ShortStory I Life's Intrigues

LIFE’S INTRIGUES

       Chukwudi, ‘Chuks’ as he was fondly called, just stepped out from his lodge – cutely dressed – and headed for his lecture class with a notebook in his right-hand. He was conspicuously handsome, thus his black jean trousers, multi-coloured polo, transparent spectacles coupled with black sandals were to match. His average height, plump stature, and chocolate skin-colour seemed not unlike what the day needed to glow. He was to cover a trek-able distance, hence, he began to walk majestically towards his destination as if he was one of the lecturers in the university.

       He had barely covered a few metres when he caught the sight of a pretty-looking damsel who was walking just a few centimeters ahead of him. He hastily doubled up his steps to meet up with her. “Hi dear!” he exclaimed as he walked alongside the supposed recipient of the greeting.

       She snubbed him, kept walking, and never minded to even look at the stranger.

       “Just a smile from this angelic face would be enough for me for the day.” He teased as he tried to maintain the same altitude with her.

       The statement apparently caught her attention, thus she stylishly glanced at him and smiled subconsciously. No doubt, aside the gentleman’s pleasing words, his elegant outlook arrested her emotions.

       “That is exactly what I needed.” He applauded cheerily.

        There were several passersby, mainly comprising their fellow students, yet he wasn’t deterred nor overwhelmed.

        “I am Chukwudi,” he informed. “Chuks, they call me.” He added, paused. “Hope, you have a name?’

         She smiled again. “Damilola.” She eventually said.

        “Yoruba, right?”

         She nodded.

        “I must confess, your dress is so marvelous.” He flattered.

         She put on a pink gown spotted with black, weavon and black sandals. Her pink-coloured handbag that contains her notebook was to match.

        “Thank you.” She responded.

        “Honestly, it corresponds with your unhidden beauty.” He added in a jiffy.

        She was fair, slim and about 5.4-foot tall. Her complexion was so glittery.

        “Stop the flattery, please.”

        “Flattery..?”

        “Of course.”

        “You are getting me totally wrong.”

        “How?”

        “You don’t know how beautiful you are.” quoth Chukwudi. “Maybe someone was yet to tell you.”

        “Please, save the sermon.” She enjoined. “I am late to class; my lecture begins by eight.”

         It was 7:56am at the dot, and they were already on the campus.

        “So, are we seeing next time?’ he humbly enquired.

        “I don’t know.” She replied in false pretence.

        “Besides, what’s your department?’ He said.

        “Mass Comm.” She responded referring to ‘Mass Communication’.

        “Wow, good one.” He appraised. “Level?” he added.

        “100.”

        “I can see, you are new here.”

          She smiled. “Yes I am.” she concurred.

          It was first semester, meaning she hadn’t even written any examination in the university.

        “And you?” she managed to inquire.

        “Economics.” He replied. “400 Level.” He supplemented quickly.

        “Oh my God!” she exclaimed as she was struck by the information. “So, you are almost through?”

        “By God’s grace.”

        “I wish I am in your shoes.” She confessed.

        “But you will soon get there.” He said, as they suddenly applied brake to the motion. “So, you don’t need to rush.”

        The nugget of wisdom took her to a sober mood. “Yea, by His grace.” she appreciated.

      “Let me not take your time.” quoth Chukwudi. “Please, run up to your class, okay?”

      “Thank you.” She said, and turned.

      “Excuse me, dear.” He called as she was about taking her leave.

      “Your number, please.” He asked stretching out his cell phone towards her.

        She equally understood that phone numbers were yet to be exchanged and felt like reminding him, but there was no way she could thwart life’s extant principles. Hence, she was so pleased that he later recalled the ostensibly expensive omission.

        She calmly collected the handset, hastily typed her number and returned the gadget.

       “Thank you.” he said as he received the phone. “Let me flash you right way.”

        Before he could utter the second sentence, she already felt like asking him to flash the number.

        Therein, her handset rang in the handbag. “I got it.” She said as she attempted to step out.

        “Alright.” quoth the lover boy. “Please, save it.” He enjoined.

        “No wahala.” She replied, turned and walked away.

        “Pretty indeed.” He enthused as he watched her depart.

         When he got to his department that fateful morning, he couldn’t concentrate. All he could think was when next to meet her again. All the lectures he received on that day weren’t properly absorbed unlike him, owing to the thoughtful mood he abruptly found his person. Notwithstanding, he had to hold himself till the next sunny day which would surely come to past considering how the first sunny day ended.

         Damilola, on her part, was equally emotionally unstable. Her mind kept fixed on his face in absentia. She was foreseeing that having Chukwudi in her life would help to upgrade her social and academic stance in the highly revered University of Nigeria, Nsukka where she secured admission barely two months back. Apparently, she needed a close company, and to her, the dude in question wouldn’t only serve as such but a guardian. In other words, coming across him was seemingly divine.

       What transpired afterwards ought to be a narration for a different episode, thus stay tuned.

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