Episode 6 :- WHAT HEART WANTS
1904 Words
🐠 MERMAIDS OF CALABAR (SEASON ONE) 🧜🔞
Genre: Dark Fantasy • Horror • Supernatural • Romance • Adult • Adventure
Episode 6 :- WHAT HEART WANTS
WARNING: This story contains content that is not appropriate for anyone under 18. Do not copy or reproduce this story without the author's permission.
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🐞 JOSEPH 🐞
Romantics say love is like bathing in the nectar of stolen honey. To me, it's more like a straight shot to heaven.
For years, I had watched people fall in love while wondering what it felt like to experience it myself. Now, for the first time, I thought I might finally understand.
Ever since I met that mysterious woman on the beach a few days ago, I hadn't been able to get her out of my mind.
There was something about her that pulled me toward her. It wasn't just her extraordinary beauty. There was something deeper—something I couldn't explain.
I tried focusing on my studies, but nothing worked.
For three consecutive days, I returned to the beach hoping to see her again. She never appeared.
Instead of forgetting her, my obsession only grew stronger.
Then the dreams started.
Night after night, I dreamed about the mysterious woman. Sometimes she stood silently before me. Other times, I heard her voice calling my name. Whenever I woke up, her face remained fresh in my memory.
I began sketching her.
I drew her whenever I had the opportunity—even during lectures. Soon, the back pages of my notebooks were filled with drawings of the same mysterious woman.
It was becoming impossible to hide.
That afternoon, I sat in class while Dr. Vincent lectured on Western Civilization. Everyone seemed interested in the lesson except me.
My attention was fixed on the sketch in front of me.
Moremi, who was sitting beside me, noticed that our lecturer had been watching me. She tried to warn me, even throwing her pen cover at me.
Unfortunately, I didn't notice.
Dr. Vincent
“Mr. Joseph!”
Joseph
(startled) “Sir?”
Dr. Vincent
“It appears your mind has wandered away from this class.”
Joseph
“Uh... not at all, sir.”
Dr. Vincent
“Is that so? Then I'm sure you can repeat what I said a few minutes ago.”
I froze.
Dr. Vincent was not a man anyone wanted to disappoint. He was strict, disciplined and known for punishing students who broke his rules.
I was already preparing for the worst when something strange happened.
A feminine voice suddenly echoed inside my head.
He said that Western civilization was shaped by several major historical influences...
The voice sounded so real that I instinctively repeated the words aloud.
Dr. Vincent stared at me.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he slowly returned to his podium and continued the lecture.
I had no idea what had just happened.
But I knew one thing.
That wasn't my voice.
---
When the lecture ended, Moremi immediately confronted me.
Moremi
“What are you doing that's more important than paying attention in class? You almost got yourself into trouble with Dr. Vincent.”
Joseph
“Well, I'm lucky I didn't.”
Moremi
“Are you okay? You've been acting strange lately.”
Joseph
“I'm fine.”
Moremi
“Then what's with all the sketching?”
Joseph
“It's nothing.”
Moremi
“Show me.”
Joseph
“I'd rather not.”
Moremi
“Why?”
Joseph
“Because I'm not finished.”
Moremi
“I don't care. Let me see.”
Before I could stop her, Moremi snatched the paper from my hand.
She stared at the drawing.
Her expression changed.
Moremi
“Joseph... who's this woman?”
Joseph
“No one. Just a random drawing.”
Moremi looked at me suspiciously.
She knew I was lying.
Without another word, she grabbed her bag and walked away.
I immediately followed her.
Moremi and I had become close since we met a few weeks earlier. We were course mates and shared several interests. Both of us were quiet and preferred staying away from crowds.
I loved aquatic life, while Moremi was fascinated by animals.
Sometimes, however, I suspected her feelings for me went beyond friendship.
I caught up with her near the department entrance.
Joseph
“Moremi, wait.”
She ignored me.
Joseph
“Look, I'm sorry I lied to you. As my friend, you didn't deserve that.”
She finally stopped.
Joseph
“The woman in the sketch is someone I met at the beach. She appeared out of nowhere. We had this strange moment together, and then she disappeared.”
Moremi stared at me.
Joseph
“I've never seen anyone as beautiful as her. That's why I can't concentrate.”
Moremi
“So you're in love with a stranger?”
Joseph
“I'm not sure.”
Moremi
“You can't seriously have feelings for someone you barely know. What if she's dangerous? Forget about her.”
Joseph
“I'm trying to.”
Moremi sighed.
Moremi
“Escort me to my hostel and I'll think about forgiving you.”
I agreed.
We walked together, talking along the way. At some point, Moremi took my hand.
Anyone watching us would have assumed we were a couple.
I didn't think much of it.
When we reached her hostel, we said our goodbyes.
Moremi
“Don't forget what I said. Forget that woman. She's not worth it.”
Joseph
“I know. Bye.”
Moremi
“Bye.”
As I turned to leave, I heard some guys nearby gossiping about me.
One of them called me lucky for having Moremi as my girlfriend.
I shook my head and continued toward my hostel.
---
On my way back, I unexpectedly ran into Iniobong.
We hadn't seen each other since our first encounter.
Joseph
“Well, well. Looks like we meet again, Iniobong.”
Iniobong
“So you remember my name. How wonderful. Jeffrey, right?”
Joseph
“No. Joseph.”
Iniobong
“Joseph. Nice to meet you again. How's campus life?”
Joseph
“Not bad.”
Iniobong
“Well, you're still alive and in one piece.”
Joseph
“What?”
Iniobong
(laughs) “Don't mind me. I'm just messing with you.”
She smiled.
Iniobong
“Are you free tonight?”
Joseph
“Maybe. Why?”
Iniobong
“There's a little party at my place. You should come.”
Joseph
“I don't do parties.”
Iniobong
“Come on, Joseph. It'll be fun.”
Joseph
“Sorry.”
Iniobong
“Party pooper. It's a shame I can't have a handsome guy like you around tonight. But if you change your mind, let me know.”
Joseph
“But I don't even have your contact.”
Iniobong simply smiled and walked away.
I watched her disappear into the crowd.
There was something unusual about that woman. She was bold, unpredictable and far too comfortable with a stranger.
I had a feeling we'd meet again.
---
When I finally reached my hostel, I found Adekunle sitting on his bunk, reading the same strange book he'd been carrying around for days.
Joseph
“Ade, how far?”
Ade
“I dey. How lectures?”
Joseph
“Interesting, but my mind no dey for class. Which kind book you dey read?”
Ade
“My family ancestry.”
Joseph
“Oh... make I rest jare.”
Just then, Haruna entered the room.
The moment he saw me, he began teasing.
Haruna
“Silent killer! Always quiet. Joseph, na snake you be.”
Ade shook his head.
Ade
“Ogbeni, wetin dey worry you? Why you dey disturb us?”
Haruna
“Relax, Mallam. You won't believe what I saw this afternoon. This Joseph na player.”
Joseph
“Haruna, wetin you dey talk about?”
Haruna
“Don't pretend. Who are those two girls you were with?”
Ade
“Ah, see this werey.”
Joseph
“So you're spying on me now?”
Haruna
“I wasn't spying. I just happened to be there. Tell us who they are.”
Joseph
“Fine. The first girl is Moremi. She's my friend and course mate.”
Ade suddenly looked up.
Ade
“Moremi?”
Joseph
“Yes. Do you know her?”
Ade
“Is she fair, quiet and slightly annoying?”
Joseph
“Yes... but she's not annoying.”
Ade smiled.
Ade
“She’s my cousin.”
Joseph
“WHAT?”
Ade
“Yes. My cousin.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
Haruna
“If she's just your friend, why were you holding hands?”
Ade
“Are you two seeing each other?”
Joseph
“No. She just held my hand.”
Haruna laughed.
Haruna
“To you, maybe it means nothing. But I saw the look on her face. That girl likes you.”
Ade
“Haruna, watch your mouth.”
Haruna
“I'm just saying. You'd better make your move before someone else does.”
Joseph
“Moremi is just my friend.”
Haruna wasn't convinced.
Haruna
“Okay, what about the second girl?”
Joseph
“Iniobong. I barely know her.”
Haruna
“Good. Because that one looks like trouble.”
Joseph
“That's exactly what I think.”
Ade closed his book.
Ade
“But you've definitely been distracted lately. What's going on?”
Haruna nodded.
Haruna
“Exactly. You zone out like someone has taken over your mind.”
I sighed.
Joseph
“Actually, you're right. Days ago, I met a strange woman at the beach. She's the reason I've been distracted.”
Haruna
“What does she look like?”
Joseph
“I've never seen anyone like her. Her beauty was... unreal.”
Haruna burst out laughing.
Haruna
“This werey is in love! Finally!”
Joseph
“I'm not in love.”
Ade
“Yes, you are. It's written all over your face.”
Haruna
“What happened between you two?”
I told them everything—the encounter, the kiss, and the way she mysteriously vanished.
Then I showed them my sketch.
Both of them stared at it.
Ade's expression immediately became serious.
Haruna
“Wow. You can draw like this? This babe is fine.”
Ade
“This is the woman?”
Joseph
“Yeah.”
Haruna
“So she kissed you and disappeared?”
Joseph
“She vanished. There weren't even footprints in the sand.”
Ade frowned.
Ade
“Joseph, you need to forget this woman. Whatever happened wasn't normal.”
Haruna
“I agree. Who kisses a stranger and disappears without leaving footprints? She could be a spirit or a jinn.”
I looked down at the sketch.
Joseph
“I wish I could forget her... but I can't.”
Silence filled the room.
After a moment, I sighed.
Joseph
“I think I'll go home tonight.”
Haruna
“Why?”
Joseph
“To see my mother. I need to check on her. I'll return tomorrow.”
Haruna
“What about lectures?”
Joseph
“None tomorrow.”
Ade
“Then go while the sun is still up.”
I shook my head.
Joseph
“No. I'll leave in the evening. She should be home by then.”
Neither of them knew it yet, but my decision to return home would lead me closer to the mystery surrounding the woman from the sea.
TO BE CONTINUED...
NEXT EPISODE ➡️ (CONT'D)
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