The dispensing lab at Forcados University was buzzing with tension. Rows of students, clad in their crisp white lab coats, stood nervously behind their workstations, each station meticulously arranged with measuring cylinders, mortar and pestles, pipettes, and an assortment of powdered substances waiting to be compounded. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a harsh glow, making the already intense atmosphere even more stifling.
Kaima wiped her damp palms on the hem of her lab coat, casting a side glance at Chelsea, who was mouthing silent prayers under her breath. Chuma, standing a few feet away, cracked his knuckles in a bid to release tension, but his usually calm face was taut with concentration.
Dr. Nwosu, the no-nonsense pharmacist who had built a reputation for being ruthless when it came to practicals, strode into the room with an air of authority that made the students collectively straighten up. His sharp eyes scanned the room, and his deep voice boomed, "Good morning, students."
A chorus of shaky "Good morning, sir," echoed through the room.
He nodded, tapping his fingers against his clipboard. "Today's practical test will determine how well you've understood the art of dispensing. I don't want any careless mistakes. You will be graded on precision, technique, and, most importantly, your adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!" they chorused again, some voices cracking under pressure.
Kaima swallowed hard as Dr. Nwosu's gaze landed briefly on her. The man had a way of making students feel as though he could read their thoughts.
"Alright," he continued, flipping through his clipboard. "You have exactly one hour and thirty minutes to complete the given prescriptions. Pay attention to details. Once you are done, leave your stations in order and submit your work at the front desk." He paused dramatically. "Any form of malpractice will lead to an automatic zero."
A nervous ripple spread through the room. Chelsea leaned in to whisper, "If I fail this test, I'm switching to Theatre Arts."
Kaima stifled a laugh, whispering back, "They won't take you; you're too dramatic for them."
Dr. Nwosu's sharp eyes darted toward their direction. "Miss Ifedi, Miss Okoye, something funny?"
Both girls shook their heads vigorously, their faces turning crimson. "No, sir."
With that, the test began.
Kaima focused on the prescription slip in front of her, meticulously weighing the required ingredients for the paracetamol compound. Her hands were steady, but her mind raced with calculations. The soft clinks of glass against glass, the grinding sound of mortar against pestle, and the hurried scribbles of pen on paper filled the lab.
Across the room, Chuma was deep in concentration, his brow furrowed as he expertly measured liquid for an antacid preparation.
Chelsea, on the other hand, was whispering to herself, "Fifty milligrams… no, wait, was it fifty or five hundred? God, why did I cram last-minute?"
Kaima suppressed a chuckle but remained focused, stirring the mixture with careful precision. Just as she reached for the next step, Dr. Nwosu walked past, his sharp gaze scrutinizing every movement.
"Miss Ifedi," he said, stopping beside her station.
Kaima's heart jumped to her throat. "Yes, sir?"
He peered at her beaker, nodding slightly. "Good consistency. But watch your time. Don't get too comfortable."
She exhaled in relief as he moved on to the next station, barking corrections at another student whose solution was turning a shade it shouldn't have.
Halfway through the test, the tension remained thick. A sharp clatter from the back startled everyone—someone had dropped their pestle, and all heads turned to see a panic-stricken student scrambling to recover it. Dr. Nwosu's voice cut through the commotion, "Keep your focus! Mistakes can be costly in this field!"
Kaima continued working, measuring and labeling her preparations carefully. As the minutes ticked down, she double-checked her work, praying silently that she had done everything right.
With fifteen minutes left, Chelsea nudged Kaima slightly and whispered, "I think I added too much ethanol."
Kaima gave her a pointed look. "And you're telling me now?"
Chelsea groaned. "Just let me complain. I'll figure it out."
Dr. Nwosu clapped his hands together, signaling the last five minutes. "Time is almost up! Ensure your labels are accurate and your workstations are tidy before submission."
The students hurried through the final touches, double-checking their formulations and writing their names in neat block letters on the submission slips.
When the final bell rang, the students stepped back, some breathing sighs of relief, while others looked on anxiously as their work was collected and sealed into large plastic bags.
Dr. Nwosu faced the class with a nod of approval. "You have survived... for now. Results will be out soon, and I expect no excuses. Dismissed."
The students filed out of the lab in a mix of exhaustion and relief. Chelsea threw an arm around Kaima's shoulder. "We deserve ice cream after this."
Chuma walked beside them, shaking his head. "We deserve a vacation."
Kaima smiled, finally allowing herself to relax. "We survived. That's enough for me."
As they walked off to grab some snacks, the weight of the test slowly lifted, replaced with hopeful anticipation for the results—and maybe, just maybe, thoughts of Valentine's Day creeping back into their minds.
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The cafeteria was packed with students buzzing with excitement and exhaustion after the dreaded practical test. The aroma of jollof rice and fried plantains filled the air, mixing with the chatter of students unwinding after the grueling session. Kaima, Chelsea, and Chuma sat at their usual corner table, their trays filled with steaming plates of food, discussing the test that had just ended.
"I swear, Dr. Nwosu has a personal vendetta against us," Chelsea groaned, stabbing her fork into a piece of chicken. "Who in their right mind gives a test on Valentine's Day?"
Kaima sighed, sipping her bottle of water. "I know right? The man doesn't believe in love."
Chuma chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Or maybe he's trying to save us from spending money."
The girls laughed, shaking their heads, but their laughter was cut short when Amanda stormed over to their table, her face set in a pout, frustration evident in her every step. She pulled out a chair and dropped into it with a dramatic sigh. The group has gotten a bit closer since the bonfire night, and occasionally spend time together.
"I swear, Aaron is the most annoying human being on this planet!" she huffed, folding her arms.
Kaima and Chelsea exchanged amused glances. "What did he do this time?" Kaima asked.
Amanda rolled her eyes. "We've been fighting since Wednesday! He knows today is Valentine's Day, and he didn't even say anything. No 'Happy Valentine's,' no plans, nothing!" She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. "I feel like I'm dating a stone."
Chelsea reached out, patting Amanda's arm reassuringly. "Maybe he's just stressed. You know how our department mess with people's heads."
Amanda sighed dramatically again. "Stressed or not, he should have at least—"
Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden commotion erupted in the cafeteria. Heads turned as Aaron walked in, carrying a large red heart-shaped box and a bouquet of fresh roses. He was flanked by two of his friends carrying small gift bags, their faces beaming with excitement as they made their way toward Amanda.
The entire cafeteria erupted in murmurs and gasps, with girls whispering enviously and guys grinning in amusement.
"Oh my God, that's Aaron," Chelsea whispered excitedly, nudging Kaima. "This is so cute!"
Amanda's eyes widened in shock, and she sat frozen, watching Aaron stop right at their table. With a triumphant smile, he dropped the bouquet and the gift box in front of her.
"Happy Valentine's Day, babe," he said with a smirk.
Amanda blinked, looking from the gifts to him and back again. "Aaron… what is this?" she asked, clearly flustered by the attention.
Aaron shrugged, sitting down next to her. "I knew you'd be expecting something, so I decided to throw you off by acting like I forgot." He leaned in with a playful grin. "Gotcha."
The cafeteria exploded in 'Awwws' and claps, with some students shaking their heads and others wishing it was them in Amanda's place.
Amanda, despite trying to stay angry, couldn't hide the small smile forming on her lips. "Aaron, you made me so mad these past few days!" she scolded, though her voice lacked its usual bite. "I really thought you didn't care."
Aaron chuckled. "Come on, Mandy. You know I'd never forget. I just wanted to mess with you a little."
Chelsea clapped her hands in excitement. "This is literally the cutest thing ever! Kaima, why can't Chuma be this romantic?"
Chuma, who had been quietly enjoying his meal, shot Chelsea a look. "Please, leave me out of this."
Amanda finally picked up the bouquet, smelling the roses with a soft smile. "Okay, fine. I forgive you. But next time, just tell me instead of making me lose my mind!"
Aaron grinned. "Noted. Now, can I have my Valentine's kiss?"
Amanda playfully swatted his arm. "You wish."
The cafeteria buzzed with excitement even as the trio continued their conversation, teasing Amanda about how her dramatic moment had turned into a full-blown rom-com scene.
Kaima sighed, watching the scene with a soft smile. Maybe Valentine's Day wasn't ruined after all.