What would have been the point? Their parents had already arranged their betrothal, and there was no rush. She wasn't going anywhere, and they both had to finish their education before they could get married.
In the lecture hall, Adaugo felt the weight of a familiar gaze. She looked up and caught Chibuzor's eyes through the window. A radiant smile spread across her face as she waved at him. Then, with renewed energy, she began packing faster.
Her cheeks grew warm as she felt her heartbeat quicken. 'Why does he have to look at me like that?' she wondered, trying to hide her blush by lowering her head. She adored him more than she dared to admit, and the thought of her feelings being unrequited terrified her.
'He must never know,' she told herself. If Chibuzor didn't feel the same way, the rejection would crush her. But if he did…
'If he does, then he's mine. Not just in this life but in every one after.'
As Adaugo exited the lecture hall with her bag slung over her shoulder, her steps faltered as she approached Chibuzor. Her cheeks burned hotter the closer she got, and no matter how hard she tried to calm herself, the redness only deepened.
Chibuzor noticed immediately, his expression clouding with concern. He took her almost empty bag from her shoulder, frowning. "Ugo, you're red again. Are you sure you're not coming down with something? You keep avoiding the hospital, but this seems to be getting worse every time I see you."
Adaugo sighed inwardly, helpless against his worry. 'I am catching something indeed,' she thought ruefully, but she simply shook her head, offering a small smile. "I'm fine, Chibuzor. It's just the sun. Really, don't worry about it."
The moment she mentioned the sun, Chibuzor reached into his bag with practiced ease and pulled out a pink umbrella. He opened it swiftly and held it out to her. "Here, take this. I brought it just in case the sun gets too harsh."
His thoughtfulness only made her cheeks flush deeper, turning her face nearly as red as a ripe tomato. Too shy to meet his gaze, she took the umbrella from him. Chibuzor, oblivious to her turmoil, tilted his head in mild confusion but didn't press further.
"Hurry up and take it," he urged gently. "I don't want the sun to hurt your fair skin."
Adaugo murmured her thanks, still avoiding his gaze, and they began their leisurely walk to their usual cotton candy spot.
As they strolled, Chibuzor glanced at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "How's everything in your department? Is Professor Abubakar still giving you trouble?"
The mention of the professor wiped away her shyness instantly. Her lips turned downward into a frown, and her eyes darkened. "He's not letting up, Chibuzor. I don't know what else to do."
A dangerous glint flashed in Chibuzor's eyes, his earlier warmth vanishing. He clenched his fists, his mind racing. Professor Abubakar had been harassing Adaugo for months.
Though she had firmly resisted his advances, she was careful not to antagonize him, given his authority as her lecturer. But the situation was clearly escalating, and Chibuzor couldn't sit idly by any longer.
Noticing his dark expression, Adaugo placed a hand on his arm, her tone soft with worry. "Don't do anything reckless. I'll be fine."
Chibuzor forced a nod, schooling his features into calmness. "Of course," he replied. But inside, his mind was set. 'Professor Abubakar… we'll see about that.'
After grabbing their cotton candy and chatting briefly, Chibuzor walked her back to her lodge. He waved her goodbye with a reassuring smile before turning on his heel, his expression hardening once again. He had somewhere to be.
An Hour Later.
Outside the Economics Department lecture hall, Chibuzor waited patiently for Professor Abubakar. The man was still inside, finishing a class. Chibuzor had no intention of disrupting the students, his issue was solely with the professor. So, he waited.
Finally, the last student trickled out, and the professor began packing up his briefcase. Chibuzor straightened, his sharp gaze locking onto the man.
As Professor Abubakar reached for his case, Chibuzor stepped forward, blocking his path.
The older man froze mid-step, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the young man before him.
Professor Abubakar was taken aback when he saw Chibuzor standing firmly in his path. This was the same student who always tagged along with Adaugo. 'Shouldn't this boy be steering clear of trouble, knowing fully well my interest in her?'
"Student, why are you blocking my way?" the professor demanded, his tone heavy with irritation.
Chibuzor's eyes blazed with restrained anger as he responded, "Sir, I came here to warn you. Stay away from Adaugo. If you know what's good for you, you'll do your research, figure out the family she comes from, and back off."
At that age, Chibuzor had yet to learn the importance of relying on his own strength rather than his family's influence. Born with a silver spoon, he had rarely encountered situations where his background wasn't enough to resolve matters.
The professor hesitated, his mind racing as he tried to place the boy. He couldn't recall his face but knew there was something familiar about him. "Young man, what's your last name?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Chibuzor let out a derisive snort. "You don't deserve to know. Do your research. Stay away from people you have no business with, or else..." His voice trailed off, his warning sharp and final.
Without waiting for a response, Chibuzor turned and walked away, leaving the professor rooted in place, his thoughts swirling. 'Why does he seem familiar? Have I seen him in the news?' No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn't make the connection.
Shaking off the encounter, Professor Abubakar dismissed the boy's words. "I'll go after whoever I want. Who does he think he is, warning me like that?"
His face darkened as indignation took over. "No student has ever dared speak to me like that. I'll make him pay for his insolence."
---
The Next Day.
Adaugo, having no lectures scheduled, stayed home to rest. Chibuzor, however, was on his way to class when a group of burly boys surrounded him. Their sheer size made his slim, tall frame appear almost diminutive in comparison.
The leader of the group fixed him with a menacing stare, his voice dripping with mockery. "Baby ant, we need to have a little chat."
Chibuzor's fists clenched at the insult. 'Baby ant?' Fury ignited in his chest, but he kept his composure. Ignoring the others, he turned to the leader. "I don't have any issues with you or your crew, so there's no need for us to talk. Step aside."
His tone was firm, unyielding, but the tension in the air promised this would not end without a confrontation.
The leader laughed mockingly, completely dismissing Chibuzor's menacing glare. "Baby ant, you don't know what's good for you. But since you're so eager, let's settle this right here and now."
With that, he gave a signal to his followers. Instantly, Chibuzor was surrounded by ten muscular boys, their eyes gleaming with malice.
What followed was the worst beating of Chibuzor's life. It wasn't that he wasn't strong, he was. But facing eleven experienced attackers at once, he stood no chance. The group took full advantage of their numbers, pummeling him mercilessly in the open space.
Other students stood nearby, watching the brutal scene unfold. Nobody stepped in to help. Interfering in the activities of cult members was a dangerous gamble. Most students preferred to mind their own business and avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Finally, a kind-hearted girl who knew Adaugo sprinted to her lodge, breathless as she explained what was happening.
Hearing the news, Adaugo's heart almost stopped. She immediately contacted Chibuzor's parents, who wasted no time summoning reinforcements. Police officers from the nearest station were dispatched, and as they approached the university entrance, the cult's lookout raised the alarm.
Within moments, the cult members scattered, leaving a bloodied and battered Chibuzor lying on the ground.
Under normal circumstances, the police would have avoided getting involved. Cult related matters were notoriously tricky, and officers often refrained from intervening to avoid retaliation. But this was different.
The call had come from the prestigious Arinze family, and their influence ensured swift action. The police launched a manhunt, scouring the campus for the perpetrators.
Eventually, all eleven attackers were apprehended. Meanwhile, Chibuzor was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, with Adaugo following close behind in the Chief of Police's car.
---
Chibuzor spent a month in the hospital. The injuries he sustained were severe. He had multiple broken ribs, extensive bruising, and internal injuries. Throughout his recovery, Adaugo took a leave of absence from school to stay by his side, rarely leaving his bedside.
Back at the Arinze household, Old Master Arinze was livid. His pride and joy, the only grandson interested in furthering their empire, had nearly lost his life over a reckless confrontation with cult members.
Chibuzor's actions infuriated him, not because of the fight, but because the boy hadn't considered the potential consequences of his impulsive behavior.