blood boiled as it raced through the vein to the heart. The heart beat was heavier and faster than usual, she felt a bit uncomfortable. she wished they've already finished so that they can leave but things weren't following her desires. She tried not to gaze at that direction but her whole being wouldn't cooperate. she couldn't concentrate or compose. especially when she noticed he was heading her direction.
"Why is he coming here? Did he see her? is he coming for her?" a lot of questions kept generating. "But why am I bothered? I don't owe him, do I? No. but he will definitely want to cause trouble when he gets here" Thoughts filled her head 
"Let's go" Richard said eventually. it was something she's been expecting but unfortunately it came at the wrong time. The person have seen her already. Richard noticed they were glaring at each other keenly.
"Who is he?" Richard whispered. Roselyn, didn't respond, it could mean that she didn't hear or she can not talk about it there.
"So, this is what you chose over me?" Hassan jeered to embarrass her. "A beggar. a pauper that would be answering you YES MA'AM if you were my girl. Some dirty girls like you really do not have choice. No, mistake. they don't have sense. You practically chose suffering over luxury....."
"Look, you this cola nut eater, no matter how rich you claim to be you can never be my class. I'm not like those hopeless and helpless chicks you play around with. I'm way better, I know my worth and the earlier you realize this, the better for you. Now for this guy here, look at him closely, Anyone in his or her right senses would choose him over you a million times. You call him a pauper, to me it's never an insult because he's never come to ask from you. Despite being a pauper, he's gained for himself more relevance among people than a dog like you who doesn't have choice or direction in life. Don't go and sit in a corner and think about your life, your end is not far...."
"Your papa nyash" Hassan insulted attempting to slap her but the man selling steaks was quick enough to intervene and tried to calm him.
"You should have allowed him touch her" Richard said to the man holding Hassan. His countenance was still as clear as someone not bothered.
"What will you do?" Hassan asked, more provoked drawing closer to Richard. He stood so close to Richard that their chest could touch. Hassan was a little taller and bulkier. 
"If you have wanted to know, you would have touched her" Looking at their appearance, it was obvious that Richard was younger, which was the most annoying part of the issue. how can a boy of his age challenge him like that? He rushed to hit Roselyn to prove he was superior but the man and another guy who came in wouldn't let him. He began to explain to them in Hausa how the girl insulted him, but they didn't consider that as an excuse to let him fight. As they were holding Hassan they were telling Richard also to go with Roselyn for the quarrel to end. 
           They jumped on the bike and sped off. Since the incident they've both remained quiet. Apparently they both lost their good sides. They can't easily skip into conversation, not when their moods are being tampered with. Roselyn didn't even ask questions about the guy and that got Roselyn even more worried. She knows there's a reason for that which she assumed was not a good one. She knows things were roaming in his mind and so does she. They got to a place and stopped. 
"Can I take you back home?" Richard asked softly. Uju's mind summarized this immediately. she knew the end of the silence won't be good.
"Why? Are we not going to see your mom again?" Roselyn asked frowned.
"Not in your current mood"
"About that? No, it's nothing. I'm fine"
"I insist"
"Are you serious?" Roselyn asked realizing the weight in his tone and his unpredictable silence afterwards. She gently slipped off the bike.
"You can go" She said feeling very sad but she tried so hard to pin her emotions. Her eyes, began to blink continuously, becoming red. she tried to hide her face because what could not be hidden was about to force itself out. She felt abandoned. She didn't need anyone to tell her that his action was in regard to the altercation few minutes ago. She was certain he wanted to end their friendship or whatever it was they were sharing. So quick? at this stage? in a place like this? So he never liked her that much? indeed, love hurts, why from someone she's already trusted. But why was she crying? was it for what happened or for the assumed breakup? Could she have fallen for him this much to be scared of loosing him? She blamed herself for loving after she's already claimed her mission to the school was for studies and not to date or do anything not related to academics. Her mind has calculated a lot already.
"How? I'm going to take you back"
"No, I'm fine" She said. Now the water from her emotions has filled her eyes. it stung badly. She tried wiping it as she sniffed relentlessly. Richard was deeply touched.
"Oh, no, don't do this. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just ......" it was as though Richard read her mind. indeed what happened at the road was enough to make her sad but not to cry. She did misunderstood him.
"Please go"
"Not when you are like this"
"I said go, I can find my way"
"Alright, it's fine if you can stand before my mom with this face. let's go"
"Don't make me scream, I said go"
"You want to scream? That's fine, scream, shout, yell out. call people to come. I can help you do it perhaps I have louder voice, but the question is, what will you tell them is the matter? they need your explanation when they all gather, so what now will you tell them? did I hit you? did I use hash words on you? what's my offence? if what happened at that mallams place is what's stirring this attitude why make me look like the culprit. I was simply trying to protect you. my mom doesn't need to see you as a sad, boring and uninteresting person. No, she needs to see the best in you. your first impression determines how you will be regarded. I want her to be the one talking about you when you are gone. I want her to be the one longing to see you everyday, coaxing me into bringing you to her. is that a bad idea? Why should you feel bad? I never meant anything hurtful" He held her hands whipped her eyes with his hand and hugged her.
"I'm sorry" Roselyn muttered realizing that her analysis were wholly wrong.
"It's okay. try pull yourself together let's go"
"Take me home" Roselyn said having digested his points.
"Anywhere you want, I can take you"
          He took her back to her hostel. 
"How did you know this is my hostel?" Roselyn asked astonished. Richard turned with a gentle stare. He still felt what could either be referred to as guilt or sympathy for Roselyn's sadness.
"Is there any day you saw leaves on your door?" His question followed a calm atmosphere.
"So it was you? so you know almost everything about me? you have followed me longer than I know. secret agent, you better stop"
"I better stop living, that's what you mean" Richard replied looking steadily and calmly.This response depicted clearly what Richard was doubtful about. She can tell he really feels something for her as much as she does. she was also caught by the force of nature but she was quick enough to regain her consciousness. she realized what that could cause so she withdrew and smiled. At this point, Richard too, smiled.
"Is that so? you will get tired of it some day. I'm not going to dissuade you again.....You jeopardized with my life, remember?" Roselyn complained 
"How?"
"How could you dare that guy to hit me? with those might arms?"
"Oh that! I knew he wouldn't dare"
"What if he did?"
"Then he will leave me with no alternative than to react..."
"Mike Tyson, don't get Into trouble, at least not for my sake"
"But you stood for me. I really was amazed at the tremendous confidence you possess. freedom fighter. you are supposed to become a politician or a lawyer to defend human rights. But tell me, who is that guy? what transpired between you?"
"That day you saw me at the club was the day I met him. His arrogance is what is creating all this hullabaloo. because I literally can't stand such an awful aura"
"He likes you that's why he keeps coming. Because, if you should think of it you ain't the first girl to turn him down but why haven't he stopped coming? Well, I am glad you made it clear to him that you are way beyond his league "
"I will keep telling him even if he comes a million times. his obstinace is what won't let him stop. He thinks I will change my mind after some time. but thats a big No"