Tuesday morning was a very cold day. It was much expected because as at dawn, the whole surrounding was dry. It wasn't harmattan period but the situation sure felt like it. Dry lips everywhere and people constantly applying and reapplying lotion to their skin. Almost everyone in school wore lip glosses and avoided the lipsticks due to the matte. Even the roads were very dusty but still it was better than a hot season.

Adanna had two classes today of which one was general. Everyone in the department offered TMC. It held in lecture theatre 4. The building just opposite the science block. The good thing was, the driver could drop Adanna right there in front of the place unlike her other classes which held in school blocks and private cars weren't allowed in there, leaving her to walk minutes before getting to her class.

"The day holds a lot of bright things for me." Adanna thought as she got into the car. The driver had dropped her mum first and came back for her because she wasn't ready on time.

She would leave for home after classes and the hopefully brief meeting with her project supervisor.

Adanna checked the time. It was 8am sharp. She hurried into the class, her legs carrying her faster than they would normally have because once it was 8am, her TMC lecturer shut all the doors to the lecture theatre leaving no room for any student to enter. He never condoned lateness. Sometimes, when he was touched, he gave extra 5mins as grace. She entered just in time; as he was shutting the last door. He shot her a look. "I am sorry sir" she said and walked briskly to find her course mates to sit with them. Pat already reserved her a seat so she sat down and greeted everyone around before the lecturer started his class.

Mr. Kalu's class was always engaging. He was an interesting man as regards the way he demonstrated and spoke. He made the class lively and an individual eager to hear the message he wants to pass. "A man is the president of the house" he said and the roles of women have gradually shifted from the traditional role to the modern role."He adjusted the microphone he was holding and rode on "no more just staying home and in the kitchen now we have serious cultured women who are thriving to break glass ceilings wherever they find them selves". He paused narrowing his eyes "but that doesn't mean that they should forget their wifely duties or that the man is the head and governor of the home."

He pointed at himself beating his chest "I am the president of my home." Everyone in the class laughed at his demonstration and the tone with which he spoke. Their laughter echoed and only made Mr Kalu happier.

He tapped a guy beside him as he walked "when you get married, remember that. But still remember your wife's role".

He continued walking, moving up the stairs cleaning his sweat with the handkerchief on his free hand till he got to the top and stopped by a lady in glasses "Ladies, remember" he said as he bent towards her gently "Behind every successful man, there is a woman. Help your husband grow and nurture yourselves. Keep your home." He repeated this time facing as many ladies as he could "keep your home."

This man had always known how to hit a nail on the head in a comic way. He adjusted his tie, freed his hands and started walking back down the steps till he got to the stage and referred back to his slides. He sipped a glass of water and continued his lecture. The lecture was just for one hour and he never missed.

Adanna looked forward to Thursday. It was her free day in the whole week when she had no lectures. One of the pros of being in final year.

After her TMC class, she went for the second- the last for the day. It was for two hours and relatively boring. If not that she had missed a lot in her class, Adanna would have slept off like almolst half of the class. The bad thing was she didn't even care that there  were people sleeping right in front of her in class.

As soon as her time was up, the course representative gave her a gentle signal which she obliged and strode out of the class. After which Adanna went to see her project supervisor and she finally decided a topic "The effect of business strategy on corporate governance".

She was glad the meeting was short.

She was tired and didn't wait to see Claire.

She got home and started walking on her project.

***********************

Wednesday was usually her busiest day. Her classes end by 6pm after which she had dinner with Claire at the school's buttery before they both headed home.

After her class, she waited behind for Claire as her lecturer hadn't ended the class. It was her norm. She was left with Isabel and her crew, Adanna didn't bother checking which of them exactly. She picked up her phone and opened her eBook reader to continue reading 'redeeming love' by Francine Rivers. She was almost at the end already as she started the book when they moved in their new house. It was her gift from Mr and Mrs Rice.

She texted Claire again and got the reply "I am so sorry Adanna. This woman talks too much she has refused to end the class. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Isabel knew her routine with Claire on Wednesdays and she was glad when she saw her in class that it hadn't changed. She had banked on it. She laughed scornfully. "It's time" she told her crew

Adana continued her reading only to be interrupted by loud laughter's of the people behind her. Wanting to ignore them, she brought out her ear plugs and as she plugged one ear trying to get the other into her ear, she heard their chinwag. It was about her. Curiosity got the best of her as she removed the plugs from her ears and listened in on their conversation.

"you wont believe what I heard about Adanna. hmm, she actually left her sister to die there. In the fire. Such pitiless fellow" one said as she clapped her hands together and sighed.

"really?, another asked acting quite surprised with her mouth open. "she's so cold blooded and in-humane. Yet she likes to act like she's all good and self righteous. Her true nature has finally aired." another said

"well, I am not surprised. She had always had evil in her. She only hid it well. I only wished she was exposed for who she truly is earlier" Isabella said as she did 'God forbid evil'

Adanna wasn't surprised by Isabel's outburst in fact she had expected it though not to this extent.

Her eyes glistened, she could barely see anything as tears had covered her eyes. She started to sniff and as if they heard her, they burst into laughter.

"ehhh can you blame her?, she has to survive now. You know. survival of the fittest sturv" The third person said bitterly.

"What nonsense! survival of the fittest my foot" the fourth person chipped in, This time; the voice was a guy's. One that Adanna recognized too well — David.

This was the final straw; her last bite. She couldn't bear it anymore and broke down in audible tears on the table where she sat.

She cried for minutes. Her eyes swollen and hands shaking.

Claire walked in and found her in such state. She scurried to her side and asked her what the matter was. "oh my, what happened to you, why the tears?" she asked holding her head up.

"nothing, just take me away from here" Adanna responsed.

"What do you mean nothing?" Then she heard the chattering behind her, what Isabel and her crew were saying and she sighted David in their mist. She gave him a narrowed look. "C'mon Adanna, lets go".

She turned back and shot David another look and said "You are fickle" and then to Isabel and friends "to reply any of you will be deign" and walked out with Adanna.

Claire led her friend to the canteen and while they sat waiting for their order to come through, Adanna explained what she overheard actually scratch that, what they said out loud for her to hear.

"I can't believe David was there. That he said all that" She muffled in between tears that had started to form again.

"Its okay. Forget about him. He is a jerk." Claire said drawing her closer. She cuddled her friend and tried to imagine how she must have felt sitting there alone just being entertained by the caustic comments made about her audibly to her hearing without fear or pity. She couldn't gauge such experience.

She turned Adanna to face her "you are a strong my friend. They are all just petty especially David. They are definitely not worth your tears or retaliation."

"Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't come there at that time. Yet again you save me" her mind racing back to the incident at the church when Isabel had first insulted her and Claire stood up for her sending her away.

The driver came to pick her after school and on getting home where she thought was going to be relief was another episode similar to what ensued at her school. She wondered where was better: home or school. The silent treatment she received from her mother was so deafening that a loud reverberating noise in this case would have been better.

She greeted her mum warmly who was seated in the sitting room watching the news. She caught a glimpse of the headlines that held her attention 'Increase in fuel price" then turned her face away from the television.

She greeted again not sure if her voice was loud enough for her to hear the first time and got a rude response "are you blind? can you not see I am listening to something important?"

Adanna rushed quickly to her room and sat down. The thought of calling her dad came to mind, but she brushed it off. She couldn't in her state. He would tell she wasn't okay and she didn't want to start re explaining to him. She sat upright on her bed using her pillows as support against the hard wooden bedpost and unknowingly in the silence, tears started flowing. "They should be best friends with her mum" she scoffed.

Wiping the tears off her cheek, she undressed and changed into her pajamas. Her phone rang as she strateigned her bed preparing to sleep. She checked who it was hoping for it not to be her father. It was Derek.

Somehow seeing his call turned a notch in her heart. Picking the call, she said "Hello"

"Hi, how are you doing? He responded.

"okay, pushing through. You?"

"Wonderful. Had a lit day. I'm sure your day went well too yeah?"

"you have no idea." She said barely audible. His asking about her dad made her mind rush back through the incident again and it hurt.

"you said?"

"trust me you don't want to know"

"oh but I do. Indulge me"

"Please talk about some other thing." She replied angrily, her eyes turning to a frown.

Sensing her emotion and  not wanting to let it go,  he asked  "do you want to come out for a bit? just outside."

She smiled bleakly checking the time "I would have loved to, but I have curfew" remembering that her curfew was 7pm and it was almost 8pm.

He smiled "okay, but you would still be within the vicinity, so to say. I want to show you something. Please?"

"hmm" she thought about it for a few seconds and decided to go. Adanna had heard many strange stories of people getting raped by neighbors or kidnapped, even ritual killings but still she wanted to go out and meet this guy she barely knew. There was always a calm sensation he brought with him anytime they spoke. Just like hot tea to a cold. His words and voice had a way of warming and soothing her despite the chill she felt.

She wore an overall over her pajamas went out to meet him grateful that her mother wasn't in the sitting room anymore because she didn't want to have to explain herself.

"Hey thanks for coming out to meet me." Derek said as he embraced her.

"hmm, I do hope I don't regret it" pulling away from his embrace.

"ouch, I'm hurt" he laughed "you wont . Please come with me"

How polite she thought.

But then the bad guys were always polite too or seemed to be. Take for instance David.

"I want to show you our garden." Derek said pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Well I have seen most of it from my house" she replied even though she had always wanted to see the whole thing.

"Trust me, you haven't seen this part yet. Very few people have"

Adanna hated when people said 'trust me'. She felt they always have something to hide, but this time, she had a feeling she was wrong. He was an exception.

How nice for you to conclude

You want to talk about your day? He asked holding her hand as they walked side by side.

"Not really."

"Okay."

They both walked round back his house and stopped at the inner garden. \

Adanna gasped and tried to speak at the sight of what she saw, searching her being for a word to describe it, but nothing came out: the words were stuck in her mind. She only opened her mouth wide unable to shut it.

Noting her expressions and , he laughed "I told you. You haven't seen it."

Adanna ignored his comment and continued to revel in the awe before her.

Their rose garden was a center of Attraction to every passerby. Mostly due to its scarcity in their part of the world- Lagos, Nigeria. It was no doubt beautiful. But this inner part was ....

"Its beautiful" she said. "I wonder what will happen if your family decide to show people this part of the garden"

He laughed "ikr"

"Larger than expected more so" she added walking ahead of him to see the full length and breath.

The family made it easier for tourist attraction or rather friends sighting by using short gates with big lines which emphasized the view a lot but only people who had access to their house could see this beauty. It also had a swing in the middle and was regarded as a family thinking room. Mostly because a lot of family achievements were birthed there. It was a sacred and peaceful place. They way the roses flutter to the side at the direction of the wind was so pleasant and sweet to the eye to watch. It was a beautiful view, still is.

In the darkness of the night, the beauty shone through the moon light and the random light placed around.

"Wow, these are so beautiful. White roses, Red roses and yellow roses." The scent was aromatic and the feel smooth.

"I love to water them, as they make me feel more alive and full of love."

Coming closer towards Adanna, Derek plucked a yellow rose and handed it to her. "This signifies friendship." Intensifying his look, he moved closer reaching out to her, Adanna senses became heightened, mixed emotions gulping through her as she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he plucked a white rose and offered it to her, her heart rate came down as he adjusted backwards a little. "This signifies purity" he said. Taking out a red rose, he tucked it into her ear and muttered over it. "I am sure you know what this means."

Adanna played with the roses in her hand and used them as a distraction from him and focus from the thousands of thoughts and emotions skipping all over body. She looked closer at the yellow rose she held, it had a red tip. It was so beautiful just like the man standing in front of her.

Lifting her head slowly to meet his, their eyes connected and they both stood frozen just looking into each others eyes under the moon light.

Under normal circumstances, it would have been the perfect love story.

Looking into his eyes made her feel better, stronger, made all the pain, fears go away. Made her see love and happiness and in those soulful grey eyes, she saw herself.

Derek moved closer again speaking huskily "I see your heart through your eyes. And the depth overwhelms me that they cover my flaws and cracks." He paused to catch his breath "In them, I see my beauty. I perceive pain in your eyes and hurt beneath them but you disguise them well behind your voice." Reaching out for her arm, he continued "my heart aches for you" He whispered against her ear, his breath pouring on her. He trailed the sides of her face, starting from the top down her shoulders.

Adanna just stood there gasping and taking in the sight of the man she stood before. Something twitched in her insides as she repeated his last statement in her mind and little drops began to stream down her cheeks.

Derek stopped the tears that were starting to flow from Adanna's cheeks with his fingers and they lingered there. Slowly the tears dried up.

He traced her features again, this time lazily then held her hand.

Adanna took a step forward finally closing the gap between them. Breathing heavily, she leaned in towards him and as their lips almost touched, Derek pushed her back slightly.

"I am sorry Adanna. I can't kiss you. Not today. Not when you have all this emotion stilled and bottled up. Trust me I want to, but I won't take advantage right now."

Feeling embarrassed and relieved at once, she folded her her arms and apologized

"No, I am not sorry. We were both just lost in the moment."

"I should get going now. Its getting too late" Adanna said, her head bowed

"Yeah. sure."

When they got back, she stopped at her front door "I want to talk about my day"

Taken aback, Derek gulped "okay."

She explained what happened, her whole deal with David and how Isabel and her crew treated her. She also let out all she had bottled up, her bants with her mother. "yes that's how my day and month has been." She finally said pulling a lid to all she said.

She felt a little wash of relief and freeness.

"Come here" he said and heaved her closer to him. His embrace said it all. "It will be okay, they are petty."

Adanna managed a bleak smile "same thing my best friend said"

He laughed "oh wow, I should meet her sometime. From what you said, you scare and threaten her. Which is why she does what she thinks will help her bring you down. Don't worry, just give her time and pray about it."

Heaving another sigh, he continued "The lord will heal your family. Be rest assured precious" and kissed her hair just like her father does "thank you for trusting me."

Detangling herself from his embrace, she asked smiling "precious? Didn't know I had a new name"

He laughed, pulling her close "Yes you are precious. To me, and that is what I choose to call you" Embracing her slightly again he said "good night"

"Good night" and then she went inside smiling as she walked, trailing her fingers on the wall all the way  into her room thinking about the events.

At least the saying 'behind every cloud, there is a silver lining' was true. Derek was her silver lining from the clouds that tormented her.

Hello friends. 

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