"Of all days, how could I have woken up so late today? Maybe it's because Maliah slept over at a friend's. Ah! Come on Angel, you're going to be late for your first exam in college."
Angela scolded herself as she walked down to the bus station. To make matters worse, there weren't enough buses today so there was a rush.
Today was the GS examinations at Jack Moore University. All freshmen were rushing to write their exams, hence the scarcity of buses.
Due to the exams & bus saga, Angela hadn't realized that her biometric card had fallen off during the struggle for the bus.
Walking down to the e-library—the venue for the exams, she heard someone calling her name. She turned and there was a guy running towards her. When he got to her, he could barely catch his breath.
"You walk fast you know," he said while gasping for breath.
"Hello to you too. Please if you don't mind, I'm in a hurry. I'm late for my exams," she said impatiently.
"What time are you writing?" he asked.
"9 o'clock," she answered.
He laughed. "Don't worry, you won't be entering till 10 o'clock."
"And how exactly do you know that? Do you work with the ICT department?"
"No I don't, but that's how it has always been. Anyway, you dropped this at the bus station. You won't be able to write your exams without it."
He handed her the biometric card and her expression became soft immediately.
"Wow! Thank you so much. How did you know that you would find me here?"
"Well, today is GS exams and only freshmen will be carrying this around so I figured I'd find you here," he explained.
"Oh! That's very nice of you. So how did you know my name? Aha! From the card I guess. So what's your name?" she asked.
"Pardon my manners please," he said. He stuck out his hand for a handshake. "I'm David Clems and it's nice to meet you."
She took his hand in hers, "It's nice to meet you too and thank you once again."
"You're welcome," he replied.
They parted ways and she went ahead to write her exams. Just as David had told her, they started by 10 o'clock.
*****
Three days after her encounter with David, Angela was washing some clothes at their balcony when she saw David wearing knickers with a towel draped on his shoulder. He was coming from the kiosk in their lodge. He was headed to room A4— the block opposite hers. She wondered if he lived there.
"Hey David, good morning," she said.
He turned around looking for who had greeted him. Her room was on the first floor of block B. She waved so he could see her.
"Ah! Good morning Angela, how are you doing? He asked.
"I'm good and you?"
"I'm fine, thank you. Do you live here?" he asked.
"Yes I do," she replied. "What about you?"
"Yea, I live here, room A4. Uhm, have a nice day Angela, I'm actually in a hurry," he said politely. "We should hang out sometime."
"That'd be nice. Have a great day too," she said.
He went on his way and Angela continued doing her laundry. When she was done, she went back inside the room and laid on the bed beside Maliah who was playing a game on her phone.
"What's wrong," Maliah asked.
"It's nothing," Angela said.
"Come on, spill. You seem to forget I'm going to be a psychologist. I feel something is bothering you so what is it?"
Angela sighed. "Well, there's this guy…"
"I knew it!" Maliah exclaimed. "Are you in love or something?"
"In love—no, something—yes. He helped me pick up my biometric card when I lost it three days ago. You remember, during the GS rush. I haven't seen him since then but I just found out a few minutes ago that he stays in this lodge—block A. I don't know, but I have this weird feeling about the two of us. I don't know what it is. Girl, this guy is handsome! We've not had a real conversation so I don't know what to say."
"Hmm," Maliah sighed. "I'd love to meet this guy making you this emosh."
Angela smacked Maliah on her arm, and they both laughed over it.
"Talking about GS exams, have you checked your results? Maliah asked
"Yes I have," Angela answered. "I had 3As and a C in Languages. What about you?
"That's what I'm checking right now. Wow, your results are great," Maliah said. "Ohmygod! I have 3As and a B in Languages," she exclaimed.
"Wow, I'm so happy for you," Angela said.
*****
Coming from a good Christian home, Angela could hardly miss a Sunday service. She was an Anglican but this particular Sunday, she was going with Maliah to her fellowship – Home of Christ's Redeemed. The service was quite different from what she was used to back home, but she enjoyed every bit of it.
During the Choir presentation, while humming along she looked around and saw David playing the keyboard. He smiled at her and she smiled back. From that moment on, Angela couldn't concentrate on the service anymore. David seemed to be everywhere she looked.
Even when she was stepping out to stretch her legs, she couldn't help but wonder if he was looking at her.
How possible and amazing is it to meet someone and all of a sudden, they're all you can think of.
Outside, Angela grunted. "Argh! What is wrong with you Angel?" she said. "You barely know this guy and he's all over your mind. Get a grip of yourself, he's like every other guy out there."
By the time the service was over, it was already 12:30pm. Angela couldn't wait to get home. However, she had to wait for Maliah who had a series of meetings to attend. When she was done with the meetings at around 1:15pm, they walked home together."
"So did you enjoy the service?" Maliah asked.
"Yes I absolutely did! I even saw David in church," Angela replied.
"Oh! Really? Wow, I don't know the guy yet, so…" Maliah said. "Anyway, what are we having for lunch?"
"Mac and eggs," Angela said, a little bit excited.
"You sure do love macaroni. You're cooking anyways," Maliah said.
"Oh no!" Angela grumbled.
"Uh huh, you're cooking!" Maliah said again laughing at Angela's frowned face.
"By the way, what are your plans for your birthday? It's in 2 weeks right?" Angela asked out of the blue.
"I have no plans at all. Netflix and chill baby." Maliah said not bothered at all.
"It's your 25th birthday, girl! It's a special day and you should make plans." Angela said looking at Maliah, hands akimbo. "In fact, don't worry about it. I gotcha," she added.
Maliah shook her head. She didn't want to make a big deal out of her 25th birthday because she was quite low on funds. She also figured that since it was her first birthday away from home, she could just have something quiet and cozy. However, knowing Angela, she was sure that she had something up her sleeves.