The Pink Clouds – Episode 12

Episode_12

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I am happy you like it, why don’t you go and get your books so that we will start our lesson?” Richard suggested.

 

“That will be a good idea,” she replied and walked back to her room.

 

 

 

She went to her room and got her books. As soon as they started the lesson, Amira walked into the house.

 

 

 

“Hey guys,” she said as she walked to them. “Hey Amira,” Rebecca replied.

 

 

 

“I thought we loosed your hair some moments ago,” Amira said when she noticed that Rebecca’s hair was plaited.

 

 

 

“Guess who plaited it for me,” Rebecca smiled.

 

 

 

“Don’t mean Richard, do you?” Amira asked in surprised.

 

“He plaited my hair,” Rebecca smiled. “Wow! It looks so beautiful. No one will ever believe that this was done by a boy,” Amira commented.

 

“You know, in some places, boys do plait hair, and that’s what they do earn a living,” Richard said.

 

“We are taking about our place right now, no boy can ever do what you did,” Amira explained.

 

“Do you want something?” Rebecca asked Amira.

 

“I got bored sitting alone outside, that’s why I came in,” Amira replied.

 

 

“Okay, why don’t you join us in our lesson?” Richard asked.

 

“Oh that will be great,” Amira responded and sat next to Rebecca.

 

“You guys have really gone far,” Amira said when she noticed what Richard was teaching Rebecca.

 

“Yes we have,” Rebecca smiled at Amira.

 

“I wish I could have a teacher like this too,” Amira responded.

 

“Will you please keep quiet? We are busy here,” Rebecca said to Amira.

 

 

 

“Alright, I will be quiet,” Amira assured.

 

 

 

After about an hour, Richard ended the lesson and gave Rebecca some exercise to solve in the night.

 

 

 

“I hope you do study other subjects too,” Richard asked.

 

“Of course I do,” Rebecca explained.

 

“Is already late, I think I will be going,” Richard announced.

 

 

 

“Why don’t you stay and eat before you leave?” Rebecca asked.

 

“I will eat when I go back to my room,” Richard replied.

 

 

 

“I can’t believe you rejected my food,” Rebecca said.

 

 

 

“No I’m just in hurry,” Richard responded. “Okay you can go,” she said angrily and tried to go to her room.

 

 

 

 

“Okay I will eat,” Richard smiled. “That’s good,” she said and went to the kitchen.

 

 

 

“I don’t why your friend easily get angry, is she always like this?” Richard asked Amira. “No she is only like this around you,” Amira smiled.

 

 

 

“Then why is always behaving like this around me?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“I don’t know too,” Amirah smiled.

 

 

 

“Are you in the same class with her?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“Yes I am,” Amira announced.

 

 

 

“I hope she is performing better now?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“Didn’t she show you test? She was the best in the class, everyone was surprised at how she transformed,” Amira answered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

minutes later, Rebecca returned with some pounded yam on a plate.

 

 

 

“Did you cook it yourself?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“Of course, do you think I can’t cook?” She asked.

 

 

 

“No that’s not what I mean, you know pounded yam is so tiring to prepare, do you mean you prepared it alone?” Richard asked.

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“Yes of course, it is my favourite food, so I don’t get tired when cooking it,” Rebecca announced.

 

 

 

“I will go and check on something, I will be back,” Amira said and stood up and walked out.

 

 

 

Richard started eating while Rebecca sat down opposite to him and watched him.

 

 

 

“You know, you are full of amazements,” Richard said.

 

 

 

“Really? She asked. “Yes of course, I wish I could marry a wife that can cook like you,” Richard answered.

 

 

 

“You may get someone better than me,” Rebecca smiled.

 

 

 

“I don’t think so. I have never met a girl that can cook like you,” Richard complimented.

 

“If that’s the case, then I will be cooking for you every day,” Rebecca smiled.

 

 

 

“I wish,” Richard smiled. “So, what’s your favourite food?” Rebecca asked.

 

“Anything yummy,” Richard replied.

 

“That means you can eat anything,” Rebecca said.

 

“Of course, as far as it pleases my mind,” Richard replied.

 

“That’s great, let me allow you to eat,” Rebecca replied.

 

After Richard was done eating, she walked him to the door of the house. When they got out, they noticed that the place was already dark.

 

“Wow! Look how time has really moved fast,” Richard said.

 

 

“Well, I heard that if you spend time with the people you love, the time will seem to be frozen to you,” Rebecca smiled.

 

“Oh really? Where did you hear that?” Richard asked.

 

“At school,” Rebecca answered.

 

“Do you enjoy being with me?” Richard asked. She became quiet and that very moment and could say a word.

 

“I am sorry for asking such a stupid question, good night Rebecca,” Richard said and started to walk away.

 

“I enjoy every second with you Richard,” Rebecca said.

 

The instant Richard heard that, he turned and looked at her.

 

Her face was so pretty with her long hair packed at the side of her head close to her right eye.

 

She was so pretty that Richard felt like no boy could resist her beauty. But when he remembered about her and Janet, he quickly changed his mind.

 

“Good night Rebecca,” he said and started walking back to dormitory.

 

Rebecca was so confused at how Richard acted. She couldn’t tell whether he was interested in her he was just being nice to her. She went to Amira’s home and sat beside Amira on the sofa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard went to back to his room to get his book to study for the night. More than ever, he thought about Rebecca. For the first time, he started to think of her in a different way.

 

Her beauty, her smile and her hair are things that could go off his mind. Somehow, he felt happier when he is around her than when he is with Janet .

 

But the fact that Prof. Grace had trusted enough to allow him to teach her daughter won’t allow him to think of her as anything more than a student. He took his books

 

 

and went out his room to the usual place he usually studied in the night. Five minutes after he had started studying, Janet called him.

 

 

 

Richard: Hello

 

 

 

Janet : How was your lesson?

 

 

 

Richard: Okay I guess

 

 

 

Janet : good to hear that. Where are you right now?

 

 

 

Richard: my usual place of the night of course, what about you?

 

Janet : I’m in my room, why don’t you come and pick me up?

 

 

 

Richard: You mean right now?

 

Janet : Yes of course.

 

 

 

Richard became quiet after that, and couldn’t think of what to reply with.

 

 

 

He had been telling her that he is busy and definitely knew how she would react of he tells her he is busy again.

 

Janet : You have been studying very hard lately, why don’t we have some fun just for today?

 

Richard: Okay I will be coming to pick you.

 

 

After the phone call, Richard reluctantly stood up and walked out of the hall he was. He took a taxi that dropped him close to Janet ‘s campus.

 

When he got there, he found her sitting on a bench under a canopy in front of her dormitory.

 

“My dear Richard, always busy like the bee,” Janet said when she saw Richard approaching her.

 

“My dear Janet , always relaxing like the princess,” Richard smiled.

 

“I’m not like a princess, I’m a princess. Don’t you know?” she asked.

 

“I know that more than anyone,” Richard smiled as he sat beside her.

 

“So, how has been your day?” Janet asked.

 

“It pretty hectic as usual,” Richard replied. “You know, it’s been said that all works with no play makes Jack…” before Janet could complete her statement, Richard interrupted her.

 

“Yes I know, that why I’m here,” Richard responded.

 

“No, you need to have fun in your life,” Janet replied.

 

“I don’t think there will be anything that will be more fun than been with you,” Richard replied.

 

“Thank you,” Janet smiled.

 

“Let me take you somewhere so that will have a real fun,” Janet said.

 

“Okay, that sounds like a good idea,” Richard answered.

 

“Do you care for a walk?” Janet asked as she stood up.

 

“I would love to, it’s been long since I last walked,” Richard answered.

 

 

 

They took main road with will lead to the gate of the university.

 

There were tall flowers planted on the two sides of the road. There were blue street lights placed in the flowers that make the place looks so unique and beautiful. As they were walking, Janet stretched her arm and held Richard’s arm.

 

“You look so beautiful,” Richard complimented.

 

 

 

“Thank you,” she smiled.

 

 

 

“I made my hair today; do you want to see it?” Janet asked.

 

 

 

“Definitely,” Richard replied and Janet removed the scarf from her to reveal her beautifully plaited hair.

 

 

 

Instead of Richard to impress by its beauty, Rebecca suddenly came to his mind.

 

 

 

“What do you think?” she asked when she noticed that Richard was lost in thoughts.

 

 

 

“It looks wonderful,” Richard complimented. “What were you thinking about?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“Nothing, I was reminded of my sister seeing how beautiful your hair is,” Richard answered. “We all miss our family,” Janet replied.

 

 

 

“Is quite strange, I’ve never asked you about your family,” Richard replied.

 

 

 

“Wow! Really?” Janet asked.

 

 

 

“Yes of course, so tell me about them,” Richard continued.

 

 

 

“Okay, we are 7 in my family including my mum and dad,” Janet announced.

 

 

“I have two elder brothers, a younger brother and two younger sisters,” Janet continued. “Wow! How old is your eldest brother?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“He is 32 years old, he is a doctor in Abuja,” Janet explained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

✔✔✔✔✔✔

 

It was Saturday, Richard had just finished cooking his breakfast. It was a noodle that barely took him five minutes to get cooked. He put the noodle on a plate and sat by the edge of his bed. It took him about five minutes to finish eating the noodles. After he was done eating, he went to the bathroom and took a bath before returning to the room. “Today is Saturday and yet you dressed early, are you meeting your girlfriend?” Gabriel asked.

 

“Not really, I just something to take care of,” Richard responded.

 

“I heard that you’ve got a beautiful girlfriend,” Gabriel said.

 

“I guess,” Richard laughed.

 

“No wonder we hardly see you in the room, perhaps you are always with her,” Gabriel guessed.

 

“Not really, you know very well that I’m a busy man,” Richard said.

 

 

 

“Busy with your girl, right? I supposed you are going to her now,” Gabriel said.

 

 

 

“You kept mentioning that I am going to meet her while I’m not,” Richard answered.

 

 

 

“I would like to her when you come back,” Gabriel announced.

 

 

 

 

“That won’t be a problem,” Richard responded.

 

 

 

Around 10 am, Richard walked out of his dormitory and headed to Prof. Grace’s house. He knocked at the door and was asked to come in. When he entered, he found Prof. Grace sitting on the sofa with her son beside her.

 

 

 

“Good morning ma’am,” Richard greeted her. “Good morning Richard, how are you doing?” she asked.

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“I’m well Ma’am, is Rebecca awake yet?” Richard asked.

 

“She always wakes up early. I hope you don’t have a lesson with her today,” Prof.

 

Grace said.

 

 

 

“Oh yes we didn’t plan on doing it today, I was less busy today and I thought I could seize the opportunity,’ Richard explained.

 

“Actually, they will be having an inter house sport next week. Her friends came by and took her to school to practice some few minutes ago,” Prof. Grace answered.

 

 

 

“Oh so she finally changed her mind,” Richard said.

 

 

 

“Change her mind on what?” Prof. Grace asked.

 

“She said she wasn’t hoping to participate in any event in the inter house sport,” Richard revealed.

 

 

 

“Well, then I think you did a pretty good job in convincing her,” Prof. Grace said.

 

 

 

“I’m sorry you have come all this way for nothing,” Prof. Grace said.

 

“No problem,” Richard assured.

 

 

“Why don’t you go to the dining room and have some breakfast?” Prof. Grace offered.

 

“I have just finished eating,” Richard replied. “You should feel free to eat here, you know you are now like a family to us,” Prof. Grace said.

 

“Thank you ma’am but I really am okay,” Richard responded.

 

He walked out of the house and headed his way back to the campus. He was really sad that Rebecca wasn’t home. At that moment, he decided to go to her school just to see her. He quickly stopped a taxi by the road and boarded it.

 

The taxi took him to the school and dropped him by the gate of Rebecca’s school. From distance, he hear the sound of the band and it brought him to the conclusion that they are practicing match pass parade in the school. As he walked to the gate of the school, his heart beat increased. He felt as if he won’t be welcomed if he goes into the school. But to his surprise, the security guard at the gate didn’t ask him anything and allowed him to go in.

 

When he got in, he saw the students arranged according to their houses and that reminded him of his days in high school. He smiled and went to a bench under one of the trees in the school and sat down. He watched as the students practiced their match pass and wished he could be part of it. He was lost in his thoughts when heard someone talking to him.

 

When he looked to his right, he noticed that it was Amira talking to him.

 

“Are you looking for Rebecca?” she smiled. “Oh yes I am,” Richard smiled.

 

 

 

“She is among the members of her house over there,” Amira enthusiastically pointed. “My pleasure,” Richard responded and stood and headed towards the direction Amira pointed.

 

Richard went to the extreme of the school close to the fence where Amira instructed him. When he got there, he noticed some group of students parading. He looked among them but thought he Rebecca isn’t among them.

 

 

 

“Richard!” Someone shouted. When he looked in the direction he was being called, he noticed that it was Alice.

 

 

Suddenly, all the students parading turned to look at him. It was then that he noticed Rebecca. The moment their eyes met, he felt like his heart was freezing. She wore a white shirt, a black skinny jeans and white snickers and made her looked extremely pretty. They smiled at each other for a while before Rebecca ran out of her mates and met him. “Good morning,” Richard greeted her. “Good morning how was your night?” she asked.

 

 

 

“It was nice I guess, I am glad you finally changed your mind,” Richard said.

 

“Oh yes I did, can we please sit there?” she pointed at the edge of the veranda of one of the last classes.

 

“Okay,” Richard responded. At that moment, he didn’t care what her mates will think of their relationship. All that he cared for was to be with her.

 

“Who is that boy?” one of the boys among students asked.

 

“He was the one that challenge Mr. Salim,” One of the boys replied referring to their mathematics teacher.

 

“Oh yes I do remember him now,” the first boy replied.

 

 

 

“So why are you here?” Rebecca asked Richard after they had sat down. “I just come to see you,” Richard smiled.

 

 

 

“Really?” Rebecca questioned. “Yes of course, is just that…” Richard said and hesitated.

 

 

 

“Just that…” Rebecca wanted to hear more. “Never mind, is not that important,” Richard said.

 

“Oh Richard, please do tell me what you have in mind,” Rebecca asked.

 

“I missed you, that’s why I come to see you,” Richard said.

 

 

They both became silent at stared at each other at that moment. It was the first time Richard has said something without thinking of the consequences of what he is saying. At that time, he felt like he was talking her with his heart not with his lips.

 

As for Rebecca, she could believe those words were coming out of Richard’s mouth. Her heart was beating faster than ever not because she’s scared, but because she felt something she has never felt before. “Do you realise what you are saying?” Rebecca asked. “Of course I do, isn’t normal for teachers to miss their students?” Richard responded after coming back to his senses.

 

“You are talking as if you are an adult,” Rebecca laughed.

 

 

 

“For you information, I already am an adult,” Richard said.

 

“You are not yet an adult to me, I only consider people to be adult when they are 20,” Rebecca responded.

 

“Maybe you will change your opinion when you reach 18,” Richard replied.

 

“No I won’t, I have been like this since I was ten,” Rebecca informed.

 

“Look, most of the students’ attention is on us,” Richard said when he noticed how they were being looked at.

 

“Let them be, they are just jealous I have a sweet handsome teacher like you,” Rebecca smiled.

 

Everything sounded perfect in Rebecca’s sentence, but the fact that she mentioned “teacher” at the end, it makes Richard to think of it as ordinary.

 

 

 

“I am glad you changed your mind to participate,’ Richard said.

 

“You convinced me actually,” Rebecca responded.

 

“Good to hear that. So in how many events are you participating?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“I’m participating in the match pass parade as you can see and the 100 meter race,” Rebecca replied.

 

 

“That’s wonderful. are you in the same house with Alice?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“Yes I am,” Rebecca answered.

 

 

 

“When is the inter house sport going to take place?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“Next week on Saturday, I hope you will come and see me” Rebecca requested.

 

 

 

“I must come and see you,” Richard replied. “Is good to hear that from you,” Rebecca smiled.

 

 

 

They kept quiet for a while and watched as her house members were parading.

 

“What do you think of our style of match pass?” Rebecca asked.

 

 

 

“It looks great, but…” Richard stopped.

 

 

 

.“But what?” Rebecca asked.

 

 

 

“The way they moved their arms, the way they turn, and the way they arranged themselves are all wrong,” Richard opined.

 

 

 

“Really? Then you should teach us,” Rebecca said excitedly.

 

 

 

“No that wont be necessary,” Richard replied. “Why not? Weren’t you the one that told me you once led your school during children day and came first?” Rebecca reminded.

 

 

“Oh yes, but doing that here will make me seem so pretentious,” Richard explained.

 

 

 

“No they will say so,” Rebecca answered.

 

 

 

Rebecca stood up and went to her house captain who happened to be a final year student.

 

 

 

“Hey Ali,” Rebecca called her house captain. “What is it?” Her house captain asked excitedly as he walked out of the students parading.

 

 

 

“That boy over there said he is going to teach us better, he noticed some mistakes in our moves,” Rebecca said.

 

“Is that so?” He asked. “Yes, let me go and tell him to come,” Rebecca said and walked back to Richard.

 

 

 

“Come on Richard, let’s go there and them how to do it,” Rebecca smiled.

 

“What did she tell you?” one of the students asked the house captain.

 

 

 

“She said the boy over there is going to teach us better,” the house captain said.

 

“Is she trying to tell us that we don’t know to do it?” a girl asked.

 

 

 

“Who does she thinks she is to say such things?” one of the girls asked.

 

 

 

“Oh why didn’t you say that while she was here?” Alice asked.

 

“Do you think I can’t say it in front of her?” the girl asked.

 

“Of course you can’t Alice replied.

 

 

 

At that time, Rebecca and Alice got to where the students were.

 

“Thank God she is here, now, say what you said again,” Alice said.

 

 

 

“What did she say?” Rebecca asked angrily. “She said who do you think you are to bring someone here to teach us,” Alice replied. “What? You dare to say that? I will show you who I think I am you stupid girl,” Rebecca said.

 

 

 

“Don’t say that, this is exactly what I was afraid of in the first place,” Richard said.

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“I don’t mean to cause any trouble; I just wanted to offer some new things to you that might help you. Is okay, if you don’t like it,” Richard said and turned to leave.

 

“Is okay, you can show us what you have,” their house captain said.

 

 

 

Richard wanted to leave, but seeing the look in Rebecca’s eye made him to remain behind. “Alright, what do we start with?” The house captain asked.

 

 

 

“Let’s start with arranging you guys,” Richard replied.

 

After had arranged them, he showed them how to do the parade properly.

 

 

 

They were all impressed Richard’s method and accepted that it was better than theirs. He trained them for than an hour until some of them announced that they were tired.

 

Richard suggested that they should rest for the day.

 

 

 

“I really like your style, where do you come from?” the house captain asked Richard.

 

 

“I come from Kogi state,” Richard responded. “That’s quite far from here,” the house captain replied.

 

 

 

“Yes it is,” Richard replied.

 

 

 

“I heard that you are the best student in this university,” the house captain.

 

 

 

“I think it has been exaggerated,” Richard replied in surprise.

 

 

 

“Not really, I want come to this university after I graduated, which course do you think I should apply for,” the house captain.

 

“That is a very sensitive case, it is a decision that will follow you for your entire life,” Richard replied.

 

 

 

“You are absolutely right,” the house captain responded.

 

Richard talked to the house captain with some other boys for a while. At the end, they invited him to the birthday of one of their house member which will take place in the town after their inter house in the evening. “Come on, it will be fun. Rebecca will also be coming,” the house said.

 

 

 

“Actually, I am very busy person. But I will try to see through my schedule,” Richard replied. They talked for minutes before Rebecca approached them.

 

“Hey Rebecca, I told Richard that you will be coming to my birthday, can you try to convince him to come?” The house said to Rebecca.

 

 

 

“He is the busiest boy on the planet, but I will try my best,” Rebecca smiled.

 

 

 

 

“You see, it will be fun,” the house captain said.

 

 

 

“I will be going home now, I’m so exhausted,” Rebecca revealed.

 

 

 

“Alright, then we should get going,” Richard replied.

 

 

 

“Goodbye Mr.” Richard said and stopped.

 

 

 

“You can call me Ali,” the house captain completed.

 

 

 

“Okay Ali, I will see you next time,” Richard concluded.

 

Richard, Rebecca and Alice headed towards the gate of the school.

 

 

 

“You were great today Richard,” Alice said to Richard.

 

 

 

“Of course he is,” Rebecca responded.

 

 

 

“Who is that boy to you?” Richard asked Rebecca.

 

 

 

“He is a friend of course,” Rebecca responded.

 

 

 

“Really?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“Yes of course, you will like him. His father is the richest man in this town, and yet he doesn’t show any sign of being wealthy unlike the rest of the kids in the school,” Rebecca explained.

 

 

“Wow! I love people like that,” Richard commented.

 

 

 

“Do you know that he was even offered the chance to study abroad but rejected it because he want to be with his friends here?” Rebecca asked.

 

 

 

“He is a good person indeed, no wonder you have a good relationship with him,” Richard replied.

 

“So, will you be going to his birthday party?” Rebecca asked.

 

“I don’t know, the last time I went to a party, it didn’t turn out well,” Richard explained. “Really?” Rebecca asked.

 

Before Richard could reply, they were approached by Amira.

 

 

 

“How was the match pass?” Richard asked her. “I didn’t participate,” Amira responded. “Why not?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“My house mates made me angry,” she replied.

 

 

 

“That’s very bad of them, should I go and scold them for you?” Richard teased.

 

 

 

“I have scolded them already,” she laughed.

 

 

 

They walked out of the school and stood by the road. Alice took a taxi home, while Richard, Rebecca and Amira remained behind.

 

 

 

“Are you going to take a taxi home?” Richard asked.

 

 

“Of course we will, do you expect me to walk home all the way from here despite how tired I am?” Rebecca asked.

 

 

 

“Didn’t you say you will participate in a race?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

“I did, but I didn’t say I will be participating in a long distance race,” Rebecca responded. “Okay you should walk me to that building over there before you take a taxi,” Richard requested.

 

 

 

“Okay, let’s do that,” Rebecca agreed even though she was so tired.

 

 

 

“So, were telling us about one of the parties you attended earlier,” Rebecca reminded.

 

 

 

“Oh yes I was,” Richard replied. “Why did it turn out bad?” Rebecca asked.

 

 

 

“It was the first party I attended, while we were there, police broke in and started arresting people.

 

We hardly escaped,” Richard explained.

 

 

 

“With whom did you escape?” Rebecca asked. That moment, Richard felt like Rebecca should not about Janet .

 

 

 

“With my friend,” Richard lied.

 

 

 

“Why did you attend parties like in the first place?” Rebecca asked.

 

 

“I was taken there unknowingly by a friend. I have never been so angry with him like that day,” Richard explained.

 

 

 

“Hey, why have been quiet all along?” Richard asked Amira.

 

 

 

“I noticed that you guys are enjoying your talks, so I don’t want to interrupt you,” Amira laughed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To_be_Continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The PINK CLOUDS *