Twelve Days to Valentine ✨✨

 TWELVE DAYS MORE

"What do you have to say concerning the recently completed project by the Vice Chancellor of the varsity?" the young perky lady said gazing straight at me through the screen.

"Well," a girlish voice replied, "I think it's a great move especially concerning the security unrest we've been facing within the campus. Also valentine is coming..."

"Ooh," the perky lady interrupted, "and what are you insinuating?"

Jovial laughter erupted and I turned off the television.

Noah is my name, civil engineering is my game. I've been in the den for four years already. Well, five years actually, thanks to the ASUU strike. I was working on a project in my room in Guest House when the voice on my TV caught my attention.Valentine is coming, I had heard. I smiled. I was thinking of a person, my val to be, Chenka. She was my course mate and very good friend. Very good friend not girl friend, mind you.

I met Chenka on the very first day I stepped on UNN ground. That was on the day we wrote our Post UTME. I remember gazing at the crowd of newbies which I was among and chuckling at the show of nervousness and confidence displayed by them. I'm sure I noticed a lot of people but one person alone held my attention. She was kinda short, brown and had on an oversized wig. I wonder how I could tell it was a wig. She had an Ankara gown on with white sneakers. It was an awkward combination but I didn't notice it as much as her pretty baby face and bold yet meek gait. She flung her hands casually as she walked and looked about her with kind yet taciturn eyes. Once or twice she smiled, and grew more beautiful each time she did.

I didn't speak to her; I wonder if it was because of my ego or if the sight of her actually made me nervous. The only close encounter I had with her was when I accidentally nudged her as I descended the stairs of the great Nnamdi Azikiwe library after my exam. "Sorry," I said honestly before noticing the sneakers again. Her response was a quiet and kind smile.That smile imprinted itself in my memory as I hoped it would for I was very eager to meet this girl again, even speak to her, if my ego would permit. Don't get me wrong; it wasn't love at first sight. It was... Curiosity.

Four years later, I was planning a little "parara" for this girl, and I promised myself it would be one she would never forget.

"Chenka," I whispered her name as I gazed at my phone while lying on my bed with my project manuscript abandoned beside me. I flicked my phone for all her pictures (they were many) and smiled as memories of a beautiful friendship flitted through my lovey-dovey head. One recollection made me frown, but I immediately brushed the thought aside. I sat up and observed my luxurious room - luxurious not because of my flashy furniture but because not every student could afford my accomodation.

I looked at my calendar; it was twelve days to Valentine. I smiled and stretched myself.

"Well, Noah, let's make this last Valentine in the den the best Chenka has ever had," I spoke to myself.My phone vibrated. It was a message from Chenka. It read, "Rich kid, I hope you are writing your project and not watching TV."

I smiled and replied with a silly emoji 😝.She simply sent a nonchalant looking emoji 😒 and I laughed.I was thinking of another mischievous message to send when a message popped in from an unknown number. Curiously, I read the message. What?🤨 This was definitely not one of my classmates. It read, "I want you." Those three words perplexed and disgusted me. I checked the contact information and found out that she wasn't in any group chat I was in. The DP gave me a clue of who wanted me. It was a comely lady with "bad bitch vibes" as we called it. Despite my anger, I couldn't help gazing at the picture.

I swallowed and looked at the calendar once more. "12 more days," I muttered trying not to think of the unwelcome message. I sighed and looked anxiously out my window.

To be continued.