THE PINK CLOUDS

BY SADIIK

 

 

Richard’s parents died in a car accident when he was eight years old. Life has not been easy for him and his two sisters because no one was willing to help them. His older sister decided to sacrifice everything she had to see that Richard and his younger sister have the best of life. At age of 18, Richard happened to find himself in a university as a result of his sister’s effort.
She warned him seriously not to get involve in trouble. But his trouble began when he fell in love with one of his professor’s daughter which resulted in him leaving school. Will he be able to face his sister after making all her efforts go in vain? Or will he find a way to succeed without obtaining a degree in an effort to make up for his mistake?

Meanwhile Rebecca is very naughty highschool student that was terrible at mathematics and physics and has never been in love.
Her mother hired Richard to teach her mathematics because he had the best result in his faculty. But Rebecca hated him so much that she could anything to make him stop teaching her.
One day, Richard stood up for her while she was being humiliated at school. That made her to start seeing the good in him. Just as things were about to get interesting between them, a very tragic incident happened to Richard causing him to leave school.

Rebecca did not see Richard again until after five years and he wasn’t like she used know him. Will she fall for him again like before? Or will she turn a blind eye and pretend he doesn’t exist?






THE PINK CLOUDS
By Sadiik
#EPISODE_1

It was a lovely morning; the university compound was surrounded by many students as it was the first day of the semester.
Everybody was walking in a hurry heading to his or her faculty. Then came Richard, a boy with an average height. He was wearing a T-shirt and black jeans. On his feet were sneakers that seemed to have matched his shirt. He got admitted into the institution 5 months ago with the help of his elder sister.
She worked tirelessly to see that he got admitted into the university he desired. For that reason, Richard put in all his best in his studies making him the student with the best result in his faculty the previous semester.

He walked in a hurry as though he was running because he was seriously late. He usually departs his dormitory by 7 am in the morning which was very close to his faculty. But due to the fact that he had changed a dormitory, he had to wake up much earlier than that if he wants to get to his class on time.
His new dormitory was located at the extreme of the university, far away from his faculty. Most students whose dormitories are located at the extreme of the university usually take a taxi to transport them to their lecture venues, while the rich ones drive in their own cars.

As for Richard, he thought it will be a waste of money if he takes a taxi without realizing how far his faculty is from his new dormitory.
He walked on a walking path that was almost 1 meter above the ground. It was made up of brown interlocking bricks, and it was painted black and white at the edge. It was also roofed with a brown asbestos sheet, and that protects the people beneath it from the rain. Some few meters beside the walking path was highway with the vehicle moving at a steady speed, for it was prohibited to drive with high speed in the university.
He walked for more than 30 minutes before arriving at the faculty of engineering. The faculty was a ten story building painted yellow and brown. The frontage of the building was completely made up of dazzling glass. It was surrounded by a short fence that was not more than two metres. There were a lot of trees within the fence of the faculty with many park benches under them.
There was a huge theater located opposite to the faculty building, it is where Richard was supposed to have his lesson. The walking path Richard was walking on leads straight to the entrance of the faculty building and to the theatre. He headed to the theatre still in a hurry, and by the time he got to there, the lecturer had already gone far with her lecture.

Richard’s
heartbeat increased as walked towards the door of the theatre because of the lecturer’s personality.
She had failed 3 students the previous semester for coming to her lecture late. She was a young professor in her early 40s. It was then that he started regretting why he hadn’t taken a taxi to come for the lecture.
“Excuse me, Ma’am,” Richard said in fear.
“What are you here for?” She asked with an angered face.
“I am sorry to bother you, but I was here earlier. I’ve got an upset stomach that’s why I went out,” Richard lied.

The whole students started laughing after he made that statement.
“Next time, you should be careful with what you eat,” the professor smiled.
Richard was so relieved when he asked to come in. He walked into the theatre gently in order not to make his footsteps audible because it was extremely quiet.
Suddenly, he saw his friend Paul waving at him at the centre of the lecture theatre. They became friends on the first day Richard came to the university.

They met at the point of registration where Richard was looking for assistance on how to fill some courses online.
Richard walkes to where Paul was sitting and found out that he had kept some books in the seat next to him indicating that he had booked the seat for him. He quickly sat beside him with a smile on his face.

He brought down the laptop he was carrying in a bag from his back.
“What got into you today?” Paul whispered.
“We will talk about it later,” Richard replied not wanting to talk much knowing the strictness of the professor.

“How was your Holiday?” Paul demanded. “Please Paul, we will talk after the lectures,” Richard quickly intercepted.
They listened to the lecture for an hour and a half before the professor finally concluded. Everyone started leaving the hall as soon as the lecturer left the theatre.

Paul and Richard were also on their way out of the hall when they heard the voice of a girl calling them. “Hey!” Richard replied without a complete assurance when he noticed whom she was.
She is the most beautiful girl in the department, and much taller than him. Many boys like to hang around her because of her beauty and Richard could not blame them.
“I don’t really believe this,” Paul whispered to Richard.
“Could you give me some few moments of your time please?” she questioned as she sauntered towards them.
“Yes of course,” Richard stuttered.
“My name is Janet,” the girl announced.
“Yes I know you,” Richard smiled hiding his nervousness.
“Well, I was wondering if you could be my practical partner because the instruction says a male and a female student should peer up” Janet requested.
“Really? But of all the boys in our department, why would you choose me?” Richard asked with a disbelieve.
“Because you’ve got the best result last semester; and it is said that if you are around intelligent people, their intelligence will automatically flow into you,” Janet smiled.
“And how do you know I’ve got the best result in the department,” Richard asked confusingly.
“Well, after seeing your identification number on the notice board, I did a little research on you,” she smirked.
“Oh,” Richard uttered, not knowing what to say. “Where do you usually study in the night?” Janet continued by asking.
” I settled in a new dormitory now, I have to look for a convenient place close to it,” Richard answered.
“Which dormitory is that?” Janet asked. “Block D,” he replied.
“Wow! No wonder you came late today,” she replied.
“Yes is far from here as you can see,” Richard said.
“Alright, give me your phone number, I will call you tomorrow to hear if you’ve found the convenient place,” Janet said.
“Is okay,” Richard said without hesitation.
After she had his phone number, she left the lecture theatre leaving Richard and paul standing on the same spot.
“I think she is trying to use you,” Paul said doubting Janet ‘s intention. “Why do you say that?” Richard asked.

“Most of the girls in this school take advantage of their beauty to cling themselves to intelligent boys, they only look for them when their need for their academic problems arises. They even have them termed as academic donkeys,” Paul explained. “Is that so?” Richard asked with his eyes widely opened.

“Yes,


of course, the reason why you don’t see them around you is that you have never shown yourself to be smart.
You should be ready to accept more of them now that they find out that you are,” Paul laughed. “How comes I never know any of these?” Richard asked.
“You are always busy with your studies and barely have time for yourself; you will barely know of things like this.”
“I know how to handle her now that I know,” Richard claimed.

“Don’t you do anything stupid, you know is very rare for girls like her to approach you. You should consider yourself privileged even if she going to use you,” Paul said.
“You must be out of your mind. You see, I am not that kind of a guy that a girl can manipulate. I rarely have time for myself to talk more of some stupid girls,” Richard responded.
“Well, we shall see about that,” Paul replied.
They walked out of the hall and headed towards a small cafeteria located beside the lecture theatre.

It was where the students with less money in the faculty usually buy food when they have a break. The cafeteria is owned by a woman in her late 50s called Mama Toyin. It is a medium sized building made up of metal roofing sheets. There were tiny ceiling fans running with slow motion at the ceiling. On the floor were titles that seemed to have lost their colours. There were plastic tables with four chairs arranged per table.

And on each table, there was a bowl with spoons in it. Richard and Paul entered the cafeteria. They sat on one of the tables and a young boy working as a waiter approached them. “What should I bring you?” the boy smiled.
“The usual one,” Richard smiled.
“Okay give me a minute,” the boy smiled back as he walked out to the kitchen.
“And please, make it two,” Paul added.
“What do you usually eat here?” Paul asked for it was the first time he was there. “You will know by the time he brings it.”
About 5 minutes later, the boy came holding two plates.
“So this is what you usually eat here,” Paul laughed when he noticed that was moimoi (a food prepared from cooked beans past).
“Yes of course,” Richard laughed also. “Well, is the cheapest thing I can get myself here,” Richard smiled.
“Why are you always very thrifty?” Paul asked. “This is my lifestyle,” Richard responded.
“I will give you a gift the day you buy something expensive,” Paul teased.
“Don’t worry, I will surprise you one day,” Richard responded.
They ate the food after it cooled down. They left for their next lecture immediately they were done.

In the afternoon around 2 pm, Richard was done with his lectures for that day. He walked out of the faculty and headed towards his dormitory. He walked slowly because he was so tired.

He


walked for some minutes before coming across a small secondary school located in the university. It was a school made for the children of the staff working in the university. It has a very short fence made up of red bricks surrounding it.
At that time, the students are walking out of the school wearing a uniform of black and white. Black trousers and a white shirt for the boys; black skirts and a white shirt for the girls. For the Christian girls, they had a black beret on their heads, while for the Muslim girls is a white hijab.

When he was a few meters close to his dormitory, he heard some of the secondary students arguing ahead of him. They were two boys and two girls. They were arguing about if there was a bomb powerful enough to destroy the whole of Nigeria.
“We are even arguing about something funny. Nigeria is bigger than you think. The nuclear bomb that was used during the Second World War destroyed only two cities.
How on earth do you expect a single bomb to destroy a whole country?” one of the girls asked.

She has an average height, and fair in complexion. When Richard heard their argument, he got interested and decided to interfere.
“Actually, it is possible for such bombs to exist if you know the physics and behind it,” Richard said and the four of them turned and looked at him.

“Well Mr Physics, no one asks for your opinion,” the girl said with a frowned face and looked away immediately.

“Those who don’t listen to other’s opinion are likely to lose a great deal of knowledge,” Richard responded grinned.
“Oh really Mr Philosopher?” the girl said as she stopped walking.
She turned and folded her arms while waiting for Richard to cover up the space between them.

“Yes dear, and as a matter of fact, I am in a position to teach you,” Richard smiled as he approached her.

“Do you know who I am? Do you know what I capable of?” the girl asked.

“I don’t know you nor what you are capable of; all I know is that you are in secondary school, and I am in the position to teach any secondary school student especially a young kid like you,” Richard responded.

“What?” She exclaimed with her eyes widen more than before.

“Just listen to what this kid is saying; they are the type that graduates from secondary school at a very young age and starts behaving like Adult,”
the girl said as she turned looking at her colleagues.
By that time, Richard had gotten to where she was.

“Well, it seems like I made a very big mistake, I shouldn’t have interfered in your conversation in the first place,” Richard said and try to walk past her.

“You tell us, what is the physics behind it,” the other girl inquired.
She was the shortest in the group and dark in complexion.

“There is no need for that, you are all secondary school students and won’t understand the explanation,” Richard said.

“Just stop arguing with him Alice, he was just looking for an excuse to talk to us; he doesn’t know anything by the looks of it,” the first girl said.

Richard looked around and noticed that some of the university students were looking at the scene they created. He decided to quickly dashed away from the place in order to prevent further embarrassment.


Story_Continues

The pink Clouds
By sadiik

EPISODE_2

 

________ ________
Richard entered his room in the dormitory. He met 3 other students which he was supposed to occupy the room with. The room was of medium size with a wardrobe located opposite to the entrance. There were two metal bunk arranged at the right side of the room, and the third one is placed on the left side.
There was a ceiling fan moving at a very fast speed. Two of his roommates seemed to have just arrived from their home with their luggage.

“You are all welcome,” Richard said to them and proceeded to shake each and every one of them.

“Are you also in this room?” one of the boys asked.

“Yes I am, there is my stuff,” Richard pointed a table with some items on it.

“You must be rich, how can you leave the door opened with your stuff left unprotected?” one of the boys asked surprisingly.
“I don’t think I own anything that worths stealing in my bag,” Richard grinned. “You never know the importance of what you have, until you lose it,” one of his roommates replied.
He was very tall and dark in complexion.

“I can say you are right about that,” Richard smiled.
“So, what level are you?” the tall man asked. “I am in currently in my first year,” Richard replied. “No wonder you look very young, how old you are?” the man asked.

“I am 18 years old,” Richard responded.

“I thought you will be the youngest in this room, but it seems not,” the man revealed.

“Of


course I am the youngest,” Richard said considering the fact that he looked to be the smallest of them all in the room.
“You older than Gabriel, the boy behind you,” the man said pointed at the boy behind Richard.
Richard was totally amazed when he noticed the height of the boy. He was the tallest in the room and fair in complexion. He had a very grown hair that was two times as the one on Richard’s head.
“You must be kidding, right?” Richard asked unbelievably. “Do I look like someone who will Kid around with you?” the man asked with a serious face. “How old are you Gabriel?” Richard asked.

“I am 16,” Gabriel responded.

“Wow!” Richard exclaimed speechlessly.

“I don’t know what your name is,” the man said.

“Oh, I am Richard,” he answered.

“Alright Richard, you can call me RG,” the man said.

“What does RG means,” Richard asked curiously.

“I am sorry that’s classified,” the man laughed.

Richard proceeded to his luggage and unloaded everything into his wardrobe. After he was done, he took a bag containing his laptop and went out of the room.

He walked to a garden at the extreme of his dormitory. It was at a border between the student campus and the staff quarters.
The garden was the quietest place in the whole campus, and Richard thought he had found the perfect place for his studies. He sat on a bench in the garden and brought down his bag.
He took out his laptop and some A4 papers out of his bag. He turned on his computer and went through all the courses he will be having in that semester.

As he took his pen trying to schedule how he is going to study for the semester, he saw a girl dressed in white approaching. She was holding the hand of a little boy as she walked majestically on high heels.

For a moment, Richard halted trying to see who the girl was. But as the girl got closer, he noticed that it was the girl he had an argument with earlier.
He became surprised by how she had changed in her personal dress unlike when she was her uniform.

Suddenly, the girl caught him staring and he quickly looked away. “Oh my God!” he said as he came back to his senses.

He was usually the type that wasn’t into girls that are younger than him. According to him, any girl younger than him will just be very childish and especially secondary school students like her.
The girl walked past the garden and headed towards the staff quarters. It was then that he realized that she must be the daughter of one of the lecturers in the university, and that gave him an explanation to her behaviour earlier.
He focused back on his paper and continued writing when his phone started ringing. When he took it, he noticed that it was an unknown number. He quickly answered it wondering whom it was.

Richard:
Hello, can I know who’s talking, please?
Janet: Is Janet, the girl you met earlier today.

Richard: Oh sorry about that, I didn’t know that it was you.

Janet: Oh no no, you don’t need to apologize

Richard: so, how are you doing?

Janet: Doing okay. Where are you right now? Because I am close to Block D.

Richard: Tell me where you are, I will come and meet you

Janet: No, you tell me.

Richard: Okay, I’m in the garden close to the staff quarters.

Janet: Alright, I’ll be there.

After the call ended, Richard saw her approaching with her friend. She wore a red dress with black trousers that looked extremely beautiful on her. Richard tried his very best to stop himself from staring at her.
He pretended as if he was focused on what he was writing. “Mr First class,” she said with a smile as she walked into the garden.

“So you are here,” Richard said as he turned.

“Yes, I am. Look who is serious, we just started lectures today and he has already started studying,” Janet said looking at her friend.
“Well, that’s one of the secrets of maintaining a good result,” Richard grinned.
“Oh, I really? Then I guess you have a lot to teach me,” Janet smiled.
“I don’t think a lazy girl like you can cope with something like that,” her friend laughed.
“Is easy once you have the determination,” Richard explained.
“Well, I think you will teach me about determination too,” Janet said and her friend laughed again. “By the way, this is my friend Farida; she is studying radiography,” Janet introduced.
“It is a pleasure meeting you Farida,” Richard smiled. “The pleasure is all mine,” Farida smiled back.
Janet moved closer to Richard to give herself a better look at what he was writing. “Is this a timetable you are writing?” Janet asked.
“Sort of, but is more like my routines for a day,” Richard answered.

“Wow, do you mean all that you have to do in a day will be written on this sheet of paper?” she asked.

“I think so,” Richard smiled. “I’ve never met a person like you. You are so dedicated, I won’t be surprised from now on if you will have a result more than the first-class degree,” Janet said completely amazed. “Come on Janet, stop exaggerating,” Richard said, even though he was impressed.

They talked for about 15 minutes before Janet decided that they will be going. “Alright Janet, we will meet during lectures tomorrow,” Richard said. “Yes Richard, I will see you tomorrow,” Janet responded.

Thirty minutes after they were gone, the place became dark. The garden got more beautiful with the street lights shining in it. It was then that Richard chose to go and have something to eat. As soon as he got out of the garden, he saw Paul calling him.
Paul: where are you are? I am standing by the door of your room.

Richard: Give me a few minutes, I will be there.

After the call ended, Richard rushed to his room and found Paul trying to leave. “Come on, you just called me; where are you going again?” Richard asked with an angered face.
“Relax. I was called by a girl I met earlier today,” Paul said smiling as he walked away. “You don’t ever get tired of girls,” Richard said as he shook his head watching Paul as he walked away from the dormitory area. “Well, I can die tomorrow. Let me enjoy my life before I die,” Paul responded.
“Alright then, enjoy yourself,” Richard said.
“I will,” Paul laughed.
“By the way, I just met with Janet some few minutes ago,” Richard announced.
“Oh really?” Paul asked as he walked back to Richard eager to hear more.
“Yes, of course, we talked for a couple of minutes,” Richard explained.
“I think this your chance of getting a girl in this school. You will hardly get a girl like her, you can still win her heart while she is trying to use you,” Paul said after he got to where Richard was standing.
“But I don’t think she is trying to use me, her intentions look real,” Richard replied.
“If her intention were real, why didn’t she approached you last semester? Just see how beautiful she is and tell me her intention is real. Girls like her are usually arrogant,” Paul explained.
Richard became speechless after that. As far as he could recall, Janet hadn’t shown any interesting in using him. Besides, being with her will make him have more confidence and experience with girls in the future.

“When
next you are with her, call me. I know you will not do anything reasonable,” Paul laughed.
“I will show you what I am capable of,” Richard responded.


After Paul left, Richard went to his room to prepare something to eat for the night. He cooked some spaghetti with stew and sat by his bed and ate.

He invited the rest of the members of his room to join him, but they all claimed to be filled. After he was done eating, he took his computer and walked out of the campus to the closest faculty where he got his computer to a Wi‐Fi network. He used his computer to watch a movie throughout the night, for it was the first day of the semester.



The next day was a very wet day. Richard got caught in the rain on his way to his faculty as soon as he got out of his dormitory.
He quickly ran to building close by because the running water can ruin the new shoes he was wearing. He folded his arms and watched as the rain fell heavily. About 30 minutes later, a girl in her school uniform approached from afar.

She was holding an umbrella with her right hand, while her left hand was in the pocket of the blue sweater she was wearing. She wore a white sweat hat that covered her ears with black gloves in her hands.

The combination looked beautiful on her that Richard kept staring wanting to figure out who the girl was. When she got close, he noticed that it was the same girl he had an argument with the other day. They both looked away.
Albeit Richard is not interested in secondary school girls, something about the girl seemed fascinating.
The girl sauntered untill she got to her school.



About 15 minutes later, the rain stopped falling making it possible for Richard to walk to his faculty.
Upon arriving at his lecture venue, he noticed his lecturer already there. There were very few students in the hall due to the rain that fell. “Good morning Ma’am” Richard greeted the lecturer.

She was a woman in her late 30s. She is fair in complexion and very short in height. She taught Richard in the previous semester and was very fond of him.
Since the first time she saw Richard, she trusted that he is a boy full of potentials. She was dressed in a long sewn gown that is almost touching the ground.
“Good morning Richard, How are you?” the lecturer questioned.
“I am doing well,” Richard responded as he walked to go and sit.
“Meet me in my office later, there is something I would like to discuss with you,” the lecture announced.

“Alright


Ma’am, I will be there,” Richard answered, and he proceeded to a sit in the middle.
“I didn’t know you are a good friend of Professor Grace,” said a voice behind him. When he turned, he noticed that it Janet sitting behind him. She was dressed in a complete pink outfit that Richard thought she is the prettiest in the hall.
“She taught us last semester, remember? Besides, she is a very simple and understanding woman,” Richard replied.

“I don’t think so since her course is the only thing I failed last semester,” Janet complained “Really? Maybe you didn’t give her what she needed,” Richard replied.

About ten minutes later, the hall became filled with students. The lecture continued for more than hours before it finally came to an end. After the Professor left the hall, all the students started leaving the hall including Richard and Janet.
They talked as they walked out of the hall. Immediately they got out of the hall, they were approached by a boy who seemed to be from a very rich family. Immediately Janet saw him approaching, she left Richard and quickly walked to him.
Richard remained behind them with his arm folded waiting for her to finish talking to the boy.
But as soon they were done talking, she walked with the boy to an expensive car that was parked at the parking space and drove away.

Richard became extremely furious at that moment. It became obvious to him that what Paul told him was true. He decided to address her whenever she approaches him again.
Just then, he heard paul laughing behind. “This girl has really nailed you,” Paul said after he had gotten to where Richard was standing.

“Have you seen what she did to me?” Richard asked. “Yes I have,” Paul replied. “She doesn’t really know who I am, I don’t care if she is beautifu; I will make her regret it,” Richard vowed.

“Don’t worry bro, I am with you this time,”
Paul supported. “I will be on my way to professor Grace’s office; can you please walk me there?” Richard requested.
“I am sorry, I have something to do,” Paul complaint.
“Alright, let me go and see her,” Richard replied.
After they parted, Richard headed to the office of the professor. He knocked at the door and she asked him to come in. “Good afternoon Ma’am,” Richard greeted her.

“Good afternoon how are you?” Prof. Grace asked.

“I am doing fine,” Richard responded. “How is your family?” she inquired.

“They are all okay.”

“So how are you managing your life.”
“Well, thanks to the Lord Ma’am, everything is okay,” Richard responded.
“I heard you did very well in your exams,” Prof. Grace said.
“Yes,” Richard replied.
“That’s wonderful, I want you to study harder and maintain the same result throughout your stay here,” she advised.
“I will try my best,” Richard responded.
“I have a job for you if you are interested,” Professor Grace offered. “What is the job ma’am?” Richard questioned.
“I have a daughter in a secondary school who is very terrible at calculations. I want you to take the job of teaching her,” Professor Grace amplified.
Richard became quiet wondering how to he could tell her he doesn’t have the time to do that. “I know you are very busy students, but considering the fact that you are an orphan, it will help you.
Besides, it will reduce the pressure you put on your sister; and I promise I will pay you well,” Mrs Grace explained.
“How many times am I going to a teacher in a week?” Richard asked.

“3 times should be enough, just create the convenient time you think is okay for you,” Prof. Grace said.

“Alright Ma’am, I will think about it,” Richard responded. “Okay, Richard, I will be waiting for your reply,” Prof. Grace responded.
Richard walked out of her office and met Paul where they were supposed to have their next lectures. It was a practical course in a hall filled with computers.

They were few students in the hall because the lecture was to take place in 30 minutes to come. He met Paul sitting with a girl beside him who happened to be studying software engineering science.
“Hey Paul,” Richard said after he had gotten to where Paul was.
“Hello Richard how was your meeting with the Prof? Paul asked.
“It went well, she wants me to teach her daughter,” Richard explained.
“Did you agree to teach her?” Paul asked. “I told her I will think about it,” Richard explained.
“This is perfect, you should accept her offer,” Paul advised.
“Really? I will consider it, though I’m a very busy person,” Richard replied.
They talked for some couple of minutes before the lecturer that will be delivering the lectures arrived. The lectures lasted for about three hours before it finally ended.
After the lectures, Richard walked back to his room looking very exhausted. Immediately he entered the room, he fell on his bed trying to fall asleep. “Oh man, looks like engineering is hitting someone,” Gabriel said.
“Is not easy bro, I’m just pretty exhausted,” Richard replied.
“At least, you should eat before going to sleep,” Gabriel suggested.
“I don’t think I have time to cooking,” Richard responded.
“I have some food left, I think you can take it,” Gabriel offered.
“Oh thank you so much, Gabriel,” Richard appreciated.
Gabriel stood up from his bed and went to his locker and took the food. Richard quickly collected the food from Gabriel and ate it ravenously.

He lied on his bed immediately he was done eating. He slept for about 2 hours before his ringing phone waked him. Reluctantly, Richard opened his eyes to see who was calling.

He ended the call immediately he saw that it was Janet calling him. When she tried to call again, he ended the call and switched it off. He continued sleeping until it was late in the evening.

He woke up and started marking preparation for his night studies. He took some books and put them in his bag along with his laptop. He switched on his phone as he was heading out of the dormitory. Suddenly, he received a message from Paul.
I tried calling you but your phone was switched off. There is going to be a lecture in Hall 2E by 7:00 pm. You shouldn’t be late.
He placed the phone back into his pocket immediately he was done reading the text message. He proceeded to the garden close to his campus and brought down his bag containing his books and laptop from his back. He read for about 2 hours until the place started getting dark.

He put all his books and laptop into his and headed towards his faculty. He then took a taxi in order to get there on time.
Immediately he walked down from the taxi, he turned and noticed Janet by the entrance of the faculty. He quickly looked away after their eyes met. He paid the taxi driver and turned heading towards the entrance of the faculty.
When he got to where Janet, she stood up from the small bench she was sitting and approached him. “I called you and the call was rejected,” Janet complaint.

Richard ignored her as if he hadn’t heard and continued walking into the faculty. “Hey, I am talking to you,” she shouted.
And still, he ignored her and continued walking. Everybody’s attention diverted to them wondering what was happening.
Richard entered the hall and sat on a seat at the front of the hall. Most of the students were there because it was just 15 minutes left for the commencement of the lecture.
Immediately Richard sat down, he turned and saw Janet approaching looking very upset. “Who do you think you are?” she shouted.

At this point, the hall became silent watching them. Richard removed one of his books from his bag and writes and he ignored her.

“I have never seen a jerk like you,” she angrily insulted and left where he was sitting.

After she left, everyone kept asking Richard what happened between them, but he insisted that it was nothing serious. Soon the lecturer arrived and started delivering his lectures. He lectured for about 2 hours until the lecture finally come to an end.

 


To_be_Continued

Aww, dear. Why did you stop?

THE PINK CLOUDS
_______________________
Episode_3

 

 

By the 3 O’clock the next day, Richard met Prof. Grace in her office. “Good afternoon Ma’am,” Richard greeted as he entered the office.

“Good afternoon, how are you doing,” she asked.

“I am doing okay,” Richard responded.

“How are your studies?” She asked again.

“Excellent ma’am” Richard responded. “Good, that’s what I love to hear,” Prof. Grace said. “So, have you decided yet?”
“Yes I have, but only if it will be three times in a week,” Richard conditioned.

“Three times is quite enough,” the Professor agreed.

“Please sit there and let me finish some of my work before I will take you to my house and introduce you to my daughter,” she added and Richard sat on a cushion opposite to her. She worked for about 30 minutes before she finally finished.

“Sorry I’ve kept you waiting, we can go now,” Mrs Grace said as she stood up.

She walked out of the office with Richard behind her and headed towards the faculty car park. They entered her car which was a white Range Rover sport and drove out of the faculty.
She drove the car for about 10 minutes before arriving at her house in the staff quarters. It was fenced with yellow flowers with a small space left for the entrance. It is painted white and has sliding windows. The doors were black, and the veranda was completely covered in white tiles.

All the houses in the area were similar in structure and were arranged in queues. Prof. Grace parked her car in front of her house and walked towards the entrance of the house with Richard walking behind her.

When


they entered the living room of the house, Richard was so impressed by its beauty. All the cushion in it were white and the painting of the walls was blue. “Rebecca!” Prof. Grace shouted as she sat on one of the cushions.
“Yes mum,” answered a thin voice from one of the rooms.

“Please sit down,” she gestured Richard with her hand.
About 5 minutes later, the girl walked into the living room. She was wearing a zebra T‐shirt with black skinny jeans. Her hair was all loose falling on her back with a headband.
The instance Richard made eye contact with her, his heartbeat increased. Even though it was the fourth time he was seeing her, he felt as if it was the first because of how beautiful she looked. She looked so much different from they argued when she was wearing a school uniform.
“Welcome back mum,” the girl said standing before her mother.
“Thank you, what were you doing in the room?” Prof. Grace asked.
“Nothing mum,” she answered.
“Alright, meet Richard; he is going to be your Mathematics and Physics teacher,” Prof. Grace introduced.
“What? Are you serious mum?” Rebecca asked looking completely shocked as she turned to look at Richard.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Prof. Grace retorted with a serious face.
“But mum he can’t be my teacher, just take a look at how young he is. What do you people will say if they see him as my teacher?” Rebecca asked with a tear about to fall from her eyes.
“I have made my decision and that’s final. If you don’t want him as your mathematics teacher, then your grades should improve,” Prof. Grace conditioned.
“But mum, I am in SS2, how can someone like him teach me?” Rebecca questioned, and this time, tears started falling from her eyes.

Seeing her reaction, Richard felt he shouldn’t accept the role of being her teacher. He was about to speak when Prof. Grace continued talking.

“For your information, this boy had the best result in the whole faculty of engineering. You should be honoured to have him as your teacher,” Prof. Grace said and Rebecca ran to her room crying.

“She is not serious, she doesn’t like studying at all,” Prof. Grace complaint after Rebecca left. “But I think it will be better to find a better teacher for her since she doesn’t seem to like me,” Richard suggested.

“No
Richard, you will be the one to teach her. Let her improve her grades if really she doesn’t want you to be her teacher,” Prof. Grace insisted.
“Please, report her to me if she shows any sign of disrespect towards you,” Prof. Grace added.
“Alright, ma’am” Richard agreed.
“Rebecca!” she called but there was no answer.
“Don’t let me call you again,” the Professor warned.
About a minute later, Rebecca walked out with tears all over her face. “Go and get him something to eat,” Her mother ordered and she turned with a frowned face and walked to the kitchen.
“Please no need for that, I ate before we came here,” Richard said as he stood in order avoid more awkwardness.
“Oh please Richard, do eat something. Was it not after you had 2-hour lectures that I brought you here? Just sit and wait for her to bring something for you to eat,” Prof. Grace insisted.
Richard sat back on the cushion waiting for Rebecca to return. About 5 minutes later, she returned with some food on a plate.
It was cooked spaghetti and beans with stew. She was facing the ground as she walked to him. She dropped the food on the ground in front of him and turned to leave when her mother called her.
“Don’t you have manners? Go to the dining room and get him a stool, “her mother commanded and the girl walked angrily towards the dining room.

Richard was very uncomfortable with the way Prof. Grace was ordering her daughter around because of him. He was pretty sure that he has to pay the price for everything later. She returned with the stool and kept it close to him and turned to leave the living room.

When she got to exist in the living room, she turned and glared at Richard with a very unfriendly look and continued walking. At that moment, he knew a very serious war was going to happen between them.

He started eating the food she brought and found it very delicious; he wanted to make some compliments on the food, but he won’t dare say things to Prof. Grace about her daughter.
After he was done eating, he stood up to leave. “Thank you, ma’am, I am so grateful,” Richard appreciated.

“Don’t mention is dear,” Prof. Grace replied. “So when are going to start the lesson with her?” Prof. Grace asked.

“By tomorrow in the evening,” Richard said. “Alright, I will be expecting you,” Prof. Grace replied.

Richard walked out of her house and headed towards his dormitory. It was then that he came to appreciate him being at the extreme of the school close to the staff quarters. He walked by the side of the road as he headed to his dormitory.
Despite spending months in school, it was the first time he had been to the staff quarters. He looked around and wondered how fun it will be living in a place like that with all the house similar.
As he was walking his way back to his dormitory, he met Janet going to the staff quarters. She was walking with three girls who happened to be her friends.

Immediately she saw him, she quickly looked away. They walked past each other as if they had never met.
It was after they walked a certain distance that one of the girls called out Richard’s name. “Can we have a word with you?” the girl questioned.

“Please Carol, what’s the meaning of this? Have a word with him? Who does he think he is? I know of many boys many that are more intelligent and are not arrogant, so please let him continue being arrogant,” Janet said angrily.
Immediately Richard heard that he furiously walked towards Janet. He stood close to her and they looked at each other angrily.

“If you have known a boy that was as half-intelligent as I, you wouldn’t be this dull, pathetic, arrogant and stupid bitch. Just because you are beautiful, don’t think you can use anyone the way you like,” Richard insulted.
Upon hearing that, Janet extended her hand and slapped Richard. The sound of the slap echoed the whole environment. Richard placed his right hand on his right cheek where she slapped him with his face turned away from her.
The whole place was quiet watching was happening. Richard slowly turned and saw Janet in tears. Before he could do anything, Janet collapsed on the spot, and her friends quickly ran to her.

Richard instantly became confused about why she collapsed.

“Please, we need help,” one of Janet friends shouted.
Richard did not take them seriously because he didn’t see any reason why she should collapse. If there is there anyone to collapse, he should be the one, he thought.
Soon, people gathered around them and she was taken into a car with her friends. The car headed towards the University clinic which was located somewhere in the centre of the university.
About 15 minutes later, Richard went to the clinic and was told that she was taken university teaching hospital.

It


was then that he realized that the problem was more serious than he expected. He asked the nurse for an explanation on why she collapsed, and she explained to him that she had a heart problem that makes her react like that whenever she is angry. At that moment, Richard regretted fighting with her and wished he hadn’t said those things he said.


The next day, Richard went his lectures early in the morning as usual. He was the first person to be in the lecture hall. So he sat at the first seat and watched as everyone walked in.
He was expecting to see Janet, but she didn’t come even after their lecturer arrived. As the lecturer was about to walk into the lectures hall, Paul quickly walked in before him because the lecturer does not allow anyone to walk in after he has.
Paul looked around and noticed an empty seat beside Richard and he knew it was reserved for him. He quickly walked to Richard and sat on the seat beside him.
“I wonder what you always do in the morning that makes you come late for lectures,” Richard nagged.
“I have been asking myself that too, but I couldn’t come up with an answer,” Paul responded.
“Well, you better get yourself together or you regret it later,” Richard advised.
“Alright dad, I will take note of that,” Paul responded jokingly.
The lecturer walked to the stage of the hall, and soon he started his lecture.
About 15 minutes later, Paul leaned on Richard and whispered in his ear. “Tell me what happened between you and Janet yesterday, I heard you two had a fight,” Paul said.
“Let’s talk about this after the lectures,” Richard replied.
“Alright, if you insist.”
Immediately after the lecture was over, many of Richard’s colleague’s began asking for what happened between him and Janet. Most of them thought he was unfair towards her and he was being arrogant.
“It was never my fault, besides, I wouldn’t have argued with her if I had known she was sick,” Richard responded.
“How could it not be your fault? We have all seen how you ignored her other day as if she wasn’t talking to you,” one of the boys said.
“Hey, why are you all blaming me for what happened to her? Had it been you have seen how she ignored me the other day, you won’t blame.
We talking in front of Hall 3S, but immediately after seeing another boy, she left me with no goodbye. And what provoked me most was the fact that she ignored me while I was calling, pretending I wasn’t existing,” Richard explained.
“So that means you were jealous,” one of the girls surrounding him said.
“No I wasn’t, I was provoked. Had it been she sent me off in a nice way, I wouldn’t have been pissed off,” Richard explained.
Despite all his explanations, most of his colleagues still thought he was at fault and he didn’t blame them because he was told that she was seriously ill because of him. Around 2 O’clock, Richard walked back to his room in the dormitory.
He cooked rice and beans and ate it as his lunch. By the time he was done eating, it was already some minutes after 3 O’clock. Immediately he was done eating, he headed towards the staff quarters. He arrived at Prof. Grace House’s about 10 minutes later. He rang the doorbell and he was very surprised to see a very little boy opening the door.
“How may I help you?” the little boy questioned.
“Is the Professor around?” Richard asked.
“If you are referring to my mother, then no,” the little boy responded.
“Do you live here?”Richard asked the little boy.
“Yes, of course, I’m her son,” the boy replied.
“Oh I’m sorry; I never knew she had a little boy like you. So where is your sister?” Richard asked.
“She is here,” the boy said as he opened the door for Richard.
When he entered the living room, he found Rebecca lying on a three sitter cushion with a headphone in her ears while going through her phone.
She was wearing a black shirt and blue trousers. Richard couldn’t resist noticing how glamorous she looked. At that time, he forgot about his position and couldn’t stop himself from staring at her.

When


Rebecca turned, Richard quickly looked away with his heart beating faster. As far as he could remember, he had never felt like around any other girl. He tried and controlled him himself as he walked to her, and she quickly sat up when she saw him approaching.
She removed the headphone from and stared at him angrily. At that moment, Richard somehow started feeling scared to talking to her. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and pretended to be going it.
“Where should we have the lesson,” Richard finally asked after about a minute.
“I don’t know,” Rebecca responded.
Richard stopped operating and looked up into her eyes. She was still glaring at him angrily as if he had murdered her entire family.
“Look, Rebecca, I don’t like this lesson too but my respect for your mother is above my personal interest.
If someone should respect your mother that much, why shouldn’t you?” Richard asked.
“And who told you I don’t respect my mother.”
“Your attitude towards me says so,” Richard responded.
“If at all you do respect your mother, you will cooperate with me to teach you. I want you to know that I don’t have an interest in you,” Richard bragged.
“I tired of listening to all these nonsense,” she said and stood up and left to her room.
At that moment, Richard tried to call Prof. Grace and inform her of what happened. He hesitated for a moment knowing that it will create more scenes if he does that. He walked to the door of her door and tried talking to her.
“I know you do hate me, but if you don’t come out, I will be left with no option but to call your mother,” Richard informed. “Then why don’t you just call her?” she replied from her room.
“Because I know it won’t end well if I do that,” Richard responded. “So please come out and let’s do this,” Richard pleaded. He waited for about 5 minutes, but she didn’t come out or say a thing.
He then made up his mind and dialled the Professor’s number. It rang for a moment before she finally picked the call.
“Give me a minute Richard, I will be there,” Prof. Grace said when Richard informed her.
About fifteen minutes later, he heard the Professor’s car parking at the frontage of the house. She walked into the house angrier than Richard had ever seen her. “Rebecca!” she shouted upon entering the living the room. “Get your ass out here,” she declared angrily.
About a minute later, Rebecca walked out of her room. The instance she got to where her mother was, she received a slap on the face. There was total silence in the living room. Richard became totally surprised at Prof. Grace and regretted calling her.
He never thought she could touch her daughter because of him. Suddenly, Rebecca placed her two hands on the face and started crying out loud.

“Let me tell you something if you don’t behave yourself, be ready to receive the worst from me,” Prof. Grace cautioned.
“You will never leave this house, watch TV or operate your phone ever again if I don’t see an improvement in your grades at the end of this term,” she conditioned.

“Go and sit at the dining table and wait for her to come out with her books,” Prof. Grace instructed.

Richard did as instructed, and about five minutes later, Rebecca walked out of her room with her school bag. She was still crying as she walked towards the dining table.
She sat beside him and brought out her Mathematics textbook.

“I will be going out again, don’t let me hear anything about you again,” Prof. Grace warned and left the house.
Rebecca laid her head on the table kept crying. Richard became speechless and out of words to say. Somehow, he blamed himself for what happened to her.
She cried for more than 20 minutes before she finally looked up.

“You know my mother has never laid a finger until today. She even slapped me because of you,” Rebecca said with her face all wet with tears.

“I know something like this would happen, that’s why I tried to make you understand, but you left me with no option but to tell her.”
“I wish you die soon because I really hate you,” Rebecca said out of anger.

“Is okay if to hate me, but please let’s just do what your mother wants to avoid making things more complicated,” Richard replied.

He took one of her textbooks and tried teaching her, but she folded watched him angrily as he was teaching her.
When Richard noticed how angry she was, he decided to end the lesson.

“I will be leaving now, I come back the day after tomorrow,” Richard announced as he stood up, but Rebecca did not say a word nor look at him.
He walked out of the house and headed towards his hostel. He arrived at his room looking very exhausted.

“Are you coming from a lecture?” asked the elderly man in his room.

“Yes I am,” Richard replied as he lied on his bed.

“But you need to eat first before you will rest,” the man advised.

“Alright, I will do that,” Richard answered.
The elderly man handed Richard a plate filled with food.

“Thank you” Richard smiled as he received the plate.

By the time he finished eating, it was already 4:30 pm, and he thought he had no time to rest because he has some assignments to do. He took his laptop with some of his books and left.
I have complete this story already visit www.dapalace.com to read

To_be_Continued

The
PINK
CLOUDS

Episode_4

 

 

Two days later, Richard was having a practical lesson in one of the computer labs in their department. The lab was big enough to be occupied by three hundred students. The practicals had been taking place for about 2 hours, and there is still an hour more. As the practical was going on, someone took an excuse from the lecturer delivering the lectures from the back door. Everyone turned to see whom the person was and noticed that it was Janet.

“How may I help you?” the lecturer queried.

“I have been unwell, sir, I have just been released from the hospital,” Janet explained.

“Do you expect me to believe this?” the lecture doubted, but before he could say more words, the rest of the students in the hall confirmed that she was telling the truth.
“Alright, you can come in and have a seat,” the lecturer instructed and Janet walked into the lab. As she was walking, Richard who was sitting in the front kept looking at her.
As she got to the centre of the hall, he quickly stopped looking at her after she had caught him looking at her. She got a seat beside one of her friends and sat.

About an hour later, the students started leaving the lab after the lecturer had signified that the practical was over. Janet remained on her seat position while some of the students, her friends and some people that know her walked to her and asked how she was doing.

Richard


remained behind watching as everyone talked to her asking her about her health. He waited until after everyone had left, leaving her with her friends before he approached them.
“Hey Janet, I hope you are okay now?” Richard said when he got to where they were sitting. Immediately Janet turned and noticed that it was Richard, she quickly stood and headed out of the hall.
“I am sorry Janet, I didn’t know what I said will hurt you this much,” Richard apologized, but she didn’t even look back. Her friend ran after her and left the lab.
Richard walked out of the lab and met Paul sitting with some of their colleagues on a bench under a tree at the entrance of their department.
As soon as Paul saw him, he stood up and walked to him.
“Hey, where are you heading to?” Paul asked. “I am going to the cafeteria, I want to eat before our next lecture,” Richard announced.
“Then we should go together because I am seriously hungry,” Paul said.

“Don’t even think about it, I only have the money that can feed only me,” Richard responded.

“Come on, don’t be like that bro,” Paul said as he laughed.

“I am serious Paul, you are not going to eat my food,” Richard said, pretending to serious. They walked together to the cafeteria.

“Good afternoon mama,” Richard greeted the elderly woman sited at the entrance of the cafeteria.

“Good afternoon my boys, how are you doing?” Mama Toyin asked.

“We are doing okay ma’am,” Richard and Paul answered as they walked into the cafeteria.

They sat at the first table which they found to be empty. As soon as they sat down, the waiter walked to them and asked for what they want.

“Two plates of pounded yam please,” Paul quickly ordered before Richard could utter a word.
“Give me a moment please,” the waiter smiled and headed towards the kitchen of the cafeteria.
“Have you seen Janet? She returned when we were having our practicals,” Paul announced.
“Yes I have even tried to talk to her, but she refused to talk to me,” Richard answered.
“I am not surprised at all, I doubt if she will ever talk to you again,” Paul said.
“Well, I don’t blame her, is like I have been cursed lately when it comes to a relationship with girls,” Richard responded.
“How can a person like you say so? Girls talk about you when they come here to eat,” replied the waiter as he brought their foods on the plates.
“Perhaps, you heard them insulting me,” Richard replied.
“Why on the earth would they ever do that?” The waiter asked.
Before Richard could answer, another customer asked for the waiter’s attention from the table next to them.
“I forgot to ask how your lesson went with Prof. Grace’s daughter,” Paul asked as they started eating.
“It was a mess,” Richard replied, and he continued to tell Paul about what happened.

“It
looks like you have been cursed when it comes to girls,” Paul said.
“It seems so.”
After they were done eating, they stood up and walked out of the cafeteria.
They walked to a small tree at the entrance of their faculty and sat on a small bench waiting for the time of their next lecture to arrive.
About 15 minutes later, they stood up to go to their next lectures. The lecture was to take place in a theatre outside their faculty. When they entered the theatre, they found Janet with her friends talking to some boys at the front sits.
As soon as their eyes met, they both quickly looked away.
Richard and Paul walked to the roll behind them and sat down. After they had sat down, Janet ’s friends turned and looked at them and started laughing.

“Looks like they are talking about you,” Paul said to Richard.

“Yes it looks so,” Richard responded. “I think you should go and apologize to her if not, they will continue to hate you,” Paul said.

“I don’t care if they hate me, I have already done my part, but she ignored me instead,” Richard responded.

“If you continue with this behaviour, you will never get a girlfriend,” Paul advised.

“Let it be that way,” Richard responded.

They were in the middle of talking when they saw the rest of the students rushing into the theatre which indicated the arrival of the lecturer. After all the students had sat down, the lecturer walked into the theatre. He walked to the stage of the theatre and stood watching the students.

Without saying a word, the theatre became silent. It was the first time the lecturer was going to lecture them, and they have heard about his strictness from their predecessors.
“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,” the lecture greeted.
“Good afternoon sir,” the theatre echoed.
“I suppose most of you here know me, but for the sake of those who don’t know me, I will introduce myself.”
“I am Prof. L.A Mark, and I will be taking your algorithm and model of computing for this semester. I believe I am dealing with adults, so I expect everyone to be of his or her best behaviour.
I don’t give a make up test for my continuous assessments, and if you don’t have up to 70 per cent attendance of my lectures at the end of the semester, don’t even think of writing my exams,” Prof. Mark cautioned.
He started his lectures immediately he finished giving the student the outline of the course. In the middle of his lectures, a student’s phone started ringing.
“I forgot to warn you, I seriously don’t tolerate phones ringing in my lectures. If any student’s phone rings again, I swear to God you will never see me until your exams. Even the Vice-Chancellor cannot force me to teach you if that happens, and if you think I don’t mean my words, let a phone ring again,” he warned.
He continued with his lecture and lectured for about 30 minutes more. Suddenly, another phone started ringing. And this time, it was Janet’s phone that was ringing. The whole theatre glared at her, and the lecturer quietly packed the books he came with and headed out of the theatre. Some of the students quickly stood up and after him, but it was of no use. He went to his car that was parked close to the theatre and drove away. Everyone became extremely angry at Janet.
“I’m very sorry, I didn’t know how that happened. I thought I put the phone on silent,” Janet tried to apologize.
“You are a completely a wicked fellow. If you are not serious about your life, you should at least bear it alone without you dragging us into your mess,” one of the students who happened to be an elderly man said furiously to Janet .

“Please forgive me, I made a very big mistake,” Janet pleaded as she started crying. The students stopped talking to her as soon as they noticed her crying.

Richard remained on his seat in the theatre after everyone had left, leaving only him and Janet. He was busy with his book and didn’t notice it when everyone was leaving. After he was done writing, he stood up and was about to leave when saw Janet sitting alone. He decided to leave without talking to her, but when he got to the door of the theatre, he turned and saw her looking at him angrily. He walked out of the theatre and suddenly had a change of mind. He turned and walked back into the theatre to Janet. The moment she saw him coming into the theatre, she quickly took a book and pretended to be reading it. He walked straight to her and stood before her.

“Janet,”


He called her name.
She kept her eyes on the book without looking up or saying a word.
“Please talk to me,” Richard pleaded. But she still refused to talk to him or looked at him.
“I am really sorry about the mean things I said to you the other day, I was so angry and couldn’t control the words that came out of me,” Richard explained.
He walked out of the theatre when he noticed that she didn’t want to talk to him. As soon as he got out, he saw Paul approaching one of the halls in their department. Richard called out his name and turned immediately and headed toward him.
“Where have you been?” Paul asked.
“I was still in the theatre, I never left,” Richard responded. “That’s great, I want you to accompany somewhere,” Paul requested.
“I hope we are not meeting a new girl again,” Richard asked.
“Absolutely not,” Paul laughed.
“Okay, where do you want me to accompany you to?” Richard asked.
“You will know when we get there,” Paul responded.
They walked out of their faculty, and Paul headed towards a car parked in the parking space.
“Wait, whose car is this?” Richard asked. “One of my friend’s,” Paul responded.
The only thing Richard hate about Paul is the fact that he is ostentatious. He wished he could tell him how much he hated that.
“Where do you intend on going with an expensive car like that?” Richard asked. “Come on, stop asking silly questions and let’s go have some fun,” Paul said when he opened the door of the car.
“Come on in,” he added. “Richard entered the car reluctantly, and Paul drove out of the school. They drove for about 20 minutes before arriving at the most dangerous clubs in the city. Paul drove the car to parking space made for the guest of the club and parked the car there.
“What are we doing here?” Richard asked somehow terrified.
“To have some fun. Since the day I first met you, I have never seen you doing anything other than studying. I thought coming here will entertain you,” Paul replied.
“What exactly are we going to do here?” Richard questioned again. Paul walked out of the car without replying to Richard’s question.
They walked to the gate of the club and were allowed in after Paul showed the security guard his pass. In the club, a loud noise of music was coming from a big hall. When they got closer to the hall, Richard noticed that it was a party taking place in the hall. Immediately he noticed that he stopped walking.
“Why do you stop walking?” Paul asked.
“You know I don’t come to places like this, right?” Richard responded.
“Come on Richard, you will never get a girl if you keep behaving like this,” Paul said.
“I will have one when the time comes,” Richard answered.
“Please take me back to school,” Richard requested.

“I


will take you back, but first let me go in and look for someone,” Paul said.
“Alright, I’ll be waiting for you,” Richard replied.

Paul walked into the hall while Richard sat on a chair at the entrance of the hotel waiting for Paul to come out. About 30 minutes later, Richard noticed Janet coming into the club. He became totally surprised upon seeing her. She was wearing a short black dress with blue trouser, and her hair was packed behind her back. The way she dressed disclosed that she had really prepared for the party. The fact that she looked beautiful, Richard could not stop staring at her.
As she turned to talk to one of her friends, she caught Richard staring at her. He immediately looked away pretending to be looking at something else. Janet and her friends walked into the hall where the party was taking place and entered.
Richard remained sited in position going through his phone waiting for Paul to come out. About ten minutes later, he couldn’t help but being curious about what was happening in the party the fact that Janet had gone in. He decided to satisfy his curiosity by going into the party. His heart was beating faster because it was the first time he was attending a party of that nature. The hall was filled with music with boys and girls dancing all over. Some of them were smoking and taking drugs while some were taking beers. It was indeed the type of party Richard feared. But what surprised was why Paul brought him to a place like that. He looked around the hall searching for Paul but noticed Janet instead. She was standing at the extreme end of the hall with her arms folded watching as everyone was dancing.

Immediately his eyes met hers, they both quickly looked away. Richard brought out his phone and started going through it. And when he looked in the direction of Janet again, he caught her staring at him. She immediately looked away and headed toward an empty seat and sat down. She looked up and caught Richard staring at her. And this time, they both refused to look away. About 7 seconds later, Janet smiled and looked down.
At that moment, Richard felt like he was hallucinating. It was something he never expected from Janet. And the more he stared at her, the prettier she got. About a minute later, she looked up again and Richard was still staring at her.
Richard suddenly felt like she was yelling out his name through her eyes. As far as he could remember, no girl had ever looked at him that way in his entire life. He instantly became overwhelmed by the desire to talk to her. He started making his way to her, and when she noticed that he was walking to her; she quickly took her phone and pretended to be going through it.
But before Richard could get to where she was, she was approached by someone else. When Richard noticed that, he decided to go back to where he was standing. As he was going, he turned and noticed that the man was pulling Janet ’s hand trying to force her to stand up. Without hesitation, Richard quickly ran to them.

“Is it by force? I said I am not going to dance with you” Janet shouted. At this point, those around them stopped dancing and started looking at them.

The man was huge and bigger than almost anyone present at the party. He wore a white armless shirt with a Short that barely exceeded his knees. By his appearance, it was oblivious to everyone that he was a thug.

For that reason, nobody could speak to him. He kept trying to pull her up until Richard finally spoke to him. “She said she doesn’t like you, why don’t you leave her alone?” Richard asked trying to defend her.

“Do you know who I am?” the man asked after letting go of Janet’s hand.

“I don’t know who you are, but I won’t let you abuse her the way you want,” Richard responded.

The man moved closer to Richard with a smile on his face. Unexpectedly, he brought out a gun and pointed it at Richard. Suddenly, Richard’s heart started beating faster. It was something he used to see in the movies and could not believe it was actually happening him.”Let me tell you something boy, it seems like you are new here. I can kill you right here and nothing is going to happen,” the man said. At that time, everyone was watching what was happening.

Richard began to tremble, wondering what would happen if he got shot. He was clearly warned by his sister not get himself in any trouble. Richard wanted to plead, but before he could say something, a boy ran in shouting. “Run everyone, the police are here,” the boy yelled.

Instantly, the party became disoriented and everyone started running for their safety. Albeit Richard was full of regret of why he remained behind in the first place, he still managed to hold Janet ‘s hand and ran with her. With no hesitation, she followed him as her dragged her along. As they headed out of the hall, they noticed that the police were capturing those that were outside.
They quickly ran back not knowing what to do. Janet started crying because she was completely scared. Richard begin to imagine what he will tell his sister if he got arrested. Luckily, he saw a door located at the extreme of the hall. He held Janet ‘s hand and ran with her alongside him.
He kicked the door with leg and they both entered. He locked the door soon after that. The room was all dark with a very low light. There were some bags of corns that were leaned against the wall of the room. Richard jumped and sat on one of the bags while Janet squatted by the door with her hands covering her face as she cried.
“Please stop crying, they will know we are here if they hear your voice,”Richard said trying to calm her.
When he heard some footsteps approaching the door, Richard quickly jumped down and squatted beside Janet and covered her mouth with his hand.
At that moment, they looked into each other’s eyes like they were involved in a staring contest. Suddenly, Richard’s beat faster than ever. Even though they were close to trouble, he was lost in in another world.
“You can let go of me now, is like they are gone,” Janet said about 3 minutes.
“Yes I think so,”Richard responded as he stood up. He walked back to where he was sitting before and sat down. They remained there until after about an hour when the whole place become quiet.
“We should get going, I think they have all left the club now,”Richard said as he jumped down from the bag.
“Are you sure?”Janet asked.
“Yes I think so,”Richard responded. Janet stood up, and together they walked out the room to the hall.
They headed out of the club when Janet remembered that her purse is missing. She ran back to the room and looked for it but still couldn’t find it.
“You must have dropped it while we were running for our safety,”Richard said after going into the room.
“I think so,” she responded as she turned to walk out.
“Will you please help look for it,” she said after she had walked out the room.
“Alright, that won’t be a problem,”Richard answered.
He helped her to search for the purse in the room but they couldn’t find it, and they concluded at the end that it was taken by someone. By the time they walked of the place, it was already dark.

“Could you please borrow me some money? I will use it to pay for my transportation back to the school; I Promise I will pay you back tomorrow,” Janet requested.

“

Actually, I didn’t come here with any money. I was brought here unwillingly by my stupid friend,”Richard responded.
“I really am in trouble,” Janet answered.

“I guess we have to walk our way back since none of us is capable of paying,”Richard said as he started walking.
“What? Are you crazy? Do you know how far our school is from here?” Janet exclaimed.
“Come on, don’t be such a lazy kid. We have no choice but to walk,”Richard said and started walking.
“Well, if I break my legs, you are going to be held responsible,” Janet said and started walking behind Richard.
“Really? I thought fat girls have stronger bones than that of the men,”Richard teased.
“What? Are you calling me fat right now?” Janet asked as she walked to face him.
“Well, any girl bigger than me is supposed to be called fat,”Richard responded.
“You are just a thin dwarf Richard, so me being fatter and taller than you just make me a perfect human being. Besides, no one has ever said I am fat with the exception of you,”Janet said.
“You are just like mount Everest. It wasn’t the tallest mountain before it was discovered,”Richard said.
“I don’t even know what if that’s supposed to make sense,”Janet responded.

” Of course it does, I mean I am the first person to discover how fat you are,”Richard laughed.

“You are not serious,” she answered.

By that time, they have gotten close to the highway. The road was filled with vehicles and there were street lights shining above it.
“if only I hadn’t lost my purse, we would have taken a taxi to school,”Janet said.
“I have s question that has been running in my mind,”Richard announced.

“What is it?” Janet asked.

“What is a girl like you doing in a party like that?” Richard asked.

“Actually, I have no idea that it was that kind of a party. I only accompanied my friend, she said she was going to meet someone there,”Janet explained.

“Okay,”Richard uttered after he smiled. “Don’t you believe me?” Janet asked noticing how Richard smiled.

“I do believe you,”Richard responded.

“What about you? What brought you to this kind of party?” Janet wanted to know.

“I was brought here by my stupid friend, this is the first time I have been to a party,”Richard mentioned.

“Really? And you expecting me to believe that?” Janet denied.

“Of course you are supposed to. He said I suck with girls, so he wanted me to socialize and have a girlfriend,”Richard explained.
After Richard made that statement, Janet started laughing.
“Actually, your friend is right I think,”Janet finally said after she had stopped laughing. “What? I can’t believe you have said this,”Richard said.

“Do you think I will let you go free after way the you treated me? By the way, why will you ever treat a girl like that if you don’t really suck when it comes to girls?”Janet queried.

“What do you mean by that?” Richard asked.

“Why did you ignore me those times I was talking to you?”Janet asked and stopped walking.

“We were talking when you left me and went to another boy without even bothering to say goodbye. That’s the biggest insult that could ever happen to a boy, “Richard replied as he turned to faced her.

“Oh did I really do that?” Janet asked.

“You certainly did, “Richard answered.

“I am really sorry I didn’t know that will anger you, “Janet apologized.

“Is okay, “Richard smiled.

“By the way, thanks for defending me today, “Janet appreciated.



 

 

Story_Continues

The pink Clouds

Episode_5

 



She continued walking and Richard turned and also walked beside her.

“I was wondering what you would do to that man with the gun if the police hadn’t come,”Janet teased.

“I would tell him I was kidding, he should do whatever he pleases with you, “Richard said.

“What? I thought you going to be my superman, “Janet complained.

“Had it been you are not fat, I can risk my life for you, “Richard laughed.

“Oh damn it, why do you keep saying I’m fat?” Janet asked pretending to be angry.

“Well, the fact that you have a cute face, boys will blinded by it and won’t notice how fat you are,”Richard said.

“Thanks for calling me beautiful,”Janet smiled.

“When did I call you beautiful?” Richard asked.

“Technically, you just did,”Janet laughed.

“You must be very bat at grammar, there is a difference between cute, pretty and beautiful,”Richard replied.

“Oh really Mr. Grammar? Tell me their differences,”Janet requested.

Before Richard could reply, he noticed the lightings in the cloudy sky.

“Oh my God, we are in trouble,”Richard said.

“What is it?”Janet asked worriedly.

“I think is going to rain,”Richard responded.

“Oh my goodness, you scared the hell out of me Richard, I thought it was something serious,”Janet answered.

“Have you got caught up in a heavy rain before?” Richard asked.

“No I haven’t, why do you asked?” She questioned.

“Well, is similar to been whipped with a whipper. And if you haven’t been whipped before, get ready to feel the pain today,”Richard said.

“I know you are just trying to scare me, and I won’t be bothered by that,”Janet smiled and kept on walking.

They
talked and laughed as they walked as if they had been friends for years. At some point, Richard felt like everything happening was in a dream and that he could wake up at any moment. They walked for an hour before it started raining heavily. Richard suggested that they should find a place and stay until the rain stops, but Janet insisted that they Keep walking. It rained heavily on them as they walked but Janet didn’t mind.
“You said it will hurt, but I pretty much like it,”Janet yelled due to the loud sound of the rain.

“I am out of words to say,”Richard smiled.

“Can I tell you something?” Janet asked.

“Yes sure,”Richard assured.

“I used to think you were some kind of a jerk before, but not anymore,”Janet revealed.

“Really?” Richard laughed.
“Yes of course,” she responded.
“Good to hear,”Richard answered.
Suddenly, a car stopped and parked close to the road beside them.
“Hey Richard, where are you coming from?” Asked the person driving.
When they got closer, they noticed that it was one of their course mates at school.

“Thank God,”Richard said and they both quickly ran and entered the car.

Their course mate was so surprised to see them together in that condition.

“Where are you guys coming from?” He asked as he started driving.

“Is a long story really,”Richard responded.

“Well, we’ve got plenty of time,” he answered.

“We visited someone and got caught in the rain,”Janet quickly interfered.

“Oh I see,” he answered suspecting that they were hiding something. He drove into school and headed towards the female dormitory. She walked down from the car after it came to a halt close to the gate of her dormitory. “Good night Richard,” she said as she smiled. “Goodnight Janet ,”Richard smiled back.
The car drove away and Richard was dropped close to his hostel too.

“Thank you so much, I really appreciate it,”Richard said and his course mate as he drove away.

As he was heading to his room, he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to have a lesson with Rebecca. He then decided he will make up for it the next day.

When he entered their room, he found all of his roommates sleeping due fact that the weather had become so cold because of the rain. He went to the bathroom and changed the wet cloth he was wearing. He went to his bed and lied down because he very tired without even thinking of studying. He kept thinking about what happened between him and Janet until he finally fell asleep.


/> The next day, Richard woke up feeling so happy. Before he could do anything, he discovered that he was late for lectures. He quickly got dressed and ran out of the room. Because he was late, he took a taxi to the faculty. He arrived there five minutes after the lecture had started.
Luckily for him, the lecturer doesn’t mind if students come to his class late. He entered the lecture hall and went to the last sit and sat down. Richard looked around the lecture hall but couldn’t see Janet. It then brought him to the conclusion that she was still sleeping. As the lecture was taking place, Richard could not stop himself from thinking about Janet and the incidences that happened between them the previous night.
After the lecture, Richard remained behind in the hall trying to cover up for the time he missed the previous night.

“How did it go for you yesterday?” Someone asked.
When Richard turned, he noticed that it was Paul.

“Don’t take me to places like that ever again, “Richard said angrily as he stood.

“Oh come on, calm down. I was just trying to entertain you,” Paul responded.

“Entertain? Just hear how ridiculous you sound. If I want to entertain myself, I would have done so right here at school. Do you have an idea of what trouble I would have been into if I got arrested?” Richard asked. “Okay I am a sorry man, I should have told you,” Paul said as he hit Richard on the shoulder.
Richard shook his head and continued with what he was doing. He studied for about 1 hour before the next lecture started. During the next lecture, he looked around to see if he could see Janet. But he didn’t see her even after the lectures. He then began to suspect that something had happened to her. He brought out his phone to call her, he then suddenly remembered that he had deleted her number when they misunderstanding previously. At that moment, he regrets to have deleted her number.
He later went to the cafeteria to have some food. He sat at a table waiting for the waiter. He saw their class representative sitting at the table behind him with his friends. He knew he was a good friend of Janet, so he then decided to ask him about her. He stood up and approached their table and was about to speak when he heard his friends teasing him about Janet.
“I don’t really know what her problem is, she keeps telling me that she is not ready for a serious relationship right now,” the class representative said.
“Just keeping on trying, she wouldn’t be talking to you if she was interested in you at all,” replied one his friends.
The moment Richard heard that he felt as if he ran out of the air to breathe.
The pain in his chest was as if he swallowed a molten rock only that it was much worst. He turned to go back to his table when he was called by his class representative.
“Hey Richard, I thought you were coming here,” he said.
“Oh yes I am, I forgot something at that table, let me go and get it first,” Richard responded. “Alright then,” the class representative answered.
Richard went to his table and pretended to have taken something and returned to where his class representative was.
“So how are you Richard?” his class representative asked.
“I’m doing well, and yourself?” Richard asked as he sat down.
“I am good too. Where is your friend?” the class representative asked.
“I don’t know where he is,” Richard responded.
“Maybe he is with girls,” the class representative suspected.
“I won’t be surprised anymore. He really annoyed me yesterday,” Richard complained.
“What did he do?” His class representative asked,
“He took me to a club saying that I need to socialize with girls. I nearly got arrested yesterday,” Richard narrated.
“You see, you really need to advise your friend. Have you seen his result for the previous semester?” the class representative asked.
“No I haven’t, but he told me that he had a single F in his result,” Richard responded.
His class representative started laughing after Richard said that.
“And do you really believe what he told you? Are you really his friend?” the class representative asked.

“Is there anything I’m missing about his result?” Richard asked confusingly.

“You are missing everything Richard, to be honest with you, you really need to know more about your friend, where he goes to, the type of people he hangs out with and what he does in the night,” the class representative said.

“Really? But tell me about his result right now,” Richard requested.
“I won’t say much, just go to our result and check for the poorest result,” the class representative directed.

“Alright,
I will do that,” Richard replied.
He went to the office of their head of the department and asked for the overall list of the names of students in their department. There, he found Paul’s identification number and headed to their bulletin board where their results were placed. He went through all the results and found Paul’s result. He was completely disappointed by the result and finally realized why he had been hiding his identification number all along. He decided to talk to him about it privately when they meet alone.

Later in the day, he couldn’t forget about what he heard his class representative said about Janet. He felt so jealous whenever he remembered and wished he could stop thinking about her. In the evening around 4 o’clock, he decided to go Prof. Grace’s house to have his lesson with Rebecca. When he went to the house, he found Rebecca sitting on the bonnet of her mother’s car with her friend who happened to be her neighbour. She wore black jeans trouser with a white sweater. She wore white socks on her legs with no shoes. They were talking and laughing at the top of their voices. As Richard approached them, Rebecca was touched by her friend and then showed Richard. The moment she turned and saw Richard, she frowned immediately. He went and stood by the entrance of the house waiting for her to come. He spent about five minutes waiting for but she didn’t come. “Rebecca!” Richard called.
She jumped down from the bonnet of the car and met him.
“What do you want from me?” she asked with a frowned face looking at the ground.
“I’m surprised you are even asking me this question, don’t you the purpose of my coming here?” Richard asked.
“I would have known if you come yesterday as you scheduled,” she replied.
“Sorry I got caught up in something that’s why I couldn’t come,” Richard appealed.
“Do you think I’m some useless kid that doesn’t have anything to do? Let me tell you something, you are not going to treating me the way you want. I am busy today, you can schedule another day,” Rebecca said she looked up and looked into his eyes angrily.

“Look here young lady; I don’t want to complicate things. Just let me do what I come here to do and be on way, I didn’t like how it ended the other day, so I don’t want anything of that nature to you again,” Richard stated.

“I just want you to know that you can’t do whatever you like,” Rebecca answered.

They entered the house and found Professor Grace sitting in the living room watching television.

“Good evening Ma’am,” Richard greeted her. “Good evening Richard, How are you doing?” Prof. Grace asked.

“I am doing fine, ” Richard answered.

“How are your studies?” she asked again.

“Everything


is fine,” Richard responded.
“Did you come for your lesson with Rebecca?” she asked.

“Yes,” Richard answered.

“That’s good; I don’t want you to be easy on her. If she doesn’t cooperate, just report her to me,” Prof. Grace instructed.

“Okay I will as instructed,” Richard replied. Richard went to the dining table and waited for Rebecca to come out with her books. About five minutes, she came out with her Mathematics and Physics textbooks. She kept the books close to Richard and the sat on the chair next to him. The perfume on her body was so sweet that he wished he could ask her which one she was using.
“So with which subject are we going to start?” Richard asked.
“Anyone you wish,” she responded with her face still frowned.
“Alright, let’s start with Physics. Tell me the areas you don’t understand well,” Richard requested.
She kept quiet for about a minute without saying a word. Richard decided to give her some test to gauge her performance. He wrote down some of the simplest problems from in the textbook and gave her to solve it.

About 20 minutes later, he requested for her answers and found out that she couldn’t solve any of them.

“Well, that means we have to start with the basics,” Richard said as he closed the textbook.

He instructed her to bring the Mathematics textbooks of her junior years. After she brought them, he started teaching her the simplest topics. He tried his best to make her understand, but he couldn’t help it.

About an hour later, he decided to end the lesson by giving her some work as assignment despite he knew she won’t be to solve them.

“Try your best to do them before our next lesson,” Richard said but she didn’t say a word.

“I will see you next time,” Richard said as he stood up to leave.

“Are you leaving?” Prof. Grace asked when Richard got to her position.

“Yes I am,” Richard replied.

“So how is her performance,” she asked.

“Well, let’s hope she will improve at the end of the day,” Richard answered.

“Rebecca!” she called out.

“Yes mummy,” Rebecca answered.
“I heard that you are not doing so well,” the Professor complained.

Rebecca glared at Richard angrily and he pretended not to have noticed her.

“Well, if you don’t improve by the end of this session, I will make you repeat SS 2 even if your school allows you to be promoted to the final year,” Prof. Grace cautioned.
Rebecca was silent and couldn’t say a word.

“I will take my leave ma’am,” Richard said after a moment of silence.

“Alright Richard, see you next time,” the Professor responded.
When he walked out of the Professor’s house, he discovered that the place had gotten dark. He decided to go to his room and eat something. Suddenly, his phone started ringing and he noticed that it was Paul calling.

Paul: where are you?

Richard: I’m on my way to Block D, where are you?

Paul: I’m sitting on your bed right now.

Richard: Wait for me; I will be there as soon as I finish eating.

Paul: Alright, until you come

After their call, Richard went to one of his mates and collected his book after which he headed to his room.
“Hey, where have you been all day long?” Paul asked as Richard entered the room.

“I have been busy with Professor Grace’s daughter. What about you? Where have you been?” Richard asked.
“You know, hanging out as usual,” Paul responded.

“Oh, I see,” Richard replied.

He proceeded to his locker and brought the remaining food he cooked before going to Professor Grace’s house. He sat by the edge of his bed and he ate it together with Paul.
After they were done eating, Richard proceeded to take his books and laptop for his night studies. When Paul saw him leaving the room, he ran after him.

“Where will you studying today?” Paul asked.

“In one of the theatres over there,” he pointed the direction of some lecture theatres that were little bit further from them.

“You go first, let me go and take care of something,” Paul said as he tried to change the direction of walking.
“You lied to me about your result,” Richard said when Paul was about to leave.

“Who was the hypocrite that told you?” Paul asked angrily.

“It doesn’t matter who told me, what matters right now is that I was completely disheartened when I saw your actual result. Where do you think you can go with a result of 0.5 G.P.A? Imagine even Lydia having a better result than yours,” Richard said referring to the girl everyone thought was the weakest in the department.

Paul kept quiet without mentioning a word.

“You better sit up since this is just the beginning of the second semester. I won’t force you to take my advise, but as your friend, I must tell you the truth,” Richard adviced. “
Thanks for the advice, I will try and change,” Paul answered.
“I’m glad you appreciate it,” Richard replied.

 

To_be_Continued

THE PINK CLOUDS

#EPISODE_6

 

 

The next day, Richard was sitting in a lecture theatre waiting for his lecturer to come. He had been sitting there for the past hour going through his book. At about 10 am, the rest of the students started rushing into the lecture theatre indicating the arrival of the lecturer had arrived. He gathered all the books he was reading and put them in the bag that was beside him. When he looked up, he unexpectedly saw Janet .

The moment he saw her, he felt so warm in his heart like never before. He kept staring at her and couldn’t take his eyes off her. More than ever, he wanted to speak to her. When she got close to him, she smiled at him and waved. Richard was so happy and didn’t know how he could respond to her. She passed him and proceeded to seats at the extreme of the hall and sat down.
All that Richard wished for was for the lecture to finish so he could talk to her. Throughout during the lecture, he kept turning back to look at her to the extent that the lecturer noticed him.
“Is there anything at the back that we should know of?” The lecturer asked as he walked to Richard who was sitting in the front row.

“No sir,” Richard smiled.

“Pleased concentrate, this is unlike you,” the lecturer said and turned and walked back to the stage and continued his lecture.
After the lecture was over, all the students started leaving the lecture theatre. Richard was sitting in the front waiting for Janet . She was united with her friends and they talked and laughed as they walked to leave the hall. When they got to where Richard was, he stood up and approached them. “Hey Janet ,” Richard said. “Hey Richard, give me a minute,” she replied and they proceeded to their class representative who was by standing by the entrance of the lecture theatre. Janet and her friends laughed as their class representative talked to them. Even though Richard was dying to talk to her, he instantly felt that she needed to be left alone. He proceeded to his bag and took his bag and headed to out of the lecture theatre. As he was walking, his head was filled with words he couldn’t say. Even though he tried to act normal, he was deeply hurt inside him. He thought the night they shared meant something to her, but the way she acted made him thought otherwise.

As


he was about to leave their faculty, he heard someone calling him. He turned and noticed that it was Janet . He stopped walking and waited for and her friends to get where he was. “You guys should go ahead first,” Janet said to her friends.
“Alright, you should meet us in Auditorium when you are done,” one of the girls said.
“So, how are you doing?” she asked Richard.

“I am doing well I guess,” Richard responded.

“What’s with the long face? Is something wrong?” she asked when she noticed no sign of smile on his face.

“Nothing is wrong, I was told that I long more handsome when I make a long face,” Richard replied.

“Whoever the hell told you that is a terrible lair,” Janet laughed.
When Richard saw her laughing, it made him forgot about short moment of heartbreak he had.

“Oh really? I bet you don’t just don’t want to admit to the fact that I am handsome like that,” Richard smiled. “Alright make that face again let me take your photo. You will be a better judge to yourself more than anyone,” Janet said as she brought out her phone.

“That won’t be necessary,” Richard responded.
“By the way, why didn’t I see you yesterday?” Richard continued by asking.

“I caught a terrible cold from the previous rain,” Janet responded.
“Oh that’s bad, I hope you are feeling better now?” Richard asked.

“Much


better, I can say I’m healthier than you,” Janet winked.
“I hope what you said is true,” Richard smiled back.
“The last I fell sick was almost 4 years ago,” Richard answered.
“Really? As far as could remember, there has never been a day I am completely healthy. I have been sick since my birth,” Janet revealed as she stopped smiling.

“What has been bothering you?” Richard asked.

“When I was a baby, I took an overdose of drugs that was meant for adults. I miraculously survived as it affected my liver, heart and kidneys,” Janet divulged.

When Richard heard that, he became terribly shocked.

“I hope you are all better now?” He asked curiously.
“Actually not,” Janet responded.

“If i were you, I will be very serious with my life. I will avoid anything that will make fall sick, including not been caught in the rain like the day before yesterday,” Richard said.

“Do you mean I shouldn’t have fun just because I am sick? Everybody dies eventually. So why shouldn’t I enjoy while I’m still alive? I know of many people who are healthier than I and they die at a very young age. One should not live a sad life because of fear of death; one should live happily because life is precious. It doesn’t matter how long you live your life, what matters is how happy you live your life,” Janet stated.

Richard became speechless and couldn’t say a word. He just kept staring at her like he was seeing her for the first time.

“Are you feeling sorry for me because I’m sick? You better not be, because I hate those who feel sorry for me,” Janet said as
she frown her face.

“I am not feeling sorry for you, I just wish I could be as confident and optimistic as you are,” Richard smiled.
“Please don’t say that,” Janet said as she started walking.

“Walk me to auditorium, I will meet my friends there,” Janet continued. “Alright then” Richard said as he started walking beside her.

“I love your clock by the way,” he said referring to the wrist watch she wore. “Clock?” she asked confusingly.
“Yes that thing on your hand that you use for timing,” Richard smiled.
“Oh do you mean my watch?” she asked after looking at her hand.
“No, that’s too big to be considered a wrist watch ” Richard teased.
“What? In case you don’t know, this is the latest wrist watch that ladies wear. But you will never know because you don’t have a girlfriend,” Janet teased back.
“If I have a girlfriend, she won’t wear clocks like this on her hand. Isn’t it heavy for you? I wonder how you even manage to lift your arm with such heavy object attached to it,” Richard said.
“Enough with the sarcasm Richard,” Janet said after she stopped laughing.
They got where her friends at the auditorium which was located at the extreme of the faculty.
“Alright Richard, we will talk later,” Janet said as she walked to the auditorium.

“Hey Janet !” Richard called her.

“Yes!” she answered after she stopped walking and looking back.

“Your clock looks beautiful on you,” Richard smiled.

“Thank you,” she smiled back and continued walking. She entered the auditorium while Richard turned and walked back to their faculty. When he arrived at their faculty, he met Prof. Grace heading to her car. “Good afternoon Ma’am,” he greeted her.

“Good afternoon how are you?” She requested. “I am doing well,” Richard replied.

“Can you do me a favour?” She asked. “Yes I can,” Richard replied confidently.

“I want you to take my car and go Rebecca’s school and pay her school fees. I’ve been caught up with work and I don’t have free a time,” she requested.

“That won’t be a problem,” Richard answered. He received the money from her and her car’s key. He walked happily to the car because he had long wished to drive in cars like that, it was the most expensive car in the whole faculty.

He entered the car and drove to Rebecca’s school. On his way to the school, people kept looking at him as he drove in the , that made wish he owned a car like that. He parked the car in the parking space that made guest at Rebecca’s school. He met an old man who happened to be the security guard of the school at the entrance of the school.
“Good afternoon sir,” he greeted him. “Good afternoon,” the old man replied.
“Please sir, I came to pay the school fees of one of your students,” Richard revealed.
“Alright, go that office over there, they will attend to you,” the old man pointed.

“Thank you sir,” Richard appreciated and walked to the office.

“Good afternoon Sir,” Richard greeted the man he met in the office. “Good afternoon how are you sir?” he replied.

“I


am doing quite well sir,” Richard responded.
“How may I help you?” The man asked.

“I come to pay the school fees of one of your students,” Richard responded. “Who is the student?” the man asked. “Her name is Rebecca; she is the daughter of Prof. Grace ,” Richard answered.
“Oh I know her, let me have the money,” the man requested. Richard handed him the money after which he was given a receipt for the payment.

He walked out of the office in an attempt to find Rebecca’s class and give her the receipt. He met a girl and asked her for Rebecca’s which she showed him close to the fence by the right side of the school gate. As he walked to the class, he was reminded of his secondary school. The building was very similar to his previous school. Two classes per building with doors and windows made up of up of metal sheets. The classes were fenced with yellow flowers with a little space provided for entrance. He entered through the flowers and climbed on to the veranda of the class. He suddenly saw Rebecca crying while her teacher was shouting at her.

“

Episode 6 continuation


This is a very simple thing that you can’t understand. I don’t even know what kind of brain you have. Even a primary school kid can solve this problem. You are the dumpiest girl I have ever seen, I don’t care who your mother is, what I say is really the fact,” the teacher yelled.

When Richard heard that, he felt an anger he never felt before. He felt as if the blood the in his heart boiling. “With all due respect sir, you don’t deserve to be a teacher,” Richard said and all the students in the class turned and looked at him. “And who the hell are you?” The teacher asked. “I’m supposed to be her guardian,” Richard responded.
“Honestly sir, a good teacher is he who is compassionate, supportive and patience to his students. And from the way I see it, you have lost hope in her and no longer patient with her, and good teachers aren’t supposed to be like that. I have gone through all my junior years receiving insults from my teachers. But when I came to ss2, I met an amazing teacher that changed my life entirely. I was able to win an award as the best Mathematics student in the whole country because of her. From that moment, I realized that is not only how the teacher teaches you that matters, their behavior towards you and how they teach you also matters. So please sir, don’t lose hope in her, try and change her,” Richard stated.

The teacher remained silent and couldn’t say a word. Rebecca was completely surprised by what Richard did and couldn’t stop looking at him. “Come on Rebecca, let’s go home. I believe is almost closing time,” Richard said.

Rebecca slowly walked out of the class to where he was standing. He held her and walked with her alongside him. They walked some few steps away from the class when the class bell for the school rang. All students started walking out of their classes. When they saw Richard holding Rebecca’s hand, they started shouting. Richard didn’t care what they rest of the students will say. He walked out of the school to where he parked the car. They entered the car and started the engine of the car. Even after they entered, the rest of her school mates did not stop looking at them. They kept looking until they drove away. He dropped her home and she turned to leave without saying a word. “Rebecca!” Richard called. She stopped walking and turned to look at him.

“Please


allow me to teach you well. I really do believe in you. If I could make in the condition I was before, I believe everybody can,” Richard encouraged.
“Give it everything you have. Your soul, your heart, your passion and whatever it takes. I’m positive that you will make it,” Richard encouraged.

“Thank you for today,” she said and she turned and walk home.

In the evening, Richard went to the Agric garden close to the dormitory and sat there. He brought out his computer and put on his headphone. He laughed as he watched some funny videos online. He was happily enjoying alone. When he looked up, he unexpected caught Rebecca staring at him.

She quickly looked away nervously. She was walking with her little brother with his little hand in hers. She wore a red shirt and a pair of black jeans. Richard wanted to stand up and meet her, but something stopped him. After she walked to a certain point further away, she still turned and looked at him. She looked extremely beautiful but Richard tried to put away all thoughts away other than her being a secondary school girl.
He continued watching his videos until the place became completely dark. He stood up and went to his room and took some biscuits before leaving for his night studies. He went to one of the theatres and sat there alone. He brought out his books and his laptop. He turned it on and started downloading some items before he will start going through his book.


Meanwhile, Janet was with her childhood friend who was in her third year studying mechanical engineering. Janet had been with her for the past 3 hours talking and laughing in her room.
“I have to go to our department, we have a tutorial organised by the students of our department,” said Janet ‘s friend as she stood.

“Oh come on Riskat, why can’t you just relax for today?” Janet said trying to stop her friend from going.

“I have to go, we are having a test tomorrow. And the lecturer is completely harsh,” Riskat said.

She was a tall girl with an age of about 22 years old and dark in complexion.

“Really? Do you mean you are going to leave me here alone?” Janet asked pretending to be sad.

“Okay, you can come with me,” Riskat assured.
“Alright, but I hope the boys in your faculty are not stupid because boys in this school can act crazy,” Janet said.
“Well, I can assure you that they are not as crazy as the boys of your department,” Riskat laughed.

“What? Let me tell you something. There have been two boys that have been stalking on me since the first day I came to this school, and they are from your department. Even my friends are complaining about the boys from your department,” Janet stated.
“Are you going to follow me or you are going to sit there and keep talking?” Riskat asked as she walked out of her room. Janet stood up and ran after her.

They walked for about fifteen minutes before arriving at the department of mechanical engineering. When they arrived, Riskat discovered that the tutorial had already started in a small lecture theatre. They quickly entered and sat in the middle because the front sits were already occupied. The tutorial was been has been carried out by five of the best final year students of the department.

“Are they lecturers of this department?” Janet whispered in Riskat’s ear.

“No they are final year students,” Riskat whispered back.
Riskat brought out her book and write down what was written on the board, while Janet only watched what was going on. One of the boys was looking at her that started to make her feel uncomfortable.

At some point, she wished like getting up and leaving the hall.
But remembering the fact that she came with her friend made her change her mind.
About an hour later, the tutor came across a problem he couldn’t solve. He invited the rest of mates to give a try, but they were all unable to solve it.

“I know of someone who can solve this,” Janet said jokingly, and the whole students turned and looked at her.
“Oh really? And who is that person?” asked one of the tutors.

“She is not even from our department? Why is she even here?” a girl from the students asked.

“Oh please, we are all here to learn. There is nothing wrong even if she not from this faculty,” the tutor said.

“Who is this person you said can solve this problem?” the tutor asked Janet.

Janet started feeling nervous seeing the seriousness on their faces. She was only kidding when she said and didn’t really mean it. And if she reveals to them that she didn’t mean it, they will think she is childish and it will ruin her image. She began to regret why she even followed Riskat in the first place. Suddenly, the thought of Richard came to her. She somehow knew that she will be relieved if she mentions Richard because he had the best result in the faculty.

“Is Richard, the guy from the computer engineering department,” Janet finally said. The moment she said that all the students there started laughing.
More stories@ www.dapalace.com
“Isn’t he a 100 level student?” asked one of the students.

“Yes, he is,” Janet responded.

“This is a 300 level problem. Besides, it is easy to get good grades on the 100 level. Once he gets higher, he will know what it means to be in engineering,” one of the tutors said. “Well, you don’t know what he is capable of,” Janet replied.
“Please Janet, stop embarrassing me,” Riskat whispered to Janet.

“Oh will please get him to come here? We would love to see what he’s capable of,” one of the final year students smiled.
Janet ‘s heartbeat increased. She started regretting why she dragged the conversation up to this point.

“Can you please call him for us?” one of the final year students said again. Even though Janet was nervous, she acted confidently as if she had it all under control. She brought out her phone and called Richard.


Richard was busy with a book when he received a call from Janet. He didn’t know she was the one calling because had deleted her number. He picked the call thinking it was one of the regular friends.

Richard: Hello who is this?

Janet: don’t tell me you don’t have my number

Richard: come on I was just kidding.

Janet: Will you please come to hall 104 in the department of mechanical engineering?

Richard: I hope is not something serious?

Janet: No is not, but I urgently need you

Richard: Alright, I will be on my way.
.Richard took a taxi went to the faculty of engineering. He entered the faculty and headed to the department of mechanical engineering.

He looked around and noticed the lecture theatre Janet described to him. He walked to the lecture theatre and was surprised when he saw a lot of people in it. The hall went silent when Richard entered.

At that moment, Janet ‘s heart was beating faster than ever, thinking that she will encounter the worst embarrassment she ever had.

“Is this boy you are telling us about?” one of the tutors asked.

“Yes, he is,” Janet replied nervously.

“Alright Mr Richard, your friend said you can solve this problem, will you please take a look at it,” the tutor continued.

“Alright,” Richard said as he climbed onto the stage of the lecture theatre.

He walked to the board and peered at the board for a minute before he asked the tutor to hand him a marker. Janet was so relieved when Richard collected the marker from the tutor.
Everyone was surprised when Richard started solving it. As for Janet, she didn’t care if he was solving it wrong or right. The fact that he made an attempt has saved her from the embarrassment she feared. About five minutes later, Richard was done solving it. The final year students were left completely flabbergasted.

It was from his solution that they were able to notice the mistakes they have been making.

“But did you attend a diploma or college before coming here?” the tutor asked startlingly.

“No, I didn’t,” Richard replied.

“You are really a genius as they described you,” the tutor said.

“Come on let’s go, Richard,” Janet said. When Richard turned, he noticed her smiling at him the entrance of the lecture theatre.
All the students were silent watching them as they walked out of the lecture theatre.
When they got out, Janet started laughing.

“What really happened?” Richard asked.

“You are my hero today, I don’t know what trouble I could have gotten into if you hadn’t come,” Janet said.

“Really? I’m glad I’ve made your day then,” Richard responded.

“You were really amazing, how comes you are so good at calculations like this?” Janet asked.

“I don’t know, I just find in fun,” Richard responded.

“I wish I could start to see calculations from your perspective,” Janet revealed.
“But you are supposed to love it since you are an engineering student,” Richard urged.
“Well, I have never expected that I will end up studying an engineering course in the university, that’s why I never took Mathematics seriously in my secondary school,” Janet narrated.
“I used to fear mathematics too, but I met a teacher that changed that. I will never forget her for the rest of my life,” Richard told.
“Oh, is she even a woman?” Janet asked.
“Yes she is,” Richard replied. “she taught me how to see mathematics as an interesting game of finding solutions to problems. Since then, I began loving calculations. I look for problems on my own and solve them,” Richard continued.
“That’s wonderful. When I was in secondary school, I wanted to be a medical doctor, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” Janet revealed.
“Do you still wish to be a doctor?” Richard asked.
“I don’t think so, it was later that I realized that being a doctor means taking a lot of responsibilities,” Janet revealed.
“What about you? Was being a computer engineer your original dream?” She continued by asking.
“Actually, I didn’t know what to study. I just love anything that has to do with calculation, that’s why one of my friends suggested that I study computer engineering,” Richard revealed.
“Wow! I can see that you trust people easily, to the extend that you to allow them to choose a career for,” Janet said surprisingly.

“Oh yes, I love calculations that’s why I don’t think he made the wrong choice for me,” Richard replied.
They got the gate of their faculty and sat on a rest bench. They talked for more than an hour before Janet said that she is hungry.

“Hungry? Didn’t you eat before coming out?” Richard asked.
“No I didn’t,” She replied.

“You could have eaten something before coming out,” Richard responded.

“Yes, so would you please accompany me to go and eat?” Janet requested.

The moment Richard heard that he became shocked because he had no money with at that time.
He became confused and couldn’t think of what to say.

“Well I can go alone if it will cause you trouble,” Janet said noticing Richard silence.

“No I will accompany you,” Richard replied and they stood up and made their way to one of the most expensive restaurants in the school.

Richard had only been to such restaurants once. After noticing how expensive their foods were, he decided they are no place for him. Suddenly, an idea came to Richard. He brought out his phone and texted Paul requesting for help.

They arrived at the restaurant and Janet ordered two plates of fried rice. He looked around in the restaurant and noticed that all students present were on sort of a date. The tables were all occupied by a male and a female student. Seeing himself sitting like that with Janet made him felt like they were also on a date.
The waiter brought the two plates of rice as Janet ordered.
“I would like to have 2 cups of ice cream,” Janet ordered just when the waiter turned to leave.

At that time, Richard wished he could stop her from ordering, but he made himself looked as if it wasn’t a big deal. About 5 minutes later, the waiter brought their ice creams. They talked and laughed as they to the extent that Richard felt like he was dreaming.


About 10 minutes later, Paul arrived at the restaurant. When he saw Richard and Janet, he became totally amazed.

“Hey Janet,” Paul said as he approached their table.

“Hey!” She said back with a smile on her face.
“Why don’t you join us here?” Richard said and Paul drew an empty chair and sat next to Richard.

“Was she…” before Paul could finish his statement, Richard kicked him on the leg. “Was what?” Janet curiously asked.
Before any of them could reply, the waiter came with their bill.

“Here, I will pay it,” Paul said as he brought out his wallet.
“What? Who do you think you are to pay for our food?” Janet asked angrily. “Please calm down; don’t you know that I’m Richard’s best friend?” Paul answered.

“Well, I was the one that brought Richard, so I will handle the bill, not anyone else,” Janet said and she took out her credit card and handed it to the waiter.
After they were done, the three of them stood up and walked out of the restaurant.

Richard and Paul accompanied Janet to Riskat’s dormitory where she will be staying for a while before going to her room.

“Thanks, Richard, I really am grateful for today,” Janet smiled.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Richard smiled back.

“Alright then, I will see you in the morning,” Janet said as walked into the gate of the dormitory.

“See you too,” Richard replied. Richard and Paul remained still and watched as Janet walked into the fence of the hostel.
“Oh my God Richard, when did it happened?” Paul asked astonishingly.

“The day you left me at that stupid party,” Richard replied.

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?” Paul asked.

“Well, I don’t think is that important,” Richard replied.

“What? What do you mean by that?” Paul asked.

“I think you are misunderstanding our relationship,” Richard replied.

“What’s there to misunderstand? You guys went to Love palace. What other proves do I need other than that?” Paul asked.

“We went there because she is hungry,” Richard replied.

“If she is really hungry, why didn’t you go to Mama Toyin’s restaurant?” Paul asked.

“Come on, stop interpreting this with a different meaning,” Richard insisted.

“Alright, if you say so,” Paul replied

_______

Janet was sitting by the bed of Riskat going through her phone when Riskat returned.
“Hey, when did you get here?” Riskat asked as she walked to Janet.

“A couple of minutes ago,” Janet responded.

“That’s cool, you guys really created a scene at our tutorial today. What was his name again?” Riskat asked.
“Richard,” Janet smiled.

“He is actually good. Of all the guys you ever had, he is the best,” Janet replied.
“Really?” Janet asked.
“Yes, of course, you guys look cute together,” Riskat winked.

“Oh we are just friends,” Janet replied.

“I’ve never seen you going to love palace with any of your male friends,” Riskat laughed.
“Who told you we went there?” Janet asked.

“I saw you with my own eyes,” Riskat replied.

“Well the thing is, we just went there without considering it to be some kind of romantic relationship,” Janet replied.

“That’s good for you then,” Riskat smiled.
She sat beside Janet and they talked at length before Janet announced that she was sleepy.

 


#Story_Continues

Episode 6 continuation

This is a very simple thing that you can’t understand. I don’t even know what kind of brain you have. Even a primary school kid can solve this problem. You are the dumpiest girl I have ever seen, I don’t care who your mother is, what I say is really the fact,” the teacher yelled.

When Richard heard that, he felt an anger he never felt before. He felt as if the blood the in his heart boiling. “With all due respect sir, you don’t deserve to be a teacher,” Richard said and all the students in the class turned and looked at him. “And who the hell are you?” The teacher asked. “I’m supposed to be her guardian,” Richard responded.
“Honestly sir, a good teacher is he who is compassionate, supportive and patience to his students. And from the way I see it, you have lost hope in her and no longer patient with her, and good teachers aren’t supposed to be like that. I have gone through all my junior years receiving insults from my teachers. But when I came to ss2, I met an amazing teacher that changed my life entirely. I was able to win an award as the best Mathematics student in the whole country because of her. From that moment, I realized that is not only how the teacher teaches you that matters, their behavior towards you and how they teach you also matters. So please sir, don’t lose hope in her, try and change her,” Richard stated.

The teacher remained silent and couldn’t say a word. Rebecca was completely surprised by what Richard did and couldn’t stop looking at him. “Come on Rebecca, let’s go home. I believe is almost closing time,” Richard said.

Rebecca slowly walked out of the class to where he was standing. He held her and walked with her alongside him. They walked some few steps away from the class when the class bell for the school rang. All students started walking out of their classes. When they saw Richard holding Rebecca’s hand, they started shouting. Richard didn’t care what they rest of the students will say. He walked out of the school to where he parked the car. They entered the car and started the engine of the car. Even after they entered, the rest of her school mates did not stop looking at them. They kept looking until they drove away. He dropped her home and she turned to leave without saying a word. “Rebecca!” Richard called. She stopped walking and turned to look at him.

“Please


allow me to teach you well. I really do believe in you. If I could make in the condition I was before, I believe everybody can,” Richard encouraged.
“Give it everything you have. Your soul, your heart, your passion and whatever it takes. I’m positive that you will make it,” Richard encouraged.

“Thank you for today,” she said and she turned and walk home.

In the evening, Richard went to the Agric garden close to the dormitory and sat there. He brought out his computer and put on his headphone. He laughed as he watched some funny videos online. He was happily enjoying alone. When he looked up, he unexpected caught Rebecca staring at him.

She quickly looked away nervously. She was walking with her little brother with his little hand in hers. She wore a red shirt and a pair of black jeans. Richard wanted to stand up and meet her, but something stopped him. After she walked to a certain point further away, she still turned and looked at him. She looked extremely beautiful but Richard tried to put away all thoughts away other than her being a secondary school girl.
He continued watching his videos until the place became completely dark. He stood up and went to his room and took some biscuits before leaving for his night studies. He went to one of the theatres and sat there alone. He brought out his books and his laptop. He turned it on and started downloading some items before he will start going through his book.


Meanwhile, Janet was with her childhood friend who was in her third year studying mechanical engineering. Janet had been with her for the past 3 hours talking and laughing in her room.
“I have to go to our department, we have a tutorial organised by the students of our department,” said Janet ‘s friend as she stood.

“Oh come on Riskat, why can’t you just relax for today?” Janet said trying to stop her friend from going.

“I have to go, we are having a test tomorrow. And the lecturer is completely harsh,” Riskat said.

She was a tall girl with an age of about 22 years old and dark in complexion.

“Really? Do you mean you are going to leave me here alone?” Janet asked pretending to be sad.

“Okay, you can come with me,” Riskat assured.
“Alright, but I hope the boys in your faculty are not stupid because boys in this school can act crazy,” Janet said.
“Well, I can assure you that they are not as crazy as the boys of your department,” Riskat laughed.

“What? Let me tell you something. There have been two boys that have been stalking on me since the first day I came to this school, and they are from your department. Even my friends are complaining about the boys from your department,” Janet stated.
“Are you going to follow me or you are going to sit there and keep talking?” Riskat asked as she walked out of her room. Janet stood up and ran after her.

They walked for about fifteen minutes before arriving at the department of mechanical engineering. When they arrived, Riskat discovered that the tutorial had already started in a small lecture theatre. They quickly entered and sat in the middle because the front sits were already occupied. The tutorial was been has been carried out by five of the best final year students of the department.

“Are they lecturers of this department?” Janet whispered in Riskat’s ear.

“No they are final year students,” Riskat whispered back.
Riskat brought out her book and write down what was written on the board, while Janet only watched what was going on. One of the boys was looking at her that started to make her feel uncomfortable.

At some point, she wished like getting up and leaving the hall.
But remembering the fact that she came with her friend made her change her mind.
About an hour later, the tutor came across a problem he couldn’t solve. He invited the rest of mates to give a try, but they were all unable to solve it.

“I know of someone who can solve this,” Janet said jokingly, and the whole students turned and looked at her.
“Oh really? And who is that person?” asked one of the tutors.

“She is not even from our department? Why is she even here?” a girl from the students asked.

“Oh please, we are all here to learn. There is nothing wrong even if she not from this faculty,” the tutor said.

“Who is this person you said can solve this problem?” the tutor asked Janet.

Janet started feeling nervous seeing the seriousness on their faces. She was only kidding when she said and didn’t really mean it. And if she reveals to them that she didn’t mean it, they will think she is childish and it will ruin her image. She began to regret why she even followed Riskat in the first place. Suddenly, the thought of Richard came to her. She somehow knew that she will be relieved if she mentions Richard because he had the best result in the faculty.

“Is Richard, the guy from the computer engineering department,” Janet finally said. The moment she said that all the students there started laughing.

“Isn’t he a 100 level student?” asked one of the students.

“Yes, he is,” Janet responded.

“This is a 300 level problem. Besides, it is easy to get good grades on the 100 level. Once he gets higher, he will know what it means to be in engineering,” one of the tutors said. “Well, you don’t know what he is capable of,” Janet replied.
“Please Janet, stop embarrassing me,” Riskat whispered to Janet.

“Oh will please get him to come here? We would love to see what he’s capable of,” one of the final year students smiled.
Janet ‘s heartbeat increased. She started regretting why she dragged the conversation up to this point.

“Can you please call him for us?” one of the final year students said again. Even though Janet was nervous, she acted confidently as if she had it all under control. She brought out her phone and called Richard.


Richard was busy with a book when he received a call from Janet. He didn’t know she was the one calling because had deleted her number. He picked the call thinking it was one of the regular friends.

Richard: Hello who is this?

Janet: don’t tell me you don’t have my number

Richard: come on I was just kidding.

Janet: Will you please come to hall 104 in the department of mechanical engineering?

Richard: I hope is not something serious?

Janet: No is not, but I urgently need you

Richard: Alright, I will be on my way.
.Richard took a taxi went to the faculty of engineering. He entered the faculty and headed to the department of mechanical engineering.

He looked around and noticed the lecture theatre Janet described to him. He walked to the lecture theatre and was surprised when he saw a lot of people in it. The hall went silent when Richard entered.

At that moment, Janet ‘s heart was beating faster than ever, thinking that she will encounter the worst embarrassment she ever had.

“Is this boy you are telling us about?” one of the tutors asked.

“Yes, he is,” Janet replied nervously.

“Alright Mr Richard, your friend said you can solve this problem, will you please take a look at it,” the tutor continued.

“Alright,” Richard said as he climbed onto the stage of the lecture theatre.

He walked to the board and peered at the board for a minute before he asked the tutor to hand him a marker. Janet was so relieved when Richard collected the marker from the tutor.
Everyone was surprised when Richard started solving it. As for Janet, she didn’t care if he was solving it wrong or right. The fact that he made an attempt has saved her from the embarrassment she feared. About five minutes later, Richard was done solving it. The final year students were left completely flabbergasted.

It was from his solution that they were able to notice the mistakes they have been making.

“But did you attend a diploma or college before coming here?” the tutor asked startlingly.

“No, I didn’t,” Richard replied.

“You are really a genius as they described you,” the tutor said.

“Come on let’s go, Richard,” Janet said. When Richard turned, he noticed her smiling at him the entrance of the lecture theatre.
All the students were silent watching them as they walked out of the lecture theatre.
When they got out, Janet started laughing.

“What really happened?” Richard asked.

“You are my hero today, I don’t know what trouble I could have gotten into if you hadn’t come,” Janet said.

“Really? I’m glad I’ve made your day then,” Richard responded.

“You were really amazing, how comes you are so good at calculations like this?” Janet asked.

“I don’t know, I just find in fun,” Richard responded.

“I wish I could start to see calculations from your perspective,” Janet revealed.
“But you are supposed to love it since you are an engineering student,” Richard urged.
“Well, I have never expected that I will end up studying an engineering course in the university, that’s why I never took Mathematics seriously in my secondary school,” Janet narrated.
“I used to fear mathematics too, but I met a teacher that changed that. I will never forget her for the rest of my life,” Richard told.
“Oh, is she even a woman?” Janet asked.
“Yes she is,” Richard replied. “she taught me how to see mathematics as an interesting game of finding solutions to problems. Since then, I began loving calculations. I look for problems on my own and solve them,” Richard continued.
“That’s wonderful. When I was in secondary school, I wanted to be a medical doctor, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen,” Janet revealed.
“Do you still wish to be a doctor?” Richard asked.
“I don’t think so, it was later that I realized that being a doctor means taking a lot of responsibilities,” Janet revealed.
“What about you? Was being a computer engineer your original dream?” She continued by asking.
“Actually, I didn’t know what to study. I just love anything that has to do with calculation, that’s why one of my friends suggested that I study computer engineering,” Richard revealed.
“Wow! I can see that you trust people easily, to the extend that you to allow them to choose a career for,” Janet said surprisingly.

“Oh yes, I love calculations that’s why I don’t think he made the wrong choice for me,” Richard replied.
They got the gate of their faculty and sat on a rest bench. They talked for more than an hour before Janet said that she is hungry.

“Hungry? Didn’t you eat before coming out?” Richard asked.
“No I didn’t,” She replied.

“You could have eaten something before coming out,” Richard responded.

“Yes, so would you please accompany me to go and eat?” Janet requested.

The moment Richard heard that he became shocked because he had no money with at that time.
He became confused and couldn’t think of what to say.

“Well I can go alone if it will cause you trouble,” Janet said noticing Richard silence.

“No I will accompany you,” Richard replied and they stood up and made their way to one of the most expensive restaurants in the school.

Richard had only been to such restaurants once. After noticing how expensive their foods were, he decided they are no place for him. Suddenly, an idea came to Richard. He brought out his phone and texted Paul requesting for help.

They arrived at the restaurant and Janet ordered two plates of fried rice. He looked around in the restaurant and noticed that all students present were on sort of a date. The tables were all occupied by a male and a female student. Seeing himself sitting like that with Janet made him felt like they were also on a date.
The waiter brought the two plates of rice as Janet ordered.
“I would like to have 2 cups of ice cream,” Janet ordered just when the waiter turned to leave.

At that time, Richard wished he could stop her from ordering, but he made himself looked as if it wasn’t a big deal. About 5 minutes later, the waiter brought their ice creams. They talked and laughed as they to the extent that Richard felt like he was dreaming.


About 10 minutes later, Paul arrived at the restaurant. When he saw Richard and Janet, he became totally amazed.

“Hey Janet,” Paul said as he approached their table.

“Hey!” She said back with a smile on her face.
“Why don’t you join us here?” Richard said and Paul drew an empty chair and sat next to Richard.

“Was she…” before Paul could finish his statement, Richard kicked him on the leg. “Was what?” Janet curiously asked.
Before any of them could reply, the waiter came with their bill.

“Here, I will pay it,” Paul said as he brought out his wallet.
“What? Who do you think you are to pay for our food?” Janet asked angrily. “Please calm down; don’t you know that I’m Richard’s best friend?” Paul answered.

“Well, I was the one that brought Richard, so I will handle the bill, not anyone else,” Janet said and she took out her credit card and handed it to the waiter.
After they were done, the three of them stood up and walked out of the restaurant.

Richard and Paul accompanied Janet to Riskat’s dormitory where she will be staying for a while before going to her room.

“Thanks, Richard, I really am grateful for today,” Janet smiled.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Richard smiled back.

“Alright then, I will see you in the morning,” Janet said as walked into the gate of the dormitory.

“See you too,” Richard replied. Richard and Paul remained still and watched as Janet walked into the fence of the hostel.
“Oh my God Richard, when did it happened?” Paul asked astonishingly.

“The day you left me at that stupid party,” Richard replied.

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?” Paul asked.

“Well, I don’t think is that important,” Richard replied.

“What? What do you mean by that?” Paul asked.

“I think you are misunderstanding our relationship,” Richard replied.

“What’s there to misunderstand? You guys went to Love palace. What other proves do I need other than that?” Paul asked.

“We went there because she is hungry,” Richard replied.

“If she is really hungry, why didn’t you go to Mama Toyin’s restaurant?” Paul asked.

“Come on, stop interpreting this with a different meaning,” Richard insisted.

“Alright, if you say so,” Paul replied

_______

Janet was sitting by the bed of Riskat going through her phone when Riskat returned.
“Hey, when did you get here?” Riskat asked as she walked to Janet.

“A couple of minutes ago,” Janet responded.

“That’s cool, you guys really created a scene at our tutorial today. What was his name again?” Riskat asked.
“Richard,” Janet smiled.

“He is actually good. Of all the guys you ever had, he is the best,” Janet replied.
“Really?” Janet asked.
“Yes, of course, you guys look cute together,” Riskat winked.

“Oh we are just friends,” Janet replied.

“I’ve never seen you going to love palace with any of your male friends,” Riskat laughed.
“Who told you we went there?” Janet asked.

“I saw you with my own eyes,” Riskat replied.

“Well the thing is, we just went there without considering it to be some kind of romantic relationship,” Janet replied.

“That’s good for you then,” Riskat smiled.
She sat beside Janet and they talked at length before Janet announced that she was sleepy.

 More stories@ dapalace.com


#Story_Continues

THE PINK Clouds

Episode_7


 

The next day, Rebecca woke up around 5 am like she usually does. She stretched her arm to turn off the alarm of her phone that was ringing aloud. She proceeded to her bathroom that was attached to her room and brushed her teeth. After she was done, she walked out and went to the backyard to get her uniforms that she washed the previous night.
The uniforms were hung on a rope made for spreading of washed clothes.

She took them and walked back to her room with them. She opened her drawer and took out an iron and had her uniforms ironed on a table she kept in her room for ironing her clothes. After she was done ironing, she walked to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast.

The kitchen was of medium size with a very bright florescence light shining above it. It’s entire wall was covered with smooth tiles, while the floor was covered with rough ones. She walked to the storage room and took some potatoes in a basket. She then walked to the cutlery section in the kitchen and got her favourite knife that she uses for peeling yams and potatoes.

She sat down on a small chair and started peeling the potatoes.
About 20 minutes later, she was done peeling the potatoes.
She sliced them into smaller pieces and then went to the fridge in the dining room and took some eggs. Went back to the kitchen and started frying the potatoes with the eggs on a gas cooker. At about 6: 30 am, she had finished frying everything.

She
walked to the room of her little brother Emmanuel and woke him up. “Hurry up and take a bath before mum Wakes up,” Rebecca said to him. He stood up with his eyes half closed and walked into their mother’s bathroom.
While he was taking his bath, Rebecca opened his wardrobe and took his uniforms which she ironed the previous night and kept them on his bed. She then proceeded to her bathroom and started taking her bath. After she was done bathing, she went to her room and did all sorts of makeup before putting on her uniform. At about 7 am, she walked into the dining room and found Emmanuel waiting for her.
She served him his breakfast and soon, he started eating it. When he was about to finish, their mother walked out of her room.

“Good morning mum,” they both greeted her. “Good morning how are you doing?” Prof. Grace asked.

“We are fine mum,” they both responded.

“Are you taking the taxi or you will wait for me?” Prof. Grace asked Rebecca.

“I will be going with Amira,” Rebecca replied referring to their neighbour.
“Alright then, I will see you after school,” Prof. Grace said as she walked back to the room to get ready.
Rebecca ate her breakfast and took her school bag and left the house. She went to their neighbour’s house and called her friend’s name.

“Give me a minute, I will be out soon,” Amira replied.
About five minutes later, Amira walked out of the house.
“I thought you said I should give you a minute,” Rebecca smiled.

“Do you want me to go school with an empty stomach?” Amira asked.

“Not really, so how are you?” Rebecca asked and they started walked to school.

“I am okay, how about you?” Amira questioned.

“I am okay too,” Rebecca replied.

“Where is Emmanuel? I heard he is attending a new school now,” Amira stated.
“Yes, he is attending St. John primary school. And my mum is taking him there,” Rebecca explained.

“That’s great. So how is your Mathematics tutor?” Amira smiled.

“I don’t know, he didn’t come yesterday,” Rebecca replied.

“I bet you don’t hate him anymore, right?” Amira asked.

“Maybe,” Rebecca replied.

“What do you mean by maybe? You know he created the best scene in school ever yesterday to save. What can possibly be wrong with him?” Amira asked.

“Have
you forgotten that my mum slapped me because of him?” Rebecca recalled.
“Come you can’t possibly hate him forever because of that. You don’t know how he impressed everyone at school yesterday to saved you,” Amira revealed.

“Really?” Rebecca asked.

“Yes of course, everyone in class kept talking about him after you were gone,” Amira revealed.

“They asked me if I knew who he was and I told that he is and I told them that he is the best student in this university,” Amira told.
“Who told that you that?” Rebecca asked looking shocked.
“You did of course. You said it was the very reason your mother hired him to teach you,” Amira said.
“I never said he is the best student in this university,” Rebecca replied.
They got the main road where they boarded a taxi to school.


Around 10 am, Richard walked into a lecture theatre where they were supposed to have a lecture by 11 o’clock. He sat on one of the front sits and brought out his books and started going through them. He was alone in the lecture theatre, so the lecture theatre was extremely quiet. About 30 minutes later, students started arriving into the lecture hall. Students usually come early into the lecture hall so that they could sit in the front. About fifteen minutes later, quarter of the theatre was filled with students.

“Excuse Me, you are sitting on my seat,” came a voice.
When Richard looked up, it was Janet talking to the person sitting next to him.

“And how is this supposed to be your seat?” The man sitting next Richard asked.

At this point, all the attention in the hall was on them.

“Well, I was here earlier, I just went out to get something,” Janet replied.

“That’s untrue, I was the second person to come to this place after Richard,” the man replied.

“Well, you should ask Richard yourself. We have been sitting here together, I only went out get something and it took me so long,” Janet answered.
“Is that right Richard?” The man asked as he turned to Richard.
Before Richard could say a word, Janet winked at him.
“Yes, she was here with me,” Richard replied.
“Why didn’t you tell me then?” The man asked angrily.
“Sorry, it must have slipped my mind,” Richard apologized.
The man angrily stood up and left the seat while Janet sat there confidently.

Richard was totally amazed at the she spoke to the man with confidence even pretending to angry as if she was right.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Janet asked when she noticed how Richard was staring at her.

“Nothing,” Richard smiled and looked away.

“If you have something in your mind that you want to say, say it,” Janet said giving Richard some kind of dirty look.

“I just pity that man,” Richard replied.

“So you don’t pity me?” Janet asked pretending to be angry.
“As a matter of fact, yes, why should I pity you?” Richard asked.
“If that’s the case, then I have to find another sit,” she said as she tried to stand up.

“The man is still over there watching us angrily. If you don’t want to get both of in a very big trouble, then you should get seated,” Richard said.

When she looked in the direction Richard was looking, indeed the man was glaring at them angrily. Janet quietly sat back without saying a word.

“Are scared of him?” she asked.

“Of course I am, just look at his size, he can eat both of us alive,” Richard replied. Suddenly Janet started laughing out loud that people close to them to looked at them. They were all surprised seeing Janet talking to Richard like that.

About 10 minutes later, the lecturer came in and the hall went silent. He started his lecture and lectured for about two hours. After he declared that the lecture was over, all the students started leaving but Richard remained sited.

“Hey, aren’t you leaving?” Janet asked. “Actually not, I still have some places I have to cover,”Richard revealed.

“Come on, today is a free day for us, you need to relax and enjoy yourself,” Janet suggested.

“Have you forgotten that we have an assignment to do?” Richard asked.

“

Episode 7 continues


We’ve got plenty of time before the date line of the submission, do you mean you want to do it now?” Janet asked.
“Yes of course, I won’t have a calm mind if I don’t do it now,” Richard replied.

“Thank God you are my friend, and I will use our friendship to my advantage,” Janet announced.
“Really?” Richard asked.

“Yes, there are things I don’t really understand. I would like you to teach me,” Janet said.

“Janet , we are going,” said a voice. When Richard and Janet turned, they noticed that it was Janet ‘s friends try to leave the lecture theatre.

“You guys should go ahead, Richard is going to teach me something,” Janet revealed.

“Okay,


you know where to find us if you are done,” one of her friends replied and they turned and left.
Richard brought out one of his books from his bag and started teaching Janet with it.
He taught her for about an hour until she disclosed that she was tired.

“Come on, we just started,” Richard teased.

“Started? Have you forgotten that we had a two hour lecture?” Janet reminded.

“No I haven’t,” Richard laughed.

“You see, even a machine needs a rest, so do I,” Janet said.

“Alright then,” Richard responded.

“Tell me more about you Richard,” Janet uttered as she laid her head on the desk of her seat.
“My life is boring, there is nothing much to say,” Richard replied.
“That’s untrue. You are one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, I only realised that after I have come to know you,” Janet revealed.
“Really?” Richard asked surprisingly.
“Yes of course, so tell me about your family,” Janet requested.
“Well, we are three in my family. My elder sister, younger sister and I. Our parents died 10 years ago in a car accident,” Richard revealed.
“Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your lost,” Janet said as she lifted her head off the desk.
“No problem, my elder sister had gotten married 5 years ago, so she gave up everything to see that I study, that why I give it all my best,” Richard revealed.
“She must be the bravest woman of the century,” Janet complimented.
“I think she is,” Richard smiled.
“What about your younger sister? How old is she?” Janet asked.
“She is 15 years old, currently in SS1,” Richard explained.
“That’s wonderful, I wish I could meet her in person,” Janet said.
“Don’t worry, I do have a picture of her in my phone,” Richard revealed.

“Can I take a look?” She requested.

“Yes of course,” Richard said, and he took out his phone and showed Janet the picture.

“You guys look pretty much alike, what her name?” Janet asked.

“Her name is Susan, but we call her with Mimi,” Richard answered.

“So Mimi is her nickname,” Janet replied.

“Yes it is,” Richard responded.

“What about you? What’s your nickname?” Janet asked.

“Is so embarrassing, I can’t tell you,” Richard replied.
“Is that so?” Janet laughed.

“Yes of course, it was given to me my grandmother when I was a kid,” Richard revealed.

“What about your younger sister, who gave her the nickname she has?” Janet asked.

“When she was very little, it was something she likes saying when she is hungry. That’s why my family named her with it,” Richard explained.

“That’s so funny,” Janet laughed.

Before they knew it, the whole became silent because it was Friday. All the male Muslim students had gotten to school central mosque to pray, while most of the girls had gone back to their dormitories. They stood up and walked out of the hall and noticed that the whole faculty was quiet with only few students around.
“Looks like everyone has gone,” Janet said as they headed out of the faculty.
“Yes, I’m surprised that the time has moved very fast like that,” Richard replied.
“When you are having a good time, you won’t notice it when time is moving really fast,” Janet responded.
“Do you mean you had a good time with me?” Richard asked.
“I will be a lair if I say I didn’t,” Janet replied with a smiled on her face.
Richard smiled back and could not say anything.
“Tell me about your girlfriend,” Janet asked.
“Actually I don’t have a girlfriend,” Richard replied.
“Wow! You must be kidding, right?” Janet asked pretending to be surprised.
“I’m really serious Janet , I think I have told you that the other day,” Richard replied.
“I can’t recall you telling me that,” Janet responded.
“Well now you do,” Richard answered.
“But why don’t you have a girlfriend?” She asked.
“I don’t know, maybe I am not handsome,” Richard replied and Janet laughed.
“Of course you are. You are indeed very handsome,” Janet said with a smiled.
“And you are indeed very beautiful,” Richard said after he had stopped with all seriousness in his eyes. “Really?” Janet asked as she stopped walking too, and the smile on her face faded.
At that moment, Richard’s heart beat like it never had. It was the bravest thing he ever said to a girl in person. At that moment, it was like his desire for her has increased a million times. He couldn’t believe he had actually said those words to her.
“In fact, you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen,” Richard continued.
“This is the lie that every boy tells a girl,” Janet replied.
“Believed me, this is the first I am saying words like this to a girl,” Richard replied.
“Really?” Janet asked.
“Yes Janet , I really mean it,” Richard continued.
“Okay, thanks the compliment,” she said and continued walking.
“I am going to be late, my friends are waiting for me,” she said she looked back with a smile on her face. Richard walked to her and they continued walking together.
“How old are you?” She asked him.
“I’m 18 years old,” Richard replied.
“Wow! Are you serious?” Janet asked astoundingly.
“Yes of course. Why do you look surprised?” Richard asked.
“Well, that’s because I’m very much older than you,” Janet replied. “How old are you?” Richard asked.
“I’m 22 years old,” Janet revealed. Richard started laughing instantly.
“Do you think I’m a kid to believe that?” Richard asked.
“Yes of course, let me show you something,” Janet said as she took out her phone from her purse. She showed him a scanned picture of her birth certificate, and Richard could not believe it.
“So I have been hanging out with a granny all along, I have no clue,” Richard teased.
“Who are you calling granny?” Janet asked pretending to be angry.

“You


of course, it never came to me that you will be older than me,” Richard revealed.
“No wonder you do act childish sometimes,” Janet smiled.
“When did I ever act childish?” Richard asked.

“Well, you were even scared to say I’m that beautiful, isn’t that childish enough?” Janet smiled.

“How did you know?” Richard asked confusingly.

“Well, is because I’m older than you,” Janet laughed. They got the road that will lead to the dormitory, and Richard boarded a taxi.



In the evening, Richard went to Prof. Grace’s house. When he got there, he found Rebecca sitting with her friend on a rest bench on the opposite of their house. They were both going through their phones and laughing at the same time.

Richard stood still and couldn’t take his eyes off Rebecca. Her hair was beautifully plaited falling on her forehead. She wore a black dress that was completely the opposite of her skin. And when she smiled, a dimple appeared on her cheeks. She looked up and their eyes accidently.

Richard quickly looked away with his beating fast. She stood up from the bench and approached him.

“Good evening,” she greeted him. “Good evening, how are you?” Richard answered somewhat surprised.

“I’m okay, you can come in,” she said as she proceeded to the door of the house.

She opened the door and entered while Richard followed her.
When they got into the house, she proceeded to her room, while Richard walked to the dining table. He waited for her for a couple of minutes before she finally appeared with her books.

She brought the books and placed on the table next to Richard.
She drew back one of the dining chair and sat down on it.
“What did your Mathematics teacher said to you today at school?” Richard asked.

“He didn’t say anything,” Rebecca replied.

“I expected he wouldn’t,” Richard replied.

“I know you do hate me, and you will never learn from a teacher you hate. So please, if it is possible, you should stop hating me temporarily.

You can continue to hate me after I have taught you,” Richard continued. “Okay,” Janet replied.

“If want to be very good at calculation, you have to give it all that you’ve got,” Richard advised.

“Alright, I will try,” Rebecca responded.

“You spare at least 3 hours out of your 24 hours to practise, that way, you will be perfect,” Richard continued.

“Alright, I will try doing that,” Rebecca agreed.
Richard started teaching her some simple problems. Unlike before, she gave her maximum attention. Richard was very glad that Rebecca was paying attention. After 30 minutes of the lesson, Richard decided to test her by giving her some exercise.
Surprisingly, she solved all of them.

“Wow! You are more intelligent than I expected you to be,” Richard smiled.

“Really?” She asked with a doubt.

“And believe me, If you practise harder, I can make you the best student in mathematics in your school,” Richard promised.
“There are many intelligent students in my school, I don’t think that is possible,” Rebecca doubted.

“Any is possible if you believe in yourself. Haven’t you heard the story I told yesterday? These were the very words I said to my teacher when she said she will make me the best student in Mathematics in my secondary school. I gave her the same replied and she encouraged me to believe I could do it. And at the end, I was not only the best student in Mathematics, but in order subjects too,” Richard revealed.

“I will be graduating next year, don’t you think is too late for me?” Rebecca asked.

“It is only too late after you have graduated. Besides, you have just started your SS2, there still plenty for you,” Richard emphasized.

“Well, I can try my best to be good. But being the best is something that can never happened. There two students in my class called Hassan and Migrate. Those kids are like the devil, they can solve any problem given to them since during our junior years,” Rebecca said.

“That’s because they have given it their very best, have you ever given it your best? Studied like you will die tomorrow?” Richard asked and Rebecca shook her head.

“From the way I see it, you have potentials. If you maximise your efforts, you will definitely succeed,” Richard insisted.

“Okay master Richard, I will give it my best,” Rebecca said as she put her hands and bowed like a Chinese and Richard started laughing at her.

“Should we continue with the lesson is okay for today?” Richard asked.

“I like it, we should continue,” Rebecca smiled.

He taught for another 30 minutes before he finally concluded the lesson by giving her some assignments to do. As he stood up to leave, Rebecca asked him to wait for her and she ran to the kitchen.

About five minutes later, she came back holding a yam porridge on a plate in one hand and a bottle of coke in the other hand. She placed it on the dining table and removed all the books from the table.

“Thank you so much,” Richard appreciated.

“You are welcome,” she smiled.

“Wow! It taste delicious, did you cook yourself?” Richard commented after taking his spoon.

“It taste horrible, I wasn’t even paying attention while I was cooking it,” Rebecca bragged.

“Wow! Then that means I can forget my name if I taste your best dish,” Richard joked.

“I think so,” Rebecca replied after she had stopped laughing.

“Let me go to the kitchen first, I will be back before you finish eating,” Rebecca said.

“Alright,” Richard replied.


About five minutes later, Rebecca came back just when Richard had finished eating.

“Are you done eating?” she asked.

“Yes I am, thank you for the meal” Richard replied.

“Don’t mention it,” Rebecca replied.
Richard walked out of the house with Rebecca beside him. It was already dark when they got out. Richard was relieved that he had eaten and he doesn’t have to go back to the dormitory to eat before going for his night studies.

“Alright, I will be coming tomorrow around 10 am, since tomorrow is weekend,” Richard announced.

“Alright, I will be waiting,” Rebecca replied.
After he walked out of the house, he decided to go to one of the halls close to him and study.

As he started making his way, his phone started ringing. When he took out the phone, he noticed that it was Paul calling him. But when he answered the call, it a different voice he heard.

Richard: can I know who’s on the line?

Caller: I want to know if you know the owner of this phone.

Richard: he is my friend

Caller: Okay, come to Tamuwa ward

Before Richard could ask for what was wrong, the caller ended the call. He began totally scared thinking what might have happened to Richard. Due to the fact that the area that caller mentioned was faraway, Richard had to get some money before he could get there. He quickly ran back to his campus and took his credit card. He returned to one of the ATM machines in the school and withdrew some money. He boarded a taxi that took him to the gate of the school.

After he was dropped at the gate of the school, he boarded another taxi that will take him to where Paul was. When he arrived at the area, he called Paul’s phone again and the same person that called answered the called. The person instructed Richard to go a building that seemed to be very old with no light in it.
As soon as he entered the building, he started to smell marijuana at every corner of the building. His hearted beating as he was overwhelmed with fear. He wanted to leave, but he worried about what might have happened to Paul. He then walked into the inner part of the building where red fired of cigarette all over.

Richard dialed Paul’s number, and he heard the phone ringing in the corner of the building. He walked to the corner and found Paul lying on the ground in the mist of some boys. Before one of the boys could answer the call, Richard ended it.

“I’m here,” Richard said.

“Oh are you his friend?” the boy asked.

“Yes I am,” Richard replied.

“Well, your friend took something more that his brain could contain,” the boy laughed.

Richard was altogether taken aback in the condition he found Paul. It was if he was the person he knew.

“Paul!” Richard called out.

“Don’t waste your energy, he can’t hear you in the next three days,” the boys laughed. Richard asked one of the boys for help, and they helped to carry Paul outside the building. Richard stopped a taxi and he entered along with Paul. The taxi took them back to school to Richard’s dormitory.

Richard called one of his roommates and he helped him in taking Paul in and laid him on his bed. After Richard had laid him down, he walked out of the room and sat bench in front of the room. He placed his hands on his head and couldn’t believe what was happening. it was then that Richard realised why Paul missed so many lectures the previous semester and why he is rarely seen in the night. Richard felt like he doesn’t know him anymore.

He began to think of a way he would approach him if he wakes up. About 30 minutes later, Richard stood up and walked out of their hostel in order to get some fresh air. He then decided to visit the school north club.

It was where the students in the north campus use in entertain themselves. Some students usually go there to play snooker, while others go there to play table tennis.

When Richard walked into the club, he was really shocked to notice Janet playing snooker in the mist of 4 boys.
Their class representative was among the boys standing beside her. Richard felt an anger he had never felt before. He watched her angrily as she laughed and play among them. When she looked up, she saw Richard staring at her and her quickly looked away pretending not to have seen him. He quickly walked out of the club and decided to go back to his room in the campus.
He went a little distance when he heard Janet shouting out his name.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” she asked after she had finally got to where he was.

“Somewhere you don’t need to know,” Richard replied with an angered face.

“Why are you like this?” Janet asked confusingly.

“What is wrong with you?” Richard asked furiously.

“I don’t know, you tell me,” Janet responded. “How can you mingle yourself in the mist of those boys as if you are not a girl?” Richard asked.

“Are you jealous?” Janet asked.

“No I’m not, it just makes you look less classy and cheap,” Richard replied.

“Stop being childish Richard, they just my friends like you are. If you are not okay with that, then I guess we can’t be friends,” Janet responded.

“I guess so,” Richard replied and he turned and left.



______
To_be_Continued
_____. Pls pardon typographical Errors u might have come across.

THE
PINK
CLOULDS

#EPISODE_8

 


Around 12 am, Prof. Grace woke up from sleeping and went to the dining room to take some water. She was so surprised to find Rebecca still studying. She had been studying for the past 3 hours. Prof. Grace had never seen Rebecca studying, for that reason, it seemed like a miracle to her.
She walked to her daughter and found her battling with mathematical problems. Prof. Grace smiled and watched her daughter with excitement. Rebecca had never impressed her like she did that day.

“Good work dear,” Prof. Grace complimented. “Thank you mum,” Rebecca turned with a smiled.

“Were you given some assignments at school?” Prof. Grace asked.

“Actually not, I’m practising what Richard taught me,” Rebecca responded.

“I see. If you study really hard, I promise will give you a surprise you have never expected,” Prof. Grace mentioned.

“I will try my very best mum,” Rebecca assured her mother.

“Alright, see you in the morning,” Pro. Grace said. “Goodnight mum,” Rebecca replied. After her mum was gone, she stood up and went to the kitchen and had some fried chips of plantain before going back to study. About 10 minutes later, she started feeling sleepy. She packed her books and went to her room with them.



In the morning, Janet visited her friend Riskat while was cooking breakfast.

“Hello baby girl,” Janet said as she entered the room.

“How are you doing dear?” Riskat answered.

“I’m well,” Janet replied as she sat on Riskat’s bed.
Riskat was cooking her breakfast on a kerosene stove at the extreme of the room. The aroma of the food filled the entire room.

“What


are you cooking for us today?” Janet asked.
“Is just spaghetti, and I’m tired of eating it,” Riskat replied.
“You could have come to me, I would have given you something to cook,” Janet replied.

“Maybe I will come tomorrow,” Riskat said.

“I will be waiting for you,” Janet replied.

“It seems to me like you don’t really cook,” Riskat noticed.

“I do cook, but not that much. Sometimes, I spend 3 days without cooking,” Janet told.

“Well, that’s because you are rich,” Riskat replied.

“Rich? I am just a daughter of a poor man like you. I just feel lazy to cook,” Janet replied.

“So how is your cute Engineer?” Riskat asked. “Do you mean Richard?” Janet asked.

“Yes him,” Riskat replied.

“He is total jerk. I had a fight with him last night,” Janet revealed.

“Really? What happened?” Riskat asked surprisingly.

“He is too childish. He saw me playing snooker at the club with Daniel and claimed that he was mad about it,” Janet explained.

“What did you say to him?” Riskat asked.

“I told him that if he can’t stand my male friends, then we won’t be friends,” Janet replied.

“It seem like he is jealous,” Riskat replied.

“That’s what I thought, but he declared that he is not,” Janet responded.

“You behaving as if you don’t know boys,” Riskat replied.

“Well, he’s quite different. He is so unpredictable,” Janet replied.
“It is obvious that he is interested in you,” Riskat stated.
“I don’t think so, besides, I don’t want to be in serious relation with him,” Janet responded.

“I am your best friend, you can’t lie to me,” Riskat laughed.


After about 10 minutes, Riskat fished cooking her breakfast. She put some of the food on plate and handed it Janet .
“Oh my God, this food is too spicy,” Janet shouted after she took the first spoon.

“Maybe your mouth is injured, because I don’t see anything wrong with this food,” Riskat laughed.
“Whoever the hell marries you will have a hard time coping with your food. It taste like fire and yet you don’t feel it?” Janet asked.

“Well, I’m used to my foods like this. Before a man marries me, I have to make sure that he can eat my food first,” Riskat said.

“You are not serious,” Janet replied.

Riskat asked Janet to wait for her while she went to the bathroom to take a bath. About 20 minutes later, Riskat returned from the bathroom. She was in the middle of dressing herself when Janet asked her.

“Are


you going somewhere?” Janet questioned.
“Yes I am. Do you remember when I told you that one of my cousin sisters is getting married?” Riskat asked.
“Yes, I recall you telling me that,” Janet responded.
“She had gotten married, and it turns out that her husband works here, so she will be living here as well,” Riskat explained.
“That’s wonderful, you don’t have to worry about paying for your accommodation anymore,” Janet said.

“I thinks so,” Riskat replied.

“Well, they have moved here 3 days ago and I’m planning to visit them. I am hoping that you will accompany me there,” Riskat requested.

“Why not? I would love to,” Janet agreed.

After Riskat was done dressing, they walked out together and went to the main road where they boarded a tricycle that will take them to Riskat’s cousin. The tricycle drove for about 30 minutes before it finally got to the place that Riskat’s cousin demonstrated to her.

They got down from the tricycle and Riskat used her phone to call her cousin. About 5 minutes, her cousin’s younger sister came to take them to the house.



“Hey Hadiza, so you followed the newly wed couples here,” Riskat smiled.

“I had no choice, mum insisted that I must come along with Maryam here,” Hadiza replied.

She was a very tall girl with bold eyes.

“Is good to see you,” Riskat smiled at her.

“Is good to see you too,” Hadiza smiled back.

“The house is this way, follow me please,” Hadiza instructed and Janet and Riskat walked behind her.

They walked a certain distance before arriving at the house. It was a small 2 storey building painted in white. Hadiza proceeded to the gate of the house and had it opened. After they had all entered, she locked the gate of the house.
She then guided them to the living room of the house where they found Riskat’s cousin sitting with her husband. The moment her cousin saw her, she ran to her and hugged her.

“Just look at how you’ve become Maryam, is so saddening that I didn’t see you on your wedding day,” Riskat said.
“No problem, I was told that you were busy with school,” Maryam replied.

“Yes I was, but thank God you are here,” Riskat replied.

“Please do sit down,” Maryam said pointing at the sofas.



At around 9 am, Paul woke up and found himself in Richard’s room. He was suddenly overcome by fear knowing that Richard had known his secret. Richard was sitting on a small table going to through his books. He pretended not to have seen Richard waking up.

“Hey Richard,” Paul said.

“You are finally awake,” Richard replied.

“Yes, how did I get here?” Paul asked.

“Well, that’s our special topic of discussion of today. How did you get here?” Richard asked him.

“To be honest, I don’t recall anything,” Paul replied.

“Why don’t you recall anything?” Richard asked.

“Well, I don’t really know,” Paul replied.

“Is because you were drugged, that’s why you couldn’t recall anything,” Richard responded. “Really?” Paul asked.

“Stop pretending you don’t know anything. I have been thinking the whole of last night about what to say to you in the morning, but it turns out that I have nothing to say to you,” Richard said.
“It is your life. You know difference between wrong and right, whatever you do, you live with the consequences not anyone,” Richard continued when Paul could not say anything.

“Yes that’s correct,” Paul responded.

“I’m glad you know. But you really surprised me last night, I never you are willing to throw away your life like that,” Richard said.

“Come on Richard, this is modern world, almost everybody does that,” Paul replied.

“Is that so? Then look around you and tell me. Are all those people doing drugs successful till the end of their life?” Richard asked.

“I know of some who are successful,” Paul replied.

“If you think you will succeed, then you can go on with your life like that,” Richard said.


Around 9:30 am, Rebecca woke up from her long unending sleep. She stretched her arm to pick up her phone that was kept on a white stool beside her bed. She quickly stood up when she noticed what the time was. She became very surprise why her mother didn’t wake her to cook breakfast.

She quickly walked out of her room and then noticed her mother sitting in the living room watching the morning news.

“Good morning mum,” Rebecca greeted.

“Good morning Rebecca, how was your night” Prof. Grace asked.

“It was okay mum,” Rebecca replied.

“Why didn’t you wake me early mum?” she continued.

“I have already prepared breakfast, I know you slept very late last night,” her mother smiled.

“Thank you so much mum,” Rebecca smiled back.

“I hope you will keep working hard like that,” Her mother said.

“I will mum. Let me go and get ready, Richard will be coming in the next thirty minutes,” Rebecca announced.

“Is


that so? Okay go and get ready,” her mother allowed her.
She went to her bathroom and brushed her teeth before taking her bath. After she done bathing, she went to the big dressing mirror beside her bed and started putting on makeup.

She was in the middle of dressing up when Emmanuel walked into her room and announced to her that Richard had arrived.
“Tell him I will be out in five minutes,” Rebecca told her little brother.


About 15 minutes later, Rebecca walked out of her room. The moment Richard saw, his heart started beating faster than ever. For a moment, he had forgotten who she was. She wore a red shirt that looked like it matches the colour of her skin and blue jeans.

She looked so gorgeous that Richard couldn’t take his eyes off her. She walked to him sitting in the dining room with her books in her hands.

“I heard that you woke up late today,” Richard smiled.

“Did she tell you?” Rebecca asked looking in at the direction of her mother sitting in the living room.

“Oh yes she did,” Richard replied.

“This woman knows how to embarrass me more than anyone. The other time, she told everyone during our family gathering what I did during my childhood. Only God knows how embarrassed I was,” Rebecca said as she sat down beside Richard.

“Well, we all did ridiculous things during our childhood,” Richard replied.

As Richard looked into her eyes while she was talking, he felt as if she was consuming his soul.
The way her lips moved and the sound of voice couldn’t seize to amaze him.

“So how was your night?” She asked. “It was horrible,” Richard replied.

“What happened?” She asked.

“Well, there is this friend that I have. I trusted him so much, and it turns out that he had been doing drugs,” Richard replied.

“That’s very bad. You know most kids nowadays are spoiled, this problem is also rampant in my school. Just recently, a group of 10 boys were reported to be doing drugs,” Rebecca informed.
“Really?” Richard asked surprisingly.

“Yes, but is a good thing that you are not like other kids,” Rebecca said.

“Kids?” Richard retorted.

“So you mean I’m also a kid?” Richard asked.

“Well, according to my classification, you are, since you are not up to 20,” Rebecca said after she had stopped laughing.

“And how sure are you that I’m not up to 20?” Richard asked.

“You look very young of course,” Rebecca replied.

“For your information, I’m 22 years old,” Richard lied.

“Really? Rebecca asked really surprised.
Before Richard could say something, Rebecca noticed that her mother was looking at them.

“Let’s start our lesson, mum is looking at us,” Rebecca whispered.

“Okay, let me see the work I gave you yesterday,” Richard requested.

Rebecca opened through the pages of her book and showed it to him.

“Wow! You got everything correct,” Richard said with astonishment.

“Yes I did,” Rebecca smiled.

“You see what I told you? Becoming the best student in your class is not impossible,” Richard said.

“I’m


beginning to believe you,” was Rebecca’s answer.
“Alright, let’s continue from where we stopped yesterday,” Richard said and they begin their lesson.
Rebecca paid her maximum attention while Richard was teaching her. She asked him questions of where she didn’t understand, and Richard gladly explained it to her. He taught her about 40 minutes before giving her some problems to solve. While she was solving the problems, Richard could not take his eyes off her.

Her hairstyle, the makeup she applied on her face and the perfume she applied were all endearing. When she rolled her eyes up, she caught him staring at her and he quickly looked away. She continued solving her problems as if nothing had happened.

Richard took out his phone and started going through it. At about 30 minutes later, she informed him that she was done. He collected the book from her and went through the exercises he gave her.
After going through everything, he corrected her in three places which were just minor errors.
“You did well, I’m sure you will get better in the next few days,” Richard encouraged.

“I hope so,” Rebecca replied.

“How old are you?” Richard asked.

“Why do you want to know my age?” Rebecca asked.

“I want to know that’s all,” Richard replied.

“I don’t plan on disclosing that to you right now,” Rebecca replied.

“Well, there is an exercise that I want to give you that involves me knowing your age. So knowing your age right now is really necessary,” Richard said.

“Wow! How clever of you. You want to use your teaching authority to trick me, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes of course. And if you don’t tell me, I will go to your mum and ask her to tell me embarrassing stories of your childhood,” Richard smiled.

“Is that supposed to scare me?” she laughed.

“Yes it is. And if it’s not, I’m on my way to go and asked her,” Richard replied.

“You absolutely are free to do that, I’m not stopping you,” Rebecca laughed.

Richard stood up and headed towards the direction of Rebecca’s mother.

“Aren’t you stopping me,” Richard whispered. Rebecca smiled and shook her head signalling him to go ahead.

“Are you done with the lesson?” Prof. Grace asked when she saw Richard approaching her.

“Yes we are,” Richard smiled.

“How is she coping with the lesson?” She inquired again.

“She really good, She will improve in no time,” Richard assured.

“Thank you Richard, seeing her like this seems like a miracle,” Prof. Grace said.

When Rebecca saw how Richard was talking to her mother, she was surprised and curious of what they were talking about.
She quickly stood up and went to them.
“What did he ask you mum?” Rebecca curiously asked and Richard started laughing at her.

“Goodbye, I’m going ma’am,” Richard said as he walked out.

“Alright Richard, see you next time” Prof. Grace responded.
“What did he ask you?” Rebecca inquired.

“Why are you curious about what he asked?” Prof. Grace asked Rebecca.

“I was just curious,” Rebecca replied as she walked after Richard.
“I know you couldn’t ask her,” Rebecca said after she had walked out.

“Well, I just don’t want to embarrass you,” Richard said as he turned with a smile on his face.
“Thank you for teaching me today,” she smiled as she turned to go back.

“Do you know what?” Richard asked. “What is it?” Rebecca asked as she curiously walked back to Richard.

“Before I get to know you, I thought you were just an arrogant kid,” Richard revealed.

“Oh my God, I’m hurt,” Rebecca said and place her two hands on her chest.

“Allow me to finish before you judge my statement,” Richard laughed.

“Alright, I’m listening,” she said as she folds her arms.

“But now that I know you, it turns out that you are a cute intelligent little girl,” Richard said. “Thank you,” Rebecca smiled.

“Alright, I will see you on Monday,” Richard concluded.

“You too,” Rebecca smiled.

THE PINK CLOUDS
________________________

Episode_9

 

Richard walked little further away from Prof. Grace’s house when heard Rebecca shouting calling for him. He turned and watched her as she walked to him.

“I was sent by my mum to ask you for a favour,” Rebecca disclosed after she had stopped walking.

“What is it?” Richard asked.

“Well, it even makes me uncomfortable to say it,” Rebecca replied.

“Come on, just tell me,” Richard said.

“Okay, my mum said to tell you that you should please accompany me to the market if you are not very busy,” Rebecca requested.
Richard kept quiet for a while without saying.

“I knew it, it was ridiculous of me to say that,” Rebecca said as she turned to go back.

“Is okay, I can accompany you,” Richard assured.
“Really?” she asked.

“Yes I will,” Richard responded.
They walked back to the house where Richard found Prof. Grace still sitting in the living room.

“Sorry for calling you back, I want you to accompany Rebecca to the market. She is doing the monthly shopping for us this time,” Prof. Grace announced.
“That’s okay with me ma’am,” Richard assured.
Prof. Grace gave him the key to her car and her credit card to Rebecca.

Rebecca and Richard walked out to the car that was parked at the front of the house. They both entered the car and Richard started the engine.

“I’m surprised that you don’t know to drive,” Richard said to Rebecca as he started driving.

“Well, in the next two years, I will start driving,” Rebecca responded.

“That


means you are sixteen years old,” Richard laughed.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe I disclosed my age to you,” Rebecca cried out.
“It would have been better if you had told me earlier,” Richard replied.
“So you brought this topic in purpose to make confess, right?” Rebecca asked.
“Actually not, I was just asking. And I used my common sense to know your age from your answer,” Richard replied.
“From now on, I will be careful when I answer your question,” Rebecca smiled.
“So, who taught you how to drive?” Rebecca asked.
“I was taught by friends about 3 years ago,” Richard replied.
“I thought you were going to say it was your father,” Rebecca said.
“I wish it was really him too,” Richard replied.
“What happened to him?” Rebecca asked.
“Actually, both of my parents died 10 years ago,” Richard replied.
“Oh that’s terrible, I really am so sorry to hear about that,” Rebecca apologized.
“Is okay,” Richard replied.
“I also lost my father 3 years ago,” Rebecca announced.

“I’m sorry to hear about his death too,” Richard replied.

“Well, it looks like we have something in common,” Rebecca said.

“Yes I think so,” Richard smiled.

“So, where are you from?” Rebecca asked.

“I’m from a town called Okene, located in Kogi state,” Richard responded.

“I know it is a nice place,” Rebecca complimented.

“Yes it is,” Richard replied.

They drove out of the university and headed the town’s central market that was 10 kilometres away.
While they were driving, they were over taken by a lady in a little Toyota. Richard turned and looked Rebecca.

“Will you please focus on your driving?” Rebecca said.
“I was wondering if I could teach you how to drive,” Richard offered.

“That will be illegal, I’m sixteen, remember?” Rebecca asked.
“Who cares about the law anyway? I started driving when I was 15 years old,” Richard revealed.

“Wait a minute; you said you started driving 3 years ago earlier. And now you said you were 15 when you started driving. This literary means that you are 18 years old,” Rebecca noticed.

“Nope I just wanted the level of your Mathematics,” Richard said trying to outsmart her.

“For your information Mr. Mathematician, I am not a dumb kid,” Rebecca laughed.

“Of course you are. And the good thing is that you are a fast learning kid,” Richard said.

“Stop pretending Richard, you have already busted yourself just like I did,” Rebecca said.

“Really?” Richard asked.

“Yes of course, I Know your real age now, you don’t need to act bossy around me anymore,” Rebecca said.

“Don’t


forget, I still have authority over you since I’m your teacher,” Richard hinted.
“You are just two years older than I, we can be categorised as age mates,” Rebecca laughed.

“Is that what you think?” Richard asked.

“Yes that’s what I think,” she replied.

They drove for some minutes before arriving at a shopping mall close to the central market. They got down from the car after Richard had parked it in the parking space.
“I like your hand bag,” Richard said as they were walking to an ATM machine located next to the shopping mall.

“Thank you,” Rebecca smiled.

“Did mum buy it for you?” Richard asked.

“Not really, I bought it last Christmas,” Rebecca replied.

“Is red your favourite colour?” Richard asked.

“Why do ask?” Rebecca responded.

“I’m just asking,” Richard replied.

“Pink is my favourite colour, what about you?” she asked.

“I love black,” Richard replied.

“That’s cool,” Rebecca commented.

“I would love to see you wearing pink,” Richard said.

“Really? Can I ask you why?” Rebecca said.

“I just want to see if you choose the right colour to favour. Because if doesn’t look pretty on you, is not the right colour for you,” Richard said.

“Don’t worry, you will see me in pink one day,” Rebecca said smiling.

“Do you know what?” Richard said.

“No I don’t,” she replied.

“I think you should choose red to be your favourite colour,” Richard suggested.

“And why should I do that?” she asked.

“Because it looks pretty on you,” Richard answered.

“Really?” Rebecca asked as she stopped.
It was then that Richard realised the magnitude of what he had said. His heart started beating faster as Rebecca stopped walking.

“Why do you stop walking?” Richard asked.

“Never mind, let’s keep walking,” She said and they continue to walk.

They arrived at the ATM machine and Rebecca used her mother’s credit card to withdraw some cash from the machine. After that, they headed towards the mall. As they were about to enter the mall, they come across Janet and Riskat going out of the same mall.

Richard quickly looked away after making an eye contact with Janet . He pretended he hadn’t seen her and started talking to Rebecca. They walked pass each other without say hi.
After they have entered the mall, Janet turned and looked them.
Somehow, Richard did not feel anything. Rather, he was happy Janet had seen him with Rebecca.
“If she think she is beautiful, Rebecca is also pretty,” Richard thought with smile on smile on his face.

“What happened?” Rebecca asked when she noticed the smile on Richard’s face.

“Is nothing,” Richard replied. They met the receptionist at the mall and gave her the list of items they want. The receptionist went around and gathered everything the put on the list.
After he was done, he asked one of the workers to take the items to their car. The worker took the items and put them in a cart. He then pulled the cart to their car that was parked outside the mall. Richard opened the trunk for him and he put everything in it. Richard and Rebecca entered the car and drove to the central market where they bought many vegetables.
“Will you please take me to one of my friend’s house? It’s been long since I last visited her,” Rebecca requested.
“No problem, anything for my student,” Richard smiled.
They entered the car and headed to her friend’s house. It was a small bungalow with a low fence close to the main road. Richard parked the car beside the house and Rebecca got out of the car before Richard even stop the engine.
She headed toward the entrance of the house and knocked at the door. Her friend walked to the door and opened it.
“What a surprise, you didn’t tell me you are coming,” Her friend said.

“We came to shop and I used that opportunity to come and pay you a visit,” Rebecca said.

“Oh that’s very nice of you,” her friend appreciated.

“Why don’t you come in?” Her friend continued.

“Actually, I’m with a friend,” Rebecca responded.

“Where is she then?” Her friend requested.

“He is a boy, and he is in the car,” Rebecca replied.

“You even come with car? I never knew you had a male friend that drives a car,” her friend said as she walked out of the house.
“Now you do,” Rebecca smiled.
“Isn’t that your mother’s car?” her friend asked.
“Yes it is,” Rebecca replied.
“So who is this friend of yours?” her friend curiously asked.
“He is the one I told you about who teaches me mathematics,” Rebecca explained.
“Ohh, you mean your hero?” her friend sighted.
“Oh yes,” Rebecca laughed.
“I would like to meet him,” her friend insisted.
“Okay,” Rebecca replied.
They walked to the car and Richard opened the door when he saw them getting close to the car.
“Hey Richard, I would like you to meet my friend Alice,” Rebecca introduced.

“Hey


Alice, how are you doing?” Richard asked.
“I’m doing well, how about you?” she asked.

“I’m doing great Alice,” Richard replied.

“When she said she came with a friend, I thought she got herself a boyfriend,” Alice teased.

“Did she say I was her friend? I’m her teacher, not friend,” Richard said.

“Don’t mind him, he is just two years older than I,” Rebecca interfered.

“Is that so? I certainly know that before you were born, I know how to talk properly. So it means I have a lot of experience before you were born,” Richard replied.

“I have never seen a two year old kid that can talk properly. Kids at this age hardly know they exist,” Rebecca argued.

“Well, I’m quite different when I was a kid. My mum started sending me on errands since I was a year old,” Richard said.

“Oh my God, what a lie,” Rebecca laughed.

Alice folded her arms and watched as Richard and Rebecca and Richard argued.

As far as she could recall, she had never seen her friend talking to any boy like that.

“Why are you looking at us like that?” Rebecca asked. When she noticed how Alice was looking at them with a smile on her face.

“I was wondering if you guys would come into the house,” Alice offered.

“Actually, her mum will complain if we stay long,” Richard answered.

“I think he is right,” Rebecca replied.
They talked for few more minutes before the decided to go home.

They headed back home at about 2 O’clock pm. When Richard parked the car, Emmanuel ran out of the house and welcomed them. He also helped them in taking the items they bought into the house.

“Did something happen? It took you longer than I expected,” Prof. Grace said.

“Actually, I visited Alice. It’s been long since I last visited her,” Rebecca replied.

“That’s very nice,” Prof. Grace replied. Richard helped Rebecca to take the items they bought to their store.
After they were done, Richard announced that he will be going.

“Why don’t you have lunch before you go?” Rebecca offered.

“I’m okay actually,” Richard replied.

“Don’t be like that Richard, wait and eat before you,” Prof. Grace interfered.

Rebecca asked Richard to wait for her in the dining table.
Rebecca went to the kitchen and got him the food that her mother cooked not long ago. It was a pounded yam with fried vegetables. She brought the food on a plate on a plate with cold bottled water on the other hand.

“Here you go,” she said with a smile on her face as she kept the food on the table in front of Richard.

“Thank you,” Richard smiled back.

Richard started eating the food, while Rebecca went back to the kitchen and came back with another plate of food for herself. She sat down opposite to him and started eating.




In the evening, Janet returned with Riskat from her cousin’s house. All day along, Janet thought about the incidence of seeing Richard with Rebecca. She felt so sad when she saw him with her. The fact that he didn’t show any sign of nervousness scared her more. She tried all her best to hide her feeling from Riskat.
Whenever Riskat tried to bring the topic up, she quickly change the topic. Even after they went back to Maryam’s house from the mall, she became less active and couldn’t talk much. She never knew she had feelings for Richard until after she saw him with Rebecca.

“It


seems like something is bothering you,” Riskat said as they walked into her room.
“Actually not,” Janet responded.

“You you can’t hide anything from me, I’m your best friend,” Riskat said.

“I’m just feeling sick and bored,” Janet replied.
“Is that so? Then you need to have some rest,” Riskat responded.

“Yes, I think I go back to my room,” Janet said. “Alright, we will talk later,” Riskat responded.


Rebecca walked out of their house and met Amira who was sitting on a bench under a tree. The tree was close to the main road that leads to the inner section of the staff quarters.
“Hey,” Rebecca said as she sat beside Amira, who was busy with her phone.

“Hi,” she responded as she looked up.
“We haven’t talked today since morning,” Rebecca said as she sat down beside Amira.

“Yes, I went to your house and was told that you have gone out,” Amira replied.

“Oh yes we did,” Rebecca replied.

“You went out with Richard, didn’t you?” Amira asked.

“How did you know?” Rebecca asked.

“I saw you guys when you were returning,” Amira replied.
“We went to the market and even proceeded to visit Alice,” Rebecca announced.

“Oh really? Did she give you my book?” Amira asked.
“No she didn’t, we didn’t even talk about it,” Rebecca replied.
“I never give her my things again. I gave it to her almost three months ago and each day we meet at school, she will tell me that she has forgotten it at home,” Amira complained.
“I think she has lost it,” Rebecca laughed.
“She won’t dare, she knows how much I love the book,” Amira said.
“So did Richard take you to Alice?” Amira asked.
“Yes he did,” Rebecca smiled.
“It looks like you guys are getting close along lately,” Amira said.
“Well, it turns out he is not that bad,” Rebecca replied.
“Am I missing something?” Amira asked.
“Actually not,” Rebecca replied as she hit Amira on the shoulder.


In the night, Richard was called by Paul when he was watching a movie on his computer in one of the lecture theatres close to his dormitory.

Paul: where are you right now?

Richard: I’m in L.T 3 in Agric department

Paul: Alright, I will be coming.

Richard: Okay, until you come.

About five minutes later, Paul arrived at the lecture theatre and found him sitting alone all by himself.
“Hey, you like doing everything alone; wouldn’t it be better if you sit among other people?” Paul asked as he walked to him.

“Well, I prefer to do everything alone in a quiet place,” Richard responded.

“That’s very nice of,” Paul responded.

“How has been your day?” Richard asked.

“It was okay. I looked for you in your room in the afternoon but couldn’t find you,” Paul announced.

“Why didn’t you call me then?” Richard asked.

“I didn’t have airtime in my phone at that time,” Paul replied.

“Well, I was in Prof. Grace’s house at that time,” Richard replied.

“That’s good,” Paul said.

“I just wanted to talk to you about yesterday’s incident,” Paul said.

“Oh don’t worry about it,” Richard replied.

“I’m glad that I have a friend who will tell me the truth,” Paul continued.

“Well, I just hope you will make use of it,” Richard responded.

“But to be honest with you, I have tried many times to stop myself, I just end up failing at the end,” Paul complaint.

“Have your parents known about this?” Richard asked.

“No they don’t,” Paul replied.

“The best way to stop yourself is cut‐off all contact all those friends of yours,” Richard advised.

“I will try doing that,” Paul relied.

Paul sat down beside Richard, they talked for about an hour before he walked out of the theatre and left Richard.


Around 11 am, Rebecca gathered all her books and walked to her room. She had been studying in the dining table for the past three hours.

She dropped the books in her bookshelf as she got into the room. She changed into pyjamas before she sat by her bed and went through her phone. She chatted with few of her friends on Facebook before she finally decided to sleep.

But as soon as she lied down, she kept remembering the things that happened between her and Richard during the day. It was the first time a boy had ever run in her thoughts. She tried to sleep, but she couldn’t sleep. She stood up and went to the living room and turned on the TV. She took out her phone and looked for her friends who were online. Luckily for her, she found Alice online. She quickly started a conversation by sending her a message.


Rebecca: Hey so you are still awake


Alice: Yes I am. What about you? I have never seen you staying up this late.

Rebecca: Yes, is strange. I couldn’t sleep today.

Alice: Perhaps you are thinking about some .

Rebecca: Not really

Alice: So how is Richard?

Rebecca: Okay I guess

She dropped her phone on the sofa and went to kitchen and opened one of the drawers. She took her the chips she kept hidden and walked back to living room. When she unlocked her phone, she found out Alice had already went off.
She continued watching her movie as she ate the chips. About an hour later, she fell asleep in the living room.



Janet tried her best to sleep but she couldn’t sleep. She lost control of herself and quickly stood up and walked to her phone that was charging some feet away from her. She unplugged the phone and dial Richard’s number. It rang for a while before Richard answered the call.

Richard: Hello

Janet : Who was the girl I saw you with earlier?

Richard: Did you just call to ask me that?

Janet : Oh, I’m sorry to bother you

She ended the call and went back to her bed and sat down. She started regretting why she had even asked him that in the first place.



Story_Continues

The
PINK CLOUDS

#Episode_10


 

About five minutes later, Richard called her back.

Richard: Why are you still up? Are you missing me that badly?

Janet : Not really. I was just worried that you my friend will get spoiled by a bad girl, that why I just called to warn you.

Richard: Is that so?

Janet : Yes of course. So don’t misunderstand my intentions.

Richard: Is okay my lady.

Janet : Where are you right now?

Richard: I’m in Agric department.

Without hesitation, Janet quickly stood up and changed into the clothes she wore earlier and walked out the room. She walked to the main road and couldn’t find a taxi for it was very late. She started walking heading towards where Richard told her he was when she saw a vehicle approaching.

She quickly stopped it and asked for a lift.

“Where are you going in this very late night?” The boy who was driving asked.

“I want to go and see someone,” she replied.

“Your boyfriend, right?” He asked.

“Yes,” Janet replied.

“He must be such a lucky man to have a girl such as yourself out her bed by this time,” The boy said.

“I think he is,” Janet replied.

They drove for ten minutes before arriving at the place at about 1 am.

“Thank you for the ride,” Janet said after she had walked down from the car.

“You are welcome,” the boy replied.
When she arrived at the place, she found Richard trying to leave.

“Oh my God, what brings you here at this very time?” Richard asked looking very surprised.

“Don’t


you dare judge me when I say it. I just wanted to see you,” Janet replied.
Richard was about to say when Janet interrupted him.
“I say don’t judge me,” She said.

“Hey, I am not trying to judge you, I just want to commend you on your bravery,” Richard smiled.

“Do you care to sit?” She asked pointed at the bench under a tree next to him.

“No I don’t,” Richard replied.
They both sat down the bench facing each other.

“So how was your day?” she asked.

“It was great,” Richard replied.

“Of course it will be great, you got yourself a very cute girl,” Janet said.

“Come on, she is Prof. Grace’s daughter.
Her mother hired me to be teaching her Mathematics and Physics,” Richard replied.

“Really? Of all the teachers in the world, why would she hire someone as young as you to teach her daughter?” Janet asked.

“So you think I am too young to teach her?” Richard asked.

“Of course you are,” Janet replied.

“Okay, so you are suggesting that I stop teaching her?” Richard asked.

“Yes of course,” Janet replied.

“If that the case, you will be paying me 50 thousand Naira monthly. Because that’s what I earn for teaching her,” Richard replied.

“Wow! That quiet lovely,” Janet replied.

“Oh yes it is,” Richard replied.

“Is already late, I don’t think we should be sitting here,” Richard suggested.
“Yes you are right,” Janet said and stood up.
They walked out of the Agric department waiting for a vehicle to come.
“Aren’t you scared of the night to come out alone?” Richard asked.

“Why should I be scared? We are not living in a jungle to maybe think I will be attacked by a lion,” Janet replied.

“Don’t you know that there are humans more dangerous than lions?” Richard asked.

“Well, this is first time I’m hearing it,” Janet replied.

“I wonder what kind of world you live in. Or perhaps you are pretending not to be aware on purpose, right?” Richard asked.

“Why would I do that?” Janet asked.

“Well, if you have not forgotten, there have an attempt to rape a girl last semester in the night when she walked out alone,” Richard narrated.

“Oh yes I do remember,” Janet replied.

“So tell, aren’t these kind of people more dangerous than the lion?” Richard asked.

“Of course they are,” Janet replied.

“That’s why you should avoid coming out very late in the night like this,” Richard advised.

“Thank you for your concern,” Richard replied.

“You are welcome,” Richard replied. “But you know, I was dying to see you that I couldn’t resist it,” Janet replied.

“Really?”

Episode 10 continues

Richard asked.
“Yes of course, and you should be glad I care that much about you,” Janet replied.

“If there is word that would describe how I’m feeling, I would use it,” Richard replied.

“I’m glad you appreciate it,” Janet replied.

They waited for more than 30 minutes but there was vehicle. Instead, the place had gotten very quiet as if it was the noisy university it used to be.

“I don’t think we can get a taxi,” Richard said.

“What do you think we should do now?” Janet asked.
“You know we the only have one option left for us, don’t you?” Richard smiled.

“Do you mean I should sleep at your place?” Janet asked confusingly.

“You are such a naughty girl. You must have a dirty mind to think that’s what I have in mind,” Richard replied.
“Well, the way you said made it sound dirty,” Janet laughed back.
“Don’t worry, I can walk you back,” Richard assured.
“That will be very nice of you,” Janet said.
They started walking and headed towards Janet ’s dormitory.
“You know, if one sees how the quiet this place is right now, one will think that this place will never be noisy during the day,” Janet said.
“Yes, everyone must have gone to sleep,” Richard replied.
“Do you know what?” Janet asked.
“Walking like this, reminds me on the day we nearly got into trouble,” Janet said.
“Oh yes it does, I can recall how you cried that day,” Richard laughed.

“You are such a liar,” Janet argued.

“Are you trying to deny the fact that you cried that day?” Richard asked.

“Yes of course, as far as I could recall, I didn’t cry,” Janet replied.

“Well, I can recall playing my hand on your mouth in order to stop you from crying. That is something I can never forget for the rest of my life,” Richard revealed.

“Really?” Janet asked.

“Yes Janet . It was the first time I cared of someone other than myself despite the fact that I was in trouble,” Richard said.

“I have never been scared in my life like I was on that day,” Janet replied.

“I still can’t understand why you have to go to such parties in the first place,” Richard said.

“I have told you, I was taken there by a friend and that will never happen again,” Janet replied.

“What about playing snooker with boys?” Richard asked.

“Are you jealous?” Janet asked.

“No I’m just curious,” Richard replied.

“If I say I will stop talking to them, what will get I in return?” Janet asked.

“Anything you wish to have,” Richard replied.
About 30 minutes later, they arrived at Janet’s dormitory.
“It’s really strange that I don’t feel sleepy or tired at all,” Janet announced.

“Me too,” Richard replied.

“I have never been so happy in my whole like when I’m with you,” Janet announced.

“Really?” Richard asked looking very surprised.

“Yes, I wish you would also feel the same,” Janet continued.

“Of course I do feel the same,” Richard replied.

“You don’t really understand what I mean, do you?” Janet asked.
“Of course I do,” Richard smiled.

“Is a good thing you know, I think I will go from here,” Janet replied.

“Alright then, I will see you in the morning,” Richard announced.

“Okay, good night Richard,” she said and turned to walked her dormitory. Richard folded his arms and watched her as she walked to her dormitory.

When she got to the gate of the dormitory, she turned and ran back to Richard.

“What happened?” Richard asked.

“Don’t you have anything you wish to tell me?” she asked as looked into his eyes. Richard became speechless and couldn’t come up with a word to tell her.

“Good night,” she sadly said and turned to go back.

“Do you love me?” Richard asked her. She turned and looked at him for a moment without saying a word.

“I think I will be lying if I say I don’t love you,” Janet replied.
“Really?” Richard asked happily.

“But promise you are not going to hurt me,” Janet replied.

“I Promise I won’t,” Richard assured.

“Alright Richard, good night,” She said and ran happily to her dormitory.



About a month later, Rebecca had a test in mathematics and physics. When the result came out, she was among the best in her class. Everyone was so surprised including her teachers.
“I wish Richard could teach me too,” Alice said to Rebecca when they were out for break.

“Well, I think he is the teacher in the world,” Rebecca commented.

“Really?” Amira asked.

“I have never once thought in my whole life that I will be very good in mathematics like this,” Rebecca explained.
The three of them were sitting on the veranda of one of their laboratories.

“Well, I think you are lucky your mom has hired him to teach you,” Alice said.
“Yes, that’s why I am so desperate to show her my test,” Rebecca replied.

“Your


mum is going to be very happy with you,” Amira commented.
“Of course,” Rebecca smiled.

About 30 minutes later, their break ended and they went back to their class.

few minutes later, their Mathematics teacher came and all the students stood up and greeted him.

“Sit down please,” the teacher ordered.

“Can someone clean the board please?” the teacher said when he noticed that the board was all written on.

“I was very displeased by all of your performance in my test. You will be writing an external exam by next year, do you think you can achieve something at this rate?” the teacher asked and the whole class could not reply.

“I highly recommend that you sit up and study harder,” the continued.

“And Rebecca, you did incredible. I have never expected such performance from you. I believe you can be the source of motivation to every student in this class,” the teacher commended.

“Actually, I wouldn’t have done it without the help of my private tutor,” Rebecca replied.

“Do you mean the boy that came here the other time?” the teacher asked.

“Yes, Rebecca’s answered.

“Not bad, he is actually better than I expected,” the teacher said.

“No, he is actually the best,” Rebecca uttered without realising and all the class glared at her with surprised.

“In mathematics I mean,” She continued and the teacher laughed at her.

“Well, then I suggested you guys should all hire him to teach you, maybe he can transform you like he transformed her,” the teacher said.
“Actually, he is very busy. My mum hardly convinced him to teach me,” Rebecca responded.

“Well, then I think you should count yourself lucky,” the teacher said. He started his lesson after that. And each time he asked a question, he pointed it directly at Rebecca first and she will confidently answer it. It went on like that until the lesson was over.

After school was over, Rebecca couldn’t wait to get home. All that she kept thinking about was showing Richard her scripts. She took a taxi together with her friend Amira to home.
“I have never seen you this excited before,” Amira noticed.

“Yes, because I have never gotten such an incredible result in my entire life,” Rebecca responded.

“You should be happy, because your mum will be very proud of you,” Amira said.

“Yes you are right,” Rebecca smiled. “And Richard will also be proud of you,” Amira continued.
Rebecca did not say a word; she only looked at her and smiled.

“Alright, I will meet you after I have eaten,” Amira announced after they have gotten down from the taxi.

“Alright dear, I will be waiting for you,” Rebecca replied and they both walked to their houses.
When Rebecca walked in, she found her brother sitting in the living with his uniforms and books thrown on the floor.

“How many times do I have to tell, always keep your things in your room, not in the living room,” Rebecca nagged.

“I don’t really know what kind of dirty human being you are,” Rebecca said as she bent down angrily to pick his clothes from the floor.

She


took everything she picked to her brother’s room. From there, she went to her room and lied on her. She was feeling lazy to even get up and change the uniform she was wearing.
Even on her bed, she kept thinking about how happy Richard will be if she shows him her result.

About 30 thirty minutes later, she finally gathered the courage to stand up. She stood up and went to wardrobe. She changed into a black gown and a black skinny jeans and then went to the kitchen to get her lunch. It was the rice and beans that she cooked in the morning before she went to school. She somehow lost her apatite as she started eating.

She took the food back to the kitchen and covered it. She went back to her room and lied on her. She was expecting Richard to come around 4 o’clock. All that she wished for at that time was see Richard. Around 3 o’clock, her mother arrived back from work. She quickly ran to the living room and met her.
“Mum, you won’t believe what happened,” Rebecca cried out as she ran to her mother. “Tell me what happened,” her mother asked. “You will see it for yourself,” Rebecca replied as she ran to her school bag that was kept on the dining table.
She opened the zip of the side pocket of the bag and brought out two papers and ran to her mother with them.

“Here, take a look,” she said as she gave.

“Oh my God is this really yours?” her mother asked. “Of course it is,” Rebecca replied.

“This certainly is the best thing you ever did,” her mother complimented.

“It is mum,” she smiled back at her mother. “You should keep it up, I promise I will surprise you at the end of the term,” her mother said.


Around 3:30 pm, Richard was called by their class representative. He was told that there will be an important gathering of students from their department by exactly 4 O’clock. He tried to explain to him to that he will be busy, but the class representative insisted that this way too important than what he will do.

At last, Richard finally gave in and agreed he will go. Around 4 O’clock, Richard took a taxi and went to his department. He was surprised to find out that all the members of his department were present at the hall he was directed to go.

“At last, you have come,” the class representative announced.

“Yes I have, did something bad happened?” Richard worriedly asked.

“Not really. Do you remember that lecturer that said he will never teach us again when your girlfriend’s phone rang in his class?” The class representative asked.

“Well, we have finally convinced him to come back and continue teaching us. But he said as our punishment, he will give us a test on the quarter of the content of the course. We tried looking for some to come and assist, but everyone seemed to be busy. But your girlfriend said you can help us,” the class representative said.

Richard looked around and noticed Janet sitting far behind them. She smiled at him after their eyes met.

“I am not that good actually, but I will give it a try,” Richard responded.

He received the marker from the class representative and proceeded to the board of the board of the lecture theatre holding the course content in the other hand.


Rebecca had been waiting for Richard for almost 2 hours but he hadn’t showed up. As every minute passes, the urge to see him kept consuming her. She has never been so desperate in her whole life like she was at that time.

Everything became boring to her. She kept going round the house from her bed to the living, from the living to dining room, and back to her room from the dining room.

She wished she had someone whom she could how she felt at that time. Some few minutes after 5 o’clock, she walked out the house and saw Amira sitting in the place they usually sit. She walked to her and sat beside her.

“Hey, are you not supposed to have lesson today?” Amira asked.

“I am, but Richard hasn’t showed up,” Rebecca responded.

“Oh I hope he is okay,” Amira replied.

“I hope so,” Rebecca replied.

“Don’t worry, maybe he got caught up in work today,” Amira said.

“Yes, can we do something fun? Because I’m so bored today,”Rebecca announced.

“Alright, let’s go to the school orchard and get some fruits,” Amira suggested.

“That’s a pretty idea,” Rebecca responded.

They stood up and headed towards the orchard that was located at the extreme of the staff Quarters.

On their way, they met with David who also happened to be their classmate and a childhood friend living also in the staff quarters.
.“Hey, where are you girls going?” he said. When they turned, they saw him sitting at the frontage of their house.
“We are going to the orchard,” Amira replied. “Can I come?” He requested.

“Of course you can,” Amira replied.
.
“Thank you,” he said as he stood up.

“So how are you girls doing?” David asked after he had caught up with them.

“We are doing well,” Amira replied.

“What about you Rebecca? Why aren’t you talking?” David asked.

“Well, that’s the essence of our going to the orchard.
She said she is bored today,” Amira replied. “Wow, you ought to be exhilarated. You impressed everyone at school today,” David said.
“Well, there is one person she couldn’t impressed,” Amira teased.
“Don’t you start it,” Rebecca interrupted her and Amira started laughing.
“Who could that person be?” David asked.
.“Don’t mind her, she likes fooling around,” Rebecca replied.
They arrived at the orchard about 10 minutes later. They plucked some oranges and guava and headed their way back.

“What do you think of this year’s inter house sport?” David asked.

“I don’t think I will be participating in any event,” Rebecca revealed.

.“Why not? You are the best runner in your house, why don’t you want to run?” David asked.

“Well, is just boring,” Rebecca replied.

“Then what about match pass parade?” Amira asked.
“I am not participating in anything,” Rebecca answered.

“What got into you today?” Amira asked. “Nothing, I just don’t want to participate,” Rebecca asked.

“Let her be, there is still time before the inter house sport, she might change her mind,” David said.
“Alright, I will see you guys tomorrow,” David said after they had gotten to his house.

“Okay, bye,” Rebecca said and they continued to walk home.
They arrived at their homes at about 6 o’clock pm. “Where have you been?” Her mother asked.
She was sitting with Emmanuel watching TV. “I went to the orchard,” Rebecca revealed.

Emmanuel quickly stood up and ran to her. “Did you bring something for me?” Emmanuel asked as he ran to his sister.

“Yes,” she said as she handed him an orange and a guava.


Richard has been teaching his mates for the past two hours. The listened attentively as he was teaching them.
It was then that some of them realised why he was recognised as the best student in their faculty.
As soon as he ended the lesson, Janet walked up to him at the stage of the lecture theatre.
“You know, this is the best lecture I have ever received in my life,” Janet complimented.

“Come on Janet , stop exaggerating things,” Richard said to her.

“I’m really serious Richard. I have been with many people in my life, but none of them can be compared to you. You are so sweet and full of amazements,” Janet complimented. “You know what’s really amazing?” Richard asked her.

“Until you tell me,” She replied.

“It is really surprising that a beautiful girl will say things like this to me. I always feel like I am dreaming each time I remember that you are my girlfriend,” Richard said.

Just then, they came across Janet ’s friend. “Hey” she said to them.

“Hello dear, how are you doing?” Rebecca asked.

“I am doing well,” She replied.

“Richard, this is my friend Fa…,” before Janet could finish saying the name, Richard interrupted her.

“Farida, right?” Richard asked.

“Yes of course, I’m surprised you remember my name,” Farida said.

“Didn’t I tell you before? he is very intelligent,” Janet said.

“Oh come on sweetheart, stop embarrassing me in front of other people,” Richard said. “That’s really the truth,” Rebecca laughed.

“Alright, I think I will leave you guys from here, I have somewhere to go,” Richard revealed. “Alright darling, we’ll talk later,” Janet replied.
Janet and Farida went to Riskat’s room and found her cooking dinner.

“We came at the right time,” Janet said. “Don’t you even think about eating my food, how do you expect yourself to feed Richard with such lazy attitude after you have gotten married?” Riskat asked.

“Oh I have even forgotten to ask, when did you guys started date?” Farida asked.

“About a month,” Janet replied.

“That’s good. I sense something strange about you too since the first time I saw you guys talking to each other,” Farida replied. “Really?” Janet asked.

“Yes of course, and it seem like you have made the right choice this time. He is the best boyfriend you ever had,” Farida said.
“That’s what I have been telling her,” Riskat interrupted.

“I already know that, you guys don’t need to tell me anything,” Janet said.

“Come on Farida, Come and sit down on the bed,” Janet said when she noticed her standing.

 

 

To_be_Continued

Please come and continue with updates

THE PINK CLOUDS

#Episode_11

 

 

Rebecca had just finished eating her dinner. She walked to her room and brought her books to the dining table.
Her mother and her brother left the dining table and went to the living room where they sat and watch TV.

Rebecca opened through the pages of her books and tried to study. About 20 minutes later, she gave up and went to the living room. She failed to understand why Richard was the only thing on her mind all along.

She sat next to her mother and took one of the small pillows on the cushions and placed it on her laps. “Are done studying already?” her mother asked.

“Not really, I feel like I’m having a head pain. That’s why I decided to give it a break for a while,” Rebecca replied.

“You don’t need to stress yourself. You have studied enough, you should rest whenever you are tired,” Her mother advised.

“I will do that mum,” Rebecca responded. After about an hour, the cartoon they were watching ended. Prof. Grace and Emmanuel decided that they will be going to sleep.
“Good night mum,” Rebecca said to her mother as she walked to her room.

“Don’t forget to sleep early,” he mother urged. “I won’t mum,” Rebecca responded. She continued watching movies until she finally falls asleep unconsciously.



The next day, Rebecca woke up and did her chores like she usually does in the morning. She got dressed in her uniform and waited for her mother to come out. Around 7:30 am, her mother had gotten ready and she came out for her breakfast.
“Good morning mum,” she greeted her mother. “How was your night?” Prof. Grace asked.

“It


was okay mum,” Rebecca answered. “Good, aren’t you leaving to school with your friends today?” her mother questioned.
“I am, I just want you to call Richard. He didn’t show up yesterday,” Rebecca complained.
“Maybe he had a tight schedule. You know it has not been easily for him to teach you and at the same time study,” her mother explained.

“You are right mum,” Rebecca responded. “You should be patient with him,” her mother urged her.

“Okay mum, I’m off to school,” Rebecca said as she proceeded to her way out of the house. “I will see you after school then,” her mother responded.

Rebecca went to Amira’s home and found her still getting ready.
“You know is already 7:30, right?” Rebecca alerted.
“Oh my God, I woke up so late today, I think I have to go to school with my breakfast,” Amira replied.

There is still time, you can eat before we go,” Rebecca assured.

“Alright then please give me a minute,” Amira requested.
“I have given you ten minutes,” Rebecca laughed.

About 15 minutes later, Amira walked out. They quickly boarded a taxi and headed to school.

The taxi dropped them at the gate of their school about five minutes later. They entered the school and went to their class.
Soon, the bell for the beginning of the lessons was rung and Alice came in immediately.

“Where have you guys been?” she asked. “I’m almost late because this girl,” Rebecca replied pointing at Amira.
“Well, you should be happy you came just right on time,” Alice said.

Before they knew it, their biology teacher walked into the class.
They all stood up and greeted him after which he started his lesson.

minutes later, he ended his lesson. Throughout the lesson, she thought about nothing but Richard.
She desperately wished for school to be over so that she will go back home.

“What are you thinking about?” Alice asked when noticed that Rebecca’s mind was lost somewhere else.

“Nothing actually,” Rebecca responded.

“You have been acting really weird lately, is anything wrong?” Alice asked.

“Not really, I am okay,” she responded.

“I hope you are telling the truth,” Alice answered.
Their school closed at about 2 pm. Rebecca and Amira took a taxi to go back home.

“You know I have been your friend since we were very young, right?” Amira asked.

“Yes


of course,” Rebecca answered.
“But I have never seen you acted this way before,” Amira said.

“How am I acting?” Rebecca asked.

“Well, it seems like something is bothering you,” Amira said.

“There is nothing bothering me Amira, I’m really okay,” Rebecca assured.

“Let’s hope you are telling the truth,” Amira replied.
They got down from the taxi after it had come to a stop close to their houses.

“Alright, I will see you later,” Rebecca said to Amira.

“You too, I hope Richard will come today,” Amira replied.
Rebecca did not say a word; she only smiled and shook her head.

She walked into the house and headed to her room. Her brother was calling her, but she pretended she hadn’t heard him and kept on walking. She walked to her room and lied on her bed.
She held her pillow tight and before she knew it, she unconsciously fell asleep..
About an hour later, she heard her mother calling her by the door of her mum.
“Yes mum,” she replied as she woke up.
“You even slept with your uniform on, are you sick?” her mother asked.

“Not really, I was just very exhausted,” Rebecca answered.

“Okay, I will be going to my room,” her mother announced.

“Okay mum,” Rebecca answered.
She stood up and went to the bathroom and had a shower before coming back to her room.

She wore a green shirt and black skirt and walked out of the room to the dining room. She went through her phone as she eat the spaghetti that was cooked for lunch.
After she was done eating, she laid her head on the table because she couldn’t think of what to do.

About 30 minutes later, her mother walked out of her room and told Rebecca that she will be going back to office.
“Don’t you think we should call Richard today?” Rebecca asked.
“Be patient dear, he will come when he is free,” her mother announced.

“Okay,” Rebecca replied.

She went to the living room and started watching TV after her mother left.

“I want to watch cartoon,” Emmanuel said as he pulled her dress.

“If you don’t take your hands off me, I’m going to slap you,” she warned.
Her brother released her clothe and went to the sofa next to her and sat down.

About 30 minutes later, she heard Richard’s voice by the door of their house.

Suddenly, her heart started to beat faster than ever.
It was like every atom of her body was attracted towards the door where Richard was.

Despite the fact that she was dying to see him, she remained sited and pretended she hadn’t heard him. Her little brother ran to the door and opened it for Richard.

Episode 11 continuation

Richard walked into the house and saw her sitting with her eyes focused on the TV. At that moment, Rebecca felt like turning to look at him.
It was a desire she had never felt before. Even his voice sounded sweeter as he spoke to Emmanuel.
But despite all that, she still pretended not have notice his presence.
“Rebecca,” Richard called.
Even though the sound of her name was ringing in her heart, she still refused to turn and look at him.

“Rebecca,” Richard called again. She turned and glared at him angrily and continued watching her TV.

“What have I done wrong?” Richard asked.

“I don’t know,” she replied without looking at where he was.

“Please tell, what did I do wrong?” Richard asked as he walked to her.

“Leave me alone,” she said as she stood up to go to her room.
Richard ran to her and held her hand and pulled her back.
When she looked into his eyes, her heart beat faster that she felt like it will jump out of ribs. “What did I do wrong?” Richard asked her again.

She quickly removed her hand from his hand and turned her back towards him. He then folded his arms and watched her.
“Why didn’t you come yesterday?” she finally asked.
“I was about to come when my mates called me that there is an important thing we need to discuss,” Richard replied.

“So I’m not that important to you right?” She asked.

“Come on Rebecca, you know I will never leave our lesson for something not very important,” Richard replied.

“Okay what was it that you needed to discuss?” Rebecca asked.
“We are expected to have a test today, and the lecturer had only taught us once because we pissed him off. So, my mates called me to teach them about the course,” Richard explained.

“Enough of this long story, aren’t you going to apologise?” She asked.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” Richard smiled.
She turned and looked him with a smile on her face.
“You are lucky that I easily get calm down,” she said.
“Let me show you something,” she said as she ran to her room.
Richard became curious of what she was going to show him.
She came holding her two scripts with a smile on her face.
“Take a look at my papers,” Rebecca said as she handed him the papers.
“Oh my God, is this really your script?” Richard asked astonishingly.
“Whose name do you see written on it?” Rebecca asked.
“You know, for a second, I never doubted that you will be this great,” Richard said.
“Really?” she asked.
“Yes of course. You are intelligent Rebecca, is all written all over pretty face,” Richard complimented.
Rebecca felt like her heart was melting when Richard said that.
She looked him in the eye and couldn’t say a word.
“You should keep it up, I know you will surprise more in the future,” Richard continued.
“Thank you,” she smiled. “let me get you something to eat,” she said as she ran to the kitchen.
“Come on Rebecca, I have just eaten,” Richard said trying to stop her.
“Don’t even think about it,” She said as she kept walking to the kitchen.
About five minutes later, she returned with the spaghetti she ate for lunch with some fried eggs.
“Wow! I can’t believe you did this,” Richard said.
She brought the food and kept it on the dining table in front of him.

“I


told you I’m not hungry,” Richard complained.
“Just say you are not going to eat my food and I will take it back,” Rebecca replied.

“Why would I say that when you are one of the most amazing cook in the world,” Richard replied.

“Come on, just eat,” she said she hit him on the shoulder.
“You know, I will be having an inter‐house sport competition in school in the next two weeks,” Rebecca revealed.

“Is that so? I hope you will be participating?” Richard asked.
“Not really, I plan on not participating in any event,” Rebecca replied.

“Why not?” Richard asked.

“I just don’t feel like participating,” she replied. “You know this is something that you are going to miss so much after you graduated,” Richard told.

“I don’t think I will miss anything from high school after I graduated,” Rebecca announced.

“Well, you are saying this because you don’t have experience,” Richard replied.

“Is that so Mr experience? Okay tell me the things you missed from your high school,” Rebecca asked.

“I miss everything from my high school,” Richard said.

“Come on, you don’t mean it, right?” Rebecca asked.

“Of course I mean it,” Richard assured.

“I missed my friends and the crazy things we used to do. I missed sport, my teachers and the school surrounding,” Richard revealed. “That’s cute, I’m beginning to imagine how your school looks like,” Rebecca said.

“It doesn’t have pretty buildings, but lots of memories have been created there,” Richard explained.

“Really? What is your favourite memory then?” Rebecca asked.

“Well, there are many favourite memories, I don’t know where to begin from,” Richard replied.

“Okay, tell about the best five memories,” Rebecca smiled.

“Okay, the first one was the day we set up our friend.
There was a girl had a crush on called Naomi. We usually have practical classes in the evening.

One


evening before we went for the practical class, we took the shirt he was to wear that evening and wrote I love you Naomi on the back. Because it was a white shirt, the writings appeared very well. He wore the shirt and went class with it. During the class, the teacher called him to come and write on the board.
When he walked to the front of the class, everyone saw what was written on the back of his shirt,” Richard narrated.
“Oh my God, what happened next?” Rebecca asked curiously.
“The whole class started laughing, and he vowed to payback,” Richard replied.
“And what did he do to payback?” Rebecca asked.
“Well, he wrote a letter to a girl with my name written on it as the writer,” Richard responded.

“Really?” Rebecca asked. “Oh yes, and it turns out that the girl had crush on me,” Richard laughed.

“Oh that’s so funny,” Rebecca laughed too. “So what your second favourite memory?” she asked.

“Well, it was the day our school won a match pass parade during children day in the whole state,” Richard announced.

“Wow! Were you among the participants?” Rebecca asked.

“Not only did I participate, but I was also the leader,” Richard announced.

“Wow that great, maybe you will teach me some new moves for our upcoming interhouse sport,” Rebecca said.
“Oh that won’t be a problem,” Richard assured.

When he looked at the time in phone, he noticed that an hour was gone already and they haven’t started their lesson.

“Hey, look at the time,” Richard announced. “Yes, the time moved faster than expected,” Rebecca replied.

“Alright, go and get your book. Let’s do the lesson even if it’s for 30 minutes,” Richard instructed.

Rebecca went to her room and came back with her books. She kept staring at him as he was teaching her.
She felt something which she has never felt before in her entire life. Staring at him made her feel so at ease that she wished that feeling will never fade.

“Is anything wrong?” Richard asked when he noticed how she was staring at him.

“Not at all, what were you saying?” she asked.

“So all along, your mind is not here,” Richard said.

“Yes I am sorry,” she replied. “As young as you are, what were you thinking about?” Richard asked.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything,” She responded.


At about 6 O’clock, their lesson ended and Rebecca walked Richard to the door.

“Will you come tomorrow?” she asked Richard.

“I don’t think so,” Richard replied. “Why not?” she asked.

“I am very busier than I look,” Richard replied. “Please do come tomorrow if you have the chance,” Rebecca pleaded.

“Alright Rebecca, I will try my best. But if you don’t see me, it means I’m very busy,” Richard explained.

“I Know you won’t be busy,” Rebecca smiled. “Let’s hope so,” Richard replied.

“Okay, I will go now,” Richard announced. “Where will you go from here?” She asked.

“To my dormitory of course,” Richard answered. “Do you want to follow me there?” Richard teased.

“Oh yes, I do,” she smiled.

“You have no idea what you are saying,” Richard smiled.

“Of course I do, I heard that boys always leave their surrounding dirty unlike girls,” Rebecca said.
“Whoever told you that is the biggest lair of the century,” Richard laughed.

“Let me get going, it’s really getting late,” Richard announced.

“Okay Richard, see you tomorrow,” she smiled.


The next day, Richard came in the evening around 3 O’clock. Rebecca was sitting with Amira on the bench they usually sit. Amira was helping Rebecca to loose her plaited hair. When they saw Richard approaching them, they both quickly stood up. “Hey, you are here already,” Rebecca said.
“Oh yes I am,” Richard smiled.

“Good evening Richard,” Amira greeted him. “Good evening, how are you doing?” Richard asked.

“I’m doing okay, you left my friend very worried for not coming the day before yesterday,” Amira revealed.
“Stop it Amira,” Rebecca shouted at her angrily and she started to laugh out seriously.

“Come on Richard, let’s leave this girl, she has gone crazy,” Rebecca said as she headed to the house.
“She has every reason to be worried, her favourite Mathematics teacher didn’t come,” Richard replied.

“Yes, I wish you could transform me like you transformed her. You know everyone is surprised at school, even our principal,” Amira explained.

“Hey, I said we should get going, didn’t I?” Rebecca asked while she was some distance away from them.

“Don’t worry, we have plenty of time, I will come when I’m done talking to her,” Richard smiled and continued talking to Amira.
Before he knew it, Rebecca came and held his hand and started pulling him along.
She dragged him all the way to the entrance of her home.

“Why don’t you want me to talk to your friend?” Richard laughed.
“You know she is crazy, she can say all sorts of ridiculous things to you,” Rebecca replied.
“I think she is so sweet,” Richard replied. “Well, you can go and continue talking to her if you wish,” Rebecca said and walked in looking angry.
Richard went after her and found her sitting on one of the sofas in the living room.
“You’ve got a really long hair,” Richard said. “Oh yes I know,” she replied without looking up.
“Why do you seem to be angry with me lately for no reason?” Richard asked.

“Who told you I am angry with you?” Rebecca asked.
“Well, your face says so,” Richard replied. “Don’t you want me to talk to your friend?” Richard asked and she nodded her head. “Can I know why?” Richard asked.
She suddenly started laughing.
“I can’t believe you fell for it,” she said after she stopped laughing.

“I’m relieved that you are not really angry,” Richard said.
“My mum has travelled, are you aware of that?” she asked.
“No I’m not. Do you mean she travelled and left you alone in this house?” Richard asked. “Yes of course,” Rebecca responded.

“And you mean you will sleep alone in this house alone with no one to protect you?” Richard asked.

“Actually not, I am sleeping at Amira’s place,” Rebecca laughed.

“But do you think I can’t sleep alone in this house?” Rebecca asked.

“Yes of course, it is very risky. People nowadays are evil, anything can happen,” Richard replied.

“There are a lot of security men around here in the night, we are really safer than you think,” Rebecca smiled.

“Will you please sit down?” She offered.
Richard went to the sofa opposite to her and sat down.

“Where is Emmanuel?” Richard asked.

“He had gone out to play,” she informed. “That’s cool, he always reminds me of my niece,” Richard said.

“Oh really? How old is your niece?” Rebecca asked.

“She is 6 years old,” Richard answered.

“I Know she must be very cute,” Rebecca commented.

“Very cute indeed, let me show you a picture of her,” Richard said and brought out his phone from his pocket.
He opened the picture and walked to her and handed her the phone.

“Wow! She looks so beautiful,” Rebecca complimented.

“Thank you,” Richard replied.

“She is Emmanuel’s age mate, but she looks much bigger than him,” Rebecca commented. “Maybe he is not someone who grows fast,” Richard replied.

“I love her hairstyle,” Rebecca said as she gave Richard back his phone.

“I plaited it for her actually,” Richard announced.

“You don’t even know how to lie,” Rebecca disbelieved.

“I am serious; I learnt how to plait on my younger sister. I have been plaiting her hair since when we were kids,” Richard revealed. “Do you really mean what you are saying?” Rebecca asked.

“Of course I mean it,” he replied.

“The good thing is that my hair is loosed, you can prove what you are saying by plaiting my hair,” Rebecca said.
“No I can’t actually do that, I can only plait my siblings’ hair,” Richard replied.

“You made that up because you aren’t telling the truth from the beginning,” Rebecca said. “Okay I will show,” Richard said.

“Good,” Rebecca smiled.

Rebecca ran to her room and came back with comb and everything he will need for plaiting. “Here,” she said as she handed him the items. “Sit here,” she pointed at the smallest sofa in the living room.

He sat on the sofa and Rebecca went and sat on the carpet in front him facing the same direction as he. She lowered her head towards him in such a way that he could easily access it.
Hair was very long and very dark. Suddenly, Richard’s heart started beating faster. He began to think of what Prof. Grace will think of him when she comes in and finds him with her daughter like that.

What scared him more was the fact that he had never touched any girl’s hair other than that of his siblings.
“What are you waiting for?” Rebecca asked when she noticed that he was hesitating. “Nothing actually,” he answered.
He stretched his arms slowly to her hair.
It was softer than he had imagined. He started plaiting her with anxiousness. He felt like any moment her mother will come in and see them. But after a while, his mind was set at ease.
“You plait like an expert,” Rebecca said.
“How do you know that? I’m not even through yet,” Richard answered.

.”The way you laid your hand makes you seem like an expert,” Rebecca said.

“Don’t be fast at complimenting me, wait until I’m done,” Richard replied.

After about an hour, Richard was done plaiting her hair. She stood up and ran to her room in order to look at herself in the mirror. “Oh my God Richard,” Rebecca shouted from her room.
“It looks terrible, right?” Richard asked.
“No, it looks beautiful. I can’t believe it is done by you,” Rebecca answered.

“come and look at it,” Rebecca called.
“Do you mean I should come to your room?” Richard asked.
“Yes of course,” Rebecca replied.
“No I can’t do that,” Richard replied. “Why can’t you?” she asked Richard.
“I’m not supposed to go to your room,” Richard answered.
“Okay, if you insist,” Rebecca said and walked out.
“You really plait good, you know I wouldn’t have believed you if you didn’t prove it to me,” Rebecca said.
“I have never plaited any girl’s hair outside my family,” Richard revealed.
“No boy has ever touched my hair, you are the first,” Rebecca smiled.
“Really?” Richard asked.
“Yes Richard, although I will get punished for not plaiting the weekly hairstyle given by our teacher, I really like it,” Rebecca responded. “Were you given a hairstyle? Why didn’t you tell me?” Richard asked.

“I thought you couldn’t do it, but it I love this style,” Rebecca announced.

“I am happy you like it, why don’t you go and get your books so that we will start our lesson?” Richard suggested.

“That will be a good idea,” she replied and walked back to her room.

 

For more episode visit www.dapalace.com
Story_Continues

I’m loving this story and the storylines

THE
PINK CLOUDS

Episode_12


 

 

“I am happy you like it, why don’t you go and get your books so that we will start our lesson?” Richard suggested.
“That will be a good idea,” she replied and walked back to her room.

She went to her room and got her books. As soon as they started the lesson, Amira walked into the house.

“Hey guys,” she said as she walked to them. “Hey Amira,” Rebecca replied.

“I thought we loosed your hair some moments ago,” Amira said when she noticed that Rebecca’s hair was plaited.

“Guess who plaited it for me,” Rebecca smiled.

“Don’t mean Richard, do you?” Amira asked in surprised.
“He plaited my hair,” Rebecca smiled. “Wow! It looks so beautiful. No one will ever believe that this was done by a boy,” Amira commented.
“You know, in some places, boys do plait hair, and that’s what they do earn a living,” Richard said.
“We are taking about our place right now, no boy can ever do what you did,” Amira explained.
“Do you want something?” Rebecca asked Amira.
“I got bored sitting alone outside, that’s why I came in,” Amira replied.
“Okay, why don’t you join us in our lesson?” Richard asked.
“Oh that will be great,” Amira responded and sat next to Rebecca.
“You guys have really gone far,” Amira said when she noticed what Richard was teaching Rebecca.
“Yes we have,” Rebecca smiled at Amira.
“I wish I could have a teacher like this too,” Amira responded.
“Will you please keep quiet? We are busy here,” Rebecca said to Amira.

“Alright,


I will be quiet,” Amira assured.
After about an hour, Richard ended the lesson and gave Rebecca some exercise to solve in the night.

“I hope you do study other subjects too,” Richard asked.
“Of course I do,” Rebecca explained.
“Is already late, I think I will be going,” Richard announced.

“Why don’t you stay and eat before you leave?” Rebecca asked.
“I will eat when I go back to my room,” Richard replied.

“I can’t believe you rejected my food,” Rebecca said.

“No I’m just in hurry,” Richard responded. “Okay you can go,” she said angrily and tried to go to her room.

“Okay I will eat,” Richard smiled. “That’s good,” she said and went to the kitchen.

“I don’t why your friend easily get angry, is she always like this?” Richard asked Amira. “No she is only like this around you,” Amira smiled.

“Then why is always behaving like this around me?” Richard asked.

“I don’t know too,” Amirah smiled.

“Are you in the same class with her?” Richard asked.

“Yes I am,” Amira announced.

“I hope she is performing better now?” Richard asked.

“Didn’t she show you test? She was the best in the class, everyone was surprised at how she transformed,” Amira answered.


minutes later, Rebecca returned with some pounded yam on a plate.

“Did you cook it yourself?” Richard asked.

“Of course, do you think I can’t cook?” She asked.

“No that’s not what I mean, you know pounded yam is so tiring to prepare, do you mean you prepared it alone?” Richard asked.
“Yes of course, it is my favourite food, so I don’t get tired when cooking it,” Rebecca announced.

“I will go and check on something, I will be back,” Amira said and stood up and walked out.

Richard started eating while Rebecca sat down opposite to him and watched him.

“You know, you are full of amazements,” Richard said.

“Really? She asked. “Yes of course, I wish I could marry a wife that can cook like you,” Richard answered.

“You may get someone better than me,” Rebecca smiled.

“I don’t think so. I have never met a girl that can cook like you,” Richard complimented.
“If that’s the case, then I will be cooking for you every day,” Rebecca smiled.

“I wish,” Richard smiled. “So, what’s your favourite food?” Rebecca asked. “Anything yummy,” Richard replied.
“That means you can eat anything,” Rebecca said.
“Of course, as far as it pleases my mind,” Richard replied.
“That’s great, let me allow you to eat,” Rebecca replied.
After Richard was done eating, she walked him to the door of the house. When they got out, they noticed that the place was already dark.
“Wow! Look how time has really moved fast,” Richard said.
“Well, I heard that if you spend time with the people you love, the time will seem to be frozen to you,” Rebecca smiled.
“Oh really? Where did you hear that?” Richard asked.
“At school,” Rebecca answered.
“Do you enjoy being with me?” Richard asked. She became quiet and that very moment and could say a word.
“I am sorry for asking such a stupid question, good night Rebecca,” Richard said and started to walk away.
“I enjoy every second with you Richard,” Rebecca said.
The instant Richard heard that, he turned and looked at her.
Her face was so pretty with her long hair packed at the side of her head close to her right eye.
She was so pretty that Richard felt like no boy could resist her beauty. But when he remembered about her and Janet, he quickly changed his mind.
“Good night Rebecca,” he said and started walking back to dormitory.
Rebecca was so confused at how Richard acted. She couldn’t tell whether he was interested in her he was just being nice to her. She went to Amira’s home and sat beside Amira on the sofa.





/> Richard went to back to his room to get his book to study for the night. More than ever, he thought about Rebecca. For the first time, he started to think of her in a different way.
Her beauty, her smile and her hair are things that could go off his mind. Somehow, he felt happier when he is around her than when he is with Janet .
But the fact that Prof. Grace had trusted enough to allow him to teach her daughter won’t allow him to think of her as anything more than a student. He took his books and went out his room to the usual place he usually studied in the night. Five minutes after he had started studying, Janet called him.
Richard: Hello

Janet : How was your lesson?

Richard: Okay I guess

Janet : good to hear that. Where are you right now?

Richard: my usual place of the night of course, what about you?
Janet : I’m in my room, why don’t you come and pick me up?

Episode 12 continuation



Richard: You mean right now?
Janet : Yes of course.

Richard became quiet after that, and couldn’t think of what to reply with.

He had been telling her that he is busy and definitely knew how she would react of he tells her he is busy again.
Janet : You have been studying very hard lately, why don’t we have some fun just for today?
Richard: Okay I will be coming to pick you.

After the phone call, Richard reluctantly stood up and walked out of the hall he was. He took a taxi that dropped him close to Janet ‘s campus.
When he got there, he found her sitting on a bench under a canopy in front of her dormitory.
“My dear Richard, always busy like the bee,” Janet said when she saw Richard approaching her.
“My dear Janet , always relaxing like the princess,” Richard smiled.
“I’m not like a princess, I’m a princess. Don’t you know?” she asked.
“I know that more than anyone,” Richard smiled as he sat beside her.
“So, how has been your day?” Janet asked.
“It pretty hectic as usual,” Richard replied. “You know, it’s been said that all works with no play makes Jack…” before Janet could complete her statement, Richard interrupted her.
“Yes I know, that why I’m here,” Richard responded.
“No, you need to have fun in your life,” Janet replied.
“I don’t think there will be anything that will be more fun than been with you,” Richard replied.
“Thank you,” Janet smiled.
“Let me take you somewhere so that will have a real fun,” Janet said.
“Okay, that sounds like a good idea,” Richard answered.
“Do you care for a walk?” Janet asked as she stood up.
“I would love to, it’s been long since I last walked,” Richard answered.

They took main road with will lead to the gate of the university.
There were tall flowers planted on the two sides of the road. There were blue street lights placed in the flowers that make the place looks so unique and beautiful. As they were walking, Janet stretched her arm and held Richard’s arm.
“You look so beautiful,” Richard complimented.

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“I made my hair today; do you want to see it?” Janet asked.

“Definitely,” Richard replied and Janet removed the scarf from her to reveal her beautifully plaited hair.

Instead of Richard to impress by its beauty, Rebecca suddenly came to his mind.

“What
do you think?” she asked when she noticed that Richard was lost in thoughts.
“It looks wonderful,” Richard complimented. “What were you thinking about?” Richard asked.

“Nothing, I was reminded of my sister seeing how beautiful your hair is,” Richard answered. “We all miss our family,” Janet replied.

“Is quite strange, I’ve never asked you about your family,” Richard replied.

“Wow! Really?” Janet asked.

“Yes of course, so tell me about them,” Richard continued.

“Okay, we are 7 in my family including my mum and dad,” Janet announced.

“I have two elder brothers, a younger brother and two younger sisters,” Janet continued. “Wow! How old is your eldest brother?” Richard asked.

“He is 32 years old, he is a doctor in Abuja,” Janet explained.



It was Saturday, Richard had just finished cooking his breakfast. It was a noodle that barely took him five minutes to get cooked. He put the noodle on a plate and sat by the edge of his bed. It took him about five minutes to finish eating the noodles. After he was done eating, he went to the bathroom and took a bath before returning to the room. “Today is Saturday and yet you dressed early, are you meeting your girlfriend?” Gabriel asked.
“Not really, I just something to take care of,” Richard responded.
“I heard that you’ve got a beautiful girlfriend,” Gabriel said.
“I guess,” Richard laughed.
“No wonder we hardly see you in the room, perhaps you are always with her,” Gabriel guessed.
“Not really, you know very well that I’m a busy man,” Richard said.

“Busy with your girl, right? I supposed you are going to her now,” Gabriel said.

“You kept mentioning that I am going to meet her while I’m not,” Richard answered.

“I would like to her when you come back,” Gabriel announced.

“That won’t be a problem,” Richard responded.

Around 10 am, Richard walked out of his dormitory and headed to Prof. Grace’s house. He knocked at the door and was asked to come in. When he entered, he found Prof. Grace sitting on the sofa with her son beside her.

“Good morning ma’am,” Richard greeted her. “Good morning Richard, how are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m well Ma’am, is Rebecca awake yet?” Richard asked.
“She always wakes up early. I hope you don’t have a lesson with her today,” Prof. Grace said.

“Oh yes we didn’t plan on doing it today, I was less busy today and I thought I could seize the opportunity,’ Richard explained.
“Actually, they will be having an inter house sport next week. Her friends came by and took her to school to practice some few minutes ago,” Prof. Grace answered.

“Oh so she finally changed her mind,” Richard said.

“Change her mind on what?” Prof. Grace asked.
“She said she wasn’t hoping to participate in any event in the inter house sport,” Richard revealed.

“Well, then I think you did a pretty good job in convincing her,” Prof. Grace said.

“I’m sorry you have come all this way for nothing,” Prof. Grace said.
“No problem,” Richard assured.
“Why don’t you go to the dining room and have some breakfast?” Prof. Grace offered.
“I have just finished eating,” Richard replied. “You should feel free to eat here, you know you are now like a family to us,” Prof. Grace said.
“Thank you ma’am but I really am okay,” Richard responded.
He walked out of the house and headed his way back to the campus. He was really sad that Rebecca wasn’t home. At that moment, he decided to go to her school just to see her. He quickly stopped a taxi by the road and boarded it.
The taxi took him to the school and dropped him by the gate of Rebecca’s school. From distance, he hear the sound of the band and it brought him to the conclusion that they are practicing match pass parade in the school. As he walked to the gate of the school, his heart beat increased. He felt as if he won’t be welcomed if he goes into the school. But to his surprise, the security guard at the gate didn’t ask him anything and allowed him to go in.
When he got in, he saw the students arranged according to their houses and that reminded him of his days in high school. He smiled and went to a bench under one of the trees in the school and sat down. He watched as the students practiced their match pass and wished he could be part of it. He was lost in his thoughts when heard someone talking to him.
When he looked to his right, he noticed that it was Amira talking to him.
“Are you looking for Rebecca?” she smiled. “Oh yes I am,” Richard smiled.

“She


is among the members of her house over there,” Amira enthusiastically pointed. “My pleasure,” Richard responded and stood and headed towards the direction Amira pointed.
Richard went to the extreme of the school close to the fence where Amira instructed him. When he got there, he noticed some group of students parading. He looked among them but thought he Rebecca isn’t among them.
“Richard!” Someone shouted. When he looked in the direction he was being called, he noticed that it was Alice.
Suddenly, all the students parading turned to look at him. It was then that he noticed Rebecca. The moment their eyes met, he felt like his heart was freezing. She wore a white shirt, a black skinny jeans and white snickers and made her looked extremely pretty. They smiled at each other for a while before Rebecca ran out of her mates and met him. “Good morning,” Richard greeted her. “Good morning how was your night?” she asked.

“It was nice I guess, I am glad you finally changed your mind,” Richard said.
“Oh yes I did, can we please sit there?” she pointed at the edge of the veranda of one of the last classes.
“Okay,” Richard responded. At that moment, he didn’t care what her mates will think of their relationship. All that he cared for was to be with her.
“Who is that boy?” one of the boys among students asked.
“He was the one that challenge Mr. Salim,” One of the boys replied referring to their mathematics teacher.
“Oh yes I do remember him now,” the first boy replied.

“So why are you here?” Rebecca asked Richard after they had sat down. “I just come to see you,” Richard smiled.

“Really?” Rebecca questioned. “Yes of course, is just that…” Richard said and hesitated.

“Just that…” Rebecca wanted to hear more. “Never mind, is not that important,” Richard said.
“Oh Richard, please do tell me what you have in mind,” Rebecca asked.
“I missed you, that’s why I come to see you,” Richard said.

They both became silent at stared at each other at that moment. It was the first time Richard has said something without thinking of the consequences of what he is saying. At that time, he felt like he was talking her with his heart not with his lips.
As for Rebecca, she could believe those words were coming out of Richard’s mouth. Her heart was beating faster than ever not because she’s scared, but because she felt something she has never felt before. “Do you realise what you are saying?” Rebecca asked. “Of course I do, isn’t normal for teachers to miss their students?” Richard responded after coming back to his senses.
“You are talking as if you are an adult,” Rebecca laughed.

“For you information, I already am an adult,” Richard said.
“You are not yet an adult to me, I only consider people to be adult when they are 20,” Rebecca responded.
“Maybe you will change your opinion when you reach 18,” Richard replied.
“No I won’t, I have been like this since I was ten,” Rebecca informed.
“Look, most of the students’ attention is on us,” Richard said when he noticed how they were being looked at.
“Let them be, they are just jealous I have a sweet handsome teacher like you,” Rebecca smiled.
Everything sounded perfect in Rebecca’s sentence, but the fact that she mentioned “teacher” at the end, it makes Richard to think of it as ordinary.

“I am glad you changed your mind to participate,’ Richard said.
“You convinced me actually,” Rebecca responded.
“Good to hear that. So in how many events are you participating?” Richard asked.

“I’m participating in the match pass parade as you can see and the 100 meter race,” Rebecca replied.

“That’s wonderful. are you in the same house with Alice?” Richard asked.

“Yes I am,” Rebecca answered.

“When is the inter house sport going to take place?” Richard asked.

“Next week on Saturday, I hope you will come and see me” Rebecca requested.

“I must come and see you,” Richard replied. “Is good to hear that from you,” Rebecca smiled.

They kept quiet for a while and watched as her house members were parading. “What do you think of our style of match pass?” Rebecca asked.

“It looks great, but…” Richard stopped.

.“But what?” Rebecca asked.

“The way they moved their arms, the way they turn, and the way they arranged themselves are all wrong,” Richard opined.

“Really? Then you should teach us,” Rebecca said excitedly.

“No that wont be necessary,” Richard replied. “Why not? Weren’t you the one that told me you once led your school during children day and came first?” Rebecca reminded.
“Oh yes, but doing that here will make me seem so pretentious,” Richard explained.

“No they will say so,” Rebecca answered.

Rebecca stood up and went to her house captain who happened to be a final year student.

“Hey Ali,” Rebecca called her house captain. “What is it?” Her house captain asked excitedly as he walked out of the students parading.

“That boy over there said he is going to teach us better, he noticed some mistakes in our moves,” Rebecca said.
“Is that so?” He asked. “Yes, let me go and tell him to come,” Rebecca said and walked back to Richard.

“Come on Richard, let’s go there and them how to do it,” Rebecca smiled.
“What did she tell you?” one of the students asked the house captain.

“She said the boy over there is going to teach us better,” the house captain said.
“Is she trying to tell us that we don’t know to do it?” a girl asked.

“Who does she thinks she is to say such things?” one of the girls asked.

“Oh why didn’t you say that while she was here?” Alice asked.
“Do you think I can’t say it in front of her?” the girl asked.
“Of course you can’t Alice replied.

At that time, Rebecca and Alice got to where the students were.
“Thank God she is here, now, say what you said again,” Alice said.

“What did she say?” Rebecca asked angrily. “She said who do you think you are to bring someone here to teach us,” Alice replied. “What? You dare to say that? I will show you who I think I am you stupid girl,” Rebecca said.

“Don’t say that, this is exactly what I was afraid of in the first place,” Richard said.

“I don’t mean to cause any trouble; I just wanted to offer some new things to you that might help you. Is okay, if you don’t like it,” Richard said and turned to leave.
“Is okay, you can show us what you have,” their house captain said.

Richard wanted to leave, but seeing the look in Rebecca’s eye made him to remain behind. “Alright, what do we start with?” The house captain asked.

“Let’s start with arranging you guys,” Richard replied.
After had arranged them, he showed them how to do the parade properly.

They were all impressed Richard’s method and accepted that it was better than theirs. He trained them for than an hour until some of them announced that they were tired.
Richard suggested that they should rest for the day.

“I really like your style, where do you come from?” the house captain asked Richard.

“I come from Kogi state,” Richard responded. “That’s quite far from here,” the house captain replied.

“Yes it is,” Richard replied.

“I heard that you are the best student in this university,” the house captain.

“I think it has been exaggerated,” Richard replied in surprise.

“Not really, I want come to this university after I graduated, which course do you think I should apply for,” the house captain.
“That is a very sensitive case, it is a decision that will follow you for your entire life,” Richard replied.

“You are absolutely right,” the house captain responded.
Richard talked to the house captain with some other boys for a while. At the end, they invited him to the birthday of one of their house member which will take place in the town after their inter house in the evening. “Come on, it will be fun. Rebecca will also be coming,” the house said.

“Actually, I am very busy person. But I will try to see through my schedule,” Richard replied. They talked for minutes before Rebecca approached them.
“Hey Rebecca, I told Richard that you will be coming to my birthday, can you try to convince him to come?” The house said to Rebecca.

“He is the busiest boy on the planet, but I will try my best,” Rebecca smiled.

“You see, it will be fun,” the house captain said.

“I will be going home now, I’m so exhausted,” Rebecca revealed.

“Alright, then we should get going,” Richard replied.

“Goodbye Mr.” Richard said and stopped.

“You can call me Ali,” the house captain completed.

“Okay Ali, I will see you next time,” Richard concluded.
Richard, Rebecca and Alice headed towards the gate of the school.

“You were great today Richard,” Alice said to Richard.

“Of course he is,” Rebecca responded.

“Who is that boy to you?” Richard asked Rebecca.

“He is a friend of course,” Rebecca responded.

“Really?” Richard asked.

“Yes of course, you will like him. His father is the richest man in this town, and yet he doesn’t show any sign of being wealthy unlike the rest of the kids in the school,” Rebecca explained.

“Wow! I love people like that,” Richard commented.

“Do you know that he was even offered the chance to study abroad but rejected it because he want to be with his friends here?” Rebecca asked.

“He is a good person indeed, no wonder you have a good relationship with him,” Richard replied.
“So, will you be going to his birthday party?” Rebecca asked.
“I don’t know, the last time I went to a party, it didn’t turn out well,” Richard explained. “Really?” Rebecca asked.
Before Richard could reply, they were approached by Amira.

“How was the match pass?” Richard asked her. “I didn’t participate,” Amira responded. “Why not?” Richard asked.

“My house mates made me angry,” she replied.

“That’s very bad of them, should I go and scold them for you?” Richard teased.

“I have scolded them already,” she laughed.

They walked out of the school and stood by the road. Alice took a taxi home, while Richard, Rebecca and Amira remained behind.

“Are you going to take a taxi home?” Richard asked.

“Of course we will, do you expect me to walk home all the way from here despite how tired I am?” Rebecca asked.

“Didn’t you say you will participate in a race?” Richard asked.

“I did, but I didn’t say I will be participating in a long distance race,” Rebecca responded. “Okay you should walk me to that building over there before you take a taxi,” Richard requested.

“Okay, let’s do that,” Rebecca agreed even though she was so tired.

“So, were telling us about one of the parties you attended earlier,” Rebecca reminded.

“Oh yes I was,” Richard replied. “Why did it turn out bad?” Rebecca asked.

“It was the first party I attended, while we were there, police broke in and started arresting people.
We hardly escaped,” Richard explained.

“With whom did you escape?” Rebecca asked. That moment, Richard felt like Rebecca should not about Janet .

“With my friend,” Richard lied.

“Why did you attend parties like in the first place?” Rebecca asked.

“I was taken there unknowingly by a friend. I have never been so angry with him like that day,” Richard explained.

“Hey, why have been quiet all along?” Richard asked Amira.

“I noticed that you guys are enjoying your talks, so I don’t want to interrupt you,” Amira laughed.



To_be_Continued

The PINK CLOUDS

#Episode_13

 

 

A week later, the day which Rebecca will be witnessing the inter house sports arrived. She woke up since 5 am feeling so excited and nervous at the same time. She went to her bathroom and brushed her teeth before coming back to her room. She sat by her bed imagining what she will expect.

She thought about Richard and how he will be impressed if she wins the 100 meter race. She had been the best racer so far, but she still doubted herself until then. About an hour later, she stood up and went to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. She suddenly remembered that her mother had bought some bread the previous night. She put some water for tea on the stove and walked to living room.

She turn on the TV started watching it to kill some time. 10 minutes later, she went back to the kitchen and found the water already boiling. She prepared some tea and put it in a red flask. She then fried some eggs and had it covered with a plate.
After she was done, she went to her bathroom and took a bath. She dressed in her sport wear which was a yellow shirt, a white skirt that was slightly above her knees and a white canvas. She went to the dining room and had breakfast. By the time she was done, it was already 7 am. She went to her mother’s room and waked her.

“Good morning mum,” Rebecca greeted her mother.

“Good
morning, how are you?” her mother asked.
“I’m fine,” Rebecca replied.

“I can see that you are ready for your inter house sport,” her mother observed.

“Yes I am,” Rebecca smiled.

“What’s the time now?” Her mother asked.

“It is 7 o’clock,” Rebecca responded.

“By what time are you starting the inter house sports? Isn’t it too early for you to go by this time?” her mother asked.

“Actually, we are going to practice more for our match pass parade before the inter house starts by 9 O’clock,” Rebecca explained.

“I wish you Good luck then,” Her mother replied.

“Will you be attending the program?” Rebecca asked.
“Actually, I have organised a lecture with some of my students,” Her mother replied. “Please mum, you have never seen me participating in an inter house sport,” Rebecca begged.

“I also wish I could attend it, but I have already made a promise to the students. They will think of me as an irresponsible person if I don’t go,” Prof. Grace explained.

“Please do understand my situation,” Prof. Grace continued.
Rebecca angrily walked out of her mother’s room and went to the living room. She felt like crying at that time, but she tried and controlled herself.

She had a feeling that Richard will also not attend the inter house sport. She quickly ran back to her mother room and asked her for his number.

“What are you going to do with his number?” her mother asked.
“I want to remind him about attending my inter house sport,” Rebecca responded.
“You better not waste your time; I will also be having a lecture with his department. And we will be having a test at the end of the lecture,” her mother explained. “What? Rebecca exclaimed.
“Yes, you heard me,” her mother replied. Rebecca angrily left to her room. At that moment, she regreted not having Richard’s phone number. She would have called him to find out if what her mother was telling is true. But somehow, he had confidence that he will come.

About 20 minutes later, Rebecca heard Amira calling her name from their living room. She stood up from her bed and went to the living room and found Amira also dressed in her sport wear.
She wore a red polo shirt, a white skirt and a white canvas.

“Hey,” Amira said as Rebecca approached her. “Have you gotten ready?” Rebecca asked. “Oh yes I have, what about you? It seems like you are upset,” Amira said.

“Like
always, my mum said she will not be attending the inter house sport,” Rebecca replied.
“Maybe she will be much occupied that’s why she couldn’t go,” Amira said trying to calm her.

“She doesn’t have an excuse, why can’t she spare just a day out of her busy days to be there for me?” Rebecca asked angrily.

“Please lower your voice, don’t let her hear you,” Amira said.

“What if she hears me? I am just saying the truth, I’m not scared of anything,” Rebecca responded.

“Please don’t say such things about your mum, I beg you,” Amira said.

“She is my mum, not yours,” Rebecca responded.

“Alright, I understand,” Amira responded. “Come on, let’s get going,” Rebecca said and they walked out of the house.



Richard woke up having a battle on his mind. He has planned on attending Rebecca’s inter house sport, but he was also called and told that they will be having a test that morning. He finally stood up after 10 minutes of thinking.
As he was heading out of his room, his phone started ringing. He walked back to his phone which he plugged charging close to Gabriel’s bed. When he unplugged the phone, he noticed that it was Janet calling him.

Richard: Hello

Janet : Good morning sweetheart

Richard: How are you darling?

Janet : I’m well

Richard: So, what’s up?

Janet : Everything is up

Richard: What do you mean by that?

Janet : You have recently changed Richard, don’t you love me anymore?

Richard: Why would you ever say that? Of course I do love you

Janet : I don’t think so. You don’t call me like you used, we don’t hang out like before.

Richard: You know I am always busy, how could you think like that?

Janet : You used to have time for me no matter how busy you were.

Richard: Please do not misunderstand it, I just have some stuff going on.

Janet : Is okay, let’s meet today in the evening and discuss it
After the call, Richard brushed his teeth and started preparing his breakfast. As he was about to finish the breakfast, Paul walked into the room.

“Where have been for the past 2 days?” Paul asked as he walked into the room.

“I am the one to ask you this question,” Richard replied.

“So what are you cooking?” Paul asked.

“I’m cooking the usual of course,” Richard responded.

“And what’s that?” Paul asked.

“Rice you stupid, what do I usually cook other than that?” Richard asked and Paul started laughing at him.

“You know, Janet called me yesterday,” Paul announced.

“What did she tell you?” Richard asked.

“She said she thinks you don’t love her anymore,” Paul explained.

Richard kept quiet wondering to tell Paul. “Why are you doing this to her? You know a girl like her is the type that every boy is after,” Paul urged.
“The thing is, I don’t feel happy when I’m around her like I used to,” Richard responded. “Are you in love with another girl?” Paul asked.
“I think so,” Richard replied.
“Don’t make this mistake Richard, you are about to leave one of the prettiest girls in this school,” Paul cautioned.
“If you are speaking of beauty, Janet is no match to this girl,” Richard replied.
“Really? I wonder who could this person be,” Paul smiled.
“She heated me before, but it turns out that she is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met,” Richard explained.
“By any chance, are you talking about Prof. Grace’s daughter?” Paul asked.
“How did you know?” Richard asked.
“Come on, she is just a high school kid. Pray her mum never finds out, because she will be very disappointed,” Paul explained.
“Yes I know, that’s why I have been controlling myself,” Richard replied.

“This seriously is not something you should be saying, you should get her off your mind right away,” Paul replied.

“I will,” Richard replied.

“Are you aware that we will be having a test later?” Paul asked.

“Yes I am aware,” Richard replied.

“I haven’t read much, I need your assistance please,” Paul begged.

“Alright, don’t you worry,” Paul assured.

After they were done eating the food Richard cooked, they walked out and went to their department waiting for Prof. Grace to come and conduct her lecture and her test.

It was some few minutes to 9 O’clock, and Richard knew their inter house sport could start any moment from that time. At that moment, he wished to see Rebecca more than ever.
He began to remember how desperate she wanted him to be there and the reason why she agreed to participate. Suddenly, he had a feeling that she is the most important thing in the world to him. He quickly stood up and started heading out of the hall.
“Where are you going?” Paul asked Richard. “Somewhere,” Richard replied. “Prof. Grace will be here any moment, why don’t you wait until after her lecture?” Paul asked.
“I will be back soon,” Richard replied and walked out the hall.
As soon as he got out, he met Janet trying to get in. “Hey Richard, where are you going to?” she asked. “Somewhere,” Richard responded and kept walking. Janet remained silent and watched him as he walked away.



Rebecca
had been impatiently waiting to see if Richard could show up despite she knew he will be having a test. She started blaming her mother for everything that got her really sad and provoked.
She wished Richard could be there to see her participating. By 9 O’clock, the school was filled with many guest most of which are the families of the students and invited students from other schools. The inter house was about to start, and the first event was the match pass parade competition.
The students that will participate in the match pass parade arranged themselves according to the houses wearing the same outfit. The school band was played and the students were ready to start the match pass. Rebecca kept looking at the crowd to see if she could spot Richard.

She at last gave up after the match pass started. “Besides, he has a stupid test organised by my mother, why would he come anyway?” Rebecca thought. As they were parading, Rebecca suddenly turned and noticed Richard in the crowd. She instantly felt like an ice was placed on her heart. The smile on her face was so radiant and enchanting. They paraded around the path made for the parading and they were been judged as they went along.
After the parade, Rebecca ran to Richard excitedly.

“I thought you were not coming, I was told that you have a test,” Rebecca said.

“I do have a test, they are currently writing it right now,” Richard responded.

“Then why do you abandon your test to come here? You shouldn’t have come,” Rebecca said.

“Nothing is important to me in this world right now than seeing you especially on a wonderful day like this,” Richard replied. Rebecca felt her like heart would melt at that moment.
His words are getting sweeter in her ears every single day.

“I owe you my life Richard,” Rebecca smiled. “You look beautiful,” Richard compliment. “And you look handsome,” Rebecca smiled back.
Suddenly Alice appeared before them. “Hey Richard,” Alice said.

“How are you Alice?” Richard asked.

“I’m okay, have you seen our parade?” Alice asked.

“Oh yes I have, you did wonderful,” Richard replied.

“Thanks to you, I have no doubt that our house will be in the first place,” Alice replied. “Take a photo of us,” Rebecca interrupted and handed Alice her phone.

“Okay,” Alice replied.

They took many pictures until it was time for Rebecca to race. She was suddenly overcome by fear as their names were been called.

“I know you can do it,” Richard encouraged her.

“I wish I can,” Rebecca responded. She walked into the school field with her body trembling like never before. She had run many races before, but she had never felt scared like this one. The racers arranged themselves at the starting point of the race. They took off as soon as the gun was fired. Richard suddenly started trembling as they started racing.

He
wished she could come in first place. But after the race ended, she took the second place. She became very disappointed in herself and felt like exploding from the inside. She had been racing for more than 4 four years and she had never come anything but first. She ran out of the field and headed out of the school. Richard ran after her and held her hand.
When she turned, he noticed that her face was already in tears.
“This is why I said I am not participating in the first place, but you made me ran,” Rebecca cried.
“I am really surprise that you are crying because of this, if there is a champion here today, that should be you,” Richard said. “Why should that be me when I have lost?” she asked.

“Because you have won my heart,” Richard replied.

The moment Rebecca heard him, the tears in eyes stopped. She felt as if her breath was been taken away by the word he said. That moment, she felt like telling everything she felt for him. But somehow, her lips became glued and couldn’t utter a word.
“You are the champion here today, so you should be happy,” Richard continued. “Richard,” she called out finally.

“Why are you so nice to me?” She asked. “Because…” Richard started.

“Don’t you dare say is because I am your student,” Rebecca interrupted.

“How do you know what I wanted to say?” Richard asked.

“Because it has been your only answer,” Rebecca replied.

“But please do me tell something more that,” Rebecca requested.
Richard suddenly realised where she was going, but he then remember about her mother.
“I can’t,” Richard replied.

“Why can’t you?” she asked. Richard became quiet and couldn’t talk.

“Goodbye,” she said and ran out of the school compound.
__________________



Richard went back to his room and lied on his bed. He couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. It was obviously clear to him that Rebecca really loved him. But then, she was more like a desire he can’t have. He never really understood what love is till he met her. Despite how he valued his education, he scarified his continuous assessment just because he was dying to see her face. And what worries him most is the fact that he doesn’t have anybody to share his story to not even Paul.
It was an emotion deep inside him that he wished he could tell someone. He lied there on his bed not feeling hungry despite is noon. Suddenly, Paul walked into his room and found him lying on the bed.

“Why didn’t you write the test?” Paul asked as he walked to him.

“Because I didn’t want to,” Richard replied.

“I thought I used to be the crazy one, but you have now proven yourself,” Paul said.

“You can say anything you want,” Richard replied.

“Richard, do tell me what’s wrong with you. I have never seen you acting this way before,” Paul requested as he sat down beside Richard.

“It is obviously clear that you are in worry, please tell me what’s wrong,” Paul requested.

Richard sat up and looked at Paul in the eye. “You will think I am crazy if I tell you,” Richard announced.

“I won’t think so, just tell me,” Paul insisted.

“I really love her, I can’t help it,” Richard announced.

“And who could that person be?” Paul asked. “I wished I could stop falling for her, but she is now in every of my thoughts. I see her all day along in my eyes even when I am sleeping. My feeling for her is just driving crazy as every second passes by,” Richard explained.

“Just tell me who this girl is,” Paul requested. “Is Rebecca, Prof. Grace’s daughter,” Richard responded.

“Oh my God Richard, are you in relationship with her right now?” Paul asked.

“Not really, I couldn’t bring myself together to tell her,” Richard replied.

“It should remain like this, think of how her mother will react if she finds out. Think of how Janet will react, she loves you more than anything in this world. Have you forgotten that she has a heart problem? Think of what will happen if you break her heart? She is already in pain with the less care you showed to her recently,” Paul explained.

“

Episode 13 continues

That’s why I feel like my head will explode, because all these thoughts are going on in my head,” Richard explained.

“Just think it through, sometimes, following your desire will leads to your destruction,” Paul advised.

Rebecca was lying on the sofa in the living room when her mother came back. Rebecca was silent and didn’t even care to say welcome to her mother.

“How was the inter house sport?” Her mother asked but Rebecca remained silent replying. “Hey, I am talking to you,” Her mother repeated.

“It was terrible,” Rebecca replied reluctantly.

“Is something wrong with you?” Her mother asked.

“Everything is wrong with me,” Rebecca replied.

“Are you talking to me like this right now?” Her mother asked.

“Why shouldn’t I? You have never attended any of my school programs since I was a baby. My friend’s mother was abroad, but she travel all the way from there just to see her daughter participating. You are my mother, why can’t you do the same for me?” Rebecca asked and started crying.




Her mother moved closer to her feeling ashamed because of what she had said. “I am very sorry for not always been there for you. From now on, no matter how busy I am, I must create a time for my sweet little daughter,” her mother smiled as she wiped off her tears.

“I’m 16 now mum, I’m not little anymore,” Rebecca smiled.
“You are and will always be to me,” her mother smiled back.
Her mother went to her room and left her sitting in the living room.
Some minutes later, she heard Alice and Amira knocking at their door. She opened the door and allowed them.

“Why did you live without any trace?” Amira asked.

“Your name was being called several times so that you will receive your prize, but you were absent,” Alice added.

“I Have a little headache that’s why I left,” Rebecca responded.

“That’s terrible, how do you feel now?” Alice asked.

“I’m much better,” Rebecca responded.

“Here is your prize,” Amira said as she handed the Prize to Rebecca.

“My daughter won a prize?” Prof. Grace asked as she walked out of her room.

“Yes she did,” Amira smiled.

“Good afternoon ma’am” Alice greeted as Prof. Grace got to where they were sitting. “Good afternoon, it’s been a while since you last came here,” Prof. Grace said.
“Oh yes ma’am” Alice replied.

“I hope you are fine,” Prof. Grace asked.

“I’m very fine ma’am,” Alice smirked.

“What was Rebecca’s prize for?” Prof. Grace asked.

“She came second in the hundred metre race for girls, her name was called but she was nowhere to be found,” Amira responded.

“Oh is a good thing that you were there,” Prof. Grace responded.
Prof. Grace went to the empty sofa opposite to them and sat down going through her phone.
“Are you going to Ali’s birthday party?” Amira asked.

“I don’t think so,” Rebecca replied.

“Why not? Didn’t you agree on going with Richard?” Alice asked.

“Not anymore, he is always busy and I’m sick,” Rebecca answered.

“That’s quite bad,” Amira commented. “Indeed it is, we will inform you of everything that happens there,” Alice added.

“I will be grateful if you do that,” Rebecca said.
“Okay, please walk us out, I’m going home,” Alice announced.
“Okay then let’s get going,” Rebecca said, and they all stood up and walked out of the house. Amira and Rebecca walked Alice to the main road where she boarded a taxi home.

“What happened between you and Richard today?” Amira asked on their way back. “Nothing happened,” Rebecca answered. “Why did the two of you leave without any warning, I think something must have happened,” Amira said.

“Believe me, nothing happened,” Rebecca replied.
At that time, they had gotten back to Rebecca’s home.

“Alright dear, I will see you after the party,” Amira announced.
“Okay, when is the party starting?” Rebecca asked.
“By 4 O’clock I think,” Amira replied. “Okay, I wish to hear from you,” Rebecca responded. She walked into the house and headed to her room.
“Rebecca!” her mother called out as she was about to enter her room.
“Yes mum,” she answered and walked back. Prof. Grace opened her purse and gave ten thousand Naira to Rebecca. “Use to this to buy a gift to your friend celebrating his birthday,” Prof. Grace said.
“Really? But I’m no longer going,”Rebecca asked responded.
“I have called Richard, he is on his way here,” Prof. Grace added.
“Thank you so much mum,” Rebecca said as she hugged her mother.
She happily went to her room and started making preparation to leave for the party. She went through her drawer and took out black gown, a black necklace and a black high hill shoe. She went to the bathroom and took a bath before returning to the room put the dress on her.

minutes later, she had finished dressing. She walked to the living room and found Richard sitting on the sofa. The moment their eyes met, they both became lost in the emotion they couldn’t explain. Richard couldn’t take his eyes off Rebecca; everything she was wearing was black including her earrings. It was as if everything she was wearing was opposite the colour of her skin.

She walks slowly towards him feeling nervous.

“Good afternoon,” she greeted Richard.

“Good afternoon,” Richard answered.

“Are you ready to leave?” Prof. Grace asked. “Yes mum,” Rebecca replied.

“Okay, you drive carefully,” Prof. Grace said as she handed Richard the key to her car. “Thank you so much,” Rebecca smiled at mother.

“Don’t mention it, take care of my daughter Richard,” Prof. Grace said.

Rebecca and Richard walked out of the house and headed towards the parked car.

“I have never seen you looking this beautiful,” Richard compliment.

“Thank you,” Rebecca appreciated.

“Is like you are getting prettier every single day,” Richard added.

“Stop flattering me Richard,” Rebecca laughed.
“I’m not flattering you. If I will be asked to choose the most beautiful girl in the world, I will quickly choose you without any hesitation,” Richard said.

“Are you sure? What makes you think I am pretty?” Rebecca asked.
“Your lips, your eyes, your hair, to be precise, everything makes you beautiful,” Richard answered.
Rebecca could not stop looking at Richard; it was really surprising for the both of them that they can say things like that to each other. Amira was behind the flower fencing Prof. Grace’s house.

She had listened to all of their conversation. Even though the words Richard said were not meant for her, she felt so happy to have heard them.

She wanted to talk to the, but she let them be by themselves.
They entered the car and drove out of the school.
“Why do you keep smiling?” Rebecca asked when she noticed Richard’s face.

“Well, that’s my little secret,” Richard replied. “Please tell me,” she said as she pulled his left hand.

“Hey young lady, I am driving,” Richard shouted.

“I will never stop until you tell me why you are happy,” Rebecca laughed.

Richard drove out of the road and stopped the car. “Do you really want to know?” Richard asked looking into her eyes.
“Yes I do,” Rebecca smiled. Richard remained quiet for a moment until Rebecca pulled his arm again.
“I’m happy because of you,” Richard announced. His heart instantly started racing the moment he said that. Despite the fact that he was scared, he could resist the desire within him of telling her how he felt. As for Rebecca, it was the sweetest thing she had ever heard.
For moment she forgot where she was.

“Do you really mean it?” She asked.

“Yes I do. You know students like you are you are very rare to find,” Richard continued.

“Do you think we are still maintaining the teacher and student relationship?” Rebecca asked.

“Yes of course, what relationship do you think exist between us?” Richard asked.

“I don’t know, just keep driving,” Rebecca said releasing his arm.
Richard continued driving the car and moved onto the road. At that monent, Rebecca wished Richard would say she wasn’t just a student to him.

They arrived at a shopping mall where Rebecca said she will buying a gift for Ali. Richard parked the car in the space made for customers. They got down the car together and headed towards the entrance of the mall. “You are welcome,” said the receptionist working at the mall after they have entered the mall.
”
Thank you,” Richard replied.

“Richard replied.

“What would you like to have?” Asked the receptionist.

” Would like to have a wrist watch,” Rebecca responded.

“What? Are you buying a wrist watch for him as the birthday gift?” Richard asked.

“Yes of course, is something wrong?” She asked.

“Is not okay, unless if he is your boyfriend,” Richard said.

“Then what do you suggest I should get to him?” Rebecca smiled.

“How about some perfume?” The receptionist contributed.

“That’s even more romantic,” Richard rejected.
“I will just get the wrist watch,” Rebecca smiled and she was accompanied by the receptionist to the section of the jewelry. About 10 minutes, she returned with two watches.

“Hey, why did you buy two watches?” Richard asked.

“I bought the other one for you,” Rebecca revealed.

“What? We have to return it. You spend money only when something is important,” Richard said as he turned to go back.

“So you think this is not important? Well, if you don’t accept it, I swear will not be going to the party,” Rebecca said.

“Alright, let me have it,” Richard said and collected the watch and put it on his hand right away.

“How does it look on me?” Richard asked.

“It looks amazing,” Rebecca smiled.

“Please take a photo of us,” Rebecca said and handed her phone to the receptionist. She put her hand around Richard’s waist as the reception took their picture. They headed their way out after the pictures.

They were about to enter the car when Rebecca stopped Richard.

“What happened?” Richard asked.

“There is something I would like to ask you,” Rebecca announced.

“What is it you want to ask?” Richard requested.

“Please tell me honestly, why were you thinking about me?” Rebecca asked looking very serious.
Richard was about to reply when she interrupted him.

“Please don’t say is because I am student or whatsoever,” she said. Richard was speechless for a while.

As he looked into her eyes, he felt as if his soul was been consumed. More than ever, she looked very pretty. The way she looked at made him to loss his breath.

“Please tell me what’s on your mind,” she insisted when she noticed his silence.

“I kept thinking about you before I think you are an amazing person. Is like your face has become the theme of my mind. For the past days, I couldn’t take you off my mind even for a second,” Richard answered.

Listening to those words made Rebecca to lose her mind that she could speak no further. “I am sorry, I should not have said something stupid like this to you,” Richard said and quickly tried to open the door to the car.

“I have been thinking about you also, perhaps, more than you do think about me,” Rebecca announced.

Richard could not believe what he had heard. He remained paused with his hand holding the door handle of the car. He slowly turned and looked at her and found her smiling at him.
“Do you really mean what you said?” Richard asked unbelievably.

“Yes I do Richard, I do mean it,” Rebecca responded.
It was a moment of ecstasy for both of them until Amira appeared.

“Hey, so you guys are here,” Amira said behind.
They turned and looked at her feeling somewhat disappointed.

“Oh yes we are,” Rebecca replied.

“I thought you said you are not going to the party,” Amira uttered.

“I have changed my mind,” Rebecca answered.

“That’s great then. So what are you doing here?” Amira asked.

“We come to get Ali a birthday gift,” Rebecca answered.

“Okay please accompany me to the mall too, I want to buy something for him,” Amira requested.

Richard and Rebecca looked at each other of a while.

“Is okay I can go alone,” Amira smile.

“No she will accompany you,” Richard replied. “Okay, we will be back soon,” Rebecca said as she proceeded to hold Amira’s hand.

 


pls pardon any typographical Errors
_________________________________
Story_Continues
______________ ____ __________

The pink clouds

#Episode_14

 

 

Richard, Rebecca and Amira drove to the party. The party was taking place in Ali’s home. It was a 2 storey building made up of white and brown bricks, and it was surrounded by a thick fence. Close to the fence, were short flowers planted in rows. Richard was so amazed by how big the building was.

“Is this really where Ali is living?” Richard asked surprisingly.

“Yes of course, have you forgotten when I told you that his father is the richest man in this town?” Rebecca asked.
“I thought you were kidding,” Richard replied. “That’s why I like him, he will never show you that he is from a rich family,” Rebecca explained.

“That’s why you like him?” Richard retorted. “Stop interpreting me with something else, I don’t mean in a romantic way,” she laughed. “What if she does like him in a romantic way?” Amira asked.

“Well, then I will say he is the luckiest man in the planet,” Richard said.

At the time, they have arrived the gate of the house. When the security guard noticed how expensive their car was, the opened the gate for them without any question.
The party was taking place in the compound of the house. When they drove into the house, everyone turned and started looking at them.

Richard drove the car and parked it in a parking space where every cars was parked. Rebecca and Amira walked down before Richard could turn off the engine.

“You should proceed to the party, I have something to ask Richard,” Rebecca said to Amira.

“Okay,”


Amira said and proceeded to the party. Rebecca walked to the driver’s door and waited for Richard to come down.
After he had turn of the engine he walked down from the car. Everyone was still looking at them because they both wore black matching clothes. As they walk to the crowd, Rebecca held Richard’s right with two of her hand and leaned with her head against his shoulder. His heart instantly started beating faster and he stopped walking.
“Everyone is looking at us,” Richard said. Let them look at us,” she said without bothering to look into his eyes. Richard started walking slowly towards the party ground feeling somewhat shy.
He was very surprised because he never thought Rebecca would be able to that. He had never doubted if something was a dream or reality until that time.

When they got to the party ground, she released his hand and went to her friends. The party was taking place in squared garden fenced with short flowers.
The ground was covered with soft carpet grasses. There were four speakers placed at every corner of the garden playing music. “You are welcome,” someone said behind Richard.
When he turned, he noticed that it was Ali. “Thank you,” Richard smiled as he turned. “You know even though is my party, you guys have totally killed it,” Ali. “Killed it? I don’t think so,” Richard replied even though he dying of happiness within him.
“Of course you have you, what do you think Dane?” Ali aksed the person next to Richard. “They are the best couples in this party so far,” the boy smiled.
“Please don’t misunderstand the relationship between us, am just a tutor to her,” Richard said.

“We are not kids Richard,” Ali and the boy laughed. “Hey, aren’t you going to dance?” Ali asked Richard. “No I don’t think I can dance,” Richard replied. “No you have to dance,” Ali said as he pulled his hand towards the centre of the garden where people were dancing. “I suck at dancing, I will just end up embarrassing myself,” Richard pulled out his hand. “If you are not you are not going to dance, I am going ask Rebecca to dance with me,” Ali teased. “Oh you can do that,” Richard laughed. Richard went to the extreme of the garden and sat down on a chair watching as others were dancing. Rebecca and her friends were also at the extreme of the garden opposite to Richard.

Ali


walked to Rebecca and asked if he could dance with her. Rebecca looked up and saw Richard staring at them. Despite Richard acted like he didn’t care he became totally worried when he saw Ali talking to Rebecca. He became scared that she might agree to dance with him. When Rebecca noticed how worried Richard was, she suddenly had the feeling that Richard doesn’t want her to dance. “No I can’t,” she replied shaking her head. “Why not?” Ali asked. “I am not just in the mood of dancing,” she replied. “Is it because of Richard?” Ali asked. “Yes it is,” Rebecca replied and turned her back towards Ali. “Oh my God, that’s quite unexpected,” Ali said surprisingly. She always get angry when he teased her of dating someone. It had been so until she warned him seriously not do it again or she will stop talking to him. The fact she conceded to Richard meant that something had really changed. “I can say no more,” Ali said and turned with a smile. “You really are in love with Richard,” Alice to Rebecca after Ali had left. “Yes I am,” Rebecca smiled. “Is pretty obvious, she can no longer deny it,” Amira laughed.
Richard was so relieved when he noticed that Rebecca didn’t agree to dance with Ali. He watched Ali with smile as he walked to him. “So you trust your girl that’s why you didn’t bother when I said I will dance with her,” Ali said after he had gotten to where Richard was. “My girl? Who could that be?” Richard asked. “You don’t even know how to act. You know, this is this first time Rebecca has conceded to like someone,” Ali announced. “Really?” Richard asked surprisingly. “Yes of course, so you don’t have to pretend, I am aware of what is going on between you now,” Ali said. “Did she said she like me?” Richard asked interestingly. “I asked her why she won’t dance with me, and she said is all because of you,” Ali revealed. “Are you serious?” Richard asked. “Of course I am, you can ask her friends if you don’t believe me,” Ali said. Richard felt so warm within him.
Throughout the party, Richard’s attention was on Rebecca. He kept looking looking at her as she talked and laughed with her friends. At some they will looked at each other for while, and she will look away with a smile. All that he wished for at that moment was for the party to be over so that he will tell her how he feels. He kept looking at until her friends noticed it. “Can see how he has been looking at you?” Alice asked. “Yeah I have noticed it,” Amira responded. “Perhaps, you should go and meet him,” Alice suggested. “No, they will talk after the party,” Amira replied. “Oh come on, can’t you see her sweetheart is dying to see her?” Alice said jokingly. “Oh really? I almost forgot that she has a sweetheart,” Amira laughed. “That’s the very reason why I don’t want to tell you something like this, I know you will keep making fun of me,” Rebecca said angrily. “Okay, we will not make fun of you again,” Alice said.

At about 6 pm, the party ended. Richard went to Rebecca and her friends as everyone was leaving. “You won’t take our friend away from us, she must accompany me to the main road to get a taxi,” Alice said. “Is okay, I will be waiting for her here,” Richard answered. “Hey I was just kidding, you can come along with us,” Alice. “Why shouldn’t we just drop you at home with the car?” Richard asked. “Is okay, you don’t have to bother,” Alice assured. Richard, Rebecca, Amira and Alice headed to the gate of the house. As they walked out of the house, Rebecca held Richard’s hand again. They walked out of the house and headed towards the main road where they will get a taxi for Alice. They walked their way, Janet suddenly came out from Riskat’s cousin’s house along with Riskat. Janet could not believe it when she saw Rebecca holding Richard’s hand. It explained why he had been acting weird lately. She instantly felt like she was pierced with a spear through her chest. “Richard!” Janet shouted unbelievably. Richard quickly let go of Rebecca’s hand when he turned and saw Janet .

Janet ‘s knees became so weak that they could no longer support her. She fell on ground and started crying. Richard quickly ran to and held her to lift her up. “Let me go you insolent fool,” Janet said pulling her hands out of his hands. “Please let me explain,” Richard tried to cajole her. “You have nothing to say to me, I don’t want to ever see your face again,” Janet cried. She stood up and ran back to Riskat’s cousin’s house. Richard tried to go after her but was stopped by Riskat. “Don’t even think of going after her. I really regreted telling her to trust you,” Riskat said and turned and left Richard standing alone. Richard became altogether confused and could think of what to do. When he turned, he found Rebecca and her friends to be gone. When he ran to the main road, he found the 3 of them entering a taxi. He tried to stop them, but Rebecca told the taxi driver not stop and they drove away. Richard ran back to Ali’s home and drove out the car he came with and drove fast after them. After the taxi driver dropped Alice at her home, it turned and headed towards the university. Richard drove slowly after the taxi which was a small Honda. After the got into the university, Richard drove faster and got home before them.

Some


few minutes later, Rebecca and Amira arrived. As soon as they walked down the taxi, Richard ran to them. “Why did you refuse to stop when I was calling you?” Richard asked. “I don’t know, maybe you should ask my old self that used to respect you,” Rebecca replied as she walked without even looking at him. Richard became confused and could not think of a word to say. He watched as both of them walked to their homes. “What happened?” Prof. Grace asked when she saw the anger on Rebecca’s as she walked to her room. “Nothing mum,” Rebecca replied as she opened the door to her room. She lied on her bed and cover her face with her pillow and started crying. She had never felt so painful and heartbroken in her in entire life until that moment. She regret why she had known Richard and why she thought even thought he could be hers. As her mother stood up to go her room, she heard Richard coming. She waited for him wanting to hear some explanations from him. “What happened to Rebecca?” The professor asked. “She had a fight with her friend,” Richard lied. “That’s terrible, that had never happened before,” Pro. Grace said. “Really?” Richard asked surprisingly.
“Yes, but is not strange since they are all growing up,” Rebecca’s mother said. “Yes,” Richard replied.

Richard went to his dormitory and discovered that it had run out of power. Even though he had not eaten since in the afternoon, he wasn’t on his right mind to feel hungry. He walked into his room and lied on the bed alone in the dark. He kept thinking about what happened and how he set everything back into order. He lied in the room for than three hours until he finally got himself together to have something to eat. Due to the fact that he was so hungry, he decided to one of the restaurants close to the dormitory and eat even though he didn’t like their foods. He changed into a white long robe and walked out of his room. He walked for some minutes before arriving at the restaurant. As soon as he sat down, he received a call from Paul. He requested for where he was and Richard told him. About 15 minutes later, Paul arrived at the restaurant.

“Janet


has told me everything,” Paul said. “What did she tell you?” Richard asked. “It doesn’t matter what she told, I thought I was the bad guy, but I was wrong,” Paul replied. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Richard replied. “You have no idea how she loves you. If you knew it was going to turn like this, why did you take the relationship so seriously from the beginning?” Paul asked. Richard became and did not reply. “You better think twice, what you did to this girl is not right,” Paul continued. “Even if I lie with my lips, I can do that with my heart,” Richard replied. “Are you really serious with that professor’s daughter?” Paul asked. Richard kept again with no reply. “You better stop what you are doing right now before you will make things more complicated,” Paul said. “I will be leaving now,” Paul said and left him.

It was around 2 am, and Rebecca could not sleep. She kept thinking about Richard and the girl she saw. The fact that he left and went after the girl meant that he really cared for the girl more than he cared for her she thought. She kept changing position on the bed as she couldn’t sleep. Her eyes were in pain because she had cried for hours. She wished all that happened was in a dream. She stood up and went to the living room and turn on the TV and started watching it. She watched for hours until she finally fell asleep in the living room. In the morning, her mother asked her up. “Did you sleep here?” Her mother asked surprisingly. She maintained silence with uttering a single word. “Tell me, Rebecca, what’s bothering you?” Her mother asked. She tried to control her but didn’t know when she instantly burst into tears. Her mother became so worried she saw her crying. “Please tell me what’s happening,” her mother requested curiously. Rebecca stood up and ran to her room and locked the door. She wished she could share what was feeling with her, but she was also worried about what situation she will put Richard into if she reveals everything. She was scared she would not be able to see him anymore.

Her mother stood and went to Amira’s home and knocked at their room. “Good morning Ma’am,” Amira greeted after she had opened the door. “How are you?” Prof. Grace asked as she walked it. “I am fine,” Amira replied as she walked after her. Prof. Grace walked into the living room and met Amira’s father sitting on the sofa. “Good morning Madam,” he greeted her. “Good morning sir,” she answered. “How are your children?” Amira’s father asked. “They are doing okay, how about you?” She questioned as she sat on the sofa opposite him. “They are okay as you can see,” he said as he looked at Amira’s little sister who was sitting beside him. “We thank God for that,” Prof. Grace smiled. Amira’s mother who was in the kitchen cooking breakfast heard their voices and came to the living room. “Good morning madam,” she greeted Prof. Grace. “Good morning, how are you?” Prof. Grace asked. “I am fine, it’s been a while since you last visited us,” Amira’s mother smiled. “Oh yes, you know we have gone mid-way through the semester now, things have gotten busier than they actually were,” Rebecca’s mother said. “I see, so how is Rebecca and Emmanuel?” Amira’s mother asked. “Emmanuel is fine, but I can’t figure out what’s wrong with Rebecca,” Prof. Grace said. “What’s wrong with her? She is sick or something?” Amira’s mother asked. “I don’t think so, she locked her self in the room and kept crying. I asked her several times, but she refused to tell me what’s wrong,” she complained. “That’s bad, do you know what is wrong with her?” Amira’s mother asked as she turned to Amira. “No mum, but I will talk to her,” she replied and ran out of the house.

arrived at Rebecca’s door and knocked at it. “Open the door, is me,” Amira said. Rebecca stood up from her bed and opened the door for her. “Oh my God, I thought everything was over yesterday,” Amira said. “I must be stupid, I could not stop myself from crying over him,” Rebecca replied. “No Rebecca, you are not. You just love him so much that’s why you couldn’t control yourself,” Amira answered. “I really hate myself for loving him,” Amira said. “You know what?” Amira asked. “What?” Rebecca wanted to know. “I think you should still go for him,” Amira said. “What? After everything he had done to me?” Rebecca asked. “Tell exactly what he has done to you,” Amira said. “Stop asking me this stupid question as if you aren’t aware,” Rebecca said angrily. “Just tell me, okay?” Amira answered. “He is a cheat, he broke my heart more than anyone has ever done,” Rebecca said angrily. “The question we didn’t ask ourselves yesterday was if he had been with that girl right before he met you. It can be possible that they have been together before he met you and then fall in love with you after he met you,” Amira replied. “Do you think he likes me?” Rebecca asked. “I am hundred per cent about that, you should give a chance to explain himself,” Amira advised. Rebecca became very relieved upon hearing that. It was like she looking for an excuse to forgive him. “I think you are right,” Rebecca smiled.



To_be_Continued

The
PINK CLOUDS


Episode_15

 

 

Richard woke up around 11 am because he couldn’t sleep the night before. He woke up with a terrible headache and hunger. He sat on his bed for minutes before he stood and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth. After he was done brushing, he went back to the room. As soon as he finished sat down
Paul walked into the room. Richard turned and saw Paul looking so worried more than ever. “What happened?” Richard asked perplexingly. “Don’t tell me you don’t know,” Paul said. “I just woke up, I don’t know what is going on,” Richard replied. “Janet is dead,” Paul replied. “You must be kidding, right?” Richard asked. “Have i ever joked with you about something like this? And does it seems like I am kidding you?” Paul replied. Richard could still not believe what Paul was telling him. “Why don’t you go take a look online? Her death is all over the school media,” Paul continued. Richard ran to his phone that was charging close to his and unplugged it. The instant he unlocked the phone, he found an update about her from the school website. He visited the website for more details where is stated that he was responsible for her death because she committed suicide after he had dumped her.

Richard suddenly started feeling dizzy. His heart started beating faster and he became totally scared. “Why would she kill herself?” Richard asked. “Didn’t I warn you from the beginning? Now looked what you have caused,” Paul said. “I really didn’t mean for any of these to happen,” Richard said. “I know,” Paul replied. “I still don’t believe this,” Richard said as he stood. He ran out of the room and boarded a taxi to Janet ‘s dormitory. Upon arriving, he noticed many people there which was proof that something definitely happened. He walked slowly towards the crowd with his heart beating faster. He wished it was all a prank planned to scare him for what he did. When he got closer to the crowd, Riskat ran out and slapped him. “Why are you doing here you murderer? You don’t feel ashamed of coming here. Your wickedness is quite astonishing. I wish God would burn you in hell,” Riskat cried and the rest of the people came and held her back. Tears started falling from Richard’s eyes without him realising. Ever since he was born, there had never been words that hurt him that much.
.
He slowly turned and walked away from the crowd and went back to his room. As soon as he sat down, his phone started ringing. He removed the phone from his pocket and noticed that it was Prof. Grace calling him. Out of guilt, Richard could not pick up her call, because it was clearly stated in the news that Janet committed suicide because Richard was dating her daughter. The Prof. Called about three times until she gave up when Richard was not answering. About 10 minutes later, his elder sister started calling him also. He then presumed that she must have also heard the news. Again, he couldn’t pick up his sister’s call. She had worked very hard to get into the university. She had warned him seriously when he was coming not to get involved in any trouble. And with what happened, he couldn’t gain the courage to talk to his sister. He felt so guilty that despite how she worked hard, everything would go in vain.
He later received a message from his sister asking him to come home immediately for the have something important to discuss. Richard totally scared upon reading the message. He quickly removed his sim card from his and destroyed it. He felt it was the right thing to do at that moment. He remained in his room until in the late evening. When he went out, he found out that he was the topic of discussion in the whole school. People kept talking about how evil he was for breaking Janet’s heart. He went to one of the restaurants close to his campus to eat something, but the owner insulted him and said she will never sell him any of her things again. Things got more complicated for Richard after that. He was rejected by the whole world including his best friend. He wished he could have someone to talk to, somewhere home he could tell how he was feeling at the time. He suddenly felt like the whole school had become a hell for him. At last, he made the decision of leaving the school to somewhere where no one could ever find him

In




the night around 8 pm, Richard gathered all his clothes and put them in his travelling bag. He hurriedly walked out of the room so that his roommates won’t meet him. He walked to a cab close to his dormitory and boarded it. “Where should I take you?” The can driver asked after he started the engine of the car. Richard remained quiet for a moment, because he hadn’t come up with a place to go. “Excuse Mister, are you with me?” The cab driver asked noticing Richard’s silence. “Just take me to the bus station,” Richard uttered at last.
The driver drove out of the the campus, and soon, they were driving on the highway. As the car was moving, Richard thought about Janet and the night they got into trouble at the club. He remembered how she happily talked to him and the love she showed him. She instantly started crying unable to restrain himself. When the driver noticed Richard, he instantly stopped moving. “What is wrong with you?” Asked the driver sympathetically. Richard kept crying and couldn’t utter a single word. “Did something happened to you?” The driver inquired again. “No, is nothing,” Richard moved his lips finally. The driver continued to drive and drove for about 30 minutes before arriving at the bus station.

“How much should I pay?” Richard requested. “500 Naira,” He mentioned. Richard opened his wallet and paid the driver. He drove immediately he was paid.Richard dragged his bag slowly as he walked into the bus station. The bus station was fenced with rough building blocks that seemed to be almost collapsing. It has two openings, each of which is used for entering and existing the bus station. Even though the openings were supposed to have gates or some sort of doors, they were empty. He began to think of where to go apart from home, because he won’t dare show himself to his sister.

When he got into the bus station, he looked around and noticed how the burses were arranged in rows. Some of the burses were big, while some of them were small. There were several small restaurants and shops located at the extreme of the bus station. “Do you need to buy a bread?” Came a little voice behind Richard. When he turned, he noticed that a little girl that barely 6 years old Hawking breads. The breads were arranged on big circular tray which she was carrying on her head. She was wearing a white dress that seemed to have lost it colour.
He looked around the bus station and noticed that there were similar kids of age Hawking all sort of things. “Aren’t you too young to sell things on your own?” Richard asked the little. “No I’m not,” the little girl smiled revealing the gaps in her teeth.
“Where are your shoes?” He asked after noticing that she was bare footed. “I don’t have any” she replied. “Why don’t you use the money you earn to buy yourself shoes?” He questioned. “I don’t really earn enough, and we use the money to food,” the little answered.

At that moment, Richard remembered his sister and appreciated how hard she worked so that they could live a better life. She had to give up school and get married so that he and his younger sister could get a place to live. She had to wake up early in the morning every day to go her shop in the market that about 3 kilometers away from where they live. She used the money she earn and pay for their school fees.
“Here, let me have a loaf please,” Richard said giving girl one thousand Naira. She brought down the tray she was carrying and handed him the loaf he requested. “No keep the change, buy yourself a shoe” he said when she tried to give him his change. “Really?” The little asked super excitedly. Richard responded by noding his head with a smile on his face. “Thank you so much sir,” she happily said. She took the rest of the bread and left the bus station.

There
was a sign board placed at the top of every bus indicating where the bus would travel to. Richard walked around the station trying to decide which bus to board. At last, he decided to go to Porthacort because he once heard his friends talking about how nice the place was. He walked to the bus and found it to be empty. He walked to the driver’s door and knocked at the window. “How may I help you?” Asked the driver. “I thought this bus is leaving to Porthacort,” Richard replied. “It is, but it usually depart at midnight,” the bus driver informed. “If you still have unfinished business, you can go and attend to them before is time,” he added. “Is okay,” Richard answered.
He tried to walked away with his bag when he told him that he can leave it there. “Are you sure is okay of I leave it here?” He asked. “Yes, I will put it in the trunk,” replied the driver. “You need not to worry,’ he added. “Thank you,” Richard replied.
He walked to one of the shops and bought a chilled bottled drink before going the bus. “Are you done already?” The driver asked. “Yes, can I please sit in the bus? Because I’m so exhausted,”. “You can come in, the door is not locked,” the bus driver replied. Richard walked into the bus and sat on the last sit. He brought out the bread he bought from the little and stared eating it with the bottled drink. After he was done eating, he leaned his head against the window and started thinking about how messed his life was. At some point, he felt terrified of the decision he made feeling like running away to a place he never knew anyone was a huge mistake. But when he remembered about Janet and how people were angry at him, he decided it was the best thing to do. He remained in that condition until he finally fell asleep.

At about 11 pm, pessenger to Porthacort started arriving. At about 11:45 pm, they got so many that their notice waked Richard from his sleep. And by 12 am, the bus was already full. The driver’s assistant went around the bus and collected the fee from each and every passenger. And some few minutes after midnight, they began their journey

Throughout their journey in the night, Richard couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about Janet and regretted everything he had done. Around 5 am, he finally fell asleep.

Around 7 am, the bus finally arrived Port Harcourt. “Wake up, we have arrived,” the passenger sitting next to him touched him on the shoulder.

Richard opened his eyes and stretched his arms a bit. “It seems like you’ve had a nice sleep,” the man said. “Not really,” Richard answered.

“Are you sick?” The man asked. “No I’m okay,” Richard replied reluctantly. The man stopped talking when he noticed that the expression on Richard’s face.
minutes later, they arrived at the bus station where the bus will stop.
“Who is dropping here before we will proceed to the bus station?” The assistant driver announced.
Most of the passenger started coming down from the bus. When Richard noticed that, he thought of doing the same thing. He walked down from the bus and proceeded to the trunk and waited for his bag to be brought down.

The


bus drove into the bus station some few minutes later.
Soon, they were approached by motorcycle taxi drivers asking for where they will go. It was then that Richard started regretting why he fled to a place he had no one. He could have gone to back home and live with his friends without his sister discovering that he is back, he thought. “Where are you going to?” Asked one of the motorcycle riders. “Actually, I’m waiting for a friend to pick me up,” responded Richard. “Oh that’s good,” he replied.
minutes later, everyone was gone leaving Richard all by himself. He looked around the city and noticed it was so big and goes as far as he can see. There were many vehicles on the highway moving with a very high speed. Beside the highway were shops arranged in rows selling all sorts of things. Many people gathered around one of the shops that sold clothes. Richard thought if he hadn’t used half of his money on the bus, he could have bought a shirt too.

He stood in his position for about minutes before he finally decided to move. He crossed the highway and went to a local restaurant situated right in the middle of shops. Unlike the rest of the buildings, the restaurant was a big but with two coconut trees above it. There several plastic tables and chairs in it arranged in favour of the customers. Richard walked to the restaurant dragging his travelling bag along side him. “Good morning sir,” Richard greeted a woman who seemed to be the owner of the restaurant. “Good morning, you are welcome sir,” the woman answered. “Would you please sit down” the woman said pointing at an empty chair next to Richard.

“What can I get you?” The woman asked after Richard had sat down. “Anything,” Richard barely responded. “Is anything wrong?” She asked when she noticed the impression on Richard’s face. “No is okay, I’m just having a little headache because I didn’t sleep last night,” Richard replied. “That’s really terrible, and it seems like you are travelling despite the fact that you are sick,”.” Actually, I have just arrived at this place, I was in a car throughout last night, that’s why I couldn’t sleep,” Richard replied. “Well, you will need to rest after your meal, your headache is nothing but exhaustion,” the woman smiled. “I think so,” Richard said trying to fake a smiled.

She proceeded to a small kitchen that built behind the hut some few meters away. It was built of zinc roofing sheet. The zinc sheets were all black due to the constant used of firwoods for cooking. “The woman came back with two plates and kept it on the table for Richard. It was a pounded yam and ” egusi” soup on the plate. The instant the food was dropped in front of him, he started eating ravenously like he had never eaten before. The woman turned in surprise and watched how Richard was eating. When Richard noticed that he was being observed by the woman, he adjusted his speed and started eating slowly. “Enjoy your meal,” the woman said before proceeding to the next customer.
By the she returned to Richard, he was almost done with his food. “You are not from here, aren’t you?” The woman asked.
“No I’m not,” Richard answered. “But if you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?” The woman asked. Richard remained quiet without replying to the her question. “Is okay, you don’t need to disclose that to me,” the woman smiled. “How much is the food?” Richard asked. “Is 1000 naira,” came her answer.

Richard was so shocked by how exorbitant the food. He thought it was just a local restaurant and her food is not going to be expensive. Left with no choice, he brought out one thousand Naira from his pocket and paid the woman.”Thank you,” she replied and attended another customer. Richard remained sitter there for some minutes until there was no more empty sit for other customers to sit. Left with no option, he stood up from the the sit and walked out the restaurant.

He walked around the city for hours until it was finally evening. He was extremely tired and hungry and felt any moment if he continues to walk. At that time, he arrived at the slummy part of the city. He saw a tree with a lot of garbage disposed around it. He decided to go under the tree and rest. There are bushes around the tree; because of that, it was isolated around people. He got to the tree, the smell around it was so heavy that he stand it.

As he turned to leave the place, he suddenly found himself surrounded by some thugs. By simply looking at the way they dressed, he knew things would not turn out good for him. He turned around and still found someone behind him. “If you one to leave this place in one piece, hand over everything you have,” one of the boys said. “Please I beg you, this all that I have and I am not from this place,” Richard pleaded. “It seems like you have come to the wrong place at the wrong time,” replied one of the boys.

Richard kept pleading to the extend that one of the boys took out a little knife and stabbed him in the stomach. He felt he has never felt before and blood started oozing out. He placed his hand his on where he was stabbed in order to reduce the flow of the blood. At that moment, the thought of Janet came to him. He thought maybe it was a punishment from God for what he did to her. They searched his body and removed all the money he had. They threw out the papers they found in his travelling bag and walked away from the place. Richard started feeling dizzy due to the amount of blood he lost.


“How is he doing?” Asked deep male voice. “He is doing better,” replied another female voice. “You should inform me when he wakes up,” the man instructed. “Alright sir,” replied the woman. Richard heard the footsteps of the man walking away. He thought everything was a dream. His eyes were heavier than ever. But at last, he finally opened them. He found himself lying on a small sick bed with an intravenous drip attached to his hand. He felt the intensity of the pain in his lower right abdomen that he couldn’t even move properly.

Episode 15 continuation

He looked around and he discovered that he was in a hospital. It was a huge hall with over 50 sick beds arranged in rows. It was so crowded with people most of which they come to visit the sick people. Some of them were sitting on chairs, some were sitting by the edge of the beds while some were standing. As far as Richard could remember, he had always hated going to hospitals. The smell of the environment always make him sick. At that moment, he was still wondering if he was dreaming or not. He looked at the bedsheet on his bed and discovered that it has completely faded. He inhaled deeper in to smell it and he quickly turned his head away.
“You are finally awake,” came a voice behind him. He turned and discovered that it was an elderly nurse standing behind him. They moment he saw her, he was suddenly remember what happened to him before he passed out. “Good afternoon,” Richard greeted her. “Is still morning actually,” the nurse replied. “I’m sorry, good morning,” Richard greeted. “Is okay, how are you feeling now?” She questioned. “Not so good,” Richard replied sensing his pain. “Is okay, it get better in few days,” the nurse replied.
About 30 minutes later, two women came to him. It was the woman he met in the restaurant with her friend. Richard tried to sit up when he saw them approaching his bed, but the unbearable pain couldn’t allow. “Please lie down, you should for the doctor’s instruction before you do anything,” the woman said. Richard stopped attemping to sit and watched as the women got closer to him. “How are you feeling now?” The woman asked. “I am doing better,” Richard smiled. “Do you remember me?” The woman asked. “Yes, I think I stopped at your restaurant yesterday,” Richard replied. “Yesterday?” The woman asked. Before Richard could reply, the doctor came to observe him. The woman and her friend stepped by and watched as he was being examined.
“Why are you here?” The woman asked after the doctor had left. “Something terrible happened at home, I can’t go back,” Richard replied. “What is that happened that you can’t go back?” The woman asked. “Someone died because of me, and everybody blames me that,” Richard replied. “You shouldn’t have run away, your mother will be very worried,” the woman said. “My mother?” Richard asked confusingly. “Yes, your mother. I know you will be surprised that we know her,” the woman said. He became more confused when she said that thinking they had mistaken with another person.
“We went to the same secondary school with your mother in Lagos 25 years. We were roommates and best friends at that time until she disappeared one night without a trace in our final year,” her friend announced. “When you were attacked three days ago, there was an announcement in my neighborhood asking for knew you. When they showed me your family pictures they found in your documents, I instantly recognize your mother; I never thought i would see her again,” the woman smiled.
“Do you really know my mother?’ Richard asked. “Yes we know her. She Full name was Mary Simon,” the other woman replied. Became quiet for a moment. It was obviously clear that they knew mother. Suddenly, tears started dropping from Richard’s eyes. “What’s wrong?” They asked worriedly. “My mother died some years back,” Richard revealed.

The moment they heard Richard said that, the smiles on their faces faded. “Are you really telling us the truth?” They doubted. “I wouldn’t be here if she was still alive. She died with my dad in a car accident when I was little,” Richard explained. Suddenly, tears started dropping from their eyes. “You know for all these years, we have been expecting to see her one day,” the woman finally uttered. “The last time we saw her was 25 years ago. The three of us used to be best friends at time, we wondered why she disappeared without saying goodbye,” the other woman said.

“Actually, it was her fault. Her father used to serve in the military. He got posted to different place and he took my mother and moved with her,” Richard announced. “Really?” They both asked. “I can’t remember the story in detail, my sister knows much of it,” Richard continued. “So where do you guys live now?” The first woman asked. “We live in Okene, from kogi state,” Richard replied. “That’s okay, we will leave you to rest,” the woman said. And the left him heart brokenly.

Richard was left alone on the sick bed with no one to talk. Many memories came to him as he was lying. He thought about his childhood when his parents were still alive and how he played with his sisters. He wish he would go back in time to those moment. At that moment, he gave up all his ambitions of becoming something in the future. He thought his future was already ruined. He was being checkpoint by the nurses on some intervals.

Later in the night, the hospital was dark because there was no electricity. This is going to be the worst night of my life, Richard thought. He could hear the sounds of mosquitoes going around the hospital in the dark. If there was any he hated most in his life, it would be the sounds of mosquitoes. He felt as if he was buried in a grave.

Around 8 pm in the night, the woman from the restaurant came to check on Richard. He was extremely happy when he saw her walking towards his bed. “Good evening,” he greeted her as she approached. “How are you feeling now?” She asked. ‘Much better, but I’m extremely thirsty,” Richard answered. “You have to endure it, the doctor said you can’t drink anything until tomorrow,” the woman mentioned. “Yes, the nurse has already told me that,” Richard replied.

She sat on chair next to him and placed her hand on his forehead feeling his temperature. “Your body temperature has dropped, unlike in the morning,” she said. “Yes,” he uttered. “I brought you a blanket and some mosquito coils, I thought you might be needing it,” she announced. “I will very much appreciate it,” Richard said happily. She lighted two of the mosquito coils and put them below his bed. “I’m sorry I can’t spend the night here, I will be here first thing in the morning before I go to work,” she announced. “Is okay, you have done quite much for me,” Richard replied


About a week later, Richard was finally getting discharge from the hospital. He woke up the next morning think about how he could persuade the women on staying. They told him the night before that they would take him back to his family. He woke up early in the morning and sat on his sick. There wasn’t any Sign of sleep in his eyes.

He looked at the beside him and saw little boy lying on it. His mother had been sitting beside him for the whole without any sleep. It remained him of the last he had a fever when he was 13 years. His two sister spent the night in the clinic with taken care of him. At that time, a thought came that women are more caring than men. He looked around the hospital and noticed that most of the relatives of the sick people that spent the night there were woman.

“So you are up,” the mother of the little boy said. “Oh yes I couldn’t sleep any longer,” Richard replied. “How are you feeling now?” She asked. “I’m doing much better now,” he replied. “I have some food here with me, I brought it to my son yesterday, but he couldn’t eat it because he was sick,” the woman offered. “I would eat it,” Richard smiled. She brought a small food flask that’s she kept beside the bed and handed Richard. When he opened the flask, he observed that it a friend egg and some potato chips. “Thank you,” Richard uttered. “You are welcome,” the woman replied. “I heard the doctor saying you will be discharged today,” the woman said. “Oh yes I’m finally getting discharged,” Richard smiled. “How long have you been here?” She asked. “A week I think,” Richard replied. “You have been here quite long,” she said.

“Oh yes, I had surgery and doctors have to monitor me, that’s why I couldn’t go,”he explained.” Did you had an appendix?” She asked. “Not really, I was stabbed by the thugs,” Richard replied.

“That’s really terrible, that’s why you should always heed to your mother’s instructions. You should be careful with the people you interact, the world is not safe anymore,” she said. “I will be more careful from on,” Richard responded. They talked for hours until it was 7 am when his mother’s friends arrived.
The instant he saw them, he began wondering what lie to tell.

“How are you feeling now?” They asked after they had arrived his place. “I’m doing much better now,” Richard smiled. “I’m really grateful for your help, I can’t really thank you enough,” he added. “Is okay, you are lucky to have us; why did you even move here without knowing anybody in the first place?” The woman working at the restaurant asked. “I have to leave home because things aren’t good there,” Richard uttered. “And this is the first place I thought of because I heard there are plenty job opportunities here,” Richard added.

The women looked at each other before they boh looked at him again. “Don’t have work to do there back at home?” “I’m not in quite good relationship with my sister, that’s why I left; but I will go back to her when she starts missing me,” Richard lied. “No, this is not righ, your parents are death, you need to stick together as a family,” the woman insisted.

“Please, allow me to stay here until she can forgive me in the future. I did something terrible to her, and I don’t think she will forgive me anything soon,” Richard said as tears dropped from his eyes. “Whatever it is that you did to her, I absolutely sure she will forgive you,” the woman said. “Let’s allow him to stay, he can leave when he’s fully recovered,” the other woman said.
“If you stay here, what will you do? Can’t you see that you already an adult?” The first woman asked. “Well, since this place is a big city, I plan on working here,” Richard replied. “Well, I will let you see for yourself,” she replied.

At about 10 am, Richard was to be discharged from the hospital. He folded the blanket they brought to him and held it in arms. “Let me have that,” one of the women said and collected the blanket from him. They walked out of the hospital and boarded a tricycle that will take them home. “Let me honest with you, none of us here is Richard, we are just managing with our lives. Are you sure you want stay here?” The first woman asked. “Yes I’m sure,” Richard nodded. “This is the right chance for you go to your family, because my last savings to pay for your transportation,” the woman mentioned. Richard remained quiet for a moment. “You are leaving, right?” She asked.

Richard replied by shaking his head. “Is okay, don’t come and regret it later,” she smiled. “If you are going to stay with me, there is something I would like you to know,” the woman announced. Richard looked at her waiting to heard what she will say. “My husband is not fond of people, and he’s pretty aggressive,” the woman revealed. “I’m okay with that,” Richard responded. “Is okay, I will see how you would handle that,” she smiled.

____

Story continues

The Pink Clouds


Episode_16

 

 

The vehicle moved deep in to the slummy area before it finally arrived at where the women live. The houses the area were built close to one another with little space between. The place was so noisy with little children running up and down. Beside the narrow road, were women selling sorts of foods. Some of them were frying akra (baked beans), yam and potatoes; while others were rusting corns on stove filled with red burning coals. Behind the women were tiny shops that were filled with all sorts of things.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at their destination. It was a very big building divided into segments. Each segment has 2 rooms and is occupied by at least one family. They were 20 segments all together, and there were five toilets situated opposite the building for the residents. With 20 families living in the building, it was filled with noise with many children doing all sorts of things, and it was almost impossible for a family to have a privacy.

Richard began to imagine how living would look be like. He knew diseases can easily spread there with such crowd. But no matter how worse living there will be, he thought is still better than facing his sister. They walked down from the tricycle and headed towards the big building. “This is where I live,” the woman working in the restaurant revealed. “Oh is not bad,” Richard replied. “In what type of building do you live with your sisters?” She asked. “Well, our parents used to have a house before they died and we used to live there before my sister got married,” Richard replied. “Do you mean you live in your parents house?” She asked. “No, we live in the house my sister’s husband retented. Our house is not occupied by anyone,” Richardso explained. “That means you are quite rich since you even own a house,”. “Not really, the house is the only thing we inherited from our parents,” Richard smiled. “Okay, I think I will go home from here,” the other woman said. “Is okay, I will meet you later,” replied the woman working at the restaurant.
They arrived at her section and were about to enter when her neighbour came out. “Mama Ruth, do you have a visitor?” The neighbour asked. “Oh yes, he was the boy I was telling you about,” Mama Ruth replied. “Oh dear, how are you feeling now?” The neighbour asked sympathetically. “I’m feeling much better now,” Richard replied. “I hope you would recover soon,” she prayed. “Oh thank you ma’am,” Richard answered.
After they were done talking, they walked into the House. It has a very tiny living that almost half of it was filled by the 2 small sofas in it. The sofas were old and worn out. Some parts of them had even torn. Opposite the living room were two small doors to the rooms of the house. “Please sit down,” Mama Ruth instructed and Richard sat down on one of the sofa. He looked at the wall and noticed her family photos hung on the wall. Some of the photos showed the childhood pictures of some are children, while other were recent photos of them. He looked at the the most recent picture and discovered she had five children with her eldest son older than him. He wondered how all them live in such a small house.

Suddenly,


one of her daughters came out of the room. She was very tall and had her hair trimmed and dyed pink. She wore a short gown that was almost transparent, and her lips were painted red to match the red gown she was wearing. Richard was so surprised at her appearance that he couldn’t stop looking at her. “What are you looking at?” She asked when she noticed him. “I’m sorry,” Richard replied. “Please Suzan, don’t you know that he’s my guest,” Mama Ruth interfered. “Whatever,” she said and is walked out.
“I’m


so sorry about that,” Mama Ruth said. “Is okay, I don’t mind at all,” Richard replied. “The two of them have wasted their lives, I just wish their siblings are not going grow up and be like them,” Mama Ruth said. “Why do say that?” Richard asked. “I just happened to unlucky in life. My husband is an alcoholic, he only shows up in the night,” she explained. “My eldest son is burglar and his younger sister who just left hardly stays at home,” she continued. “That must be very had for you,” Richard said. “Yes it is,” she replied.
Around 2 pm, the rest of her children came back from school. They boys were wearing a yellow shirt and green trousers as their uniform,while the girl was wearing a blue shirt and a blue shirt. They were two boys who happened to be twins. They were four years older than their younger sister who was 8. Their mother used all the money she earned from the restaurant to pay for their school fees. “Good afternoon mum,” they greeted their mother as they walked in. “How was school today?” Their mother asked. “We got flogged by our teacher again for coming late,” one of the twins replied angrily. “I’m sorry I delayed your breakfast, that won’t happen again,” Mama Ruth said.

“I didn’t get flogged,” the younger girl said smiling. “Shut up Ruth, no one ask for your opinion,” the other boy intercepted. It was then that Richard realised why she was called “Mama Ruth,”. The three of them walked into one of the rooms and changed into their personal outfits.

By the time they got back to the living room, their mother has already prepared their lunch. It was a beans porridge on three little steel plates. “Good afternoon,” they all greeted Richard as they sat in the centre of the living room to eat. “Good afternoon,” Richard answered. “What are your names?” Richard asked. “My name is Ruth, his name is Alfred and over there is Michael,” the girl said she pointed out who was who. “Oh that’s really nice,” Richard smiled.



2 months later, Richard has gotten much better and Mama Ruth had worked really hard to get him a work in a poultry farm a cleaner. He usually sleeps with the eldest son of the family and one of the twins in the living room. The eldest usually comes home very late at night after everyone had slept. He usually carries a weapon with him. For that reason, Richard was scared of talking to him. Around 5 am, Richard was waked by Ruth’s mother as usually. She also wakes Ruth and her two twin brothers, while the rest of family were left sleeping. Mama Ruth is a well devoted Christian, she usually wake them up to pray.
After they were done praying, one of the twins started sweeping the house, while the other twin took out the dirty plates and dishes that were kept in the corner of the living room and starter washing them outside. Their mother measured some beans in plastic bowl and washed it. After she was done washing it, she put it in a transparent container and gave to Ruth to take it for grinding.

They usually take their food for grinding to a house that was located some few streets from them. The grinding usually takes place with the help of a grinding engine. Ruth carried the container on her head and head out. “Let’s go together,” Richard said as he went after her. “Okay,” Ruth said as she stopped walking waiting for him to cover up the distance between them.
They started walking together as soon as he got to her position. She let go of the container on her head without holding it. It balance so well on her head without showing any sign of falling. “How do you managed to do that?” Richard asked the little girl. “Do what?” She asked as she turned to look at him. “To let go of things on your head without holding them?” Richard explained. “Well is so simple,” she giggled. “Who taught you how to do it?” Richard asked. “Nobody,” she responded. “Do you mean you taught yourself?” He inquired. “Absolutely” she smiled. “That’s great, you look smarter than most kids of your age,” Richard smiled. “Of course,” she laugher.

“So, what do you want to be in the future?” Richard asked. “I don’t really know,” she replied. “Haven’t you ever wished to be like one of the adults you have met?”

“I would like to be like my teacher,”

“Why do you want to be like your teacher?” Richard asked.

“Because she is so nice and gives us sweet. But if you make her angry, she really knows how to deal with you,” she explained. And from that moment, she continued to talk until their arrival at the place.

When
arrived their, the found a queue of containers brought by other kids. The kids were playing with one another close to some banana trees. When is time for one of them, the person Will run to engine and his or her item will be grinded. Ruth placed her container in the queue and wanted to join the other kids in the game when Richard held her hand.
“We are going now,” he said.

“Really?” She asked confusingly.
“Yes we are,” he replied. He took her container to the front of the queue.

“Hey, is my turn,” the little who was on the line said. “Sorry, we are in a hurry,” Richard smiled.

After their beans was grinded they headed home. “Wow! You are home so early early today, what happened?” Her mother asked.

“I was helped by Richard, that’s why I arrived on time,”

“That’s really nice,”

“Yes,” Ruth replied.

“Go and get ready for school,” her mother order. “Okay mum,” she said as she ran to go and take bucket.

Her mother took the beans paste they grinded to a small kitchen that was outside the building. The kitchen was built of zinc metal sheets. At around 7 am, mama Ruth had finished preparing some Akara (friend beans past) for them with some porridge. After Ruth and her brother ate, they left for school.

At around 8 am, Mama Ruth and Richard set out to the poultry farm. They took a taxi out of the slum to the centre of the city. They deviated from the highway and took a slim road that led them to a very big street. The street was very quiet and was made of up huge buildings. Their car moved to the end of the street before arriving to the end of the street. Finally, the poultry farm was located there. It was a very huge building fenced with a wire. One can see everything in the farm because of the wire fence.

They walked to the gate of the fence and it was opened for them. As soon as they arrived, they were approached by an old man.

“Good morning Sir,” Mama Ruth greeted him.

“Good morning, how is your family?” He asked.

“They are okay,”.

“Is this the boy you’ve been telling me about?”

“Yes he is,” replied Mama Ruth.

“The poultry farm owner had a fight with the man securing the farm, you can work as both a cleaner and a guard?” The old man asked.

“Your salary is going to be doubled,” the old man continued.
Richard became extremely happy because he found it extremely difficult to live with Ruth’s family. But now that he would start working as a guard, he can find a place to sleep.

“I would love to accept your offer,” Richard smiled.

“That’s nice, you will be provide with food three times a day from the madam’s house, you don’t have to worry about food, just take care of her animals,”.

“That


will be really nice,” Richard smiled.
“Okay, now that you’ve known each other, let me go because my restaurant is waiting for me,” Mama Ruth said.

Richard was taken around the farm and shown how each system works. The farm turned out to be bigger than he was expecting. It was very green with flowers at almost every corner. It was divided into 3 sections. The first section was a three storey for egg laying chicken. Richard was told that the chickens huge amount eggs that are distributed throughout the city for sell. The second section was a 2 storey building for broilers. The upper part was for incubation and growing of young chicks, while the lower part was for the big once.

The third section was a huge single floored building. Only Turkeys were reared there.

“I’m going to be the only one sweeping all these places?” Richard asked shockingly.

“No, there are about 10 worker here, you are the 11th,” the old man laughed.

“Thank God,” Richard laughed.

He took Richard to small room where he can will be sleeping in the night. It was a tiny room with a small ceiling fan running slowly above it.

“I will be leaving now, call me if you need anything,” the man announced.

“Okay, I will,” he replied.
For more stories visit www.dapalace.com
 

Story _Continues

The pink Clouds

Episode_18



 

 

Richard was almost done with his registration. He was asked to go and conduct a blood test before his registration would be completed. As he walked out of faculty, he suddenly remembered about the teaching hospital saw opposite the main gate of the school. He wanted to board a taxi to take him there, but he thought he can save money if he walks there. He walked beside the university highway and watched as vehicle were moving on the road. The bricks that divided the highway was painted black and white. Beside the highway was a walking path constructed with interlocks. Between the walking path and the highway were beautiful yellow flowers.

He was suddenly reminded of the he had on his first day at his previous university, he felt a pleasure he hadn’t felt in years. The buildings around him, and how the people around him interact were pleasing. He walked for some minutes before arriving at the main gate of the school. He saw the teaching hospital as soon as he got out.

As he was approaching the hospital, he saw that something that made him to question his consciousness. He thought the brief excited he had was too much for him to handle that he started hallucinating. But as he got closer, he came to term with the fact he wasnt hallucinating. The girl in front of him was indeed Rebecca. And she looked so beautiful more than ever. She was more like the perfect being he could ever describe. He felt as if everything that happening to him was in a dream. She talked and laughed with her course mates as the headed towards her parked car.

Richard


felt as if his legs were glued to the ground as they got closer. Rebecca finally looked when she just some few metres away from him. The instance their eyes met, his breathe seized and his heart started beating faster. Hundreds of memories flashed back to him within a matter of seconds. He felt something he hasn’t felt in while. Rebecca stopped walking the instance their eyes met.
“Why do you stop?” Mary asked.

“Is okay, let’s keep going,” Rebecca replied.


Richard finally gain the courage to walk to them. As he got close to them, Rebecca looked away, Rebecca looked and frowned her face.
“Rebecca!” Richard called out excitedly. she turned and looked at him angrily and didn’t care to stop.
“Rebecca, are you going to walk pass me with bothering to say hi?” Richard asked and kept walking without looking back.

“Are you really blind? Can’t you see that a girl like her is way out of your league?” One of her mates said trying to him away, but Richard didn’t bother to reply.

“Rebecca Thomas,” he called her by full name.
Rebecca turned towards him slowly.
“Were you talking to me?” She questioned.

“Are you really going to ignore me?” Richard asked.

“I don’t even know you, besides, while should i bother talking to a trash like you? What do you think I am? Do you think I’m useless like you?” Rebecca shouted.
Unknowingly, tears started dropping from his eyes.

“I’m sorry for bothering you,” he said as he walked away.

“Crying over a rejection. Are you even man?” Asked another boy.

“Can’t you see how dressed? This guy is a psycho,” Dixxy replied.

“He got what he asked for,” Mary commented.
Rebecca got into the car with her friends and drove away.
Richard walked to an empty bench close to the parking lots and sat down. He covered his face with hands as he control himself not cry. For the first time, he regretted all the decision he had made in his life. He wished be has stayed in school and graduate. At some point, he thought he deserved what she did to him. But he promised himself he will make her regret it.
After about 30 minutes, he finally stood up and went into the teaching hospital and had the blood test. He returned to his faculty and completed his registration. He was given an accommodation in hostel that was not faraway from his faculty.
“Hey, where are you heading to?” Someone asked behind him. He discovered that it was Thomas when he turned.

“I’m


heading to my room in the hostel,” Richard replied.
“I’m heading to hostel too,” Thomas said as he covered the distance between them.

“That’s great, do you happen to know where Block D is?” Richard asked.

“Is not faraway from here, I’m also in block D,” Thomas responded.
They walked to the tree where Richard kept his luggage.

“Is this everything you came with?” Thomas asked confusingly noticing how scarce it was.
“Yes,” Richard replied somewhat disappointed.
“Is okay, let me help you with it,” he said as collected the small bag Richard was holding.

“Thank you,” Richard smiled.
As they were walking to the hostel, Richard thought he should be Thomas’s friend noticing how nice he was.
“When did you finish your secondary school?” Richard asked breaking’s the silence.
“I finished my secondary school last year, how about you?” He asked Richard.
“Six to seven years ago I guess,” Richard replied.
“Wow! I was a little boy at that time,” Thomas laughed.
“You can say that,” Richard smiled.
“But how about your sister?” Richard continued.
“Actually, she is my twin sister,” Thomas replied.
“We attended the same school and the same class throughout our lives,” he added.
“Really?” Richard asked astonishingly.

“Everybody get surprised when they find out that we are twins. We actually the opposite of each other; she is tall and I’m short, she fair in completion and I’m completely dark in completion,” He revealed.

“You are completely nice, and she is totally the opposite of that too,” Richard laughed.
“Well being nice is one thing we have in common, you will realize that when you get to know her,” Thomas replied.
They walked for about ten minutes before arriving at the dormitory. It was a ten storey building, huge enough to contain almost three thousand students.

“Wow! This certainly is the biggest hostel I’ve ever seen, is about ten times larger than the one of my previous school,” Richard revealed, though he was not planning on revealing to anyone that he once attended a university.

“Did you attend a school before coming here?” Thomas asked.
“Yes, but I got expelled for cheating in the exams,” Richard said to cover up.

“Oh that must have been very devastating for you,” Thomas said.
“Yes it has been,” Richard replied.
The hostel was surrounded by a tall fence that was almost as high as the ground floor. The walked through the gate into the surrounding of the hostel. Richard was so impressed by how beautiful the surrounding was. The floor was Covered in grass carpet and there many short trees around.
“Which room are you going to be staying?” Thomas asked.
“Room 106 I think,” Richard replied.
“That’s amazing, that’s also where I’m going to be staying,” he said excitedly.
“What a coincidence, I’m really happy web are going to be staying together,” Richard smiled.
The walked to their room that was on the third floor. When they entered the room, they found three other people in it. There were three bunks in the room with a mattress on each. They were arranged side by side, and opposite to them was a very big locker. There was ceiling fan that was moving with a very high speed at the top of the room.
“Are you done with your registration?” Asked one of the boys. He was sitting at the upper part of first bunk.
“Yes I am, and this guy happen to be in this room, we are from the same department,” Thomas responded.
“That’s great, is always nice to be in the same room with your course mate,” the boy replied.
“You can put your stuff in the locker,” the other boy offered.
“Thank you,” Richard replied. He opened the locker and noticed that it was divided into six segments. That brought him to the conclusion that the room is supposed to be occupied by six people. He was so impressed by how neatly the things were.
“So are you from this place?” One of the boys asked Richard.
“No, I’m from Kogi state,” Richard answered.
“That cool, I’m also from Kogi state,” the boy replied.
“What part of the state do you live?” Richard asked.
“I live I lokoja, how about you?”
“I’m from Okene,” Richard smiled.
“Did you also graduate from secondary last year like Thomas?” He asked.
Richard suddenly started laughing when he heard that.
“What’s so funny about my question?” The boy asked.
“Do I still look that young?” Richard asked.
“Maybe,” he laughed.
“He is quite older that he looks, he told me that he finished his secondary school six years ago,” Thomas interfered.
“From the moment he set his foot in this room, I knew he was an old man,” sat the last boy. He had been silent Richard came in.

“Well,


I will take that as a sacarsm,” Richard laughed.
“By the way, I’m Achuba, and the other two are Dino and Armstrong,” the boy introduced.

“You can call me arms for shot,” The other boy added.

“And I am Richard,”.

“So, which course are you studying?” Richard asked.

“We are studying political science,” Achuba replied.

“Wow! But I know is not a coincidence that the three of you ended up in the same room,” Richard suspected.

“Clever boy, my uncle works here and he happened to be in charge of the accommodation committee, so he sorted it out for us,” Achuba smiled.

“That’s really nice,” Richard replied.

In the evening, Richard had already settled. He tried his best to fall asleep, but he couldn’t. He kept thinking about Rebecca and the words she said to him. He regretted why he left school and his family. He wished he had endured all the criticism people laid on him back then about Janet’s death. He thought about his sisters and neice and imagined how she might have grown up.
He thought about Rebecca to the extend that it drove him crazy. He vowed to himself that he is going to be great again and make her regret how she treated him. He finally got up and came down from his bed.
“Are you going somewhere?” Achuba asked.
“Do you know anywhere around here where I can buy some new clothes?” Richard asked.
“There is mini market behind our hostel, you can get anything you want there,” Achuba replied.
“Do you mind taking me there or you are busy right now?” Richard requested.
“No I don’t mind,” Achuba replied.
As they headed out of the room, Thomas went after them.
“I’m also going,” he announced.
The three of the walked out of the hostel and stopped by the highway of the university.
“I thought you said there is a small market behind our hostel,” Richard said when he noticed Achuba trying to stop a taxi.
“There is somewhere I would like us to go,” Achuba replied.
“I hope we are not going to a party?” Richard asked.
“Absolutely not,” He laughed.
“He wouldn’t be dressing like this he was going to a party,” Thomas commented.
They boarded a taxi and drove out of the school. They drove for some minutes before arriving at a very big shopping mall. It was a three storey oval shaped building made completely of glass. The lights in it were all emitting of golden colour.
“Are you sure you have taken me to the right place to shop? Because I don’t have much money with me,” Richard announced.
“Don’t worry about it,” Achuba smiled.
They walked into the building and Richard could see many shops in it selling all sorts of things. The climbed to the third floor to one of the shops that happened to be a boutique.
“Hey customer, its been a while since you last came here,” the owner of the shop gladly said when he saw Achuba.
“We just came back from the holiday remember?” He smiled.
“Well, then how was your holiday?” The man asked.
“It was great, I just have some few complains about it,” Achuba replied.
“I can see you brought me some customers,” he said referring to Richard and Thomas.
“Yes, my friend here says he need some clothes, could you please make him look perfect?”

“Don’t


bother, I will make sure that I make girl go mad over him,” he winked and the three of them started laughing.
The boutique was filled with many different kinds of clothes and accessories. Richard kept looking around and was really thrilled by beautiful it was. The went around the boutique brought Five T-shirts, five long sleeve shirts and five trousers. He asked Richard to go a small room at the extreme of the shop to try the clothes. Richard went to the small room and tried them, he was so picky that he couldn’t choose any of the clothes.
He came out of the room wearing a blue T-shirt and a black jeans. He was holding two long sleeve shirts and a brown trouser in his hand as he walked out.

“After a long period of decision, I finally choose these once,” Richard announced as he walked to them.
“What do you mean by that? Don’t you that your friend has already paid for all of them?” The shop owner asked.
“Really?” Richard asked looking completely flabbergasted.
“Yes, so if you want any of the clothes to be changed, you can say so. But believe me, I have chosen the best for you,” the man said.
Richard was completely surprised that he didn’t know how to start thanking Achuba.

“Are you satisfied with the clothes?” The man asked again when he noticed Richard silence.
“Yes of course,” Richard smiled.

“I’m glad you like them,” the man said.

“I don’t really know I should start thanking you,” Richard said after he had gotten close to Achuba.

“Oh please don’t mention it,” Achuba smiled.

The shop owner put the clothes in a white packaging bag.

“What about your old clothes?” The man asked.

“I don’t need them anymore,” Richard replied and Thomas started laughing at him.

“Well, at least I can use them for dusting,” the man smiled.
“Alright, we’ll be leaving,” Achuba announced.
“I hope I will see you around soon,” the man smiled.
As soon as the walked out of the shopping mall, Richard noticed a saloon on the opposite side of the road.
“I think I should cut my hair before we leave,” Richard suggested.

“I was thinking of telling you that, but I thought you love your hair like this,” Thomas joked.
“Well, I change my mind,” Richard laughed.
They went to the saloon and Richard had his hair cut.
“Wow! You look absolutely great, I wonder why you left your hair to he so messy,” Achuba commented.
“I have my reasons,” Richard replied.
It was already night at that time, and Richard thought they should head back to the university.
“Aren’t you hungry?” Achuba asked.
“Of course I am,” Richard replied.
“I know of a very good place to go when it comes to excellent meals,” Thomas offered.

“Alright then take us there,” Achuba replied.

They boarded a taxi and went to the most expensive restaurant in the city.

“Is this where you call the excellent place? I have been here several times, and their food isn’t even that too,” Achuba complained.

“Maybe you have been ordering the wrong food,” Thomas laughed.

They walked into the restaurant through the glass door. The lightning in the restaurant bright, and the tiles on the floor were reflecting it. All the tables and chairs in the restaurant were white. At the edge of every corner was a flat screen TV. It was so cold due to the Air conditioners installed. Richard has never been to a restaurant like that as far as he could remember. The way things are in the restaurant, it was obvious that it was meant for rich people.

They were approached by the waiter who gave the menu. While they were deciding what to order, a girl walked into the with two of her friends.

“Wow! What an absolute beauty,” Thomas said as he was facing the entrance of the restaurant.

“I know who her, she is called Tina,” Achuba announced.

“Really? Can we go and talk to her?” Thomas asked as he was completely captivated.

“Actually, I have been in love with her for the past 2 years,” Achuba replied.

“Really?” Richard and Thomas asked interestingly.

“Where did you meet each other?” Richard asked.
“In school, we used to attend the same courses during our first year. She left our department when we were in the second year,” Achuba explained.
The girl walked to an empty table with her friends and sat. They ordered for a chicken and it was soon brought to them.

“Have told her how you feel about her?” Richard asked.

“No I haven’t, we have only spoken only once,” he replied.

“Okay you should try and be her friend first before you ask her out,” Richard adviced.

“I just can’t. I have tried several times to talk to her, but each time I get close to her, I instantly get consumed by fear,” Achuba explained.

“Well, is quite normal to feel like that. Even the greatest play boys get scared when they talk to a girl they really love,” Richard said trying to calm him.

“I don’t know that you are a love expert,” Thomas teased.
“I’m veteran, you can come to whenever you have a problem,” Richard winked and Thomas started laughing.

“What do I do now?” Achuba asked.

“We will go and talk to her,” Richard smiled.

“I can’t do that,” he complaint.

“Listen, all you have to do is be yourself. Don’t complement about her look, and try to avoid bragging and showing off as much as you can, I’m sure she will listen to us,” Richard said.
“What if she embarrasses us?” Achuba asked.
“Is better to try and fail than not trying at all. Just talk to her freely as if you are talking to a normal friend

After some minutes, Richard and Achuba finally stood up and headed to the girl’s table. Achuba tried to walked back, but Richard held his hand tightly and Thomas couldn’t resist laughing.

“Good evening ladies,” Richard said when they arrived at their table.
“How can we help you?” The girl asked.
“My friend and I are new to this restaurant, what do you do suggest we should order? We are looking for the best meal,” Richard asked as he smiled.
“That’s the job of the waiter, you should go and ask him,” the girl replied.

“The last time asked him the same question, he suggested a food that taste like it was prepared by a girl,” Richard replied.

“And how does a food cooked by a girl taste?” Tina asked.

“You are a girl, you should be familiar with the answer. It was so spicy that I almost drank a sachet of a toothpaste trying to neutralize it,” Richard replied.

“You are lying, aren’t you?” Tina asked.

“Of course I am, I will be a psyco if I drink a sachet of toothpaste because of some spicy food. Besides, they don’t even have spicy foods in this restaurant,” Richard uttered.

Tina suddenly started laughing after Richard said that.

“Nobody will believe this lie afterwards,” she said after she had stopped laughing.

“Actually, your friend have actually believed me. Perhaps is because they never been in political science class. They would have been taught how to lie and identify a lie” Richard mentioned.

“Wait, how do you know that I once attended a political science class?” She asked confusingly.

“My friend here used to be your course mate,” right said pointing at Achuba.

“Hey your face look familiar, you are that smart kid,” she said.

“Kid? I was 17 years old when I came to this university. You can’t call a 17 year old boy a kid,” Achuba said and Richard was impressed by his statement.

“Well, a person less than 18 is considered to be a child according to the law. I thought you should know that since you are a political science student,” Tina replied.

“I’m pretty sure you didn’t know my age back then,” Achuba smiled.

“I have quite an extraordinary gift of knowing people age just by looking at their faces,” she smiled.

“If that’s the case, then how old do you think my friend is?” He asked as he held Richard by the shoulder.

She paused for some few seconds before she finally moved her lips.

“20 I guess?” She uttered.

“He’s actually 27,” Achuba said.

“Hey! Where are you taking me?” Richard shouted and the girl
started laughing.
They talked for minutes before she finally gave them her phone number. She left the restaurant with her friends after that.