I had finished classes for that day, and was already in my hostel, alone. Inoma had an elective, so she wasn't with me. Usually, I'd have gone to Fareedah's faculty and watch, but she had told me to stop coming by and even if she had given me her number and was nice to me, I still couldn't bring myself to bug her.

I let myself fall on my bed with my back, sighing into the room. Maybe I shuu just text her. I gave it a thought. No, she'll find me a burden. I gave it more thoughts. What if she is actually waiting for me to reach out, since I was the one who wanted to be friends in the first place? I paused, looking at the still ceiling fan and thinking about it. Maybe.

I brought my phone to my face, searched for her number on WhatsApp and message her a simple, 'Hello'.

I could swear, it wasn't up to a second before my phone dinged and a reply came from her. 'Hi', it read, making me smile.

Maybe she was waiting for me, for real. 'It's Celia. Can you remember me?' I sent to her.

Fareedah 💜
Oh, so that's your name?
Yes, I do remember you.
You saved me the other day.

My smile widened.

Me
I wouldn't actually call it saving. Just did the right thing.

Fareedah 💜
It is saving.
I'm sure if not for you, no one was going to come to my aid.

Me
Well, nah Naija we dey. Everyone isn't nice.

Fareedah 💜
True.
But still, it was a really kind gesture. Please, let me repay you. Please.

I sighed, giving it a thought. There honestly wasn't anything I needed from her, except her time and attention. So, an idea popped into my mind

Me
Are you free now?

Fareedah
No, painting.
But, I could create time. What do you want?

Me
Eat with me.

Fareedah
Oh. Really? Just that?

I nodded, forgetting she wasn't there.

Me
Yes, just that.

Fareedah
Okay, lemme pack up, I'll call you.

Me
Sure. I'll be waiting.

I couldn't stop my lips from smiling and myself from feeling so happy. I quickly jumped off my bed and put some cloth on. I was in my undies alone.

I slipped fresh black denim trousers on, with a sleeveless chiffon seaweed green top. I slipped my leg into my black palm, as I sat on my bed waiting patiently. I sat at the edge of my bed, tapping my feet on the floor one after the other.

I had waited for almost two to three minutes, before her call finally came in. "Hello," I said into the call, trying to seem calm.

"Err… Where is your hostel?" she asked from the other end of the line.

"MTH (Madam Tinubu Hall) at New Hall."

"Okay. I'll call when I get there."

I nodded as the line went off and my mind began running. Instead of her to have asked where we were meeting to eat, why did she ask for my hostel instead?

I pushed into the bed, resting on the wall as Natashah walked in. "Ah ahn, this one that you're sitting like you're expecting someone, what's up?" she asked as she lifted her shoulder bag above her head and dropped it on her top bunk bed, opposite mine.

I smiled. "Actually jare, actually. How was class?" I quickly changed the topic, making her sigh and her shoulders fall.

"The usual oh, my sister."

I smiled, understanding. "Don't worry, all will be well, las las," I told her, causing her to nod as she began to undress and my phone rang. "Hello," I quickly said into the line, when I saw it was Fareedah who had called.

"Hey, I'm in the compound," she replied, causing my lips to spread into a smile and my heart to beat.

"Oh, I'll be there." I ended the call and began to rush things. Things I should have done when I was waiting, I began to do. I applied lip balm, then lip gloss. I sprayed body spray, then applied some perfume oil.

"This date must be really hot oh," Natasha suddenly said, causing me to smile.

"It's not a date, it's just lunch." I grabbed my purse and made to leave.

"This isn't 'just lunch'," Natasha said, air quoting. "You obviously like them." She winked, causing me to smile and brush some of my box braids behind my ear. "Sha bring something for us oh."

I waved her off and walked out of the door. "Bye oh."

It was like I was contesting for some marathon position. But, I quickly stopped. So, I won't be all sweaty when I got to where she was and not seem quite desperate, I began to walk calmly.

She was packed closer to 'Fagunwa'. I guessed from the name and color of the car, and on approach, she was the one seated in front. I tapped gently on the window, not wanting to get in since we were most likely going to end up at 2001, there was no need for the serenreren (beating about the Bush).

Her lips quickly spread into a smile when she saw me. She winded her glass down. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," I replied.

We slipped into seconds of silence before she broke it. "Please, get in."

I felt myself frown a bit. "There isn't any need, why don't we just go to 2001?"

Her face spread into some sudden kind of realization before she said, "Oh. I'm so sorry for not telling you this earlier. But, I can only eat this school food once in two weeks. It affected my system kind of." She frowned a bit. "My face starts getting swollen and stuff," she explained, causing my own face to spread into sudden realization.

"Oh," I muttered, she nodded.

"So, if you don't mind. Can I take you someplace outside school?"

I wasn't so sure how to feel about it all, so I frowned a bit, ignoring my beating heart. "I-" I started, but was immediately cut off by her.

"I'll handle all the bills, I promise," she promised.

I chuckled. "I can handle my own bill, Love," I replied her with a smile as I made my way to the passenger's seat, thinking of how a simple lunch was turning into a real date. Maybe it was a real date from the very start, and I was trying to act like it wasn't.

I felt my cheeks heat up with a blush as she started the vehicle and I put on my seat belt. Oof, it's like a dream come true.

I blushed some more.