Jimmy resumed normal lectures and studies within the following week. Temi filled up his dreams and mind; her face was all over the pages of his books and everywhere he looked. He craved to see her again, to be caught up and be ravished completely by the flames in her eyes and to feel the warmth of her skin by holding her hand again. The desire was overwhelming and he couldn't help it.
At the cafeteria where most students are, he would look out to catch a glimpse of her in the morning and evening but she was nowhere in sight. By the end of the week, he was contemplating either to go to the Fine arts department, or go back to the botanical garden where they had met or still, go to the female hostel and ask for her. He needed to see her again and ask her some questions that were clouding his mind.
"You seem preoccupied since after the taekwondo competition, are you alright?" James asked, having observed Jimmy read without attention for a while in the library.
"Shhh, no noise!" Jimmy hushed him and looked around the well facilitated school library, to be sure they weren't disturbing anyone around. Jimmy was a sucker for good manners, he was well raised and would never be caught breaking any rules.
James eyed him and held his peace but had no intention of letting his best friend off the hook. He would definitely get to the root of what was affecting his namesake.
When the reading was over, the two friends were leaving the library facility when something caught Jimmy's attention. Posted right at the glass door to main entrance was a colourful poster. He stopped abruptly to study the notice while his friend almost bumped into his back. The poster was inviting all Bright Stars University students to the Annual Arts Exhibition of the Fine and Performing Arts department. It was going to be a week-long affair with different activities scheduled for each day. It appeared huge and serious as Jimmy studied the notice seriously without blinking.
"She's probably busy preparing for this. I guess that's what's keeping her invisible," He uttered to himself but James heard him.
"Who's that?"
"None of your business!" Jimmy answered as he walked briskly out of the library heading back to the male hostel.
"Have you met someone I don't know?"
James pried.
"None of your business!"
"I'm your best friend, you know!"
"Thanks for reminding me!"
James chuckled and hastened his paces to catch up with his friend's.
Back in his room, Jimmy took his phone to set a reminder for the first day of the arts exhibition, he would definitely be there. He lay on his bed and went through his phone leisurely. As he scrolled through Facebook, he realised that there were several posts from different students about the same fine arts events. It was really a big deal and the preparation was tedious. Students and staff of the university were not the only ones invited, big artists, celebrities, arts students from other schools, arts veterans and analysts were all expected. It was a major event.
"Was that why Temi was in the botanical garden on that Sunday evening? Was she working in her head before he intruded into her secluded space?"
Jimmy fussed in his head.
"Does she need any assistance? Is there anything I can do to help her prepare? Where exactly can I find her, in the botanical garden?"
He continued to deliberate in his head whether to go find her or not but in the end, he concluded it was best not to interfere or disrupt her preparations. He would wait patiently till the first day of the event and would definitely be there for her and to see her again.
That same night, Jimmy dreamt of Temi again. Jimmy's dream unfolded like a scene from a vivid tapestry, rich with colours and sensations. As he found himself in a dreamy landscape, he noticed the familiar presence of the same girl who had been haunting his subconscious for nights. Yet, in this ethereal realm, they were both adorned in the same traditional attire from his previous dream, their garments a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues that seemed to dance in the moonlight.
The air was filled with the fragrance of exotic spices and the distant strains of melodious music. Jimmy's heart raced as he approached the girl, whose eyes sparkled with a mysterious allure. In this dream, they addressed each other with names that felt ancient and unfamiliar, as if plucked from the annals of history. Each syllable carried a weight of significance, resonating with a deeper connection that transcended the confines of time and space.
Their conversation flowed like a river, meandering through realms of shared memories and unspoken desires. In this alternate reality, Jimmy felt a sense of belonging, as if he had finally found the missing piece of his soul. As they wandered through the dream landscape hand in hand, he marvelled at the beauty of their surroundings, each moment etched into his consciousness like a precious gem.
In this dream, Jimmy experienced a profound sense of deja vu, as if he had lived this moment a thousand times before. Yet, it felt more real than anything he had ever known, as if the boundaries between dream and reality had dissolved into a seamless tapestry of existence. And as he awoke from his slumber, he carried with him the lingering echo of that enchanting encounter, a memory that would continue to haunt his waking hours with its tantalising promise of a love beyond the confines of time and space.
The days that followed, counting down to day one of the fine arts exhibition, were endless for Jimmy. He couldn't wait to see Temi again. It has become apparent to him that he has not only fallen in love with this mystery girl, right from the first instance when their eyes met and locked while he was sparring with his taekwondo mate, there was also a strong and intricate connection between them that seemed timeless.
Finally, Saturday the 3rd of November arrived. Jimmy's heart fluttered and his pulse raced in wild ecstasy as he prepared that morning. He had already chosen his outfits beforehand, something not too corporate and not too casual but still elegant. Something, according to his research, was suitable for the occasion.
"Where exactly did you say we are going?" James asked his frantic friend.
"To the Fine and Performing Arts Department. They have an art exhibition that's commencing today!" Jimmy answered as he turned around to examine his friend's outfit, he nodded in appreciation. The two James had many things in common, a good taste of dressing was one of them.
"What business of ours is that?" James asked with a frown.
"It's a big event! Everyone has been talking about it and everyone is going! Haven't you heard? We are definitely going!" He stooped down to put on his Ferragamo shoes.
"Jimmy, since when did you start picking interest in fine arts and in social events?" James teased him.
"Since now!"
Jimmy went to his closet and examined himself in the mirror for the final time. Convinced that he looked good enough, he sprayed his cologne and picked up his iPhone from the table.
"Shall we?"
He headed to the door without waiting for a response.
James followed him with a bit of suspicion and intrigue. Together they fell in line as they walked along the school pathway heading to the Fine and Performing Arts Department, looking spectacularly elegant and breathtaking as always.