rachael.” ***** The bell rang loudly, signaling the end of the day. The chaos in the class grew loud. Layo stood up from her seat, gathering her books into her arms. Jide walked toward her, weaving through the desks with purpose. “Ready to leave?” Jide asked casually as he reached her. “Yeah,” Layo replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “My mum’s always on time. Besides, it’s Wednesday, and as you know…” “Church,” Jide finished...

CHAPTER 14 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD “Well, it wasn’t long before circumstances pulled us together again,” he replied, his voice holding a hint of pride. “And this time, I was pretty smart about it.” Nina laughed lightly...  “Oh Really! Tell me your smart moves”  Jide leaned back slightly, his smile softening as he met Nina’s gaze. He opened up more to her... ******* Jide had sat with Paul and Chinedu in the Biology lab awaiting their Biology Teacher; Mrs Helen...Their loud voices overshadowed other voices in the room.  It wasn’t long before Layo walked in, holding her books tightly to her chest. Chinedu, always quick to stir trouble, nudged Jide with a mischievous smirk. “Look, look… Mrs. Jide is walking in with 100% steeze and composure.” Paul burst out laughing, drawing Jide’s attention. Layo, who caught wind of their teasing, stiffened. Feeling  her heart almost jumping out of her chest, she instinctively turned back tow...

CHAPTER 13 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD. Layo was still seated on the field, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. She continued to travel back to weeks earlier like Mrs Helen had advised.  The flashbacks continued on its own. Coincidentally, her thoughts travelled back to exactly what Jide had been sharing with Nina. The point where it literally started... Just after Mrs Lydia had used them as her examples... ***** She remembered slumping deeper into her seat, hiding her face behind her notebook as though that could shield her from the teasing. Amaka leaned closer, her teasing smile unmistakable. She nudged Layo playfully with her elbow. “Well, I must say, Mrs. Lydia’s example was... quite fitting,” Amaka said, her voice low and mischievous. Layo shot her a glare... “Ah-ah! Very funny,” she muttered, rolling her eyes in mock irritation. Amaka’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “If you ask me, I’d say this is a good...

CHAPTER 12 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD Jide’s small smile lingered as he recalled the memory Nina had pulled him back into... ****** The classroom was quiet, save for the steady scratching of pens on paper and Mrs. Lydia’s voice  as she wrote on the whiteboard. The topic was Civic Education: Citizenship. Most of the students listened attentively, but Layo sat a few rows ahead of Jide, clearly distracted. Her gaze was distant, her mind wandering elsewhere. “Layo!” Mrs. Lydia’s sharp voice broke through the haze. Layo jolted upright in her seat, her heart racing as all eyes turned to her. “Yes...Yes ...ma?” Layo stammered, embarrassment written all over her face. “You’re distracted,” Mrs. Lydia observed, giving her a stern look. Then, with a slight smile, she turned to the class. “Now, let’s say, for example, Layo marries Jide here, who is also Nigerian...” The room erupted into murmurs and soft laughter. “What?!” Layo’s eyes widened as ...

CHAPTER 11 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD Nina’s Probing question had sent him back to two weeks back… he remembered how alive the classroom had been and though they were about 15 in class, it felt like it was just him and Layo that were in class as Layo who sat a few rows ahead couldn’t resist glancing over her shoulder at him.  He also, though he sat with his two friends; Paul and Chinedu was stealing glances at her. Chinedu was the first to notice Layo’s glances, nudging Paul with a knowing smirk. “Speaking of staring,” he teased, “Layo can’t keep her eyes off Mr. Handsome over here.” Jide frowned, trying to appear indifferent, but his lips betrayed him as it broke into a tiny smile“What? Nah, nothing like that,” he said, brushing off the comment. Paul leaned in, grinning mischievously. “What what? Come on, Oga, do you like her or not?” Jide laughed, shaking his head. “Fashi abeg.” Paul wasn’t convinced. “Look at him, Chinedu. He’s blu...

CHAPTER 10 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD Layo sat quietly on the field, her knees drawn to her chest.  Her teacher’s words kept playing back in her head. "Remind yourself of the Word of God… Remind yourself of the mistakes of the past and the consequences…" She reached into her bag, pulling out her phone. With trembling fingers, she opened her Bible app and typed Songs of Solomon 8:1-4. As the verses appeared on the screen, she read them softly to herself. “If only you were to me like a brother who was nursed at my mother’s breasts, then if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me…” she read quietly. Her voice faltered as she paused to reflect. “Hmm, kissing someone who is not a sibling and I am not married to is wrong. It says here that kissing someone outside that context can bring shame and disdain. Hmm…” She imagined the scandal if she were caught kissing Zino. Her mother’s disappointed face flashe...

CHAPTER 9 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD The flashback still lingered in her mind, a vivid reminder of her connection with Jide and how quickly emotions could spiral out of control. She wiped her eyes, her trembling hands a sign of her inner turmoil. “No more distractions, Layo,” she whispered to herself. “You’ve already learned your lesson not too long ago.” She said to herself trying to speak some sense to herself. She bowed her head, clutching her hands together as though grounding herself. “Layo… Are you okay?” Layo turned to see Mrs. Helen, her Biology teacher, standing a few steps away, concern evident in her kind eyes.  “No, ma,” Layo admitted quietly, her voice trembling slightly. Mrs Helen was no stranger to her 'feelings story'. “Thank God you’re here. You’re just the person I need to see... I think I’m losing it again.” Mrs. Helen stepped closer, her gaze softening with understanding. “What’s going on, Layo? You can tal...

CHAPTER 8 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD Layo sprinted toward the field, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She needed a quiet place, somewhere to escape the chaos inside her heart. Finding a secluded spot by the coloured field, she paced. Her hands trembled, and her heart raced as though it were trying to leap out of her chest. She closed her eyes tightly, the image of Zino’s intense gaze still fresh in her mind. The pull she had felt...the strange and almost magnetic force...was unlike anything she’d experienced before. “God, what kind of temptation is this?” she whispered, her voice shaky. “I thought I had moved on from these feelings thingy, but they’re back... stronger.” Her breathing slowed as her thoughts pulled her back to two recent moments. ***** TWO WEEKS EARLIER Layo remembered how she had stood in front of her mirror, staring at her reflection. Her room, a teenage girl’s haven, was decorated in shades of pink and nude. Sticky...

CHAPTER 7 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD The school hall was still alive with chatter, yet it felt like a bubble had formed around Jide and Nina as she continued to engage him. Nina leaned slightly closer, her playful grin never faltering. “You’re really good at this biology stuff,” she said, her tone light but deliberate. “Maybe we should hang out after the fair?” Jide gave a small grin, feeling his guard drop just slightly under her charm. “Maybe we could,” he replied, his voice cautious but polite. Meanwhile, further down the hallway, Zino’s flirtation with Layo took on a more calculated edge. His smooth demeanor, coupled with his persistent attempts to push her boundaries, made Layo uneasy. She sneezed again, her nerves betraying her. “So,” Zino began with a confident smile, “if DNA can be exchanged through something as simple as a kiss, does that mean I’m walking around with bits of a lot of people inside me?” He paused, flashing a s...

CHAPTER 6 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD There was a lot of chatter amongst the students during the break, but for Layo, the noise faded into the background as Zino approached her. His gait was smooth, his presence commanding, and his eyes gleamed with intent. There was an air of confidence about him that seemed almost too perfect, too calculated. “Interesting presentation,” Zino said, his voice smooth, almost hypnotic. “Who knew science could be so... intimate?” Layo felt her guard go up, her instincts warning her of the undertone in his words. Yet, she couldn’t deny the strange pull she felt toward him. “It’s important to understand the consequences of our actions,” she replied, trying to keep her tone steady. Zino stepped closer, his grin widening as his voice dropped to a more flirtatious tone. “Maybe. But sometimes, the consequences are worth it.” He paused, his eyes scanning her face before landing on her lips. “You’re beautiful—tal...

CHAPTER 5 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD Zino stepped onto the stage with a confidence that seemed almost magnetic. Nina and Mira placed the mannequins there . Nina stayed back while Mira went to the  back of the hall. The way Zino carried himself, coupled with his well-rehearsed charisma, instantly drew attention. His opening line, delivered with a smooth and suggestive tone, caused a ripple of murmurs through the auditorium. He began to touch the female mannequin in a highly suggestive way as he spoke, while Nina was touching the Male Mannequin as well... "Physical contact isn’t just a biological necessity," Zino began, his voice dripping with charm and his hands circling the waist of the mannequin .  "Gestures…they’re connections. A kiss can heal" he said blowing a kiss towards Layo's direction.  " A touch can comfort, and both can ease stress." The words hung in the air, captivating some of the girls ...

CHAPTER 4:  "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD. Nina's question about how far he had gone in the assignment took Zino back down memory lane. ***** Two Weeks Earlier... Inside Principal Harry's dimly lit office, Zino, Mira, and Nina stood before him, their postures tense yet determined, awaiting his orders. Pictures of Layo, Amaka, Jide, and the entire layout of Crestwood School was plastered on one corner of his office wall. Principal Harry's eyes gleamed with evil intent as he stared at the images, his expression icy and calculating. “Crestwood is the best school in this city,” he began, his voice low but laced with venom. “They win all the awards, take every trophy home, and all because of their so-called high morals. Their virtues make them academically superior, and this must change.” He looked each of them in the eye, his gaze chilling. “We will corrupt their foundation... their purity.” Zino remembered how venomous Principal...

CHAPTER 3 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde   As Inspired by the Living WORD Layo, Jide, and Amaka reached their project display booth. Layo was still shaken from her encounter with Zino, but she was making a deliberate effort to push his thoughts aside.  Layo looked at the topics of other schools on the banners that hung at their booths,  and without a doubt  she knew their own topic was a winning topic already, although it was  looking weird to other students. The theme  of the  fair was "Understanding the Intricate Biology behind Human Connections".  Each school was given the liberty to speak on any topic along that line. Her School ; Crestwood had chosen to speak on  'The Biology Behind Kissing and DNA Exchanges.' A topic birthed out of experience. Around them, students gathered, some giggling at the topic, clearly more interested in the romance than the science. Layo felt a mix of excitement and distraction as she watched the cr...

CHAPTER 2 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde   As Inspired by the Living WORD Layo and Amaka were still standing by the colored field, Layo clutching her laptop tightly as her mind wandered, trying to understand why the Robin High student had such an effect on her. Meanwhile, Amaka’s eyes darted eagerly, scanning the crowd for more signs of unfolding drama. Just then, Jide approached with his usual confident stride, flashing his signature smile as he reached them. Layo felt a gentle tug at her heart. There was still something between she and Jide, but clearly not as mind grabbing like what just happened few minutes earlier. “Layo, Amaka! You two ready for this?” Jide asked, his smile broad. Layo, slightly distracted, glanced up and managed a small smile. “Yeah… just taking in the scene.” Amaka nudged her playfully. “Taking in more than just the scene,” she teased. “Admit it...you’re hoping to spot that handsome Robin High student, because I am! I can’t wait to see the dram...

CHAPTER 1 "SHOULD WE KISS?" © Opeyemi Akintunde As Inspired by the Living WORD "This weekend is going to be lit!" Amaka exclaimed. "I can feel it in my blood!" Amaka’s energy was far higher than that of their surroundings. The Crestwood College compound was quiet, unlike its usual, lively atmosphere on a typical school day. With most students away for midterm break, only about fifty people remained on campus, along with the school staff. All students were at home with their families, except for Layo, Amaka, Jide, and a few others from neighboring schools attending the Biology Fair hosted by Crestwood. Banners for the fair were hung around the campus at strategic spots, and students from different schools were trickling out of the hostels, filling the air with a light but lively buzz of excitement. This was the event everyone had been anticipating, and there was an unmistakable sense that this weekend would be unforgettable. Layo and her best friend, Amaka,...

CHRISTMAS DATING Final Episode . . . It has been a sweet adventure telling you about Jojo and myself. I’ve told you about the sweet moments: when all was fine and rosy. I’ve told you about the stormy moments: when the forces of nature came blowing on the roots of our journey into unfading love. I’ve shared with you the sad moments: when tears and sorrows were the simplest way to stay afloat. I’ve told you this story because love is not a stick of candy nor a bottle of bee honey. Love is not only sugar and salt. Love is not only glamour and bliss. Love hurts sometimes. It did when Linda came into our relationship. Though I misunderstood things from the onset, but it took patience and compassion to understand Sweet Jojo’s stand and to eventually forgive him. Love can push you to the bed of the ocean. Like it did when I was sick and hospitalized, and Jojo had to take care of me. Like it did when Jojo was dying and needed me to stay close by. Like it did when Jojo had to cover up with his ...

CHRISTMAS DATING Episode 19 . . . Love is like a four-wheeler vehicle carrying you on a road trip to a place of calm, peace and comfort. You sit in the back seat, stick your head out of the window, and feel the gentle breeze travelling in the opposite direction as your driver ferries away. Your driver! How well you enjoy the journey depends on how well he pedals down the highway, how patiently he takes every bend with the wisdom of an experienced traveler, how peacefully he engages you in a conversation to keep you company, how friendly he is to you. My journey with Sweet Jojo can be likened to a road trip. Before I got on the vehicle of his unfading love, I was afraid of not reaching my destination just like my four Ex-boyfriends stopped me halfway into the journey. I wasn’t sure if I was willing to set myself up for another long walk back to the beginning point all by myself. Hmmm! I bless that day. . . That beautiful afternoon when I took his call after a long while of standing by t...