Sons and Lovers

Episode 6

Fola took up his textbook and pored through it one more time, trying to settle on a particular topic. He had a lot of reading to do. However his mind kept wandering. He wondered why Remi hardly talked to him these days. She wasn’t calling, texting or chatting. Perhaps she was getting bored with him. He decided to give her some space but it was hard. It was all he could do to keep from calling her. Her number was on his speed dial. He did hope she would talk to him soon because he was on the verge of running to her hostel and begging her to talk with him. He sighed. Perhaps he should revise the ‘Krebs cycle.’ Exams were just two months away.

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She was totally absorbed in the book she was reading, so absorbed she didn’t notice when a shadow fell across her book. He had been watching her for some time when she felt that some eyes were trained on her. She looked up into his smiling face.

“It’s Remi, right?” he said grinning at her.

She nodded stupidly, wondering why on earth James wanted to talk to her. Chidera and Ruth would practically swoon if she told them about it.

James was the campus Don Juan. He oozed charm and his mixed race combined the best features of both African and European blood. His father owned some oil wells and he lived like a king on campus. He was a well sought after model and his course in international relations completed the exotic image he presented to the public. She had swooned with the other girls when she saw him and admired his physique, but had never imagined their paths would cross; what with she being a lowly medical student.

“I’m James,” he said offering his hand.

She resisted the urge to say: ‘I know’ and took his hand.

“I’m surprised you know my name,” she said.

“I have my ways,” he said winking.

Remi sighed dreamily as she stared up at him. Her book could certainly wait.

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Peter walked through the cafeteria, his eyes scanning the crowd as if looking for someone. He was startled when Tomiwa came behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey man, what’s with you?” Tomiwa asked him. “Who are you looking for?”

“Oh, nobody,” Peter said hoping his friend wouldn’t pry.

“Really? You could have fooled me. Have you had lunch yet?”

‘’Not yet.”

“Then let’s get some,” Tomiwa suggested.

Peter groaned inwardly. Why did Tomiwa have to show up now? He had thought he would be able to make a little progress today. Now, phase 1 of his search of the ultimate girl had been truncated. Well, there was always the next day…

“Ehen,” Tomiwa said. “Guy, abeg you go teach me some neuroanatomy o. Dat thing no dey stay for my brain.”

“It’s quite challenging for me too,” Peter agreed. “Let’s work on it tonight.”

“Will do,” Tomiwa said his mouth full.

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Chidera plopped onto the bed exhausted. She hated going to the market but it was her turn to do so. They had run out of stew and foodstuffs. She was wondering if she should take a short nap first before attempting to cook anything. Her phone rang. She picked it.

“Are you Chidera?” a woman’s voice came on the line.

“Yes. Please may I know who…,”

“If you know what is good for you,” the woman cut in. “Leave Richard alone. Don’t come and kill him for us.”

She was stunned. “Wait a minute,” she began but was cut off.

“He might not have told you but he already has someone else. So you better back off,” the woman said in a menacing tone. Then the line went dead. Chidera stared at the phone, holding it in her hand. And it was in this position that Remi met her when she walked in.

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