Cherry was about to complete her senior year in collage and was excited to already have employment waiting for her. She'd never anticipated being an International Relations major would get her a job immediately and she was looking forward to begin.
She met Wale in a non dreamy setting. They shared a common unit but the moment he stepped in class, everyone seemed to be fixated on him and Kind. Later on she found out they were only first years. Additionally, it had been rumored they were dating. She felt it was none of her business and she chose to focus on completing her final unit and graduate, but as days passed by, it was impossible to ignore the rumors. She loved gossip and curiosity took the better of her.
"They are dating so what?" She asked a girl sitting next to her who later on ended up being good friends with Kind. Apparently, Kind had seemed more approachable than Wale.
"Well, all girls in collage kind-of wished they were with Kind. Don't you find him attractive?" The girl said excitedly? "I'd really want to be friends with him if not date him."
"Then go ahead and just ask him out Swalha." Cherry replied calmly.
"I could never do that! He is always standing next to him." Swalha pointed accusingly to the front row at Wale. "I don't want to come between them either, anyone can tell how he is protective of Kind."
Cherry could care less of what other people thought. She believed if you wanted something you have to ask and get rid of speculation. Pulling her chair to stand up, she shouted, "Hey you there!" They were sitting at the last top row and this brought attention to everyone in the packed lecture hall. 'Good, now I've got everyone attention including them.' "I like you, take me out on a date!"
The entire hall went silent for a few seconds before someone shouted, "don't keep a girl waiting! What is it gonna be?"
Everyone laughed in response. It was unclear if they were laughing at her knowing she'd be rejected or laughing at them knowing they were a gay couple. To her surprise, Wale stood up smiling, putting his hands akimbo and replied. "He wants to know which place you'd like to go!"
"Movies! I'll bring a friend too!" Cherry shouted as she pulled Swalha to stand up. "She loves Romcom movies and so do I!"
Wale glanced at Kind who appeared flustered, his body language depicting an individual who wanted the ground to split apart and swallow him. "He loves action-anime but doesn't like people to know, but luckily he is a flexible guy."
"You're coming along too! Double dates are fun!"
Cherry's confident response sent everyone to another dimension. She couldn't tell if the lecture hall was filled with high on drugs wild animals or a bunch of happy delinquents. People stood up in unison, some appearing to have lost their minds as if they were experiencing a moment of euphoria while others either stood up on their chairs trying to do who knows what, lifting their chairs up as if sitting down had suddenly become unbearable. The lecture got cancelled that day as all the students present in that lecture hall were put under investigation due to the commotion that almost disrupted the entire learning institution.
Luckily, they managed to meet before leaving and exchange contacts. Cherry was nonchalant of her actions but Swalha could barely contain her excitement. "Cherry you're so brave! What made you do that?"
"Don't even think about bailing out girl. I did this for you so the moment we get to the movies, I'll leave with Wale and you stay with Kind. I get bored watching movies. I'm a series girl."
"Then why did you suggest a double date? I'm so nervous I'll melt away if Kind talks to me alone!"
Cherry eventually stayed and slept the entire movie. Wale on the other hand seemed surprised she sat next to him and was passive the entire date but afterwards, she explained the situation to him. Nonetheless, Swalha got a long well with Kind. It seemed as if they had known each other for years.
After a a period of watching the two getting along well, it dint surprise Cherry why Wale was glued to his friend not to mention, he appeared like a charmer rather than the cold demeanor he often put out. Additionally, Wale seemed to light up whenever he spoke of Kind. All his happiest memories were lived and experienced with his best friend such that he included Kind in his life's purpose, future, goals and dreams. The two were clearly inseparable and that made Cherry happy to find out for herself how mistaken everyone else was.
"You must know many think you're both gay and dating." Cherry said as she slurped her strawberry milkshake. Some of the whip cream got on the tip of her nose and Wale took a napkin to wipe it off. This simple act shook her a little, further confirming that this coarse on the outside first year was actually a very caring and attentive person.
"I know what they are thinking and I don't really care. Kind doesn't know though since girls love to flock around him but he's too shy to pick one. You helped a great deal today. They seem to get along just fine."
Swalha followed Wale's gaze, sitting two tables away from them were Swalha and Kind. His simple words, calmly spoken made Cherry wonder if she would ever have someone care for her so fondly the way Wale did to Kind.
Looking back at him, she realized the guy was quite looker too and not just his best friend. Perhaps his coarse and nonchalant exterior must have made everyone overlook his looks and admirable character. 'Maybe this was a good thing to have come today otherwise I'd have never seen this side of him.'
"Will you be my boyfriend?"