My eyes were trained on the white ceiling as I admired the beautiful chandelier that lit up Peter's room. The television was placed on mute and silence pervaded the room as all that filed my ears were the ticking of the second hand of the clock and Peter's furious typing on the keyboard. 

I glanced at him when I felt him move a bit on the bed. His brows were furrowed in concentration as he studied something on his laptop which was sitting comfortably on his laps. 

I stretched my entire length next to him, yawning loudly as I hoped to get his attention.  He had been stuck up with that laptop since I came and I was already getting tired of him looking at it critically. I wanted him to look at me instead.

I knew I should be grateful he had taken it upon himself to browse out the date for my post utme examination since my lazy ass had refused to do, but why was it taking so long? Did it take so much time to browse a date out? It had been thirty minutes since I came!

I propped my palm under my chin as I watched his eyes narrow on something he had just seen and I shuffled closer to him, aching to hold him in my arms. I had been feeling this way and more ever since he revealed his father's plan to send him out of the country for college.

That was a piece of good news and probably the dream of every person our age, but I couldn't stop the load of sadness that clouded my existence the moment he told me. Peter had looked sad too, venting out his frustration as he told me about his father's refusal to let him school in the country.

Well, I couldn't say I was glad his father had refused but it was all good, wasn't it?  Peter deserved the best and I wanted him to have the best: this was best for him.

But why then did it hurt so much?  It had felt like my breath had been knocked off me as I found it very hard to concentrate ever since then: I just zoned out on conversation at home; wishing for nothing but Peter's presence.  I wanted to maximize my limited time with him just as he had told me to.

He had said not to think about it and to just flow with the tide till it was time to go. That way, it would hurt less but what was I to do when his leaving was what filled my mind every blessed day? It was painful.  Nothing would be the same without him. Was this how my mum had felt when my dad was about leaving?

It was for this reason I had been very nonchalant about making my research on the university my mother chose for me. I had lost all enthusiasm. How on earth was I to cope without Peter by my side? I had gotten so used to his presence that not seeing him a day gave me heartache. How then was I to survive without seeing him for months?

A lump filled my throat as I stared at him. His brows were arched in concentration so I doubted he knew I was staring at him.

Though Peter had promised to call me every day — which I knew was impossible — it still wouldn't be the same with him being there with me. Selfish much? I couldn't help it. I was in love with Peter and I craved him like a young plant craved water.

"So, I just found out your post utme form is out and the examination is this September. You could have missed this important information.  Why didn't you check?" Peter's chide snapped me out of my thought and I leaned in to read the guidelines on how to fill the post utme form, ignoring his hawk-like stare.

My mother had chosen the University of Lagos — the university of first choice as she had praised — and I couldn't care less. It was not like I had a university in mind. I had only wanted to study where Peter was and unfortunately, I couldn't.

"I don't understand why the school doesn't want its students to do the same subject they did in jamb." Peter pronounced and I looked up at him.  We were sitting quite close to each other and I could feel the warmth emitting from his arm as it grazed mine.

"General paper doesn't look easy to me. It . . ." He continued but I wasn't listening anymore as all I could do was stare at the movement of his full lips. The lower was pinker than the top and the cupid bow of his upper lip dipped delicately at the centre; the pinkish tint of it reminding me of the softest hue of roses.

I licked my lips unconsciously and before I could think, I had slammed my lips on his, shutting him from speaking further.

Peter gasped but didn't pull away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me closer.  His tongue slid into my lips and I moaned at the ecstatic feeling — It never got old.

I ran my fingers through his scalp and gently pulled his silky black hair. In a flash, I had my back to the bed and Peter was astride me, his lips trailing sweet kisses down the lines of my jaw. I wrapped my arm around his neck, urging him on as a strange feeling of pleasure shot down my core.

Peter granted my request as his lips continued their soft torture on my neck and I whimpered.  It felt so good and I wanted more.

Air drained from the room when I felt a slight touch on my left breast. I stiffened at the wave of pleasure his fingers brought to my erect nipples.  It felt like I didn't have control over my body anymore yet I liked it.

I wanted him to go further in his touch but then, realisation dawned on me and I froze. Wasn't this the same thing my mother had done with my father?  Wasn't I repeating the same cycle that had pervaded in my family?

That instance, an avalanche of fear and guilt gripped me with cold fingers as thoughts of ending up like my mum rendered me numb. Peter was leaving the country soon. . . Everything was happening in sync.

My eyelids flew open and  I could suddenly see my father in Peter.

I clamped my eyes shut, trying to shut off the destabilizing images of two people sobbing bitterly at a table in a restaurant that flooded my memory. They looked familiar but their faces couldn't be seen.

They were wearing the same clothes my parents had worn and I wondered if I was now replaying the restaurant event of my parents in my head.  I gasped when I finally made sense of the entire imagery. They weren't my parents but me and Peter, weeping miserably with a child beside us. What the hell!

I felt Peter pull away from me and I opened my eyes to see him looking at me intently with darkened eyes. His lips were plump and swollen and his tongue slipped down to wet them.

I tried to stable my breathing as I was now very agitated at my hallucination.  What sort of shenanigan was my brain playing on me now?

"You said something. What's wrong?" Peter asked softly as he made attempt to get off me but I wrapped my legs around his waist stopping him.

I shook my head. "Nothing is wrong."

But Peter wasn't buying that. "Something is wrong. Tell me." He stroked my hair lovingly and I shook my head vehemently.  There was no way I was going to reveal my thoughts to him. There was no way I was going to let some stupid delusion ruin the atmosphere.

"Nothing," I assured, drawing his head back and kissing him with so much fervour as I mentally swept my useless thoughts to the back of my head where it belonged and enjoyed the moment while I still could.

I could feel his withdrawal as he tried to pull away but I tightened my grip on him and forced my tongue into his mouth, exploring the area and sighing in satisfaction when he finally kissed me back.

His fingers trailed down my body to my hips, touching and caressing and I could feel my pant dampen as wetness filled my inner thigh. I squeezed my legs shut, hoping it would help me out but it didn't.

I was feeling strange and strange thoughts were filling my head as all I wanted was for Peter to touch me where no one had ever touched me.

"Peter. . ." I breathed out, ready to reveal this to him but the loud honk from the gate sent us jerking away from each other and I readjusted my shirt as I stared at Peter who was already grabbing his laptop and reaching for my hand.

We both ran down the endless stairs and to the sitting room, plopping on a couch and switching the television on. Peter's parent didn't like us staying alone in the room — I guess it was due to grandma's drama the last time that happened.

My lips curled into a smile as I looked up to see Peter smirking at me. I let out a giggle; the feeling of breaking a rule without getting caught was so sweet.

☆ ☆ ☆

Peter dropped me home later in the day and after kissing me deeply, I waved to him and watched him leave, feeling empty as I walked into the compound.  All my worries flew back into my head as the realisation that my father and his family were returning home the next morning choked me.

I had forgotten all about that while with Peter.  Peter had a way of relieving me of all my stress.

But now,  I could see reality: I was going to be alone as I would also be leaving to stay with grandma till college re-opens for a new semester.  I had spent close to two weeks with the Adeyemis and it was finally time to go home.

I wished I could pause time as I didn't want to leave.  What was I to do in grandma's house?  I wanted to stay with Iyanu and I also didn't want my father to leave.  I was being selfish nowadays but didn't I deserve that much? A week with your father after seventeen years of not knowing him was very minute.

I trudged into the house to see Andy lying on the couch with a bowl of popcorn before him. He looked up at the sound of the door but soon turned to the movie he was watching.

I sighed inwardly, expecting that he would do that since he had not spoken to me after our little misunderstanding.

His mother had gone to stay with a friend and was to return today and I found myself wondering if she had already —  the house had been really peaceful without her moping around like a widow.

"Hi, Andy!" I greeted as I headed to the stairs and to my greatest surprise,  he replied my greeting. I froze in my tracks and turned slowly to see him looking at me with his hand filled with popcorn. Perhaps, I was mistaking the voices from the television as his.

"Did you say anything?"

"Of course,  I said what's up?" He filled his mouth with popcorn and my lips parted.

"Why do you look so surprised?" He eyed me.

"I wasn't expecting a response," I said truthfully and his eyes widened like he was shocked to hear that.

"Why?"

"You never respond to my greetings." I shrugged and I heard him sigh.

"I'm sorry," he muttered and my head snapped up. What was going on?

"Andy, are you okay?  Is something wrong with you?" I asked with concern laced in my voice but he laughed shakily.

"Of course. I'm fine." He shook his head at me before speaking again. "I've been mean to you and I'm sorry." He lowered his eyes like he couldn't meet mine and stared at the bowl in his hand instead.

My legs became weak as I felt a huge burden being lifted off my shoulder.  I wondered what spirit had possessed him to talk this way. It was sure a pleasant surprise and I was very happy with this metamorphosis.

"It's okay." I smiled broadly and he looked up at me then; a little smile dimpling the sides of his cheeks. It was beautiful and my heart fluttered. Smiling soothed him better, unlike the ugly glare he had plastered on his face at all time. I wondered how a broad smile would look on his face since he looked this good with a tiny smile.

"Come, I have news for you." He motioned to me and I took a seat on the next couch beside him. Curiosity eating me up as I waited patiently for him to spill the so-called news.

"I overheard dad and mum speaking in the bedroom." He began.

"Your mum is back?" I asked and he nodded. 

"She returned some hours ago." He informed and I nodded. 

"Guess what?" He probed and I groaned.  I had always hated guessing.

"I can't guess. Just tell me." I whined but he shook his head defiantly.

"I won't tell you until you guess." He turned his attention to the television screen and I fought the urge to give him a knock on his head. 

I bit my lips as I racked my brain for every possible thing that could happen. Was dad getting a divorce?

That would be stupid to say to Andy and I didn't want to ruin the light atmosphere we have succeeded in building. The air was always tensed around us but it was different now and I felt comfortable.  I was sure he would snap if I said what was on my mind. 

"Dad is getting you a new phone," I said flatly and he grimaced.

"What?!"

"I told you I can't guess.  Now tell me what the news is." I hurried,  now unable to curtail my curiosity.

He rolled his eyes and shoved a mouthful of popcorn into his mouth slowly.

"Want some?" He offered and I almost screamed.  He began to chuckle then and I tried not to laugh with him but I failed miserably as my lips stretched into a big smile,  admiring the beauty on the younger boy's face.  He looked so innocent when he laughed, unlike the malicious look he had on his face every time. 

"Okay, I'll tell you." He raised his hands in surrender and I exhaled.

"I overheard dad telling mum he wanted you to come over to the UK to further your education.  He said he had spoken to your mother and she had agreed. What is left now is your answer.  It's up to you to decide if you want to." He informed and I grew still, trying to process all that had been said.

"Are you okay?" He inquired and I just stared, awestruck by the news.

"What about your mum? What did she say?" I found myself asking and he shrugged?

"She said she didn't have a choice." He looked at me.  "But don't worry, she's fine with it."

I shifted my gaze to the wall as my heart swelled with happiness. 

"You can tell him if you don't — " I heard Andy say and I cut him off.

"How can't I want this? It is a dream come true. How on earth will I not want this?" My lips stretched into a grin as I let out an excited squeal, jumping up and down as Andy fell into fits of giggles.

I was finally going to be with Peter. He was going to the UK too and I was sure to pick the same college as him. I couldn't wait to break this good news to Peter so I pulled my phone from my purse but soon stopped as my heart sank suddenly.

"Does that mean I'm leaving with you guys tomorrow?" My voice cracked and Andy gawked at me.

I let out a frustrated sigh and fell back to the couch with my hand on my head.  I didn't want to leave now. I wanted to see Peter some more and spend time with Iyanu too.

"Of course not," Andy said finally and my head snapped up. "Do you even have an international passport for a start?" He added with an eye roll and I sighed, realizing he was right. I felt relief consume my entire being and I leaned into the chair.

"Also. . ." he dragged and I looked at him.

"What?"

"Dad said your mum wants you to spend some time with your grandmother before you finally travel. So that would be months later before you move to the UK." He filled me in and I felt my smile creeping back to my lips, stretching my lips further than it had been the previous minutes.

I dialled Peter's number speedily and my heart thudded in my chest as the call rang.  I was ready to explode with excitement filling me to the brim like air; enveloping my entire being.

Peter picked at the first ring and before he could say anything, I squealed:
"Guess what?!"

Things were gradually falling into place and as I thought about everything I had been through, I wouldn't take anything back. I had always wished my life was different but I wouldn't be Beatrice if those things didn't happen to me.

It was these things: the pain, the loneliness, the rejection and frustration,  that made me who I was; that made me a unique being.  They were my imperfections but what was life without imperfections?

As I listened to Peter's excited laughter, I knew my life had finally taken a huge turn and I was sure never to return to where I had first been — where Peter had found me.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
THE END!

👏👏👏

I feel accomplished to have completed this story.

Thanks to everyone who followed this story steadily and dropped comments, adding this book to their reading list and promoting this work of my mine. God bless you immensely.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
THE END!

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I feel accomplished to have completed this story.

Thanks to everyone who followed this story steadily and dropped comments, adding this book to their reading list and promoting this work of my mine. God bless you immensely.

You can check my other books out:

★ His roommate

★ Letter days

★ Cold soul.

And also follow me on Instagram if you please: obsessedink_writer

Bye for now 💃💃

PS: Don't leave without dropping a comment or two. I want to hear from you all.

Also, if you do not mind, kindly share this book to others.

Thanks a bunch!