The young lover boy sat on one of the carved chairs under a neem tree in the school's field and eyes fixed on his tablet. He was tall and slender, with warm brown eyes beneath an Afro cut of thick black hair. The haircut was a proof that he was one of the "I don't two fucks about the rules" at Convent Faith University. According to the rules, all men should have their hair trimmed in a basic low cut. His high cheekbones and firm jaw were
accented by the scowl that creased his face. He has always been like this, even when Emmanuel and I were still together. He would pass by us countless time with that ugly scowl. I can't believe I'm honoring his invite now.
The scowl seemed to melt as I approached. He jumped up eagerly.
"Aholah, Thank you for coming" He said.
"Tolani said you wanted to see me."
"Yes dear, can you have your seat, please?" Peter is his name and he is a 300 Level microbiology student. No doubt he wants to ask for a date, and that was what I needed for sanity's sake at the moment.
"How are you doing, Aholah?"
"Obviously, I'm good. " I threw back at him. Leave formalities and go straight to the point, Baba. " How are you doing too, Peter?"
He laughed. "Cool thank you."
"Please go straight to the point."
"Aholah, you and I know that I've been trying to get to know more about you since the first day I met you at the bank last year…"
I nodded.
"I'm sorry about Emmanuel. He's such a fool to have left you for someone like Belinda…"
"Or maybe it was just God's intent to bring us together…"
"I like you a lot Aholah and I'd like you to be my girlfriend."
I was quiet. He stared into me waiting for an answer, but I wasn't ready to give any.
"I promise to treat you like a queen that you are. For me to have waited this long for you doesn't it mean to you that I'm actually serious about this?"
"You're crazy. " I hissed with a slight smile forming on my cheeks.
"You don't even have good pickup lines. Fine boy like you, eh. "
He laughed.
"I like you too, Peter. I only thought Emmanuel was the best for me. Unfortunately, he proved me wrong."
"I promise to right all the wrongs that he did Aholah."
"Careful not to make too many promises, dude."
"Okay then, tell me about you…"
The conversation continued and somehow a relationship began. Though I had struggles with getting myself outrightly open to him, I knew time would heal that part of me too.
***
Khadijah's POV
There was a knock on the door of my office. I had up and shut the curtains again because I would rather not attend that visiting lecturer's class. I was still clueless about what to do about my dreams and Wura'. Though, my mind keeps telling me to seek help from the chaplain, but that would expose not only my past to him bit also my present. He'll be disappointed in me. He'll tell me I have not completely adopted the fruits of the spirit into my life. He'll judge me, that's what he always does and that's why most students prefer to come see me for counselling than him. The knock persisted, but I refused to answer until I heard his voice.
"Student chaplain, are you not in? I know you're inside o" it was the chaplain's voice. Pastor Olamiji has caught me o. I quickly opened my windows and steadied myself to the door.
"Good afternoon sir. " I said on seeing him. He had this unreadable expression. The usual grin he carried when around students that he is suspicious about
"Ah an where have you been? I've been knocking and knintent..."
"Sir I was sleeping."
"Oh, this office is now for sleeping. Don't you have class now? Your friends just left my office to the class you have now."
I can't even lie to this man.
"I…." Speechless.
"You are student chaplain doesn't mean you are allowed to miss classes o. Your spirituality should only complement your diligence in your academics and not the other way around. Oya start going. Thank God for the spirit of God that told me you're here. Is this how you always miss classes?"
I didn't respond, instead I just started packing my bags.
"Are you not going to answer me Khadijah?"
"Ah no sir, my mind was not here. I'm sorry, sir. " I apologized. "Sir I don't miss classes o. It's only today and God caught me."
"May God always catch you o." He said and left.
Ah God, I'm going to face that charm again. Please help me!