Rude Awakening

Love, oh love!

"Ria. It's been a week since you last talked about your dreamy friend. What's up with that? Celine asked.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing?"

"Errrr.....welll....we had a moment of sorts, but then it got awkward, and we have no definitive relationship, and I don't want to be the one to push for that and blah blah..."

"You had a moment? What kind?"

"Aggressive cuddling?" Ria said with a squint in her face and raised shoulders.

"Aggressive cuddling? You had s*x! OMG, when?"

"Last week. After church."

"You little sneaky cunt!" Cel exclaimed shocked at the revelation. "You barely know this guy."

"Yeah, well, it was just fun. Nothing too deep."

"It is deep. Give me your phone."

"Why?"

Cel blew a puff of air above her nose and put on a stern look.

"Because.....I am going to call him. I will tell him you are sick and you have to act sick from now on wards. Then we are going to run back home and tuck you in. Let's see how he feels about you. Will he come, or will he not? We are about to find out."

"I am scared to find out."

"And that my love, is where I come in."

**************

"Hello."

"Hi Conrad, Celine here. Friend to Maria. Where are you?"

"Ummh hi, Celine. I am with some friends having a discussion on campus. Are you okay? Is Maria okay? Where is she?"

"Glad you asked. Sick. She is very sick. We haven't been able to get her out of bed for two days now. Maybe, you could come by and cause a turn around of the entire situation."

Maria wore a shocked face and mouthed 'you liar' to her friend who scrunched her nose at her and continued with her phone call.

Conrad spoke.

"Let me get done here. Send me your address. I will be there in thirty minutes or less."

"Great."

She hung up.

"Well?"

"He's coming. Fast, we have to get home and get you tucked in."

They rushed home laughing at their genius plan. Barely thirty minutes in, Ria's phone rang. He was here. Celine went to pick him by the road. He came bearing a get well soon care package and his captivating presence. Celine and Irene were both around giggling and throwing mischievous glances at one another. Maria was feigning weakness. For some believable reason, she looked pale and feeble. She was a good actress. When he walked in, she moved her body all so slowly to face him. He sat beside her and put his hand under her head adjusting the pillow. He held her hand with his other hand. He was very gentle with her.

"Why didn't you call me sooner?"

"You didn't call me either, and, I do not want to be entitled or anything."

"I am sorry. I am the man. I should have called. It was a weak move on my end not getting into communication with you all these days."

"It's okay." Ria responded with a very low tone "You're here now and that's what matters. Did you eat anything?"

"I have been having discussions mostly. Final year you know, we have to graduate with appealing CGPA's."

"Let me whip up something for you."

"You're sick though."

"I actually I am not." She responded in a strong voice, getting up and throwing the beddings off her body. "We just made it up so you could come see me."

Conrad looked at her in disbelief, amused.

He let out a chuckle as he watched her get off her bed to make something for him. Celine and Irene had moved out to give them some space to talk and bond. It was working well so far.

He watched her as she moved around making herself busy. She loved to cook. This was something she normally did to express her love to her loved ones. Friends, family and what not. The aroma of the food from their little single room filled the whole place.

When Ria looked back at Conrad, he was looking at her admirably. He mouthed "I love you" to her without thinking about it.

She laughed aloud.

"You are delusional. That's not how it works."

He just kept watching her with a smirk on his face. He was intrigued by the little games that Ria played. They got him excited. Was he really starting to like her alot or was he just infatuated.

Cel and Irene came back and they all ate together.

Ria, being the chef that she was, made very good food as usual. Everybody loved it and had enough to satiety. The old sayings indicate that the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. This seemed to be working with Conrad aswell. He ate up everything on his plate.

"I have not been fed this much food since I came back from my mother's house." he commented.

"Glad to have a positive review from you sir." Ria replied.

Irene put their plates away. It was almost dark. Conrad had to move back to his own hostel to retire for the day. They had had their fun. All people involved. Celine especially. She loved some of the times she had to play match maker especially if it involved her friend's happiness. She loved Ria so much. That right there was her sister. This night too they were going to stay together at Celine's and unpack on whatever she may have missed out. Ria and Conrad had established that the long periods of silence were not going to happen between them ever again. They were going to be intentional with each other moving forward. They were going to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

He had to ask her.

Ria made it clear that if she wasn't asked, she would not assume. She was freaky, yes, but she was also someone that was very clearly in touch with her emotions. She always wanted to be able to let loose and be vulnerable whenever she decided to be a thing with someone. It was happening again. The undeniable thirst and fire between these two love birds had brought them here. Well, together with Ria's guts ofcourse. .

She had a new boyfriend.

She was excited. She had a new boyfriend.