The Pink Clouds – Episode 25
Episode_25
It was the happiest night of Richard’s entire existence. He walked back to hostel excited feeling like he’s floating on the air. By the he arrived, it was already midnight and Achuba and Thomas had already slept. He wished they were awake so that he can express his happiness with them. He lied on his bed without any sign of sleep in eyes. He remained like that for an hour until he got to the extend he couldn’t take no more. He jumped down from his bed and tapped Achuba on the shoulder.
“Wake up,” Richard whispered.
It took minutes before Achuba woke up when he noticed that Richard is not going to give up.
“What is it you have to tell me that you can’t wait until morning?” Achuba asked as he sat up with his eyes still closed.
“I almost kissed Rebecca today,” Richard happily announced.
“Really?” Achuba asked, and this time, his eyes were widely opened.
“How did that happen?” Thomas who was lying on the other side of the room asked.
“Hey we thought you are sleeping,” Richard and Achuba laughed.
“I was, until you guys mentioned something about a kiss,” Thomas laughed.
After Richard told them everything that happened, they both laughed at him.
“You know we will also punish you for not telling us about your birthday,” Achuba laughed.
“It didn’t matter to me,” Richard responded.
“It matters now that you miss a kiss for the most remarkable lady in the school,” Thomas commented.
“Yeah, and I have to wait until next year,” Richard said pretending to be sad and they all laughed at him.
“I also have another big news,” Richard announced.
“Really? What could that be?” Thomas asked.
“Prof. Grace said she is giving me twenty million naira to start a business after she comes back from her treatment in India,” Richard announced.
“Oh my God! Are you telling the truth?” Achuba asked.
“Of course I am,” Richard replied.
“Beside your mother, no any other woman can do what she did to you,” Achuba said.
“I think she considers you to be her son Richard, because this is beyond ordinary,” Thomas commented.
“That’s why I don’t think I can ever thank her enough,” Richard replied.
“You can never thank her enough,” Thomas said.
“So, do you intend on starting the business as soon as she gives you the money?” Achuba asked.
“No, I tend on finishing school first,” Richard replied.
“Fuck the school. What would you waste your time here and do when you have a huge capital of starting a business?” Achuba asked.
“But I want to learn the fish farming system at school before going into the business,” Richard replied.
“You can learn about that online without even having to complete the course here. You can employ people who are professionals in this field to work for you,” Achuba said.
“I think you are actually right,” Richard replied.
“I will give you some books to read on entrepreneurship, they will help you,” Achuba announced.
“Thank you,” Richard replied.
“I wish I could be like you Richard,” Thomas said.
“What do you mean by that?” Richard asked.
“I mean you make any decision without someone interfering it,” Thomas said.
“You guys have also interfered in my decisions recently, and I’m very glad you did,” Richard responded.
“That’s not what I meant. I mean you are free to think of what’s good for you without being treated like a child. I don’t think I like computer engineering anymore, but I won’t dare face my family saying I want be an entrepreneur instead,” Achuba said.
“My family used to be like that until my brother proved them wrong. The thought going to university is the only way you can succeed,” Achuba said.
“Exactly,” Thomas replied.
“Have you ever talked to them about how you feel?” Richard asked.
“No I haven’t,” Thomas answered.
“You should try talking to them,” Achuba advised.
“I will do that,” he answered.
Rebecca woke up the next morning feeling like the previous was all a dream. She sat on her bed and smiled as she thought of him. Her mind was lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice it when her mother came into the room.
“What are you thinking about?” Her mother asked.
“When did you come in?” Rebecca asked looking very startled.
“About a minute ago, and I noticed that you are thinking about something,” her mother suspected.
“No, I’m not thinking about anything,” Rebecca said as she ran out of her bed.
“Are you sure?” Her mother asked.
“Yes Mom, I’m very sure,” she said walking into her bathroom.
After her shower, she dressed in a white gown and walked to the dinning room carrying her hand bag.
“You are finally out,” her mother said.
“Yes I am,” she smiled and sat beside her mother.
“Where is Emmanuel?” She continued.
“He has gone to school already.”
“Is out quite early today.”
“Yes he is,” her replied and soon they started having their breakfast.
After the breakfast, Rebecca took her car and drove out of the house. On her way, she noticed the senator calling her phone. He has been calling her since the previous night, but she didn’t pick any of his calls. She was wondering how she would tell him she doesn’t feel the same anymore. It became the most thing for her to do. She wished something would come up to cause their separation. She drove for minutes before arriving at the school teaching hospital.
She parked her car in the parking lot and was walking her way to the teaching hospital when she received a message from the senator saying: is over between us
Rebecca felt so relieved when she saw the message, she finally had an excuse to breakup with him. She happily replied: thank God it is.
He retried to call her after the messages, but she still didn’t pick up his call.
The instance she walked into the hospital, she was approached by Mary and Dixxy.
“Why dont you pick up his calls?” They asked furiously.
“Can I ask you guys something?” Rebecca uttered.
“Yes you can,” Mary replied.
“Do you really want me to be happy?” She asked.
“Of course we do.”
“Then I’m following my heart right now. Richard is my first love, I tried to deny it at first. But as time went by, I felt like his love is synchronized in every cell of my body. I just can’t help it. And if you really are my friends, you should be happy for me,” Rebecca said.
“Is okay, we just thought the senator is the perfect match for a perfect girl like you,” Mary stated.
“I mean he’s rich, handsome and intelligent,” she continued.
“I Don’t think money matters to me anymore. I used to think my life was perfect until Richard came back. I felt something extraordinary that I only feel when I’m with him. I can give up anything to be with him,” Rebecca replied. Few minutes later, they were being called by their supervisor.
About 30 minutes later, her boyfriend arrived at the teaching hospital. When Rebecca saw him, she ran into one of the doctors’ office to hide herself.
“Good morning sir!” She greeted the doctor.
“Rebecca! How are you doing?” He asked.
“I’m fine sir,” she responded.
“What brings you to my office this early morning?” The doctor asked.
“I just came to say hello sir,” she smiled.
“Are you sure you don’t have any favour to ask in return?” He doubted.
“Yes I’m sure sir,” she replied.
She walked out of the office as soon as he passed. She quickly brought out her phone and called Alice.
Alice: Who is trying to disturb my peace?
Rebecca: there is no time for your silly jokes, I want you to send me Richard’s phone number right now.
Alice: you must be kidding right? How comes you don’t have his number?
Rebecca: please send it quick, is important. I will tell you everything later.
After about 2 minutes, Alice shared her the number, and she instantly called it. Richard was sleeping when his phone started ringing. He couldn’t hear the phone ringing due to the fact that he slept late the previous night. Achuba shoke Richard very hard that he had to wake up.
“What is it?” Richard asked with his eyes closed.
“Your phone is ringing,” Achuba announced.
“I will call the person later, I really need this sleep,” Richard replied.
“What if it is an emergency? This is the third time the person is calling,” Achuba explained.
“I don’t think so,” Richard replied.
Achuba quickly picked up the phone and answered it.
Achuba: hello
. Rebecca: hello, is this Richard?
Achuba: no this is his friend, he is still sleeping.
Rebecca: is that so? Okay tell him that if I don’t hear his voice in 10 seconds, he will lose me forever.
Achuba covered the mouth piece of the phone and delivered her message. Richard quickly jumped up from bed and collected the phone from Achuba.
Richard: hello who is this?
Rebecca: I heard that you’ve become a big man now, you don’t answer calls in the morning.
Richard: I truly sorry, I was a wonderful dream about you, that’s I don’t want to be interrupted.
Rebecca: Really? What was the dream about?
Richard: I can’t tell you, but is probably the best dream of my life.
Rebecca: If you are able to meet me in the teaching hospital in five minutes, I will give you the biggest surprise of you life.
Richard: what is it?
Rebecca: come in five minutes if you really want to find out.
Richard got down from his bed and wore the clothes he wore the previous night. “It was Rebecca, right?”
“Yes it was her, she said need to see me in five minutes,” Richard revealed. “Imagine what would have happened if I didn’t pick the call.” “Thank for helping me out, I’m really grateful,” Richard smiled.
“You are welcome,” Achuba answered.
Rebecca walked out of hospital waiting to see Richard’s arrival.
“What is wrong with you?” Came a voice behind her. When she turned, she noticed that it was senator speaking.
“I thought you say we should break-up,” Rebecca said.
“Do you really want us to breakup?” He questioned.
“Yes I do,” Rebecca responded.
“You must be crazy, do you think you can find someone better than I?” He proudly questioned.
“It doesn’t matter if I find someone better than you or not. What matters is we are no longer together,” Rebecca answered.
“Fine, if that’s what you want. I know you will come back in days begging for my forgiveness while it will be too late,” he said.
“God forbid! This will never happen,” she replied.
Soon, Richard arrived at the scene in a taxi. All the people around were watching what was happening. Richard’s heart started pounding harder, knowing trouble won’t be Faraway.
“Before I leave, I want to know why you want us to break-up,” he requested.
“You were the one who suggested that we should break-up,” Rebecca responded.
“Okay dear, I’m truly sorry. Tell me what is wrong.”
“To be honest with you, there is someone I really like. I have been in love with him for six years, and I just can’t help,” Rebecca replied.
“You are kidding, right?” He asked.
Rebecca suddenly saw Richard standing among the crowd behind them.
“Watch me and tell me if this is a joke,” she said as she walked to Richard.
Richard’s heart beat increased more than ever as she got closer to him.
“What really going..” before Richard could complete his statement, Rebecca held his shoulder and kissed him on the lips. He became totally shocked and surprised and couldn’t believe what was happening. She let him and turned back to the senator.
“Does this still seem like a joke to you?” She asked.
The senator angrily walked to his car along with bodyguards and drove away.
“And if you excuse me, I something to do,” Rebecca said trying to walk back to the hospital. Richard quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him. Rebecca’s heart started beating faster and her breathe started to seize.
“You know people are watching us,” she uttered.
“Really?” Richard asked.
“Yes, I know,” Richard responded.
“I will call you later,” she said taking off his hands.
“Okay, I’ll be waiting,” Richard smiled.
Richard headed back to the hostel and thought about what happened as he walked. He was surprised that Rebecca was willing to show the world that she loved him. He felt like his life couldn’t get any better than that moment. He brought out his phone and called Thomas. It rank for a moment, but there was no answer. As he was about to get into their room, he received a call from Thomas.
Richard: hello
Thomas:where are you? We about to write a test right now.
Richard: Oh my God! Really?
Thomas: yes, and you will miss the test if you don’t come at once.
Without any preparation, Richard ran to his department. He looked at the theatres of the department and finally found the lecture venue at the extreme end. When he noticed that it was the lecturer he once had problem with, he gave up the test and went to a class opposite to the theatre and sat down. He sat there for half an hour before his mates started finishing their tests. He then received a call from Thomas requesting for his location.
About five minutes later, Thomas walked into the department.
“Why didn’t you write the test?” Thomas interrogated.
“I didn’t know we have a test today,” Richard replied.
“Oh really? Can I be honest with you Richard?” Thomas asked.
“Why is that your studies seriously?” Thomas requested after Richard had given him the go ahead.
“Have you forgotten that I’m going quit the school?” Richard asked.
“But what if you are repeating the same mistake again?”
“I ran away without anything to do before, but this time, I will be doing something,” Richard replied.
“You should at least wait until Prof. Grace gives you the money before you start thinking of leaving. What if she changes her mind?”
“I trust Prof. Grace with my life, she will never change her mind,” Richard replied.
Around 4 pm, Rebecca was finally done with the teaching hospital. As she was trying to find her way out of the hospital, one of her colleagues who was a very good friend of hers called for her attention. She turned and watched him as he walked fast to her.
“We will be having a friendly football match today in the city stadium, I hope you will be president,” he announced.
“I don’t really know, if my mom doesn’t give me work when I go home, I might show up,” Rebecca replied.
“Okay, I will be expecting you,” he said hopefully.
“What time is the match?” Rebecca asked.
“By 5 I think,” he replied.
“Okay, I will see you then,” she said and continued walking.
She entered her car and drove home slowly. The gate was opened for her and she drove in slowly. She parked the car under the capony and headed to the leaving room. When she got in she found her sitting on a sofa reading a newspaper.
“Good afternoon mom,” she greeted her mother.
“Afternoon, how was your kiss with Richard?” She asked.
“Oh My God!” Rebecca said covering her face with her and increased her steps.
“Don’t you want to tell me about it?” Her mother laughed.
“I’m sure the snitch has told you everything,” she said and went to her.
She began to wonder about who told her mother about her relationship with Richard. She thought of all the possibilities but couldn’t come up with a single person. She went to bathroom and took a shower before changing into a white T-shirt and a black jeans. She had white Snickers on her legs. She quickly took a full selfie of herself and sent it to Richard with the caption: how do I look?
Richard: You look incredibly beautiful, I wish I could see you right now.
Rebecca: the university football team are having a match by 5:00 on. Get ready, I’m coming to pick you.
Richard: okay, I’ll be expecting you.
By the time Rebecca got her room, her mother was not there. She quickly opened the fridge in the dining room and took some chocolate in it. She hurriedly walked to her car and drove out of the house. Soon, she arrived at the male hostel and informed Richard that she had arrived. She waited for about five minutes before Richard showed up. He was also wearing a white shirt, white Snickers and a black jeans.
“Come on Richard, you know we can’t go out like that, right?” Rebecca said.
“Why can’t we?” Richard asked as he sat down beside her in the car.
“It seems very local to me, whoever sees us will think we are couples,” Rebecca complained.
“No, whoever sees us will know we are couples,” Richard smiled.
“And since when did we become couples?” Rebecca asked lowering her eyes.
“Since when we went out yesterday,” Richard smiled.
“Oh, but I can’t recall the last time you said you love me,” Rebecca said lowering her voice.
“To be in relationship doesn’t necessarily require saying romantic things at the initial point. It involves the compassion and commitment you show your partner, for they say, action speaks louder than words,” Richard said.
Rebecca became speechless after Richard made that statement. They drove out of the school on to the highway.
“You know, I still can’t believe I’m doing this with you,” Rebecca revealed.
“What do you mean?” Richard asked her.
“I just feel everything is not real,” she responded.
“Me too, I wish I could remain as happy as I am right now forever,” he said.
They arrived at the stadium and parked their car at the entrance. As they were walking to get in, Richard held Rebecca hand. She turned and looked and smiled. They bought some popcorn just by the door and walked in. They stadium was filled people shouting all over. Because the seats in the front had been filled, they had to seat at the back.
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“Which team is ours?” Rebecca asked.
“I don’t know, I’m supposed to ask you this,” Richard replied.
“I’m not quite a fan of football you know,” she responded.
“Really? Then what kind of sport are you into?”
“Basketball maybe, I used to play it with Amirah and Alice when were kids,” Rebecca responded.
“When was the last time you played it?”
“I don’t really know, ten years ago I think.”
“Wow! No wonder you are getting fat, you don’t move your body,” Richard laughed.
“If I get fatter than I am right now, I will b very Happy,” she laughed.
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The match ended some few minutes past 6. They talked and laughed throughout the March without paying much attention to it. After the match, they head to a small restaurant close to the restaurant. They headed back to the university after their meal. She dropped him close to his hostel and headed home.
After her parking her car, she walked into the living room and found her mother sitting on the sofa. She totally forgot about what happened earlier and sat beside her mother.
“I don’t see you studying much nowadays,” her mother complained.
“I most study in the night,” Rebecca replied.
“Well, you have two more years to go, you have to put in your maximum effort,” her mother adviced.
“Okay Mom,” she replied.
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As they were talking, her mother suddenly sneezed and blood oozed out of her nose.
“What wrong with you Mom?” Rebecca asked looking very frightened.
“I’m okay, is just a cold,” her mother said trying to calm her.
“Okay,” Rebecca responded, but she always knew when her mother is trying to hide something from her. She stood up and sneaked into her mother. She searched for minutes before coming across her mother’s medical report.
The instance she set her eyes on the report, she screamed louder than she ever had. Her knees became so weak that they could no longer support her. Her mother ran to the room and found her on the floor crying.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Rebecca cried.
“Because I didn’t want to distract you from your studies,” she replied.
“Who cares about studies when you are dying?” Rebecca cried out loud.
“Who told you I’m dying?” Prof. Grace asked.
“I’m medical student Mom, I know what I saw.”
“Seeing you becoming a woman is the most joyous thing that has ever happened to me in my life, I will not regret it even if I die now,” Prof. Grace said as bent down to hold her hand.
Rebecca quickly stood up and ran out of the house. She went to the stream that was at the entrance of the staff quarters and sat on rock. She cried out loud there as if
she was a little baby. She brought out her phone and called Richard. The moment he answered the call, he heard her crying.
Richard: what’s wrong dear? Why are you crying?
Rebecca: my mom is dying of cancer.
He became silent knowing that she finally found out.
Richard: where are you right now?
“I’m at the steam close to the bridge,” she informed.
Richard quickly boarded a taxi to the place she told him. Richard saw her sitting on a rock that was just below a very huge street lamp. When she saw Richard, her voice increased as she cried. Richard felt bad for her when he saw her in that condition. He began to think of the method he is going to use to calm her. When he was just some few inches away from her, a man wearing a mask appear from the bush.
“Richard! Behind you!” She screamed.
When Richard turned, he saw a man holding a gun. Before Richard could make any effort to run, he was short twice on the chest making him to collapse on the spot. Rebecca screamed out loud like her lungs were going to explode. The man ran back into the bush and Rebecca ran to Richard. She saw as blood rushed out his chest. She quickly removed the white shirt she was holding and tried to stop the bleeding. Soon, people gathered in and noticed her screaming. An ambulance was summoned, and Richard was taken to the teaching hospital.
After arriving at the university teaching hospital, Richard was taken to the emergency room where the doctors started operating on him. Rebecca sat on the waiting bench with her hands covered in blood. Her face was completely wet with tears as he had cried terribly. She wished and prayed that he will be okay. She had never been so scared in her entire life like she was at that moment. As she was sitting, her mom suddenly call her on the phone.
Prof. Grace: I heard that a student has been short, where are you?
Rebecca: it was Richard
Prof. Grace: what do you mean it was Richard?
Rebecca: Somebody shot him, he currently undergoing a surgery.
Prof. Grace: Oh Lord, where are you?
Rebecca: I’m at the teaching hospital.
Prof. Grace: okay I will be right there.
After the call, Rebecca went into one of wash room and cleaned herself up. By the time she walked out, her mom had arrived at the hospital. She ran and hugged her mother as she cried.
“What really happened?” Her mother asked.
“I was talking to him in the garden when a man came out of nowhere and shot him,” Rebecca cried. Her mother could feel her tears wetting her shoulder.
“How could something like this happen in the university?”
“The security in this school is just use. How can a criminal get through with a gun without being detected?” Rebecca furiously asked.
Suddenly, one of the doctors walked out of the operation room. The instance Rebecca saw her, she stood and ran to her.
“How is he doing?” She asked anxiously.
“Don’t worry dear, he’s going to be fine.” .”Thank God,” Rebecca said with a huge relief.
“Good evening ma’am,” the doctor greeted Pro. Grace after she had gotten to where they are.
“Good evening, how did surgery go?” She asked.
“Fortunately, it went well,” she smiled.
“Thank you so much,” Prof. Grace said gratefully.
After a short while, Richard was taken to one of the best rooms in the hospital. The room was of medium size, and the sick bed was placed close near the wall beside the glass sliding window. Opposite to the bed was small table with a basket of flowers kept on it. Beside the table, was a door that leads to the bathroom. Rebecca
and mother walked into the room and sat on the two sitter sofa that was next to the table. They watched as his chest go up and down with the oxygen tube in his face.
“Is he going to he okay?” Rebecca asked.
“I believe he will be,” Prof. Grace replied as she placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder.
“I feel really bad for him,” Rebecca said.
“Me too,” her mother replied. Just then, Richard’s phone that was on the table started ringing. Rebecca stood up and walked to the phone and saw Achuba calling.
Rebecca: Hello
Achuba: Hi, how are you?
Rebecca: I am fine.
Achuba: is this Rebecca speaking?
Rebecca: yeah how do you know is me?
Achuba: because I know you are the only girl that answer Richard’s phone.
Rebecca: I’m flattered, but do you know that your friend is in the hospital?
Achuba: I have no idea, what happened to him?
Rebecca: didn’t you hear about the gun shot?
Achuba: Don’t tell me it was Richard that got shot.
Rebecca: why should I be the one answering your call if he wasn’t the one?
Achuba: Oh my God, in which hospital is he?
Rebecca: the T.H
After the call, Rebecca went and sat beside her mother.
“I will be going home now,” her mother announced.
“Okay Mom, I think I will spend the night here,” Rebecca replied.
“Is okay, you can call me if you need anything,” Prof. Grace said as she walked out of the room. After her mother left, Rebecca went out of the room and took a small chair and returned with it. She placed the chair beside Richard’s bed and sat on it and watched as he breath. Suddenly, she heard some footsteps behind her. When she turned, she discovered Richard’s roommates.
“You can come in,” Rebecca replied after they asked if the can come in.
“How did he get shot?” Thomas asked.
“I was talking to him close to the garden when a man suddenly from the bush and shot him,” she explained.
“I never knew Richard getting involved in people’s affairs, why should somebody shoot him?” Achuba asked.
“He did, when he started liking the senator’s girlfriend,” Armstrong said.
“Do you think the senator did this?” Rebecca asked as she stood up.
“Most likely, but I’m not certain,” Armstrong replied.
“I’m going to meet him right away,” Rebecca said trying to walk out in a hurry.
“Hold on a second, we have no strong evidence that if it was the senator.
Confronting him like that could be risky,” Achuba said blocking her.
“I think he’s right,” Thomas supported.
“I’m not scared of him,” Rebecca said and pushed him out of her way.
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Story continues
The pink Clouds✔