Delicate Love

CHAPTER ONE

GOLDEN FAME UNIVERSITY

LADY DEBORAH'S HALL

ROOM 301

Rose Nkem picked up her phone and checked the time. It was 15 minutes past the hour of 7 and she was supposed to have Electronics which was her first class of the day by 8 am. It was a class that all physics science students dared not miss. She groaned as she stood up from her bed to take her bucket and her bathing bag which contained everything needed to bathe and brush.

"Good morning Miriam." She greeted the only roommate that was awake while others were still asleep in the eight-man's room.

"Good morning dear, how was your night?" Miriam asked her.

"It was fine, thank you."

She looked round the room in search of her friend but didn't find her. She might still be at the party. She thought as she undressed, tied her towel, and left the room heading to the toilet. Halfway through, she bumped into someone.

"Ow! Geez! Can't you look at where you're going?" Her betrayal of a friend hollered.

"Sorry Susan, but I think that's karma for ditching me at the party you practically forced me to go knowing I don't know a single soul there."

"God punish karma. Now my headache has increased." She stomped her feet and continued going when Rose yelled;

"When did you get back?!"

"This morning, Rose, see you at the class." She yelled back answering Rose who had already continued her journey to the toilet.

Since it was still very early, there were few girls at the toilet doing their morning routines, some were brushing their teeth while some were taking their baths as fast as they could, some were washing their clothes even though it was prohibited to wash in the toilet, some were just looking at themselves at the mirror probably finding out how big their boobs or butt has grown, Rose marched to the tap and turned it on just to find out there wasn't single water coming out of it.

Just great! She thought. She walked up to a fair lady brushing her teeth and asked;

"Please, where did you get water?"

"Downstairs, there isn't water on any of the floors, just go downstairs straight." The fair lady explained, Rose thanked her taking her bucket which contained her bathing bag and hurried downstairs praying she won't be stopped by the portal for tying a towel. As she reached the ground floor, she thanked her God for answering her short prayer for there wasn't a single person in the portal room. She continued her journey to the tap and groaned again when she saw there was a long queue awaiting her. The day, being Wednesday was already getting tiring.

How will she get to her class early now? She thought regretting ever following Susan to the party that she didn't even enjoy. It took about twenty minutes before it was her turn, she fetched her water and tiredly carried her bucket so she could begin the journey up to the third floor.

*

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FACULTY OF SCIENCE

FS106 LECTURE ROOM

8:26 am.

"Rose, you're so late, what the hell happened?" Susan whispered at her as she entered the Hall where her lecture was already taking place.

"Hush!" She cautioned her friend who was sitting at the back of the class probably because she was late also.

As usual, the class was so full since it was one of the most important courses they were to offer. PHS 216 lecturer, to which she didn't know his name was a very strict man who calls the attendance himself. In conclusion, it was a must-go class unless you want to fail.

"Why didn't you tell me there was no water?" Rose asked Susan who gave her a not-so-cute puppy face.

"Sorry, it slipped my mind."

"I'll never forgive you, Susan."

"What again?"

"You ditched me remember? You ditched me for a guy. What happened to misses before misters?" She asked Susan, slightly annoyed.

"I'm sorry okay. I couldn't miss what he was about to give me for anything." Susan winked at her and she gagged.

"May God forgive you."

"What do you know. Mother Virgin Mary."

Susan was what people call the men's lady, she had a body to kill for and she was also popular among guys. Rose wouldn't be surprised if she has slept with the whole guys in their department.

"Better don't get pregnant and ruin your life... Man-whore."

"I won't Virgin Mary, I'm a pro at this." She winked and Rose wondered how she was a friend with a man-whore but she loved her all the same.

She ignored her man-whore of a friend and diverted her attention to the lecturer who was explaining the NPN transistor, she jotted down some important notes mentally telling herself she'd collect the whole note from a coursemate.

*

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FACULTY OF SCIENCE

OUTSIDE FS106 LECTURE ROOM.

10:10 am.

"That man is so strict, how can we be having a test just two weeks after resumption?" Eunice, a coursemate of Rose asked rhetorically.

"And we even have a workload of assignments to do and submit on Friday." James, another of her coursemate added.

"Plus the test, I hate him." Susan hissed. "Especially that his face that looks like a gorilla." And everyone laughed which seemed to calm them.

Rose collected Eunice's note and took pictures of the notes she couldn't write mentally telling herself she'd write it once she gets back to her hostel.

"Hey, guys." A deep masculine voice like that of a rushing wind, greeted them.

"Hey, handsome." Susan greeted back and all other of her course mates who were present.

Wow! She mutters, amused at the Greek god that stood before her. He had a carefully carved jaw, his pointy nose sat well on his face, and his brown eyes complimented his dark skin. He was so handsome. Realizing she was gawking, she immediately diverted her eyes away from the guy who caught her staring and smirked. Her heart did some somersault that had never happened in the whole nineteen years of her life.

"He's cocky." She heard Susan whisper who also caught her gawking at the handsome jerk. "Don't fall for his beauty."

"I wasn't." She lied. "Let's go." She dragged Susan away from there who waved at the rest of the course mate.

As they reached the quadrangle, which was far away from the Hall, Susan asked;

"What happened to you Rose?" Rose knew Susan was looking for some gossip but she wouldn't give Susan anything to gossip about. Instead, she used the innocent card.

"What are you talking about?" She feigned ignorance.

"You know what I'm talking about girl." Susan said, wriggling her eyebrows. "You were checking him out, everyone saw that."

"I wasn't." She lied again for the second time.

"You were."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

"Geez! Ok yes. Yes. I was looking at him. Happy?" She snapped, giving Susan a good laugh. Rose shook her head at her friend's childish behavior.

"Rose is falling for the Playboy." Susan teased.

"You know him?" She asked, curiously, and was not surprised when Susan nodded her head in affirmation.

"He was at the party, didn't you see him?"

"I didn't. You ditched me remember? and I was all alone and had to leave." She stated with annoyance dripping on her tone.

"Well, that's your loss. He hosted that party. I heard his father recently sent him his first set of millions for getting admission here, so he celebrated. He's one of the direct entry students in our department." Susan explained and she nodded.

"No wonder it was my first time seeing him." She muttered silently.

"For the love of God Rose, he was at the party!"

"Yeah, yeah, Susan I've heard. Please let's go. I'm famished. I didn't get to eat before coming to class."

CHAPTER TWO

GOLDEN FAME UNIVERSITY

OUTSIDE FS106 LECTURE ROOM

10:20 am

Charles Ugwuoke stared at the young lady as she walked away with her friend. He could remember her from last night's party, she was all alone, refused to drink while others drank to stupor enjoying their selves. At the particular time he saw her, he could recognize her from their childhood and was so tempted to speak to her but refrained from doing so. He noticed she wasn't dressed like most girls, half-naked, blatantly looking for attention and at that point, he had respect for her. He had never said this before to any girl in all the twenty years of his life, but she was so beautiful, not hot or sexy like other girls. Really beautiful.

"Who's that girl and what's her name?" He asked Rhema, his childhood bestfriend who was also a direct student in the physics department.

"Who? The dark sexy one or the fair curvy one?"

"The fair" He responded still staring as they went to the quadrangle.

"Oh! That's Rose. I've never spoken to her because she keeps to herself. She looks innocent." Rhema replied staring lustily at the other girl's back.

"Snap out of it bro." He glared at Rhema thinking he was also staring at Rose and muttered silently; "She's mine." Rhema didn't seem to hear what he said but continued staring lustily at Susan who could no longer be seen at the quadrangle.

"Charles!" He heard a loud shrieky voice calling his name while walking toward him.

"Hey, Grace." He greeted her and she batted her fake eyelashes at him, her hands on his vintage shirt.

"Are you busy tonight?" She asked him and smiled at Rhema who winked at her.

He knew what she meant and he is more than willing to oblige. "How about you meet me in my apartment by 8 pm."

"Will be there." She pecked him, winked, and moved to greet other guys swaying her sexy hips.

Girls, they are so cheap. At least she'd be the third girl warming his bed tonight. He thought and smirked. He waved goodbye to the rest of his course mate, dragged Rhema along, and they left. He was famished.

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NEW HALL

2002 RESTAURANT

11:06 am.

Charles walked into the restaurant to get something to fill his hungry stomach together with his bestfriend, Rhema.

Different food vendors were selling different delicacies, a plasma TV was attached to the wall to entertain the hungry customers who came to eat. Different colours of tables and chairs surrounded the large Hall.

Charles walked up together with his friend to a woman known for selling the best jollof rice, he ordered his food with chicken while Rhema ordered fried rice, spaghetti, and chicken. He paid for both meals and they carried their delicious delicacies to a nearby table. On reaching there, he saw Susan and beautiful Rose. He nudged his friend and together they went to meet Susan and Rose.

"Hey guys, may we seat?" He asked but didn't wait for their reply before settling himself in the seat close to Rose.

"Hey girls! Hey Susan." Rhema greeted to which they responded.

"Hi." Charles began, trying to start a conversation with her.

"Hi." She replied and kept on eating her food which includes Jollof rice, and spaghetti with an egg.

"Are you a parking ticket? Cause you've got fine written all over you." He recited, trying one of his smoothest pick-up lines he learned from the internet to woo girls. Instead, she just looked at him as if he had grown two horns.

"What are you trying to say?" Rose asked him.

"Was trying one of my lines, but it seems it didn't work on you."

"It almost but I was quick to know where you were heading to." She stated, smiling sweetly at him. His heart did some somersault.

"Wow! Smart. Do you have a name or can I call you mine?" He tried another even though he knew her name.

She laughed and answered, "I'm Rose and you're?"

"I'm Charles. Your name fits you perfectly."

"Better than mine?" She asked with an amused expression blatantly drawn on her face.

"For now." He whispered but he was sure she heard him, she continued eating her food and Charles stared at her adoringly oblivious to the other two watching them.

She's so beautiful. He thought and when she looked at him, he realized he thought loudly. To ease the awkwardness, he turned to his food and ate heartily enjoying the taste of the Jollof rice. It took Charles about six minutes for him to finish his plate of food. He glanced at Rose and noticed she was yet to finish hers. The other two were already through and were talking and laughing animatedly at each other. After what seemed like forever but in reality, it was only three minutes, Rose was also through with hers and was finishing her bottle of Fanta.

"Rose are you through?" Susan asked and Rose nodded her head. "Let's get going, see you guys later."

"Wait!" He stopped her as she was about to stand up and says; " I seem to have lost my phone number. Can I get yours?" Rose chuckled.

"I'm sorry but I think I lost mine too." She replied sarcastically.

"Damn! I never knew you were like this." Rhema spoke while Rose looked at him.

"And you are?" Rose questioned, smiling at him.

"Sorry my bad, I'm Rhema. Not the young Nigerian artiste but I think I'm better than him. You're Rose right?"

"Yeah." She responded and they shook hands. Charles had the urge to pull their hands apart but knew she wasn't his yet. Just yet.

"We ought to go." Rose said nudging Susan.

"Yeah, goodbye." Susan agreed and the two girls walked away.

"Man, you're falling for her." Rhema teased him.

"I guess," Charles said as he stared at the two figures walking out of the restaurant.

"No guessing man. You're falling. Don't Sha fall too hard, you don't know her yet."

"I've you heard of love at first sight?" Charles asked him.

"Who hasn't had of that stuff. It's nonsense and I don't think it has ever happened before, who would fall for a girl at first sight if it isn't lusting?"

"Well, I. I think I'm falling in love. She's different and cute." Charles said, even though he knew her since childhood.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. Cut the feeling off. Let's go lover boy." And they left.

CHAPTER 3

GOLDEN FAME UNIVERSITY

LADY DEBORAH'S HALL

RM 301. 4:30pm.

Rose laid on her bed too tired to remove her sandals, the day was so hectic for they had four classes back to back and plus her test tomorrow. she sighed and was about closing her eyes when she heard her phone beep indicating a message. She opened it and read;

Unknown number: Hey gorgeous.

Rose: Please who's this?

Unknown number: It's Charles, remember me?

Rose: Charles? My course mate? The pickup line guy?

Unknown number: Lol, yes. if that's how you describe me.

Rose: How did you get my number Charles, I don't remember giving you.

Unknown number: Our class whatsapp group chat.

Rose: Oh that's right. I've even forgotten that existed.

Unknown number: Save my number. Please.

She saves his number as 'pickup line' and texted him telling him she had done that. She brought out her PHS 216 note then opened it when he replied.

Pickup line: Do you mind if we chat on WhatsApp, I want to say something important. Please reply.

She opened her WhatsApp app and switched on her data, messages of yesterday and today came rushing in, then she saw his message.

Pickup line: It's me, Charles.

Rose: I know. What is the important thing you want to say? I want to read for the test tomorrow.

Pickup line: Oh sorry, gorgeous, I just want to specially invite you to my party.

Rose: Party again? Don't you get tired?

Pickup line: I don't, it's tomorrow though, it's starting at 8 pm.

Rose: What do you gain from spending money on parties? I don't mean it rudely though.

Pickup line: No offense taken, and besides all these parties are for memories. As they say, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

Rose: I'll think about that.

Pickup line: C'mon gorgeous. I really want to see you there and besides, it's after the test, a little fun won't hurt you.

Rose: I said I'll think about it. Let's see how the test will be first, if I feel it was okay after writing it, I'll definitely come and have fun.

Pickup line: I'll be expecting you.

Rose: Don't be so sure. I'd like to stop chatting now, gotta read for the test. I'm not as smart as you are.

Pickup line: Be whining me. Lol. See you tomorrow gorgeous.

She smiled as she read his last message. He was really persistent and won't take no for an answer. She resumed her reading.

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

OUTSIDE FS106 LECTURE ROOM

11: 08 A.M

"I swear that test was something else, I was reading As if the world was about to end and instead he just gave us one question about the last topic." James commented.

"Me that didn't come for the last class, I was just looking like mumu. I didn't even know what to write. I submitted his question back to him, I just pray he won't mark it." A course mate of Charles complained. "Charles how far your test na?"

"It was okay man." He replies and the guy hails him. "Hey guys!" He shouted getting everyone's attention even Rose.

"I'll be throwing a party this night starting at 8. I'd really love it If you guys come. I'll be expecting you guys o." He finished and everyone threw in their reply.

"I'll definitely be there."

"Won't miss your party for anything in the world."

"Hope there'd be a lot of alcohol."

"Who am I to say no to such a thing?"

"God bless you, Charles." It kept on coming and coming and Charles was sure he'd have a full house this night.

"I'll be there and I'd make sure to drag Rose along." Susan said to which she got a very serious glare from Rose.

Charles walked straight to Rose who was trying very hard to avoid eye contact with him.

"Rose, how was your test today?" He asked her to which she shrugged and replied;

"It was okay, thank God I read the last note before the beginning, what about yours, I'm sure you aced it?"

"Very correct gorgeous, I'd definitely ace it." He replied cockily and she laughed. He felt so happy and very fulfilled as he saw her laugh, her laugh was very contagious and it was getting to him.

"Alright Mr. Pickup line"

"What?! I just hoped you didn't save my number like that."

"I sure did, why wouldn't I, Mr. Pickup line?"

"Ewww... The name is something else... Why would you do that?" He asked, amused, this was the first time a girl had saved his number like that, He stared at her and smiled, she was really getting to him.

"Just felt like it, what did you save mine as? Oh, I'm sure it's gorgeous."

"And what made you so sure?" He asked smirking even though he knew she was correct.

"Cause that's what you always call me, or am I wrong Mr. Pickup line?"

"I'm starting to like that nickname coming from your mouth" he winked as he said that and she blushed. Oh! So innocent. "So I'll see you there?" He asked her hoping but instead, she smiled.

"I guess." She replied and he groaned. What kind of girl was this? That needs a lot of convincing. Geez!

"Rose, let's go." Susan said, dragging Rose along with her and soon they were gone.

"Guy, stop staring." Martin, another of his childhood friend cautioned him and he blinked.

Just then Rhema came to join them and muttered something about being hungry and together they left the faculty of science to a cafeteria to feed their hungry stomachs.

*****

GOLDEN FAME UNIVERSITY

SPORT CENTER

12:42 pm.

After eating and flirting with girls of different sizes and complexions, the trio finally reached the sports center, a place for them to exercise and burn out the excess calories they've downloaded in their bodies, they played tennis till they were sweating and decided to call it to quit.

They sat down quietly to calm their nerves watching other people play to pass away time when suddenly a girl called out Martin's name and waved rushing to meet them.

"Guy, your babe." Rhema teased Martins and he dramatically faked vomiting.

"God forbid! that girl too cheap abeg" he whispered as the girl named Dara neared them.

"So now she's cheap abi, when you were busy sleeping with her, you didn't know she was cheap then." Charles reasoned quietly but Martins cared less.

"Hey Martins," Dara greeted and waved to the others while licking her lips seductively.

"Dara whassup?" She batted her eyes and he knew what she wants. Sweet heavens.