CHAPTER 7: PATH CROSSED 

As usual, I headed to the lecture , but the lecturer had not arrived.

Instead of joining the noisy crowd, I sought refuge beneath a mango tree beside the lecture hall, scrolling my phone.

The truth is I was not browsing.

I kept refreshing my bank mobile app because Bigsis had promised to send me some money.

Bigsis was one of my backbones in kashere. She always showed up, whenever I found myself in financial difficulty. She took a significant part in my journey.

After I checked my account countless times, I looked up.

And that was when I saw them.

Three students heading toward the lecture hall.

I guessed they were my coursemates from their appearances.

A young man led the way.

Followed by a beautiful dark-skinned lady.

Then came the last person.

A caramel-skinned beautiful lady.

She seized my world for minutes in amazement of God's work.

She walked like a goddess

‎Her beauty glued my eyes to her.

‎Her beautiful figure is a work of art, leaving me with a happy heart.

I quickly summoned the courage.

“Good afternoon, bro,” I greeted the first guy

He smiled and we exchanged handshakes.

This gave me the opportunity to talk to two other ladies.

“Hello,” I smiled.

“Hi,” they answered concurrently and their voices blended like duets. 

My eyes drifted back to the caramel skinned lady and our eyes glued.

Silence reigned…

At that moment, it felt as if the earth stopped rotating.

As though the time stilled and my heart stopped beating.

Then the young man broke through.

“My name is Shedrack,” he said, extending his hand again. “What about you?”

“Ola…. My name is Olarewaju.”

He smiled.

“So, you are the guy we've been hearing about?”

I chuckled.

“Well, I don't know about that,” I continued. “But yes, I am a fresher.”

The dark-skinned lady smiled.

“So, you are Yoruba. I am Yoruba too. My name is Janet Adewumi.”

I parted my lips, revealing my white wonky teeth.

“My Yoruba sister,” I responded jokingly.

The caramel-skinned lady looked at me for seconds before speaking.

“And I am…”

Her name was beautiful.

I repeated it in my mind, afraid that I might forget it .

"So, you're a student of English too?" Shedrack asked.

"Yes."

"That's good," Janet replied. "Then we'll be seeing each other almost every day."

We all laughed.

The conversation flowed naturally

Just four students getting to know one another.

We talked about admission, registration, lecturers, and the confusing timetable.

They complained about the long queues.

I told them about my journey from Ogbomoso.

Then the beautiful caramel-skinned chirped in.

Her name is Gloria

“So you are from Ogbomoso?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She was wowed.

“I am from Ogbomoso too.Where in Ogbomoso?”

Before long, it felt as though we had known one another for much longer than a few minutes.

As we were talking, my phone vibrated.

I quickly brought it out.

Credit Alert.

A smile escaped my lips.

Bigsis had finally sent the money.

I whispered a silent prayer of gratitude.

"Good news?" Shedrack asked.

"Very good news," I replied.

"Then you owe us biscuits," Janet joked.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Even Gloria laughed.

It was the first time I heard her laugh.

It was soft and contagious 

I smiled without realizing it.

Just then, the lecturer walked into the lecture hall.

Almost immediately, students who had been scattered around the building rushed inside.

"Let's go," Shedrack said.

We picked up our bags and walked into the lecture hall together.

I found a seat beside Gloria, while Janet and Shedrack sat directly behind us.

As the lecture began, I tried to focus on the lecturer.

But we found ourselves discussing our root.

The chemistry is pure, the bromance and romance were undeniable.

From that day onward, our path crossed almost everyday.

On campus, waiting for a Lecturer or even after lectures.

Without realizing it, our friendship grew.

Bond gradually took root and the feelings became deeper.

No pressure.

Just two young adults doing their things.

Around the same time, Hakeem and Esther later joined our cycle

Together with Janet , Gloria and me, we created a family knitted group called School Bloodies.

We were more than coursemates.

We fought and settled.

We became one another partners, encouragers, strength and study mates.

Looking back today, I realize that one of the greatest gifts Kashere gave me was not just a degree.

It was people.

People who laughed with me, stood by me, challenged me, believed in me, and made a strange land feel like home.

Back then, I thought those were just ordinary moments 

I didn't know it would become some of the most unforgettable parts of my university years.

And I certainly didn't know that meeting Gloria beneath that mango tree was only the beginning.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

@ÀDÙNÍ