The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the cozy living room of Obinna's apartment, blending with the faint sounds of Afrobeats playing from his Bluetooth speaker. Obinna sat lazily on the couch, his legs stretched out on the coffee table, flipping through channels on the TV with little interest.
Aaron, on the other hand, was pacing around the room, his face lit with excitement and nerves. He had been going on about his Valentine's Day plans for Amanda for the past twenty minutes, and Obinna, with a lazy smirk, was enjoying the free entertainment.
"Guy, I swear, this Valentine must be perfect o! You know Amanda deserves nothing but the best." He states with excitement laced in his voice.
Obinna chuckled, shaking his head. "You're really going all out this year, aren't you?"
Aaron flopped onto the couch beside him, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Of course! I can't slack. Last year was just okay, but this year? This year, I wan blow her mind!"
Obinna raised an eyebrow. "So, what's the plan? Flowers and chocolate cliché?"
Aaron scoffed. "Mba. No be that one. I'm thinking of something deeper—something meaningful." He leaned forward. "I was thinking maybe a custom necklace with our initials, and maybe planning a surprise dinner somewhere fancy. What do you think?"
Obinna shrugged. "Sounds solid. Girls like all those sentimental things." He glanced at Aaron with a smirk. "You sure you can pull it off, though? Amanda's taste no be here."
Aaron groaned. "That's why I'm asking you na! Help me think of something unique."
Obinna stretched, looking thoughtful for a moment. "Hmm… ever thought about a handwritten love letter? Something personal. I hear girls die for that kind of thing."
Aaron's eyes widened. "Guy! That's a great idea! I go fit add am to the gift package."
Obinna grinned. "Exactly. And if all else fails, just carry her go one of those five-star restaurants, spoil her, and you're good."
Aaron nodded, satisfied. Then he paused and gave Obinna a sly look.
"Enough about me, bro. What about you? You got any special plans for anyone?"
Obinna, who had been sipping from a glass of water, almost choked. He wiped his mouth and shot Aaron a warning glare. "Who said I have a special someone?"
Aaron laughed. "Abeg, no give me that. I'm not blind, you know?, and Kaima!, she's a Babe." He wiggled his brows. "You dey catch feelings?"
Obinna rolled his eyes, trying to hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "Kaima is just a friend."
Aaron scoffed. "Ehn, just a friend, but you no wan make she waka alone for night?"
Obinna sighed. "Look, I just walked her home. That's it."
Aaron wasn't convinced. "Oya answer me na, are you planning anything for Valentine's?"
Obinna hesitated, his mind drifting to the moment they had earlier in front of her apartment. He had casually asked her about her plans, but the truth was, he had already been thinking about something—maybe surprising her with a little something after their test.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "No plans yet. But who knows? Maybe I'll figure something out."
Aaron grinned knowingly. "Mmhmm. Just don't overthink it, bro. Sometimes the small gestures count."
Obinna smirked. "Look at you giving love advice. When did you become an expert?"
Aaron laughed. "When I realized how much I love Amanda, bro." He sighed dreamily. "Love will humble you."
Obinna shook his head, amused. "Oya, lover boy, let's see if you can pull this perfect Valentine off first."
Aaron leaned back with a grin. "Just watch and learn, my guy. Just watch and learn."
Obinna chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for the remote again. But as the conversation died down, he couldn't help but think about Kaima—how her eyes lit up when she talked, the way she laughed, and how she made him feel at ease.
Maybe Valentine's Day wouldn't be so bad after all.
----
Wednesday afternoon.
The 200-level pharmacology classroom at Forcados University was buzzing with the low hum of students revising for their upcoming practical lab test. The air was thick with a mixture of tension and the occasional chatter from different corners of the class. Some students had their heads buried in thick textbooks, while others whispered formulas to themselves, trying to cram last-minute details.
Kaima sat at her usual spot near the window, her notebook open but her mind distracted. Chelsea sat beside her, lazily twirling a pen between her fingers while scanning through her notes. Chuma, ever the serious one, sat across from them, flipping through his pharmacology text with an expression of pure concentration.
Kaima's phone buzzed suddenly, drawing attention to her from those around. Glancing at the screen, she sighed when she saw "Dad" displayed on it. She quickly excused herself from the table and stepped outside the class to take the call.
"Good evening, Daddy." she says with the phone pressed to her left ear.
Mr. Ifedi's voice boomed through the line. "Kaima, how are you? Hope you're reading well? I know you have tests coming up."
Kaima smiled. "Yes, Daddy. I'm preparing."
Her father's voice softened. "That's good. Focus on your studies, my dear. And remember, no distractions from boys! They can wait. Your future is more important."
Kaima rolled her eyes slightly but kept her voice respectful. "Yes, sir. No boys, I promise."
Mr. Ifedi chuckled. "Good girl. I trust you. God will bless your efforts."
Kaima smiled. "Amen, Daddy. Thank you."
As the call ended, Kaima shook her head with a small laugh and walked back into the class, sliding into her seat next to Chelsea, who was already giving her a knowing look.
"Let me guess. Your dad's usual sermon?" chelsea asks, with a knowing look on her face.
Kaima sighed dramatically. "You already know. 'Focus on your books, stay away from boys,' same old talk."
Chelsea chuckled. "At least he's consistent."
Before Kaima could respond, a sudden gasp echoed across the room. All heads turned to the front, where Zahra, the class "it-girl" known for her confidence and stunning looks, stood in front of Chuma's desk. The entire class stilled, ears straining to catch what was happening.
"Chuma, will you be my Valentine?" she boldly asks, not minding the stares and gasps coming from different directions of the class.
A wave of murmurs and giggles spread through the class like wildfire. Chelsea's eyes widened in shock, and she clutched Kaima's arm tightly.
"No way. Did she just—". Chelsea gasps, the shock evident on her face.
"She did. I never expected Zahra to be that bold!" Kaima retorts, she too finding it hard to believe the scene that was unfolding in front of tem.
All eyes were fixed on Chuma, whose face went through several shades of surprise before settling into an awkward calm. He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention.
"Uhh, thanks, Zahra, but I already have plans with someone." Chuma calmly declines, shocking that class more.
A collective "ooh" rippled through the class. Zahra's expression flickered, but she quickly masked it with a polite smile.
Zahra: "Oh. Well, that's fine. Maybe some other time."
With a graceful turn, she walked back to her seat, leaving Chuma to face the smug stares of his classmates.
Chelsea wasted no time leaning over with a teasing grin. "Eh, Chuma, spill it. Who's the mystery girl?"
Kaima grinned mischievously. "Yes o, who's the lucky one?"
Chuma, still flustered, shook his head and closed his textbook dramatically. "You people should face your studies abeg. We have a test tomorrow."
"Aww, come on, Chuma. We won't let this go, you know?" Chelsea inquiries, not ready to drop the topic anytime soon.
"Exactly! You might as well tell us now." Kaima chimmers in, she too still in shock about the event that just took place.
Chuma smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Ladies, focus. No distractions, remember?"
Chelsea pouted. "Ugh, you're no fun."
Kaima giggled, stealing a glance at Chuma, who was now pretending to read again. The buzz of Zahra's daring move still lingered in the air, but eventually, the class fell back into its study rhythm.
As the evening stretched on, Chelsea occasionally whispered suggestions of who the mystery Valentine could be, while Chuma simply shook his head in amusement.
Deep down, Kaima couldn't help but wonder—who exactly did Chuma have plans with?
----
Kaima sat cross-legged on her bed, folding the last of her clothes while balancing her phone between her ear and shoulder. Her room was finally tidy, with books stacked neatly on her desk in preparation for tomorrow's study session. She let out a tired sigh as she spoke into the phone.
Kaima: "Ada, I'm so exhausted. School has been choking me ever since we resumed. Can you believe they scheduled Dr. Nwosu's lab test for Valentine's Day? What kind of wickedness is that?"
Ada's laughter rang through the phone, warm and teasing. "Ha! Your department people are something else. They want to make sure you all stay single."
Kaima rolled her eyes. "I'm telling you! Even Chelsea has been praying that they won't spring any more surprise tests on us."
Ada chuckled. "Chelsea and her drama. But you know it's part of the student struggle."
Kaima flopped onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Speaking of drama, you won't believe what happened today. Zahra—yes, the same happening babe in my class—openly asked Chuma to be her Valentine. Right there in front of everyone."
Ada gasped. "Wait, Zahra? As in the Zahra? That girl doesn't shoot shots anyhow. Chuma must be special."
Kaima smirked. "That's what we all thought. But guess what? He turned her down. Just like that."
Ada laughed. "No way! Chuma? Rejecting Zahra? This one is serious o."
Kaima shook her head. "Chelsea and I tried to press him for details, but he just brushed us off with 'I already have plans.' Can you imagine?"
Ada's voice held a note of curiosity. "Hmm, maybe he does. What if he has a secret crush?"
Kaima shrugged. "I don't know, but it's fun watching him squirm."
Ada sighed. "Anyway, enough about Chuma. How's school? Have you been eating well?"
Kaima rolled her eyes. "Yes, mummy. I'm taking care of myself." She paused. "By the way, I thought you were still in Enugu. When did you get back to Lagos?"
Ada hesitated briefly before responding. "Just a few days ago. Work was piling up, so I had to cut my leave short."
Kaima frowned. "You should have told me. How was the trip?"
Ada giggled. "It was okay, nothing special. But... I might have met someone interesting."
Kaima's eyes widened, and she sat up quickly. "Ada! Who? Spill!"
Ada teased, "Relax now, I'll tell you everything this weekend. But just know I'm not exactly single anymore."
Kaima gasped dramatically. "Wow! My sister has been holding out on me. You better not forget any details."
Ada laughed. "I won't. But for now, focus on that test. Dad already warned you, right?"
Kaima groaned. "Ugh, yes. He called earlier and gave me the whole 'stay away from boys' lecture."
Ada's voice softened. "He means well, K. Just stay focused, but also... keep your eyes open. You never know what might be around the corner."
Kaima sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. "I hear you, Ada. But please, I have no time for distractions."
Ada chuckled. "That's what they all say. Anyway, sleep well, love. We'll talk this weekend."
Kaima smiled. "Goodnight, Ada. And don't forget, full gist o!"
As the call ended, Kaima stared at her phone for a moment, shaking her head with a smile. She stretched, pushing away thoughts of Valentine's Day and mysterious crushes. Right now, school was the focus. She picked up her notes and settled in to study, but Ada's words lingered in her mind.