"Wakey, wakey. It is your first day at the University", Christopher's voice woke me up as I almost sprang out of the bed.
I quickly checked the time and saw 7:05 am. I checked my phone and noticed it was switched off, and my backup alarm was nowhere to be found.
" What the heck happened? What did you do Chris?", I asked as he put on a blue-collar shirt.
He smiled looking at me, and for a few seconds, I felt furious.
"I just deactivated the alarm on your phone and that of the backup alarm as well," he said, as it dawned on me that I did not put a password on my phone
"You are crazy? Why would you do that?", I asked, feeling angrier?
" Do you want me to carry you to the bathroom", Chris added smirking, as I glared at him.
Huffing loudly, I did an eye roll as I made my way to my wardrobe. Picking up my towel, my boxer, white singlet, black fitted trousers, and an orange tee-shirt, I make my way to the bathroom.
"Wait. You are dressing up in the bathroom", Chris questioned.
" None of your business, pervert", I replied which he laughed at.
I did my cleaning exercise, as a smile crept to my face when I remembered the little history about Christopher. I asked him why he had an English name since he is of Yoruba origin. He told me his dad was a Yoruba man from Nigeria who got married to an American lady, who later became his mother. Being the lastborn, his mum decided to give him an English name, so his full name is Otegbade Christopher.
I finished bathing, as I changed in the bathroom. My scrawny figure discouraged me from dressing in the room. And as a matter of fact, I don't want Christopher staring at me with those eyes of his.
I finished the oatmeal Christopher prepared as we both dash out of the house. We both arrived at the University Campus at exactly 8:25 am, and the fact that the University campus was beautiful would not be an understatement. The buildings by the side of the tiled road are well painted, the grasses and shrubs along the roadside all green, the blooming beautiful flowers are not an exception.
I felt Christopher pull me closer to him, his right hand on my shoulder as his cologne filled my nostrils.
"My friend, why do you insist we walk through the campus road instead of taking a cab?"Chris questioned, as I gently removed his hand from my shoulder.
"I want to explore a bit and in the process, I would easily get to my department. And stop being cheesy with the friendship thing", I deadpanned as he chuckled loudly
We kept walking in silence for close to 15 minutes as our eyes kept searching for our department hall. We later got to find the Chemistry department, which made me tense.
I am so in trouble especially since I have less than 15 minutes to get to my department. The map on my phone is not working perfectly and I felt like screaming out loud. Chris pulled me into a hug, calming my tensed self. I pushed him away gently after a few seconds before I could lose control, being engulfed over his manly figure and the smell of his perfume.
" I have a feeling you will get to your department within a flash", he said, flashing me a smile and a wink.
"Thank you and all the best", I managed to say, as my face flushed.
I turned immediately and the next thing was that I picked a race. I started running my eyes scanning along as fast as possible, searching for the department hall for Pharmaceutical Sciences.
After some minutes of running, I stopped abruptly, bending down to catch my breath, as the gaze of some students passing by fell on me. A thought came to my mind to ask the students where my department was but I decided not to.
I must have missed my department while running. I need to go back, I told myself as I turned to run only to bump into someone, my head colliding with his chest. I looked up to see a tall guy, who looks a bit older than I am.
"I am sorry for running into you", I quickly apologized, beads of sweat all over my face that I regretted not leaving the hostel early enough. The expression on the face of the person in front of me softened immediately after apologizing, making my shoulder less heavy.
" Are you okay?" he asked as I blinked my eyes, especially when his right hand made its way to my head.
"I am okay. I was looking for the Pharmaceutical department", I stated and he smiled again, leaving with the thought that he is weird.
" Then you will be going the wrong way. Move forward till you get to a turning, turn to the right, and then go straight, you will see your department", he replied bringing a great sense of relief to me.
"Thank you for the help and sorry for running into you", I apologized ready to take my leave.
I felt a hand pull my wrist as I turned to face him.
" I am Raphael, a 200 level student of Pharmacy. Nice to meet you", he said
"Em, thank you, Senior Raphael. Nice to meet you too", I blurted out.
" Nice voice by the way. Can you give me your number? You know, just in case you need any help", he asked as I typed my number before speeding off to the direction he explained to me.
I breathe in and out, slowly wiping the sweats off my face as I entered my Department hall which was opened. My eyes met with the person on the platform, who was probably in his early 30's, as I made my way to greet him.
"Good Morning sir. I apologize for being late", I greeted bowing my head in form of respect.
" Oh, see this one. Why is his voice like that of a girl? He must be a girl in a boy's body", a voice said among the students as they all burst into a laugh
My face flushed in embarrassment as my left hand touched Adam's apple, my head a little bit bent.
"Will you keep quiet?" The person who I assumed to be a lecturer cautioned as everywhere dropped silently.
"I do not get why you are late on your first day. Next time, be punctual", he scolded as he waved his hand directing me to take a seat.
I bit my lips gently as I found myself a seat in the front row, finally finding the peace within.
"Just as I was saying, I am your mentor in this department. Any questions or help you need regarding this department are in my palm, so consult me", he explained then continued " We have different courses in the Pharmaceutical department, can anyone list give of them and define at least one" he asked as the students started murmuring not until a girl with weaved hair, stood up.
"I know some of the courses but I cannot define any one of them", the girl stated as she continued fiddling with her hair and adjusting her dress.
Does she think we are in a fashion parade', I thought as I turned to look at the mentor.
"You can sit. I need a complete answer", the mentor said as the girl sat down embarrassed.
I raised my hand as I was called, the stares from the other students almost piercing through my heart.
", We have Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacognosy, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Pharmaceutical Chemistry deals with the study and properties of chemical substances of natural origin used in medicine" I explained as the mentor asked the class to clap for me.
I felt a gush of accomplishment as the lecture came to an end with me being the Class Representative. Thanks to the mentor who nominated me stating I was among the few who greeted him and showed respect. Most of the students voted for me and I was happy.
I concluded my lectures as I began finding my way back to the hostel. I checked my phone deciding to send Christopher a message on Whatsapp not until I saw tons of messages from an unknown number.
'Hi, I missed your voice
'Can we meet?
'So good to meet you
' Please reply to my messages
I read out the messages as my heart leaped