'Gloria' someone called, trying to catch up with

her as she was about to enter the Year 1

lecture room. She turned back to find the same

guy she met that morning during the morning

exercise. He had spotted her walking towards

the lecture room as he came out of his, with his

friends.

'Hi' she greeted as she turned back.

'Hi Gloria, I see you're a year one student'

Yes, I am' she squinted flipping her hair

backwards, she switched her hard cover note to

the left hand. 'Where did we…'

'You don't remember me?' he cut in, falling for

her trick. 'The guy who stays Hostel Block C,

we jogged together this morning'

'Oh!' She exclaimed cheerfully. 'Pardon me, you

just look very different from the person I saw in

the morning'

'I'm the same person' he chuckled, following as

she walked into the empty lecture room. They

took their seats beside each other and

continued with the conversation.

'When did the lectures end for today?' he asked.

'Two pm' she answered. She placed her book on

the table and brought out a pen and the

school's customized tablet from her bag.

'Oh! You want to study?' he asked a question

with an already obvious answer

'Yes' she answered.

'Maybe we'll talk some other time then' he said,

getting up from the seat. 'Would you give me

your phone number?'

She stared at him awkwardly for a moment

before she spoke, 'I don't even know you yet,

and you didn't introduce yourself'

'Oh! Sorry' he sat back hurriedly. 'Forgive my

manners please; I'm Jude, a final year student

in this same inst.i.tution'

She looked unimpressed as she received his

offer for a handshake. 'You're final year?' She

asked again.

'Yes, final year' he repeated. 'I'm particularly

one of the best students in my level'

'Hmm' she sounded indifferent. 'Can you help

me with my courses then?'

'Yes' he replied happily, 'I will help you, just tell

me the course or topic you want me to help you

with'

'This' she opened her hard cover note and

showed him a topic.

'How far have you gone with this?' he asked,

moving his body closer to hers. He could

perceive the fragrance of her perfume.

'I've not started at all' she answered with a note

of sadness. 'I resumed school late, the lecturer

had gone far beyond before I was admitted in

the third batch list'

Ermmm… It's kind of long o' he gave a slight

frown, 'I can finish teaching you if I start now'

'Why?'

'I have a meeting by four pm with some of our

professors' he answered. 'I'm one of the

students that'll be flying the Governor in John

Obiano's plane'

'Oh! You're really going to pilot the plane?'

'Yes, I did with my partner during the several

test runs' he stated excitedly. 'I can't miss this

opportunity to fly the governor'

'Wow! That's awesome. I really like the fact that

students are in control of everything'

'Yes, we are' he smiled happily. 'Some years

back they wouldn't have allowed us fly a Local

government chairman talk more of the Rivers

State Governor'

'How come they are now allowing students do it

now?'

'They believe in us now, the professors are sure

of what they thought us and can brag with their

lives that we'll deliver properly'

'Wow!' She continued excitedly, 'I believe this

will give you employment immediately you

graduate'

'Yes, I just need to finish my youth service and

I'll be employed immediately'

'Congrats' she offered him a handshake.

'Thank you'

She stared at him in silence for some seconds,

'I wish I could watch you fly that airplane'

'Oh dear, I wish that was possible too' he

replied sympathetically

'Can't I be allowed to be one of the flight

attendants?' she pushed further.

'No' he answered sadly. 'It's only two of the

best final year female students would be picked

to do that job'

She looked depressed immediately, her

countenance fell. She turned and faced the

wall, backing Jude.

'The only thing I can do is to take you along so

you can watch the plane fly' he tried to give

another option. 'But you might not be allowed to

come close because of the security officials

that would be with the Governor and Minister;

you have to stay with other spectators and the

journalists'

Don't bother, I just met you and I'm giving you

too much troubles already' she said turning

back, she tried to fake a smile.

'No, I'm not troubled. You have to be there that

day to experience it' he insisted.

'Well, I'll think it' she answered. 'I'll come if I'm

chanced'

'Please clear your schedule'

'Okay' she replied and placed her hand on her

book. Suddenly remembering something, she

turned to face him again, 'Who is copiloting the

plane with you?'

'A final year student also, her name is Lovina'

'Hmm, Lovina' she whispered, nodding her head

slowly.

'I have to leave right n..' he was saying as he

got up from the seat, a Lady interrupted walking

in noisily into the lecture room

'Gloria, you're not reading?' she exclaimed, using

her two hands to cover her mouth. Gloria got up

suddenly and rushed to her friend, she covered

the girl's mouth again as the girl dropped her

hands.

'Don't mind her' she smiled at surprised Jude,

still covering the girl's mouth with her hands. '

She talks too much, you can go now Jude'

'Okay, but not without taking your phone

number' he said, bringing out his phone from his

pocket.

'23480….. 'Gloria called the digits, still covering

her friend's mouth.

'Okay, I'll give you a call' Jude walked past the

two friends, giving them a surprised look.

**

Gloria ensured that Jude was gone before she

took her hand off the girl's, her hand left ugly

dark marks on the girl's face.

'Dummy' she slammed at Aisha. 'You didn't use

enough quant.i.ty of the powder and you didn't

allow it dry properly before walking under the

sun'

'I'm sorry Boss' Aisha apologized, realizing that

she almost blew their cover. She had used her

hand to clean off thee powder meant to

disguise her face when she used her hand to

cover her mouth.