Faithfully, Yours

PATRICIA’S POV

Joel was a very nice guy. He had the looks, the body and great personality. I got to know more about him during our hangouts. His parents were wealthy. He got anything he wanted, even most of the girls on campus had their eyes on him. He was the reserved type. He was an introvert. He was the last born out of four children. He had two elder sister's and an elder brother. He was from Kumasi and he resided there with his family.

Even though I had accepted to meet Joel's roommate, I wasn't sure I wanted to go to his hostel. I also knew that he just wanted me to visit him in his hostel. I had no choice since I had already accepted to meet his roommate. I texted him when I got to the address he had sent to me earlier. I thought I was lost since I was expecting a hostel instead of an apartment. I knocked and Joel opened the door greeting me with a surprised face.

"Hey....I thought you had changed your mind. Please come in and make yourself comfortable" Joel said with a surprised face.

"Thank you. You have a nice place"

"Meet my buddy Kevin. Charley meet Patty"

Kevin was also good looking and friendly. A few minutes with him and I liked him already.

"Nice meeting you Patty. Lemme leave you guys to catch up. I will be in my room" Kevin said while leaving.

"Nice to meet you too Kevin"

Kevin retired to his room leaving Joel and I in the living room. I didn't trust him enough to be left alone with him but he was a gentleman so there was nothing to worry about. We talked about a lot, mostly about academic stuff until he started getting personal.

"Have you been in a relationship before"

"No. why do you ask?"

"Nothing I just wanted to know. You know I like you right"

"Well we are friends and I think it's normal"

"I know what you are trying to do but hey I really like you"

"Okay. But I only like you as a friend"

"Mmmmm...okay. But that's not how I see it. You like me too and I can see it in your eyes. I won't rush you, just think about it okay. No pressure"

"Thanks. Eeeerm.... It's getting late I should start going"

"Soo soon...don't worry I will drop you. I think we should watch a movie. What's your type of movie?"

"Romantic movies, but any movie that has a moral lesson is fine"

"Romantic movies???....you??mmmm....okay" 

"Why are you laughing? Can't I watch romantic movies?"

"Oh you can. It's just that I'm surprised that you like romantic movies because you don't look like you are romantic"

"Stop laughing because you never know"

"Oh really? Is there something I don't know?"

"The fact that I have never been in a relationship doesn't mean I haven't had my first kiss or something...duuuh"

"Owwwww....okay...I see you...how was it? Was he good?"

"It was cool by then but when I think of it now, it's nasty. Can we just watch the movie?"

"Yes ma'am"

Joel couldn't hold his laughter. I wasn't lying to Joel when I said I have had my first kiss. It happened when I was high school. I was playing truth or dare with a couple of friends and a friend was dared to kiss me. I didn't want to but I had to. The guy was cute and the kiss wasn't bad but anytime it comes to mind it feels nasty. It's past anyways. It was almost 9pm and I had to get going.

"Joel it's almost 9pm, let's get going I have Economics class at 7am so I have to sleep early"

"Okay. I really wish you could stay"

" Don't even think about it. Please let Kevin know that I'm leaving"

"I'm sure he is asleep. Let's go I will tell him later"

"Okay"

He got into the drivers seat and I sat beside him at the front, stealing glances at him. I liked him too but I wasn't sure I was ready to be in any relationship. We got to my hostel in about thirty minutes. 

"Thanks for the visit and please don't forget to think about what we talked about" 

"Okay"

Joel gave me a kiss on my cheek but I didn't resist or ask any questions. I stepped out of the car and he drove off. The kiss on my cheeks got me thinking through out the night. I woke up to the sound of my alarm without knowing when I fell asleep. I hurried up with my daily activities and got to class before time. My besties got in after I did. We went to the cafeteria after lectures and I didn't know how to tell them about my visit to Joel's place and what transpired between us. Tony realized that I was hiding something so he asked and I had no choice but to spill.

"Eeerm...eeermmm...I visited Joel yesterday" I spilled almost stuttering.

"Oh really. Start spilling" Blessed stated with a smirk.

"We got along pretty well. We even watched a movie together and I had a great time but he told me he liked me" 

"O...M...G....he asked you out???? And what did you say?? Blessed asked with interest.

"I told him I only liked him as a friend. Tony why aren't you saying anything?"

"Well I believe you wouldn't make any mistakes and any decision you take I will support you, like I always say, just becareful and don't do anything you will regret" Tony replied with a smile while rubbing my hands.

"Yes baby girl, just follow your heart okay" in Blessed's voice.

"Thanks guys"

I was soo happy that no matter the situation my friends would be there for me. I didn't tell my roommates and it was normal. We talked a lot but I only told them stuffs I wanted them to know not everything about me. Tony and Blessed on the other hand, we shared every information. Blessed and I were even making arrangements to move in together the next semester. We wanted to rent an apartment so that we can have enough space to ourselves. Tony was in support and he was willing to help us search. Joel called my phone everyday after the day I visited him. I knew he wanted a reply but he didn't ask. He wanted me to tell him my decision at my own time. I decided to set up a meeting with him so we could talk. We never met at my place because I didn't want that. So we always went somewhere, mostly the cafeteria. I decide to meet him at his apartment since I didn't want anyone eavesdropping on us. On a second thought I decided to surprise him since I knew his free days. I knocked on his door but there was no answer. I knocked again but still there was no answer. I tried his phone but he didn't pick up so I decided to leave. The door opened just when I was about to leave. 

"Hey, you didn't tell me you were coming. Come inside" he said yawning.

"I wanted to surprise you" I said while settling in the couch. 

"Sorry for keeping you at the door. I fell asleep while reading"

"Don't worry. I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep I knew you would be at home all day since today is Thursday, so I decided to surprise you"

"It's fine. You know my free days, wow. So watsap"

"Well I just wanted us to talk. The thing is I like you but I'm not sure....." He gave me a hug before I could complete my sentence. I didn't resist his hug.

"I know all this is new to you and I promise not to let you down. So you are now officially my girl" he said with a smirk.

"I guess so but no rushing. Let's take things slow okay"

"If you say so my lady. Can we go out this weekend?"

"Okay, where are we going?" I asked

"It's a surprise. Just wear anything casual okay" he said with a smile.

"Okay"

We spent the rest of the day watching movies and chatting. I was happy. I was officially dating. 

He dropped me at my end and hugged me before I got out of the car. Rejoice saw us and our eyes met. I thought she would mention it when I got inside but she didn't. She was dealing with her personal issues. She had problems with her boyfriend. They always had problems. In fact they had broken up a couple of times and gotten together again so no one actually talked about their relationship since we all didn't want to be the 'third person'. Love is just something else.