It was a Wednesday morning and the sky was at its best. Preye dressed after a quick bath and hurried to school. On his way out of his compound, he saw his neighbor making it out with her boyfriend. He got out of the gate, headed to a bike stand were he could get a bike down to school and saw all the people there paired up. What is this school turning into these days he asked himself? How can every boy walking to school have a girl by his side he thought? Maybe I will make enquiries at least to know the name of that strange girl that captivated my mind and when I see her, I will tell her how the influence she has over me makes me suspect her to be the love of my life.
Preye got to the school and discovered that nobody knew the venue of the lecture that was supposed to hold in the new lecture hall, which had been occupied by students having their exams. Boy, how far are you going, Preye asked a mate who was walking away from the new lecture hall. Convocation arena, he said. The lecturer asked us to move there instead, so I am rushing to secure a comfortable position. He continued walking ahead with Preye on his trail.
When Preye got to the arena, it was full. As he climbed up the stairs his heart skipped, for there she sat giving her attention to the lecturer completely. Preye looked for a vacant space around her with his eyes as he continued his climb up the stairs, he realized he had just embarrassed himself by standing there and staring at her and forgetting that he was in a lecture hall, but he had lied to himself that he was looking for a space beside her. Preye drew a plan, and thought quickly, I will rush to her after the lectures and introduce myself, and nothing more for a start.
As the lecturer ended his lecture, Preye looked around the arena for her, and spotted her walking out of the arena through the main entrance. He ran after her, but the crowd in the arena slowed his pace. When he finally got to where he had seen her, she had practically disappeared. Preye almost cried with disappointment when she mysteriously disappeared, but he felt a bit relieved as he saw her boarding a bike far in front of him and quite out of his reach if not he knew he would have risked having a contact with her. In the case of this charming queen, there is always tomorrow, Preye thought as he sat on a bike that took him to his room.
Stole a Glance at Block C
One boring and lonely night, Dave and Preye decided to fill the lonely moment by calling on a friend in block C. Did Ayi move out of sunshine valley too? Preye asked Dave. Not only Ayi, but the two Amis also moved out of sunshine valley to Second Park, replied Dave. Why else will they leave that place for block C, if not that they are crazy, Preye said. Ami told me that the landlord had complained about the in-flock of male visitors into his compound and that when their rent was due, they will have to evacuate the premises, said Dave.
They entered the gate of the Second Park and walked almost up to block C when a girl coming out from the phone booth called Dave and he stopped to talk with her. Baby how are you doing, Dave said. I am fine and you, the girl asked. I am fine too Dave replied. Hello Preye, what are you searching for in my hostel the girl asked? Just walking up and about, seeking for what opportunity has to offer, Preye said. Baby, should I give you my room keys so you can wait for me while I accompany Preye to collect something from his friend nearby, Dave said. Do not bother because I have not got much time at my disposal, the girl said. So I will see you guys some other time, the girl concluded and left.
Dave if you really thought the girl would have collected the keys from you, then you need to get your head examined, Preye said. I knew she would not give in, but I was just trying my luck, Dave said and busted out laughing. They entered block C and walked up to Ayi's room only to be told by her roommates that she was out. On their way out they saw her leaning on a pavement discussing with Paul, their friend who had earlier taken them to his room in Wood-Land.
Fil - me-ya, Dave hailed Paul. Fil - me-ya, Paul replied and shook hands with him and Preye. Men! What is happening, Preye asked Paul who was smiling at him? Nothing much, Paul replied. Ayi, Dave and I were just coming out from your room, Preye told Ayi. I took a walk with my friend to buy something and on my way back, i saw Paul coming to look for me, Ayi said. When Preye did not reply, she continued her conversation with Paul. Preye I just spotted a girl outside I will like to have a few words with. I will be back soon; Dave said and headed towards the entrance of the hostel block.
Meanwhile Preye, who had lost his attention since Ayi was talking with him still focused on what had captivated his attention, and did not even notice Dave leaving. If there was anything that could captivate the attention of Preye to that extent, that he would not notice when his friend that stood beside him left, until he was about asking him the question that would have relieved him of his burden, then it had to be her, as she always sent chill down his spines.
Preye, a voice said, causing him to return to consciousness, I am going, Ill see you later but dont know what your mood is up to, Paul said. Paulo, I am just trying to settle some things on my mind. Anyhow if I was not waiting for Dave, I would have gone with you, Preye said, wishing Paul would just vanish so he could decide if he should walk up to her or not.
Paul left, and Preye noticed she was accompanied by her friend who had just left her standing alone. Preye move! This might be your last chance he heard his mind say. What if she embarrassed me before all these people standing there, he thought. He looked around and saw some girls plaiting their hair, some sewing their clothes, a few girls hanging around their boyfriends and some special ones like his idol, buying dinner from the food sales woman.
If Preye had not taken that look around, he may have summed up enough courage to walk up to her, but the people around had squeeze out the guts from him and he decided to let go and wait for a better opportunity. He watched her friend that had left return with a plate and the woman put some food into the plate and handed it back to her friend. She and her friend turned back and walked into the first wing on the right while entering block C.
Preye walked up so he could identify the room they entered but was late, as they had already entered before he got there. He left for his room with gladness that he had known her hostel wing. When he went outside, he saw Dave talking with a girl and left without attracting his attention to him.
A Walk with Small and Cute
It was a Monday morning, and the sky was at its best, reflecting perfect blue and clouds with fine features sailed across it. Preye was in MBA 5 engaging in SPY 204 lecture, with intent of spotting the angel. He had arrived at a conclusion that she was the love of his life, since he could not find any word to classify his feelings, then it had to be love or why else would he bother himself about somebody that didnt even know he existed.
Preye, are you sick? You are losing weight, asked Keri and Preye just nodded and continued looking out for his queen. Keri, how come we have not had any lecture since morning, asked Preye? It is like the lecturers are having a meeting and would not be able to come around today; she said and excused herself to meet a friend.
Damn, I have to get to my room fast, said Preye. On his way he agreed with himself that he has lost some weight, but why on earth would he not lose weight when his mind was so unsettled, thanks to this strange girl that had made him doubt his courage and at the same time captured his thought.
To regain his weight and recover his happy looks that radiated charms to lighten up the lives around him, he had to find this girl, no matter the pain he went through. He would not mind going through some pain so that sooner in life he will have great joy and a jewel of inestimable value. As the bike approached the small gate, all the thought in Preyes head ceased to flow and he just stared on in astonishment till the bike passed them.
I cannot believe she is walking with Benita, and there is a possibility that they were both coming from Benitas room, Preye thought. His joy and excitement knew no bounds when he saw the girl that has captivated his mind, thought and reasoning strolling right in front of the palace. He decided to return to Benitas room to discuss with her about the strange girl.
Inquires From Pals and Roommates
When Preye got to his room, he found it crowded as usual with his friends who were having a rollicking time. Preye! The house hailed, what is happening in school, asked Isaac. Nothing much, just that school is very full, and there is no lecturer in sight, said Preye.
Dave and Frank please come outside let me have a few words with you, Preye said. They went outside and Preye started questioning them. The girl i described to you as the love of my life, who both of you said you do not know, was walking with Benita today along that palace road, said Preye and I want to know if you have ever seen Benita with a very fair, slim and tall girl, concluded Preye. Frank, dont you know that Benitas roommate that is fair and quiet, said Dave. Okay, I know her very well, said Frank. She is very flexible and plays poker while sitting with her legs folded, and her mom is multi-racial, said Frank. Preye was relieved and punched the both of them on their stomach in delight and entered the room and joined the others in their game of scrabble.
Dave being Benitas ex agreed to accompany Preye. You will accompany me to her apartment later in the evening so I can pour out my heart to her, said Preye. I will do it with all pleasure, said Dave. Finally God is bringing me closer to my soul mate, said Preye, who was so impatient waiting for the evening to come. Frank please wake me up by six and help me remind Dave of our runs before he forgets, said Preye who was forced to bed by impatience. Meanwhile his room bumbled with the activities of his guys who pumped in the sound system and beat their heads in the game of poker.
A Visit to the Palace
Preye when you are through with your bath, you will find me outside the gate, said Dave. No do not wait outside the gate, before you change your plans and decide to accompany a girl somewhere, Preyes voice floated out through the bath room. When Preye was through, he and Dave left for the palace, where Daves ex, posed as the queen.
Knock, knock, anybody home, Preye asked, come right in said a voice from inside, which they recognized as Benitas own. They entered the room and saw Benita, sitting alone. Benita, how are you doing, Preye asked. I am fine; she replied and smiled at Dave who asked of the other members of the palace.
I saw you and one fair girl, Queen by name, and I would really like to get to know this girl, so I decided to pay you a visit, said Preye. There is nobody around that matches that description, said Benita, whose face became automatically transformed to a frown. From my inquiries, it has been clear to me that she is your roommate and here name is Queen said Preye who was beginning to see the position Benita took on the subject.
Look here Preye, I dont know who you are talking about, and such a person does not stay in the palace, so if you do not have something more important to say, then I will have to sleep, said Benita, rudely.
Benita please take it easy, are you quarrelling with any of us? Dave asked her. Dave let us go, Benita I will see you later and please sorry for the inconvenience I might have caused you, said Preye and left the palace with Dave.
Preye, dont mind Benitas attitude, Dave said. As far as I am concerned that girl lives in the palace and Benita was just trying to put us off, Dave concluded. As they were about boarding a bike, they saw Frank walking up to them. Frank, Benita said she does not know anybody like Queen, said Dave. Dont mind Benita, if you return to the palace at night, you will see Queen in the apartment.
Entering the Curve of the Palace
It was a Tuesday evening and Preye was on his way to The Third Park for his physics practical when he saw Queen entering the palace through the curve in the company of her peers. Bike stop me here, Preye said and followed them into the palace through their route. When he got into the palace, he knew they had entered a room since they were nowhere in sight.
Knock, knock, can I come in, said Preye and when there was no reply, he knocked again. Come in sounded a voice from inside. Preye entered into the apartment and saw it crowded with six girls including Queen. He looked at Queen in the eyes to reassure himself, but before he could say a word, Queen and the girls stood up and left the room for him and Benita. She wickedly smiled, and was engaging Preye in a conversation, when it dawned on him that she had used sign language to make Queen and her peers excuse them, so that Preye would not achieve his purpose of visiting her, which was talking with Queen. Preye left Benita in anger.
On getting to the outer door, he saw Queens friend who had always accompanied her for tutorial lecture and he tried to build friendship between himself and her. Hello girl, what is your name, asked Preye. My name is Picky, the girl replied and busted out laughing. Picky that means you are a space creature, said Preye. Queen and her peers that had excused Preye and Benita walked into the palace and entered another room opposite. As soon as they entered, they busted out laughing, to the embarrassment of Preye.
When Preye got to his apartment, he found Dave, Frank and Ben. Preye where are you coming from? The physics practical ended an hour ago, asked Ben. Boy, I went to the palace to become acquainted with the queen, but to my embarrassment, they all walked out of the room as soon as I was seated, said Preye and walked out on them.
Preye! Ben shouted after him, do not give up, and you will definitely win. Preye smiled to himself and congratulated himself for winning their embarrassment. At least now that he had sat so close to her, he felt there was always hope that she will talk with him. All he needed to do was to frequent his visits to the palace, and meekly receive all the embarrassment they, had in-stock for him, so that at the end she will get used to his face.
Rejection in the Opposite Apartment
It was on Friday night and everybody was lively and expectant as usual. Preye can you accompany me to the palace to see Onyx? Paul asked. Alright, maybe I can see Queen too, Preye said and they left for the palace. When they got there, they entered the first room, where they found Benita sitting all alone. How are you doing? asked Paul. I am fine thank you, she replied. Where are the others, asked Preye. They are all in the opposite room, replied Benita. Paul i think we should check them out, said Preye.
They went out of the room. Paul, please dont follow Preye said Benita to Paul. He agreed and told Preye to go inside, while he stayed out with Benita. Preye got to the door, knocked, and when he identified himself, they told him to stay out. Who are you looking for, one of the girls, said. I am looking for Queen, said Preye. Go away from here, she does not want to see you, another girl said.
Preye pushed the door net aside and confidently walked into the room. Who gave you the audacity to walk into my room? The fat girl asked. Sorry, please can I have a few words with you outside, Preye said to the Charming Queen, who just hissed at him without saying a word. Get out of here, and dont ever come back to this room! The angry girls shouted at Preye who could not do anything but turned to leave.
As he was going out, he saw Onyx sitting by the door, laughing at him. Meanwhile Benita and Paul were still outside talking and laughing. Paul, Onyx is around, would you not like to see her again as earlier planned? Preye asked Paul who ignored him and carried on his conversation with Benita. Preye walked out of the palace and boarded a bike to his apartment.