*
*
She waved as she walked away. So I guess it was just me now. I sighed and made my way to the cafeteria.
Halfway through with my meal, my phone rang.
“Hey, honey.” It was my mom’s voice and it felt like a soothing balm.
“Mom, I’ve missed you and dad so much.”
“We missed you more, your dad’s here now.”
True enough, I heard my dad’s deep baritone voice calling out in the background.
“Anyway, how are you and how are your exams going?”
“I’m alright and exams are going on fine,” I replied.
“Tonia advised us not to call you too much, she said we have to let you grow and take care of yourself. I mean it’s my baby girl we’re talking 'bout here.”
“Mom, I’m not a baby anymore.”
“Okay, fine.” She sighed. “But I worry about you often.”
I’d decided not to tell anyone but Tonia that Ryan was on the same campus as I was. If I told my parents, they might order for a transfer to another university and I was starting to like it here. Besides, I was done running from Ryan.
“I’m fine mom. I’ll be home after my exams.”
“Okay, shall we come and pick you up?” She asked. “I’m sure your father and I should be able to navigate the roads better this time around.”
“There’s no need, I’ve got a friend named Lisa, who lived nearby, we’ll come home together.”
“You’re sure it’s safe?” She asked. Concern was evident in her voice.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Okay then, that’s fine. I’ll call you later alright? Take good care of yourself. You better not have lost weight before I see you.”
“Bye, mom.” I chuckled as the call disconnected.
I smiled as I finished up the rest of my meal. I’d spent a whole semester at University of London and I’d survived it. I was glad at the prospect of going home soon though. All I had to do was to get through. Maybe I would finally get a good night’s rest. My phone rang as soon as I entered the hostel.
“Hello?” I answered without bothering to check the caller ID.
“My Monica,” A male voice said.
I gasped in shock and quickly checked the phone screen. It was an unknown number but I’d know that voice anywhere.
“Ryan, what do you want huh?”
“I see you haven’t forgotten the sound of my voice.”
“Why would I?” I snapped. “It’s the most irritating sound I’ve ever had the misfortune of hearing.”
“Does this have anything to do with the company you’ve been keeping lately?”
I froze and held my breath.
“What do you mean?”
“You have an affinity for danger, don’t you, Monica?” He chuckled. “Maybe that’s why I like you. But why go for an ex-cultist when you can have the real deal?”
“What I do with my life is none of your business Ryan, you lost that right a long time ago. Besides, Charles isn’t like you. He’s completely different and actually has a conscience.”
“But you see that’s where you’re wrong. I heard the rumors that Charles was back in town but I never expected that he would find his way directly to you. Have you thought about why he chose you? Why he is around you?”
He nearly threw me off my train of thought. I stalled for a second but quickly regained myself.
“What does it matter to you? You’re in charge of THE REDs now. Or are you just plain greedy?” I’d thrown caution into the wind by now. “What you did in high school wasn’t enough? You got the power you were looking for and nearly ruined my life in the process. Just let me be, pretend I don’t exist.”
He was silent for a moment.
“That’s impossible.”
“Why?” I nearly sobbed.
“Ryan?”
When there was no reply, I looked at the phone screen only to realize he’d ended the call. I tried not to let his words bother me but could it be true that Charles and I hadn’t met by coincidence?
Could his interest in me be as a result of something other than what he told me? I shook my head and slapped myself lightly on the cheek. Why would I believe a word that Ryan says? Charles is a changed guy now and if I were to compare and contrast between him and Ryan, he would win hands down in every category. But how well do I know Charles? I groaned in frustration.
I grabbed my phone and searched through my contacts for Charles’s number. I hesitated for only a second before I called him.
“Hey, this is a surprise.” His voice sounded pleasant enough despite how our previous meeting ended.
“I hope I’m not bothering you?” I asked nervously.
“Not at all, are you alright though? You sound a bit worried.”
This was my chance, a perfect opening.
“Can we talk?” I blurted the words out before I could chicken out.
“Wow, those are some heavy words, usually a cause for worry. Is anything the matter?”
“No, I just need to discuss something with you and I don’t think I can do it over the phone.”
“Alright, how about I come over to your campus tomorrow? Are you free then? Lisa told me you guys are writing exams.”
“I'm free tomorrow,” I confirmed.
“It’s a date then.”
There was an awkward silence that lasted for several seconds.
“I mean,” He cleared his throat. “I shall see you then.”
“Right of course,” I mumbled and ended the call.
.
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