Chapter 5 THE SCHEDULE...

I entered the classroom and scanned around the settled yet noisy students, looking for Brelany.

I spotted her at the back, grinning and waving at me. I made my way to her at the back of the class and sat down on the seat space she kept for me.

"What were you guys discussing that made you almost miss class? " She nudged me.

"Shuuuuu... The lecturer might enter any minute, let's anticipate he that is to come, " I said silently, trying to divert her question.

"No girl, don't try that with me. You can't escape me today, always finding ways to manoeuvre any discussion. Who is to come can come in as he may, if that happens, we can stop," She protested.

"It's nothing serious, nothing out of the ordinary." I sounded off.

"It's nothing serious but you are so engrossed in it that you entered the class a few minutes before the lecture? You are someone who doesn't joke about time, look at you waking up like four hours before the class, only for you to come in a few minutes before it and you are telling me it's nothing serious. What could it be that changed the 'punctual' Railah?? " She challenged me.

I don't think I'll be able to avoid this conversation. She looks so determined to break through any barrier of excuses I might give.

"He said he needed my help with some of the courses we are doing together... " I trailed off.

"Sooo.." She pressed me on.

"I said yes and that was it," I ended.

"So you mean that was what almost took your time?" She asked, unsure of what I said, looking at me like there was more to it.

"Yes, that was it," I assured her.

"Well, I can't imagine you saying yes to him immediately he asked you though, I'm very sure it took a lot of begging and pacifying before you agreed to it. Now, I get why you almost come late to class... He must have gone through a lot, trying to get you to agree... Aww, poor guy." She sympathized.

"So you mean I'm a difficult person to deal with? You haven't even talked to him before," I said in disbelief.

"I'm not saying you are a difficult person to deal with, you are just someone who doesn't allow people in your space like that. It takes a lot of time for you and persistence from the other party before you can allow it... I'm even surprised that you let him in easily, " She explained.

She knows me too well; if only she had known him the little way I do, she would understand how persistent and relentless the guy we are talking about can be.

It might take a lot of time for other people, but he managed to get through my space in less than two days.

"Well you are right, but I'm just trying to help a friend in need, commend my little effort," I reasoned with her explanation.

"And I'm proud of you my darling! Thanks for helping out," she exclaimed ironically.

The lecturer came in, which interrupted our conversation. We all settled in silently and watched him use his time explaining one of the topics in his course.

The lecturer ended the class and we all packed our things and made our way out of the class to another class we had.

Brelany and I settled down in the back seat. She brought out her phone and got engrossed in it, while I brought out my phone and connected it to my headphones.

I was scrolling through my playlist to play a song. A message popped up and I clicked on it.

'We are meeting at the back of the library by 8 pm, see you later!'

I felt something I hadn't felt before. Naturally, I would just read the message, ignore and do what I wanted either go or not, but I felt the urge to reply to him.

'I should be the one telling you that! I'm the tutor here, so you can't just tell me when and where to meet, I should be the one scheduling that! I'm not coming out tonight, I'll tell you the next time we meet, have a good day! '

I typed it and sent it to him. I should be the one in charge here, so why should he be the one to dictate for me? And the fact that he chose my favourite place out of all places is out of the question.

It's my hidden spot, not a public spot... Well, where would I have suggested before? If not there, where else would we go?

He did well by suggesting that, but it should have been the other way around. I decided to let go of that outrage, but there's no way I'm meeting him today.

I exited the messaging app and continued to scroll through my playlist till I finally picked a song.

'Elastic Heart' by Sia boomed as I waited patiently for the lecturer to come in.

Minutes turned to an hour and since there was no hope for him to come, students started dispersing, making way for their respective places.

Brelany tapped me and mouthed 'Let's go,' She pulled me out of my seat and dragged me out of the class.

"We are having our lunch at the cafeteria today, bills on me," She said on our way to the faculty cafeteria. Something popped up in my mind immediately.

"Where are my snacks?" I asked her.

"Well.... Since you took your time talking to him outside, I couldn't help but eat it... I can't allow you to eat something cold," She said and smiled at me.

"So you decided to starve me? I could have died due to hunger!" I cried out.

"Thank God you didn't, I know you won't think of food later, since you valued your education more than food, more reason I want to make it up to you by buying you lunch" She side-hugged me.

"I'm eating the most expensive food there" I stated.

"Slow it down girl, don't misuse your opportunity, I might change my mind if you decide to do that.." She protested.

"Thank you for your generous offer after eating my snacks, May God bless and replenish your account. " I said sarcastically.

"Thanks for the prayer, May your snacks never be eaten again, not by me though... " She said back.

Brelany just has a way of bringing out this side of me. Even though I'm an introvert, she knows how to push me to speak my mind.

If I do, fine and if I don't, she won't push me. But sometimes, she will make sure I say it, looking for any counters and attacks to my defence.

We got to the cafeteria and entered. We sat across from each other at one of the tables allocated there. Our orders were taken and we waited for our food.

I decided to check my previous message with Drevy to see if he had replied or not. I opened the messaging app and saw I hadn't saved his number.

My last message was still the last thing on the chat. I saved his number and dropped my phone inside my backpack.