Deadly Secret

The sky was cloudy that morning, and a thin mist blurred the neighborhood. The crowing of a rooster pulled me out of sleep, my eyes still heavy. I dragged myself toward the restroom when, suddenly, I saw her.

She walked by quietly, and for a moment, I froze. My eyes followed her every step, but no words came out of my mouth. That was the very first time I set eyes on her, and from that moment, her face refused to leave my mind.

Curious to catch another glimpse, I hurried to the balcony. Too late, She had already crossed the junction, and all I managed to see was her back. Yet something about her stirred a deep desire in me, a longing to know her more. She wasn’t familiar like the usual faces in the neighborhood; she was new, different and unforgettable.

It was the first day of October, a Monday, new month, new week, new schedules. Being in my final year at the university, my studies consumed most of my time. I was already looking forward to finally graduating with a bachelor’s degree. That morning, a compulsory physics class had been fixed for 9 a.m, with attendance strictly monitored.

Running late, I hopped on a bike to the lecture hall. Just as I arrived, I heard my name called from behind:

“Precious!”

I turned and saw my chubby coursemate Felix. He was not just a classmate but a good friend, a real gee. We shook hands, exchanged jokes, and walked together toward the lecture hall.

Inside, we found seats just in time. A few minutes later, Mr. Alozie, our blunt and outspoken physics professor, walked in. As always, he shut the door behind him, making sure no latecomer could sneak in. Everyone knew he tolerated no excuses.

By the end of lectures, I was exhausted. My stomach growled from skipping breakfast, and the long trek back to my hostel drained the last of my energy. Finally home, I headed straight for the kitchen. With whatever ingredients I had in the cupboards, I cooked spaghetti and egg sauce. I ate quickly, then collapsed on my bed, drifting into a deep siesta.

Suddenly I heard a knock, the knock came first softly, then louder, pulling me unwillingly from dreamland. Half-asleep, I staggered to the door. It was Tobi, my light-skinned roommate since 200 level. We were in the same year, though different faculties. After our usual guy-style greetings, he slipped inside while I returned to bed, clinging to the remains of my interrupted dream.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window towards my face. Then i overheard Tobi chatting with his coursemate James.

“Did you get the topic Mr. Fidelis gave us to research?” Tobi asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” James replied. “It’s on the Carnot Cycle.”

I sat up slowly, stretching, and greeted James.

“What’s good, mate?”

He smiled, and we exchanged a handshake and pleasantries which interrupted his conversation with Tobi.

After James left, the room went quiet again. I lay back for a while, scrolling absentmindedly through my phone. Tobi hummed along to a playlist, his voice occasionally rising whenever a favorite song came up.

The day rolled lazily into the afternoon. I didn’t feel like stepping out for lectures that day, so I stayed indoors, alternating between short naps, casual chats with Tobi, and watching clips on his laptop.

By evening, a few minutes before five, I went inside campus to see Felix, who lived in the university hostel. He was the hostel governor, and I knew I’d find him in Room Number 001.

When I got to his door, I noticed a padlock hanging on it. I waited for a while, then decided to call his phone. The first time, he didn’t pick. I tried again.

“Preshy!” his voice came through. “I missed your call?”

“Yeah, Felico. I’m at your door now, but I see padlock there.”

“Ahh, no vex, my bro. I just stepped out to meet the porter. He asked to see me.”

“No issues, my gee. I’ll wait till you come back.”

“Thanks, bro. I won’t waste time. Just chill for me.”

“Okay, I’m right here. Not going anywhere.”

While waiting, my eyes wandered to the football field nearby. A match was on. The boys in purple vests controlled most of the ball, frustrating the team in grey with every move. Their energy and noise kept me company as I leaned against the wall, waiting for Felix to return.

By the time I got back to my lodge later that night, I was worn out. The moment I lay on my bed, sleep claimed me, deeper than I had imagined.

The next morning, a quick glance at the clock on the wall told me it was a little past eight. I hadn’t expected to sleep so long.

Tobi was already awake, earphones plugged in, nodding his head to Lonely by Akon. His voice rose as he sang along:

“Lonely, I’m Mr. Lonely

I have nobody, for my own

I’m so lonely, I’m Mr lonely

I have nobody for my own

I am so lonely”

“Hey, my bro. Good morning, mate,” he greeted with a smile.

“Good morning, mate,” I replied, joining him in singing the chorus.

Suddenly, a knock came at our door.

“Who’s there?” Tobi called, moving toward the sound.

“It’s me, Knozy,” came the reply.

I recognized his voice immediately and opened the door. Knozy, our next-door neighbor, strolled in with his usual cheerful grin. He was fond of us and often turned our room into his second home whenever he was free.

“Preshy!” “Tobi!” Knozy called.

“Knozy!” we both chorused.

The room filled with laughter as the three of us enjoyed the music, our voices clashing but somehow blending in rhythm.

Before long, it was time for lectures. I never liked being late because too many lecturers believed in making examples out of students who disobeyed their rules.

That morning, Mr. Amakom walked into the hall. “Hello class,” he greeted.

“Hello sir,” we chorused in unison.

“Did your course rep send the course notes to the class?” he asked.

“Yes sir, she did,” we all responded.

“Good. Steph, I’ll forward the assignment after this lecture ends. Now, class, let’s look into today’s topic: Electromagnetism.”

As he began, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Daniel leaned in, whispering, “What do you think about what Felix and I are arguing?”

Before I could respond, I heard my name.

“Precious!”

My head snapped forward. Mr. Amakom was staring straight at me.

“What was my last statement before I called you?” he asked.

I stood up slowly. “Sir… you were defining electromagnetism.”

“Yes. Go on. Tell the class...what is electromagnetism?”

My mouth went dry. I tried to speak, but no words came. I hadn’t been paying attention. Laughter rippled through the room as Mr. Amakom shook his head and scolded me. In that moment, I became the class clown, the unlucky scapegoat.

Near the end of the lecture, he threw another quick question my way. This time, I answered correctly, earning a small nod of approval.

When class ended, Daniel and Felix rushed over, grinning.

“Precious!” Felix laughed. “You were the scapegoat for that man today.”

I shook my head. “Jonzing guy, abeg. Isn’t it your fault? If Daniel hadn’t tapped me, I wouldn’t have been caught in the first place!”

We burst into laughter, the teasing continuing as we left the school premises. Daniel and Felix branched off toward their hostels on campus, while I continued on the long walk to my off-campus lodge, replaying the day’s embarrassment in my mind.