"It's finally over," Rita said, positively exhausted after the last paper which concluded the examinations for the semester and their final year. Two weeks prior they'd successfully defended their projects.

They were outside the examination hall where students signed white tee shirts- which was the norm for graduating students- and felicitated with one another.

Some girls came over to sign on Rita's shirt, giggling and snickering. After a short conversation, they bounded off and Rita returned to the shade where Uche stood, hiding from the sun.

"Why can't you be normal?" Rita asked Uche, eyeing her black camisole, blazer and jean. She was the only student not participating in the white tee ritual. "You look like you're in mourning."

She might as well be. These last few weeks had sucked every light out of her.

They began walking away from the rowdy scene."So we're celebrating," Rita dabbed sweat off her forehead. "At a club."

"A club?"

"I know what you're going to say: It's not your thing."

"It's not my thing," The thought of an after party sent pain lancing through Uche's temples. "I'm very tired, Rita. I need to sleep, okay? I don't know how you still have the strength after this."

"Look," Rita pointed to her eyes. "I have dark circles. Im exhausted too. But we carried over a year and, i pray to God almighty, that we don't have to come back here again. We deserve to wind down, let loose."

"I thought that was what the dinner night was for,"

Rita scrunched up her face. "Yes, but...we have to pretend to be civilised and obey rules. Club night is a night of reckless abandon. Of unadulterated fun." She said with a dramatic spread of her hands in the air.

All Uche could thing about was the booming music and sweaty, clinging bodies. " I don't know....."

"Oh come on. Tell you what? You come. If you feel out of sorts anytime, we leave. It will be fun. You can bring your sweet little friend."

Snorting, Uche shook her head. "She doesn't do clubs." Although, she'd like to see Huma out of her elements. Too much carnality may just send the poor girl into shock.

"I see your point. So, what do you say?" Puppy eyed, Rita turned to her,pouting."Please," then she smiled teasingly, anticipating her victory.

***********

I just finished my last paper. I'm on my way back. I hope yours went well? Pocketing her phone, Huma breathed in relief, closing her eyes briefly. She'd done it; she'd graduate. After all these years, she didn't believe a day would ever come when the sleepless nights and the rigorous practicals would cease. An inexplicable joy made her heart flutter and hot tears  prickled her eyes.

I did it, Cody.

She'd texted her parents right after ( her father) and Mrs Ehana to inform them. They'd been elated.

I'm so proud of you,  Mrs Ehana had texted back, I'm sure he'd be proud, too. Send me pictures. So she'd sent pictures of her signed white tee and group selfies with course mates.

All glory to Allah, her father had texted back, we're expecting you home.

Determined not to cry, Huma blinked back tears. She searched for Kazeem in the crowd. They'd been placed in separate halls but everyone had convened before their main lecture hall after. There was no sign of him. She saw one of his friends and asked and was told that he had left. How odd.
Usually he'd linger to jubilate with everyone.

Huma decided she'd  text him later. Fatima wasn't around either, so she thought maybe they'd gone for a private celebration. But she saw Fatima enroute seated behind the building. She looked forlorn. Drawing closer, Huma could tell from her red eyes that she had been crying. Had the exams been so bad?

On seeing Huma, Fatima dabbed away tears and composed herself. "You've come to gloat, abi?"

Confused, Huma's brows furrowed.

"He broke up with me." Fatima stood up, brushing lightly at her dress. " You've gotten what you wanted." She came forward until they were face to face. "Don't think you've won completely. I'll get him back. It's a promise."

Huma watched her walk away, wondering  if she'd heard right. A relationship had been broken, and it is was her fault? She texted Kazeem immediately.

********

As soon as Uche stepped in, she was engulfed by tiny hands wrapping around her waist. Used to Huma's unbidden hugs, she held onto the small body, oddly comforted.

"My exams went well," Uche said, remembering the text message." I hope it did. Sorry, i didn't reply. I was out of airtime. Of course, you aced yours." They disengaged, and she soon discovered food was ready. "You even cooked. No be small thing," Famished, she grabbed a plate while Huma stood in the doorway, watching her spoon food onto it.

Something was amiss. The girl seemed absent minded and quieter than usual.

"What is it?" She asked, sipping water. Huma bowed her head. Uche saw her lips tighten then quiver. Slowly tears slid down her face. "Huma," Placing the bottled water on the table, Uche came to sit on the floor with her. " What's wrong? Did you not write well?"

Huma shook her head.

"Is it your parents?"

Again she shook her head.

"Then what?" Gruesome possibilities filled Uche's head. The girl's tears had always made her uneasy.

Wiping her eyes, Huma signed. "I'm just so happy that I could finish a normal school. I used to think that it was impossible until now. I'm also very sad because I have to go back home and i might not get to see you."

It was expected. For some reason Uche's heart sank at the reality. She'd also forgotten. Face impassive, voice even, she said, "Is that all?"

"I know I've been a bother to you and caused you a lot of trouble. I'm very sorry. I just want to thank you for tolerating me,"

"Hey," Uche grabbed her hands. They were trembling. " You are not a bother, okay?" Her conscience prickled. " You shouldn't thank me. Really." She let go and forced a cheerful smile on her face. "Of course we'll see each other. If the trip doesn't work out. There's graduation. There's also dinner night. I'm sure a lot of girls could use your help in getting ready. You'd make a good sum of money, and you can come use here anytime you want."

At a loss for words, Uche rubbed her thighs awkwardly. " The food was nice. You've gotten a lot better. Maybe even better than me."

That brought a small smile to Huma's face, even though the lie was apparent. Uche then went on to ask if she'd cooked for her family at all and Huma narrated the incidence of food bribery she'd hoped would yield result. Her mother had only scolded her.

"Give it time, Huma," Uche said. " She's dealing with a lot." She saw hesitance in the girl's face. "Now is the time to say what's on your mind. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

*******

Now was the chance to get answers to all her questions. Huma had plenty. She wanted advice on how to go about Fatima's broken relationship which she'd played a part in but decided that Uche had helped her enough and somehow shed fix things in her own.

The nightmares. The pills. The phobia for knives. The essay. Something terrible had happened to this woman she'd come to care dearly for, and as Huma looked into those clear, beautiful eyes , she could glimpse it despite Uche's adept at hiding her feelings and troubles.

She casted her mind back to when she'd come into the room and seen this strong woman dissolved to tears; how shaken she'd been; how terrified. Deep down, Huma was scared to leave her all alone. But she had no choice: other obligations made it impossible. She felt so helpless because she couldn't compensate for all Uche had done for her.

"You're staring into space again." Uche gave her a small shake. "What were you thinking about?"

"Are you okay?"

Puzzled by the question, Uche frowned. "Of course I am."

Suddenly Huma reached for her hand, capturing it. She wanted to ask about everything but couldn't muster up the courage needed, afraid the mood would turn sour afterwards.

"What have I told you about speaking your mind?"

Reaching into her bag, she produced the essay. She watched Uche's face for the slightest reaction. And saw none.

"This was an assignment." Uche took her hand from Huma's and stood up, turning away. "You went through my things again." She paused. "I know you've been communicating with Lawrence. I've known for quite sometime."

Huma felt her heart constrict painfully as shock took hold, along with a creeping weakness. She went still.

"Delete your messages next time. Learn to password your phone." Turning, Uche looked at Huma from across the room.The girl stared back with round eyes. "I don't know when it started but it should be around the time you went to that hotel alone." She came to squat in front of her." I don't want to know what it was all about. It all ends today. A word of advice, you shouldn't meddle in things that you do not understand." She gave a small smile. "My regards to your parents."

******

She knows. It's all up to you now. Please, keep your word and protect my friend. Huma texted Lawrence then switched off her phone. How stupid she had been? She'd lived with that woman for a year, and still she wasn't trusted. Maybe all she had been was a roommate, nothing more.

Tears began to blur her vision. Huma wiped them. Composing herself, she stared out the window, watching people, cars and buildings roll out of view.  She was on her way home in a vehicle she'd booked on an app. Uche had used it several times to transport them until she had grown less wary. Huma lay her head on Cody the bear and prayed.

Allah, protect her.

******

When Uche arrived at the club, Rita wasn't there. She'd called her and got an earful of pleas to wait, and thought how on earth the woman had convinced her to come.  Amid the crowd, she recognised some course mates but kept her distance, sitting at the bar. Disco lights revolved above splaying colors across bottles, glasses and over polished surfaces. The music boomed, and bodies gyrated.

The bar tender asked if she wanted a drink which she declined.  Glancing around, Uche took in the scenery. She hadn't been in a club since the incident that almost killed her. Unconsciously, her hand went to her stomach and rested over the wound there. What had she been thinking? She shouldn't have come here.

Besides, Huma got worried when she kept late nights.

Huma...Realization set in. The girl was probably gone by now, and the thought of going back to an empty room didn't seem appealing at the moment. Now that her job was completed, what next? Her life, for the first time in a long while, was in shambles. At least, Uche thought, i'm free from her.

"And who do we have here?"

Uche recognised Henrietta's voice but didn't look up until she was sitting beside her, a thin woman in a red body suit and hair. Facing away from the bar, she leaned back, propping her elbows on the bar table, a lewd smile on bloody red lips. "You've finally come to take my offer? Although," she looked over Uche's Jean and black turtle neck, "you're hardly dressed for the part."

"I didn't come to whore myself."

Henrietta eyed the bulge of Uche's breasts, making a disappointing sound. "That's a shame. So, what brings you here? This doesn't look her your usual scene."

"And how would you know what my usual scene looks like?" Uche watched her hum and come close.

"I know it's without flashing lights." She smirked at Uche's narrowed eyes as she drew back. " How about a drink?"

"I'm not thirsty."

Henrietta ordered instead. "Are you sure?" The bartender mixed two cocktails and slid the glasses forward. Uche eyed her drink. "Take a sip. I know you want to."

"Without flashing lights? I don't understand what you mean."  Uche knew a mind game when she heard one, and this woman was toying with her.

Henrietta shrugged a shoulder, stirring her drink with a finger. " I just feel you prefer places with a little peace and quiet."

Suddenly, Uche felt uneasy, that one word making her head spin.

"Are you okay? You look pale, honey."

In an instant, Uche was off her stool. As she parted her way through the dancing bodies, Henrietta put the finger wet with cocktail in her mouth and sucked on it, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

Someone grabbed Uche by the hand in passing. She shoved them aside. There was a shout but she kept moving until she was outside with the cold air on her face. In her haste, she bumped into someone.

She looked into the troubled face of Lawrence as he held her steady by the arms. "Uche..."

Rita was beside him, her mini dress sparkling in the night. " Where are you going? What happened?" She said, concerned.

Uche looked between them. She shrugged Lawrence's hands off. "You brought him."

"What? No. No, I didn't," Rita stumbled over her words, caught off guard by the accusation. "He just offered to drive me here because--"

"Save it," Uche passed through their middle and headed straight from the main road.  Her head was on fire and her heart raced with inexplicable emotions. Behind her, heels clicked rapidly.

"Uche wait,"

Uche ignored her as she strode faster.

"It's not what you're thinking." Rita made a frustrated sound. "I didn't bring him here on purpose. Believe me,"

Feeling Rita's hand on her arm, Uche whirled around, ready to burst. "And why should I? Tell me. I don't know you, and you sure as hell don't know me. You just keep following me around, keep buzzing in my ears. Just let me be, okay? Leave me alone. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of you. Take a fucking hint." She ignored Rita's hurt countenance and walked away but the woman soon strutted after her again.

"Uche......"

There was a screech of tires as they came  to a halt, and Uche heard Rita scream.