MY RIDE OR DIE

Chapter 2 ( A new phase )

Finally, we have been given admission into the prestigious university of Calabar, Cross River State just as we prayed for... same department but different hostels so we decided to rent a lodge outside school so we can stay together and that seems to be the best decision we made. Ugomma and Adaku came prepared but I resumed with just little quantity of foodstuffs, blanket,2 pots and stove but my friends didn't look down on me in any way.

We settled in and started planning how to graduate with great CGPA. we prepared our reading and food timetable and pasted in our room. It's a self contain apartment, with large room space. we put Ugomma's bed with Adaku's bed together and we had enough space for the 3 of us to sleep comfortably but we figured out there's going to be a problem with cooking because am the only one that can cook. Ugomma and Adaku were trained with maids so the both have to pet me to prepare food for us and that makes our stay very fun.

It's Monday, our first day as university students.We woke up very early and got dressed for lecture. Adaku ran out of the bathroom shouting ' No more school uniforms ' we all shouted with excitement.

We got to school very early but we don't know our lecture hall yet and we are shy to ask questions so we kept walking up and down until we met a young guy that seems cool and Adaku our mother decided to be an adult and ask questions. Hey, excuse me please can you tell us where year 1 lecture hall is located, Adaku said referring to the young, well dressed guy on white shirt and black trousers looking like he was the king of the school. Is this your first day in school? the guy asked.

yes dear, we just resumed. I am Adaku by name and these are my friends Ugomma and Adaeze . Adaku said pointing at us.

ohh cool, very nice to meet you all and am prince, course rep for the Accounting department. the guy replied.

That means you are our course rep, Adaku added. What's course rep? Ugomma asked. An upgraded class captain, follow me we have lecture in the next 5 minutes, prince said.

We arrived in a large hall in no time and it happened to be we have passed this same hall like 3 times today. We settled down at the front seat while prince disappeared into the crowd.

Our first lecturer is a woman, she lectured like we knew everything already and that was so annoying. I couldn't wait for the lecture to be over. Ugomma seems to love the lecture while Adaku was busy making notes but for me, I was staring at the woman seriously and understanding nothing.

It was a straight 2 hours lecture and it finally came to an end. Immediately the woman said ' this is the end of the class for today ' I hurriedly arranged my books inside my bag like I was late for an interview. Adaeze calm down, Ugomma said. Don't mind her I believe she is rushing to go devour the food at home, Adaku added. we stormed out the lecturer hall and while walking to our lodge, Adaku started an unexpected discussion. Did you guys notice how neat and smart prince looked ? she asked. Who exactly is prince? I replied her with a question. Come on, the cute guy that took us to the lecture hall Adaku said. He looks just like my dream man she continued. Did you see his dimples? He will definitely win a beauty contest with those smile but I didn't get to ask for his number. hey Adaku calm down you made the rules, no dating until we are 18 remember? Ugomma said. I only wanted his number not like we dating already, Adaku said trying to defend herself. He is the one to ask for your number not the other way round, I said. Absolutely, Adaeze is right, Ugomma added. And that's why Adaeze doesn't have an admirer yet and I will be 18 in 2 months time but you and Ugomma have to wait until 3 to 4 months respectively , Adaku said frowning her face. Don't worry I will help you get his number tomorrow so that we will have peace, I said trying to cheer her up and we all laughed.

We got home tired and laid in bed looking at each other. Who will warm the food for us, Adaku asked and Ugomma pointed at me. Definitely not me because I am the cook so late born should warm the food, I said. Ugomma shout ' yes she should warm the food ' then she realised she was actually the last born so she squeezed her face and walked to the kitchen.

Few minutes later, we were done eating. Today's class was so boring I hope it doesn't continue like this, I said. No, it wasn't I really enjoyed it, Ugomma said.. Do you know we have lots of note to copy? we resumed late but luckily I was able to snap prince notes because he sat behind me, Adaku said with an obvious smile on her face. Hmm, it's like we won't hear anything that doesn't have prince in it again ohh, since we left the lecture hall it's been prince, prince and prince, Ugomma replied giving her a funny facial expression. How about we talk a walk later in the evening, we may find nice spots for Friday, Ugomma added. What is happening on Friday? I asked. Please Adaeze don't continue that your boring lifestyle here girl we are uni students, let's have little fun please, she replied me. That's right am with you girl , Adaku said. I won't be going with you girls I want to go through today's lecture maybe I will understand it better, I said while sinking into the bed. The looked at me and gave out a loud hiss like the planned it.

At exactly 4pm, they both left for a walk and the room became very quite. I started going through today's lecture and downloaded some PDF . It was like everything was making sense little by little, after that I opened our girls w******p group and started writing my note from the pictures Adaku posted for us. In no time I was done with my note and studying so I proceeded to preparing dinner before the drama queens came home banging on the door. I checked the time and it was 8pm already. I went ahead and opened the door for them. Girl, you missed a lot of fun like real fun and good news there's this great club house not too far from here and believe me we are going to check it out on Friday, Adaku said twisting her waist. Yes baby girl I support you, Ugomma replied. I wish Daniel was here , we could have had more fun, She added. Wait hope you both are not dating yet? Adaku asked with a suspicious look. No but very soon it will definitely be a yes, Ugomma said winking at Adaku. What's burning? Ugomma asked and I rushed off to the kitchen to check my food.

It's 1 month already, every lecture is still very boring to me but thank God I go through my books and check out educative videos online,the help me understand the topics. Ugomma and Adaku party ever Friday and return Saturday morning, it has become a habit but as their friend I make sure the study with me the remaining days of the week, we do our assignments together .

It is Monday morning again and we have four lectures from 8am to 4pm so we hurried to school. After the long boring hours of lecture, we were heading home as I complained of how annoying these lectures are. It's normal now, Adaeze we are getting used to you complaining about all the lectures but we will only believe you after we see our first semester exam results, Adaku said. Just as I was about replying her we heard someone call us from the opposite block. It's Dr. Charles one of the boring lectures. Come here you on red blouse, he said referring to me. Meet me in my office, he added. I was surprised and scared at the same time thinking I was in trouble. I left my friends and followed behind him. How are you doing and what is your name, he asked me. I am very fine sir and my name is Adaeze Kingsley sir, I replied with my voice almost trembling. Relax, you are a very beautiful girl with a beautiful name as well. I have been noticing you all these while and I will really like us to be close friend, you know what I mean, he said. Sir I don't understand, I replied. I mean you can be of benefit to me and I can as well be of benefit to you, he said with an irritating look. Sir I wasn't trained that way, I said. You can go I will give you time to think about it, he said and smiled like nothing bothers him.

I left his office and met my girls waiting for me out side. I told them everything and the said I shouldn't worry he will forget my face soon.

Weeks turned into months and finally we were done with our first semester exams but Dr. Charles was still on my neck. Why me ? I always asked myself but every time I ask myself I realise I have no answer for that. It started giving me sleepless nights. My friends said I should just keep avoiding him that he will get tired, at least he is not threatening me with my results, they will always say but I wasn't still comfortable.

This story is written and published by Augustine Favour.