Chukswrites:
Chapter fourteen

"Tell me about her." She said, and I did. This was not something I enjoyed talking about, but it was a welcomed change for me.
I'd met Angela in school, on the same day I met Felix. So, he basically knew her before me. But in truth, I only met her that day. I got to know her some five to six months later.
As with most romantic stories or what not, it happened in a pretty ordinary setting. In our case, the library. I wouldn't say we fell in love at the library, that would be (a) cheesy for the reason that (b) I had no previous experiences of falling in love or did I have any firm knowledge of love in a general sense. No, what I mean is, the major focal point or, maybe, spark for what happened between us was the Federal University llibrary.
I remember that heart-stopping moment I experienced when I'd felt met her during that protest. I had thought to myself that this girl was beautiful, and I rarely noticed girls. I had also made up my mind to get to know her better, and she seemed to be friends with the other guy, Felix, so I would befriend him also. Well, none of that happened. At least, not for five to six months.
It had been a dry day in December and the new semester had just kicked off lazily. I was now a second year student of marketing and well, that was about it.
I wasn't in the student's Union again(God, no, not after that stupid protest), I wasn't part of any school fellowship, frankly, I'd realised that religion was not my 'thing'(subtly, though, because mother called that 'heathen talk'). I wasn't part of any trio of friends or duo, or any friends group whatsoever. By God, I had no girlfriend, but I was content. I was living life the only way I knew how to; cautiously.
It's funny how certain things tend to click in your head and remind you of a certain event. On this dry December afternoon, I was carrying a bunch of papers and heading for the library; a lecturer had saddled us with some boring research. I may be a loner, but I wasn't a book-worm. I just wanted to get to the library and get it all over with. I had more important things to do, like sticking to my daily routine and according to that my nap should be due in a couple of hours. But when fate said it didn't play by routines, you better listen.
The university library was old, literally. The dark brown paint was now somewhere around the neighborhood of pale yellow, the buildings were still 1960s style, with those seemingly useless 'exes' made into the walls. The buildings, though, were something of a work of art. That was one thing I admired about it; the two buildings were a gentle parallelogram that slanted towards the edge and then shot up with a triangle a few feet into the air. I always paused to admire the buildings, while ignoring the drab coloring, of course.
Anyways, on this particular day, just as I was about walking in through the front door with a couple of other 'zombie-like students', I felt an itch. It was the harmattan season and I was very sensitive to the cold and dry winds, so I always wore socks. I would have also worn gloves except for the fact that it made gripping things unnecessarily difficult and sensitive.
The socks I wore on this particular day was a dark, wooly one that had to be pulled high if not it looked awkwardly fat around the base. And it was incredibly itchy.
So, when I felt this itch, I immediately bent to rid my legs of those socks. I was prepared to face the cold dryness than endure that 'once in a when-it-feels-like' itch.
"Oof!" I heard someone bump into me as I bent down.
Damn it, I thought and abandoned the socks for a second to tender a quick, obligatory 'sorry'.
"Oh, I'm so..." I paused as I stood up and stared at the girl standing before me. It's important(maybe not so important) to note that I paused in my speech because (a) the sun was reflecting into my eyes from behind this figure, so I really had no idea what I was looking at and also, (b) when the figure did eventually block the suns rays, I was stunned.
I was staring at a pretty, shy looking girl(I should know) in a nice flower dress. I remember lingering my gaze on those intricate flower designs, getting distracted for a second or two and wondering how people created such complex patterns.
"William, wow, this is a pleasant surprise." She spoke with a charming, innocent smile.
I chuckled awkwardly, a defense mechanism, and looked at her. Shy looking, yes, but vibrant, intelligent eyes and a certain sterness to it. Small button nose with an almost absent bridge, with eyes set far apart. All set in a fine, round face. She had a certain subtle beauty that one could absorb and enjoy like a painting.
"Angela." I said, glad I recalled her name. I had this stupid, guilty smile on my face. Guilty simply because I hadn't made any efforts to stay in touch with her or that other guy after that protest, neither of whom I'd seen in a long time.
I can't really recall what we talked about, maybe something about holidays. Anyways, we ended up in the same table at the library. In a funny twist, she was also a student of marketing, but a year ahead of me. A good thing in a lot of ways. None of which was the research I had initially planned to do.
****
Cassidy laughed, "You're a good storyteller."
I smiled at this and stared at my plate, "Well, thanks. I don't always talk about her, but it feels good remembering. "
She touched my arm fondly and I stared at it, she quickly removed it and looked away.
"We've still got another half hour, " she said and smiled, "I'd like to hear more."
"Alright." I said, actually looking forward to telling it.
****
It was a nice change, having a friend. For some reason, after the library experience, I began to see Angela more often. I almost always bumped into her at the marketing department, something that had never happened before. I also began to see more of Felix. A hearty guy, I came to learn, and he was also in the same department and level as Angela. The bizzare, and almost amusing thing about Felix was the fact that he was always in a lady's company; a charmer, he was.
Being friends with Angela, I got pushed into a world of books; novels, textbooks, and more novels. I didn't read them, of course, but I got used to seeing piles of books, and watching her engrossed in them. It was serene.
We got to be good friends quite naturally, we just clicked. I made it a habit of branching by her class at two p.m to check up on her and wait for her lectures to end. Lectures usually ended at two p.m, except on Fridays when it stretched unnecessarily for some reason, so I almost always didn't have to wait too long before I saw her.
From lectures we'd go to one of the numerous make-shift restaurants that scattered across campus. That was where we had lunch. Sometimes Felix would tag along, but only on very rare occasions. I still got to like him, though. From the restaurant we usually walked around the school field and branched to our various hostels, to meet in exactly one hour at the library. Now I think of it, I have no idea how that particular routine got formed. It just happened. So, from the library the day usually just took on a random twist.
One evening, while jogging (a new habit) across the school field with Felix beside me– actually, he'd told me that the reason why he exercised with me was not because he enjoyed it, not in that sense, but because he loved to watch 'those sweaty beauties' as they ran around the field– we got talking.
I'd just finished a lap so I was resting, and waiting for him to catch up.
"You should try focusing on the exercise, you'll find it delightful." I told him.
"Why would I want to do that when I've got all those delights running around."
I chuckled, he was a weird character indeed.
"Speaking of delights, ' he began and I looked at him, " you and Angela, huh?" He snickered.
I didn't understand, so I kept staring at him, "what ?"
He sat beside me on the grass, "What do you mean 'what'?"
"I mean..." I wanted to speak, but he interrupted me by raising his hand.
"You couldn't possibly not know what I'm saying." He said with mild shock.
I felt slightly embarrassed because in truth I really had no idea what he was talking about. You and Angela, what does that even mean? Luckily, he loved talking so he soon explained it.
"The two of you are a thing now, huh? I mean, I see both of you together and I'm always blown away," He looked at me, "and almost envious, but you know me, why would I want to stick with one girl when..."
"What do you mean 'a thing'?' I interrupted him. He was quiet for a while and the word kept resounding in my ears, 'a thing', and then I realised what he meant.
"What, no, we aren't.." I sighed, "I mean, we're just friends." I said calmly.
He was surprised, no doubt. In fact, I'd silenced him with surprise. After a while, he began to laugh. I didn't see the joke there so I just looked on.
'You're joking, right?" He asked after catching his breath.
I shook my head slowly, "No."
He stopped laughing and looked serious now, "So, you haven't seen the way she looks at you, or even the way you look at her?"
I kept quiet.
"You're funny, man. She's right there in front of you, you better take her. Frankly, I'm not interested but there are a hundred other guys who are."
He got up and trotted hypnotically after one of the girls.
I just sat on the grass, peeling of strands and replaying everything. How do I really look at her? One thing was certain, that thing he'd said about a hundred other guys suddenly made my blood hot.
****
We were back at our desks now.
"I'm guessing that's not all." Cassidy said.
I smiled, feeling free now, "Of course not, there's more, but let's take it slow."
She smiled and then nodded.
We were silent for a while and then I said, "You'll still have to tell me your story sometime."
Her smiled faded, "I'm not sure there's much of a story to tell."

Chukswrites:


Gotten two chapters out.
I'll try to update regularly.
As a matter of fact, the story is still being written.

Thanks for reading.

Chukswrites:


Lol,Thanks.
I'm getting one chapter out now.

Chukswrites:


Thanks, but I think I like my writing style the way it is.
I don't 'have' to incorporate African cultures and such into all my stories.
If you read my fantasy stories, they have African references.
In the end, it's all my choice.