With a deft hand, Uche raked a comb through the thick of her tousled hair, tilting her head forward then to the sides. Curls, tamed by the pillow into folds that undulated, sprang up with each stroke and once again reverted back to defining the haircut.

Uche was standing in front of a waist length mirror nailed to the wall between a pair of bunk beds, snappily dressed in a stripped short-sleeve button up shirt that stopped mid thigh, skinny jean, and backless hollow out sneakers.

A far younger version of her mother stared back. Except for the eyes, the resemblance was so striking that sometimes she flinched whenever she caught sight of her reflection.

Rest in peace, mum, and maybe in your next life, you wouldn't make the same mistake you did in this one. You deserved better.

Behind her, the roommates alternatively bantered, laughed and twittered. The smell of new lingered on her clothes even after being washed and she got a whiff every time her head dipped close enough.

If it were up to Uche, her usual overly casual wears would have sufficed, but Michael had insisted on being much more presentable since she'd encounter the girl's father for the first time today--not to mention they'd be house hunting as well; hence the attempt at giving a good impression.

As ordered by her stepbrother, expenses covered from a buoyant account, Uche had gone 'shopping', roamed the market from the early hours of the morning until she'd found something stylishly simple yet fitting to her limited fashion sense(few clothes agreed with her, majority made her skin crawl these days).

"Isn't this a rare sight?" Anita, a wiry girl with coloured hair and a gaped tooth, remarked teasingly. Certain the comment was directed at her, Uche glanced over a shoulder to see Anita's amused smile as she unencumbered herself of three big bags filled with food items. It was a Saturday, and, as usual, she had gone to the market in preparation for the coming week. "New clothes, new shoes... i think it's the first time I've seen you use that mirror. Am i missing something here?"

"Do I sense a date?" Bridget asked sleepily. She had been roused awake when Precious, her meddlesome bunkmate, flopped on her bed causing the bunk to quiver. Bridget rolled onto her back and wiped at her face, which shone with a layer of oil.

Uche finished with her hair by patting the lower sides into place and reached for the perfume on Anita's bed through the iron railing. She spritzed under her arms and neck, a rosy fragrance pervading the air.

"We were thinking just the same thing," Obehi chirruped, giggling. "But she has refused to say, as always." The vivacious girl was sitting on her bed atop the bunk, her legs dangled from the edge, swinging lazily.

Rarely did they engage her in any talk-maybe because of the perpetual frown on her face, her aloofness, the fact that she was older than most of them, but Uche was inclined to think all three attributed to the cold shoulder she got on most days. Whatever the reason, Uche was glad for the distance.

"What makes you think it has something to do with a guy?" Uche asked no one in particular, assessing her face in the mirror. To make the eye bags less visible, she had made use of a cold spoon and concealer. Her lips were the darkest shade of red. Her tweezed brows from the day before were not so perfect for they arched differently, but who would notice the little flaw?

"Oh, I don't know." It was Anita who responded. She was sitting on her bed, leaning over to partition what she'd bought one bag after another. "Maybe it's because you've never put in so much effort before."

"Why else do we doll up?" Precious asked, eyes pinned to her phone. "It just has to be a guy."

"So you can't dress up just to look good?" Obehi asked, frowning.

Uche could see Precious shaking her head in the mirror.

"Don't pretend Gideon is not the reason behind that wig you bought yesterday." Precious retorted, and smirked when Obehi pouted defiantly, unable to deny the truth.

Anita snorted and Bridget made a comment about people who indulged in self denial. Meanwhile, Uche was relieved for the diverted attention and proceeded to tuck in the front shirt, revealing her belted waist.

"What I do know is that we dress really good for two reasons: to make other girls jealous and impress the guys." Bridget murmured in response to Obehi's insistence on looking good for yourself sometimes. An arm was draped across her forehead, eyes shut.

"Gideon loves me regardless, made up or not." Obehi told them, pride in her voice.

"You guys only just started dating, right?" Anita asked with mischievous intent. "Has he seen you without the 'special' effects?"

Obehi faltered. "Well, no, but--"

"He will run so fast, Usain Bolt will look like a learner." Precious taunted. "The guy go fear, I swear." Laughter erupted and Obehi glowered at them, arms crossed.

"There is no use denying it, Obehi." Anita said, chuckling. "Of course, there are guys who really don't mind. But we can't make an example of your case, I'm sorry. Get back to us when he's really seen you."

"How did she even get someone as goodlooking as him?" Precious was genuinely bewildered and looked at Anita in mock question.

"The one billion dollar question," Bridget chipped in.

"Beats me," Anita shrugged. "Maybe her makeup is that good." They shared a laugh.

Obehi rolled her eyes. She was used to them making jest of her looks. "Laugh all you want, but I'm telling you, he isn't like that."

"Whatever you say." Precious said sardonically. "It's a good thing, anyway. You have become a beacon of hope to us all. Anything is truly possible. Please, lay your hand on my head so that i can be that fortunate in my pursuit to marry an Arabian."

"Girls stop it," Bridget's face was serious as she rolled her head on the pillow to look at Anita. Then she grinned. "She might cry."

Geez, Uche thought, always talking. She couldn't wait to get away from the noise. She turned and faced them while tweaking the collars of her shirt.

"Come to think of it, we've never seen her with any guy." Precious mused suddenly, sharing a thought common to them, absent roommates included. "Isn't that strange?"

Anita looked thoughtful and began to bob her head.

Obehi gasped dramatically, back to her chirpy self. "Yes, you're right! She's always in here sleeping, reading, and ignoring everyone."

"So, is there something you're hiding?" Precious addressed Uche directly, alluding to another common thought they shared. "Should we be worreid?"

A lopside smile was on Uche's face as she went to replace the perfume and comb in her bag. They kept silent and eagerly awaited a response.

At the door, she turned and regarded them coolly, her shades held up. "What you should be worried about, Precious"-she sniffed the air-"is the food you're cooking."

It took a while for Precious to comprehend what Uche had said, her brows furrowing in puzzlement, and then her eyes widened from an alarming realisation.

She shot up, screeched and dashed outside with a hand over her mouth, and Uche leaned on the closest bunk to avoid a nasty crash that would have happened in the girl's hurry. Everyone howled with laughter, Obehi being the loudest of all three, falling back in her bed and clutching her tummy.

She wore her shades and stepped out. They were still laughing when Uche walked past Precious, who was lamenting over the burnt food as she puffed at the smoke, which billowed from the pot and stove, fanning with her hands and coughing.

After some seconds of impassivity, Uche chuckled while matching down the stairs, the clamourings of other hostelites who had come out to berate an already irritated Precious, soon making her laugh.

Although she tried to ignore the feeling, Uche was without a doubt nervous, her heart pounding and stomach queasy. Her body was so light, she could feel the air beneath her feet, more like they were drifting rather than walking. She strode out of the building, checking her watch for the time-she'd gotten a cheap watch. They were to meet at the cluster of trees beside the school's bank sometime after one o'clock this afternoon, and by her time, she had a good one hour left.

Someone called her name and, recognisng Sharon's voice, Uche looked up from self-consciously tugging at her shirt to see the girl approaching in a listless manner.

Her vision blurred for a moment, clearing as she squinted and blinked furiously.

They altered their pace, Uche trotting into a slow walk and Sharon scuffing her feet.

"You weren't lying about going out today," Sharon said when they stood facing each other, pulling at the jacket she wore over a tank top and jean. She cleared her throat loudly :her reedy voice was hoarse. Sharon also tried to smile but something of a wince resulted. Her face had lost some colour, pale and drawn; her puffy eyes were a telltale of tears shed from last night, muffled by her pillow. "You look.....really nice." She added sweeping her lacklustre gaze over Uche.

"Thanks," Uche nodded and slipped her hands into her back pockets.

"I still find it hard to believe it's not a guy," Sharon smiled blandly, "but it's you, so i guess i can." She let out a deep, slow breath, her feelings all over the place.

An awkward silence ensued in which they watched students mill about, some loitering and others revelling in the scenery, the breeze ruffling their hair and moving through trees, making the leaves sway and rustle. After confirmation that she was indeed pregnant to her niggling dismay, and five weeks gone, Sharon had been devastated, the shock being so overwhelming she'd become unnaturally mellow, barely talking, hardly laughing, constantly on the verge of tears.

Her roommates were still in the dark, and she hoped it remained that way. She had been careful not the display any sign of pregnancy whenever they were present, and could trust Uche's discretion because the girl hardly mingled, not to talk about holding meaningful conversations.

"How did it go?" Uche enquired as they walked to sit on the stone chairs under an orange tree, away from the sun. Leaves, green and rusty brown, were scattered across and littered the ground, sunlight peeking through the foliage. The place was peppered with students who were gabbing, so they chose a sit far from the lot and sat side by side.

"He wasn't there," Sharon replied, lips quivering. She had gone to Thomas' hostel as requested by her boyfriend with the intention of informing him after she'd called beforehand telling him it was something urgent, only to find out from his roommates that he'd left for somewhere unknown to them. "His number isn't even going through." She laughed bitterly, tears in her eyes. "I think he suspects the truth."

Uche was quiet for a moment. A boy was purchasing something from a snack shop in front, and she watched the exchange. "What will you do if he denies it?" she asked, and Sharon, who had tried to expunge the thought of being jilted at this critical time from her mind, bristled. "Again, Tolu, it's none of my business, and you don't have to tell me anything."

And it really wasn't, especially now. If today's apartment hunt proved fruitful, she would be leaving as soon as possible, but before putting all this behind her, at least, she wanted to make sure the miserable, unfortunate girl was going to cope just fine, even though that seemed unlikely.

"You must be in a good mood today," Sharon remarked, watching smiles radiate of people's faces and wishing she could partake in their excitement. She sniffled, digging a sharp nail into her palm. "To be honest, I haven't thought about what I'd do if he decides to reject me and the baby. But I do know he won't deny it because, like I told you, it was our first time..." she trailed off, turbulent emotions choking her voice, making her stutter. " and, and even though he doesn't want the child, I'll have to keep it. There's no other choice."

"Yes, there is."

"No," Sharon shook her head vehemently. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them with the back of her hand, remembering how public the place was. "I won't do that. It's a much more terrible sin, and killing this child is no way to atone for it. Thomas might tell me that he never really loved me, that all he said had been to lure me into his bed for some sort of 'manhood' thing, but I did love him. Regardless of how our talk turns out, the baby will still have a parent. Not to mention, I could die."

Love?What did she know about Love?

True, dying was a possibility, but we die eventually. Every day, death lurked, waiting, taking on different forms. Dying was always a possibility.

"Being a single parent isn't a walk in the park for anyone, especially at your age. Movies don't depict half of what they go through, so don't be fooled." Uche said heatedly, her jaws clenching. Why was she getting riled up over a problem that wasn't hers? Maybe it's because the girl's naivety was irritating. Her life was over. She just didn't know it yet.

Sharon looked at her, worrisome. She didn't understand the sudden change in the girl sitting beside her. "I know it isn't---"

"No, you don't." Uche interjected, laughing dryly. She glanced at Sharon, who was gazing at her with a bewildered look, and said. "You have no clue." Leaning back in the chair to rest her back, she got comfortable, as much as the cold, hard surface could allow while Sharon, turning fully on her side of the chair, faced Uche, lips pursed and curiosity piqued. "Do you think your parents will accept the news with open arms and smiles on their faces?" she asked bluntly.

Sharon's eyes darted about then, mulling it over.

"Have you considered that they might disown you? What happens if-and it's a strong if-they do? How will you cater for yourself and the child with no husband or family to help out? What about your education?" it was dawning on her and Uche could see fear set in.

"The child would be dubbed a bastard because her father isn't recognized, and the mother regarded as a slut-which is you. It wouldn't matter if that isn't the case. Don't delude yourself into thinking things won't come crashing down."

"Listen," Uche said more gently when the girl covered her face and began to sob. She reached for Sharon's shoulder, which shook with each sharp exhale, but withdrew her hand at the last minute, letting it fall to her side. She sat up. People were casting curious glances their way. "I'm not trying to scare you, make you regret-nothing like that. Whatever you choose to do, it has to be an informed decision. You're young and still tethered to your parents, still too young for the burden you intend on carrying in my opinion. Carefully consider the gravity of throwing your life away, so that you won't regret doing so."

"Your words are so comforting," Sharon said into her palms, sniffled then proceeded to rub dry her tearstained face, and comport herself, smiling saccharinely.

"Life is the master of sarcasm and the joke's on us, my dear." Uche scoffed making Sharon laugh, dispelling the gloom between them.

"Thank you," Sharon said after a minute of companionable silence.

"For what? My words are nothing to be thankful for. I haven't told you anything particulary helpful. " Uche said airily. A leaf dropped on her shoulder and she looked up at the tree before brushing it away, and so couldn't protest when Sharon taking advantage of the distraction, captured her in a hug, clinging tightly. Uche went rigid.

"For not judging or blaming me? I don't know. Even though my blood pressure has gone up a notch, I just feel relieved talking about it with you. I must confess that I'm more frightened of the repercussions than I let on, but worrying won't make it go away. Call me stupid, wayward, I'd keep my child." Sharon sniffled and nestled into Uche's neck, lips trembling."I know you don't consider me a friend, maybe because you're older or something, but I'll still miss you."

Reluctantly, Uche relaxed in her arms, releasing a deep breath. She felt something wet on her neck and knew the girl was crying. After a moment's hesitation, she held Sharon with fumbling hands, resting her chin on Sharon's shoulder. The girl began sobbing. "It's okay. I'm the least person to judge anyone. You weren't smart about it and neither was he, but I never thought you stupid or wayward. You're probably one of the most decent girls I know, and you just proved it to me, which makes this baby lucky. No one is perfect, hm?"

Sharon mumbled a 'thank you' into her neck and it tickled. Uche, with effort, pulled off those clinging hands of hers, while the girl whined petulantly for a minute more, being the chronic, compulsive hugger she was.

"Are you sure I can't come to visit? Why can't i?" Sharon needled, tucking hair behind her ears. "Why won't you tell me the address of this new place, anyway?"

"It's the only condition the landlord agreed to let me stay." Uche answered, flicking her nose with a finger. "He doesn't want visitors." She shrugged a shoulder.

"Odd." Sharon stated, bemused. Then she smiled eagerly. "Will you come visit me sometime?"

Uche floundered. She wasn't doing that anytime soon and telling her otherwise would be another lie.

She took too long to respond. Sharon sensed her hesitation and was crestfallen. "I understand, though. You will be busy with final year stuff." She presumed, and Uche nodded at the girl's excuse for her, pleased. "What about church? At least I'll see you there, right?"

Sighing, Uche got to her feet. "Maybe," The questions never ended once Sharon started and she didn't have the time to be crafty with her answers. She was ready to leave and turned to go.

"One more thing!" Sharon hastened to say, rising to her feet and stepping in front of Uche, hands splayed out to block her path. "Hear me out." She implored at Uche's harried look.

Balancing on a leg, hands on her hip, Uche glanced about contemplatively then fixed Sharon a hard stare to which the girl made a gesture of pleading. She scratched a brow and sighed resignedly. Why not? Despite the possibility of bumping into each other in school, except she stalked her way to Uche's faculty, this may be the last time they saw each other.

"Regarding a job for you," Sharon began with the enthusiasm of a salesperson, her features animated for the first time in days. "Why not becomes a sales agent for an online shopping company?" she suggested, eyes hopeful.

" Like Davina express?" Uche quirked an eyebrow behind the huge sunglasses, arms folded.

"Yes. Lots of students are into it"

Uche rolled her eyes. "That's the problem: it's used by a lot of people. And besides, it doesn't pay well. I have a lot of expenses to--" Sharon was shaking her head and holding up a wagging finger.

"It depends on how much people patronize you and how expensive the things they buy are: more customers more money, more expensive more money." Sharon wriggled her brows.

"I'm not good at anything pertaining to marketing." Uche said apathetically.

"Maybe that's because you always look like you're at war with nations," Sharon deadpanned-then brightened in an instant. "But it won't be too hard for you. You're very easy on the eyes, and with a little smile, the customer base would be tremendous. At least, think about it."

So as to be set free, Uche agreed. Sharon beamed and looked past her, and Uche noticed the gloom of earlier come into her eyes, the sudden transition making Uche glanced over a shoulder to see Thomas striding towards them. He was a strapping young man of average height with a nose for books, a sun tanned baby face that was habitually scrunched up in intense concentration. His baggy trousers and oversized shirt flapped in the breeze, and as he drew closer, he raised a hand in greeting, his bespectacled eyes catching light.

They didn't wave back.

"Good luck." Uche said turning back to Sharon. She placed a hand on the girl's tummy, on the child growing there. "Both of you, and i really hope he/she is worth it." With an encouraging smile, she walked away in the opposite direction.

"Uchechukwu," Sharon called just as she stepped out from under the shade of the tree.

Uche paused and turned to look at her, suppressing a groan. "Yes?"

Sharon smirked, the breeze in her hair. "Unblock me, please."

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

Huma breathed deeply, inhaling through her nose, exhaling through her mouth. The house was quiet, the reason being that her grandmother and the children had left days ago, and she missed them.

No frolicking kids scurrying about dispelling the silence with shrieks, whole hearted laughter, whines and cries. She even missed her grandmothers fussing, her reign of terror even more. Perhaps, if they were here, it would help ease the agitation causing Huma to wring her hands as she paced back and forth in her room.

It wouldn't be the first time-that is, if her parents eventually consented-she'd be away from her family, after all she had travelled to an unfamiliar state for internship and spent over six months amongst strangers. Alone and out of her comfort zone, Huma had been fearful, until her mentor had intervened.

But this was different: An unsual feeling persisted alongside the overwrought state. She had felt it on her first visit to the school's hostel.

Was she excited?

Dressed in a flowing flowery gown, matching hijab clipped at a shoulder, favorite flats, she felt inadequate and for the tenth time considered changing into something else, only to tentatively decide her outfit was just fine. And so it went, change, don't change, the dilemma haunting without an end.

She had agreed to stay with her. With Uche. The message had been brief and to the point. Today they'd look for a place together (Uche had insisted-something about Huma choosing a place she'd be comfortable in), and she had found the altrustic offer highly considerate of the girl. Was what she wore suited for roaming under the intense heat? Probably not.

But it will have to do-she wouldn't want to tire herself out before they truly started and give an impression of being lazy.

The door opened and her father stepped in, drawing Huma's attention outward. She stopped pacing.

He jiggled his keys at her. "Ready?"

Face glum, Huma nodded.

"Someone's really nervous." He discerned, walking up to her, amusement in his old eyes. Nadeem placed a hand on Huma's back and led her towards the bed, where they sat.

"I can tell you're excited, too." He noted, smiling broadly. "You can't fool me. Being cooped up in here must be that bad."

Even her father could see it. Huma flushed, not meeting his gaze.

"The last time I sensed such emotion from you was---" he faltered, suddenly saddened, the words weighing heavily on his tongue-"with Cody. I think those times were the happiest we've ever seen you," he sighed.

At that forlon sound, Huma was impelled to look at her father. He looked utterly dejected. He must really not want me to leave, she thought, and placed a comforting hand on his arm. It wasn't like she won't come visiting from time to time.

He held onto her, his lips tugging up in a sad smile, which Huma reciprocated with a grin, hoping to reassure him.

They held eyes, held hands, smiled and breathed together,then Nadeem spoke rather relunctantly, "Before we leave, there is something you must know."

Author's note:

Thanks for reading. Please don't forget to vote and comment.