The alarm rang loudly as it sat on the side table; the time was 7:00 am. It repeatedly rang three times when he lazily stretched his hand and stopped it.
"Bloody alarm. Why do you have to ring so loudly?" he said groggily
"What's on the calendar today?"
He took his phone from the side table, scrolled through it and opened the "notes" app to check his schedule for the day. He had classes for 9 am, 12pm and 2pm then a football match later that evening. Reluctantly he left the bed, his six-foot-tall well-built figure with perfectly chiselled abs towering over the bed. He walked into the bathroom, ran a quick shower, had omelettes and milk for breakfast then left for class. Standing in the hall way while waiting for the lecturer to arrive for lectures. He saw them walking towards him engrossed in a conversation.
"Parties are meant to be attended. Who would be attending this party of yours or are you throwing a party for just the two of us?" he heard her say
This was finally, he thought to himself; the opportunity he had been waiting for to talk to her and he wasn't going to let it slide.
"I'll attend the party" he chipped in immediately
She turned and looked at him. Those calm blue eyes finally resting directly on him. His heart raced and thumped; he could not believe it – he was finally talking to the girl he has admired for the longest time. Alfonzo had taken interest in Olanna over time.
She was – clad in a sky-blue T-shirt that complemented her eyes, a pair of carton coloured cargo pants and a pair of white canvas shoes – reading when he walked in, everyone took notice of his presence but her. That was not a reaction he was accustomed to – everyone loved and revered him – never had anyone treated him this way. He was mesmerised and instantly plagued by the desire to know her. He observed her from afar seeking the opportunity to properly converse with and hopefully become a friend to this intriguing beauty. And now it appears the time has come. After class that day he reached out to Francesca.
"Hi., excuse me. Can I have a word?" he said to her
"Oh, hi Alfonzo. Sure, what is it?" she replied
"So, umm… what are the plans for our big party?"
"There's no party. She doesn't want one. She thinks no one will attend and she may be right seeing as we are both each other's only friend, so we scratched that"
"Hell no. birthdays are to be celebrated. You know what, I'll help you plan it" Alfonzo replied
"Seriously? But how would we do that though and the guests?" inquired Francesca.
"Of course, we'll just have to plan it secretly as a surprise. As for the guests leave that to me". They spent the entire week meeting privately and planned the party. Francesca got key information from Olanna to ensure everything was to her taste, in pretence - like she was planning for the dinner they had agreed on while Alfonzo brought them to life. Alfonzo was able to book a room in the restaurant she had booked for the dinner, to avoid arousing suspicion.
Indeed, Olanna was truly surprised. She loved the gesture and the party itself. Alfonzo got a few chances to speak with her and at last they exchanged contacts before the end of the party.
Anxiously, he dialled her number; seated at the edge of the bed, unsure of an answer from the receiving end of the call. At the fourth tone of the dialler, he heard her voice
"Hello" she said softly
"Hey… hi" he stammered. "Umm…. Just checking in to see if you ladies got home safely"
"Yes, we have. we got home awhile back." Ola answered
"That is good to know. I'm glad you both are safe and thanks for enjoying the surprise and not getting upset about it," said Alfonzo
"Why wouldn't I have? It was a pleasant gesture and all to celebrate me. I really appreciate the thought and effort. I had an amazing time today." Said Ola
"I'm glad you did. Your birthday deserves to be celebrated and there was no way I was going to let it go uncelebrated."
"Well thanks for celebrating me, sir" she chuckled
"you're welcome my lady. I'll let you get some rest now. Say hi to Francesca, goodnight."
"Goodnight. Thanks for checking in"
The call was dropped after they said their goodnights. Alfonzo was filled with happiness. His heart pounding so heavily. He couldn't explain the feelings surging through his body but he loved the warmth he felt within. For hours after the call was ended, he couldn't sleep; he spent most of the night thinking of the possible times he was going to spend with Olanna. Hopeful about the future and the possibilities that came with it. Alfonzo was determined to solidify this new friendship with Ola and to explore what these feelings he felt were. He slowly dozed off just before dawn.
***************************************************************
Ola and Francesca are lying on the floor mat; the waste bin in the corner already filled to the brim with take outs, ice cream cups and popcorn wrappers, watching Onward -an animation- on her laptop, when Alfonzo called. Immediately she dropped the call. She met the inquiring eyes of Francesca.
"who's the gentleman we found ourselves?" she asked with a big grin
"That was Alfonzo, he wanted to enquire if we arrived home safely"
"oooh…. He's quite the gentleman, no?" she teased "I told you he's into you. Do you still doubt that."? She further asked
"Young lady he's only being courteous that's all" Ola replied.
"Alright. I'm here for the entire journey. Can't wait to be proven right. I would to see you in love" Francesca continued
They both laughed at her statement and returned to the movie they were seeing. From that day on, Ola and Alfonzo started talking a lot; they talked over the phone, texted, sent each other reels and sometimes spent a little time in school with Francesca. He was starting to warm his his way into her life like he so desperately desired.
Three weeks passed and then there were three. The three of them became quite close. It was no longer just the girls. They were now a group of three. Olanna had made a new friend. Alfonzo joined their study group and took turns to host their weekly weekend movie and game night as a means of relaxation. They gradually became the 'three musketeers' of the class. The girls also went to his games to support him whenever he had football matches. Alfonzo finally got his wish; he was now by her side – the woman he has desired for months to become a part of his life- he was now part of her little circle and he was loving every moment of discovery with her, every little bit of her that she opened up to him. In those three weeks, Alfonzo realised what it all meant; the pounding in his chest, the surge of feelings, the warmth in his heart - he was deeply attracted to this beautiful lady with soul captivating blue eyes.