Ore was busy going through her box for something light to wear because of the sweltering heat when a knock sounded on her door. She hurriedly changed into a bum shot and an orange singlet while eyeing her roommate who was nonchalantly flipping through the pages of a comic book.

"Jumuoke, are you expecting someone?" Ore asked brows furrowed. Jumuoke shook her head after sparing Ore a glance. Ore looked through the small camera on her door before unlocking it. Her face beamed with smiles as she pulled Mercy in for a hug, the scent of her bodman perfume assailing her senses.

"Hmmm Mercy, this one you are giving me a surprise visit so, am I in good hands?" Ore invited her in appreciatively eyeing her black leggings and white backless top.

"It's like you went to see your boyfriend o," Ore joked after Mercy had greeted her roommate. Mercy folded Ore's clothes neatly and placed them in a corner before turning to face Ore who consciously sat by her side.

It was then Ore noticed the smoky makeup that made Mercy's face look entirely different. She cleared her throat, giving Mercy winks suggestively.

"What?" Mercy playfully swatted Ore's arm. "I just went to see a friend that's all."

"A friend ke," Ore sneered. "Me I need a friend like that too o. Abi Jumuoke?"

Jumuoke didn't reply, she had already fallen fast asleep and was snoring softly. Ore smacked her forehead.

"I don't even know where I went to pick this girl from as a roommate. Anyways, how far na? Gist me about your boyfriend." Ore adjusted her sitting position with a hand placed on her jaw inquisitively.

Mercy blushed. "I already told you that he is not my boyfriend. We are just friends getting to know each other."

"But Mercy, I have never seen you on a jean talk less full face makeup. I hope all is well?" Ore leaned in staring at Mercy squarely.

"Why won't all be well, offer me something joor. I am very hungry." Mercy loosened her leather belt and unbuckled her jean. She used a hand to fan herself as Ore walked to the kitchen to serve her a plate of fried rice Jumuoke cooked.

"I saw Martha two days ago self. She was heading to her department on campus, I called her but she didn't reply. Everywhere was noisy sha." Mercy looked about Ore's room eyeing the star stickers that decorated the cream painted walls of her apartment off campus.

"Ehhn, that girl acts like she is so busy these days. I call her frequently but she rarely picks up and when she does, we don't even talk for long about much. Only God knows what she's up to," Ore said handing over Mercy's food on a tray to her. Mercy gratefully accepted it and did a sign of the cross before digging in with a spoon.

"It's her that know what she's hiding o. As for me, I don't think I have the strength to be questioning someone of their whereabouts. You know we quarreled recently?" Mercy stated amidst spoonful of rice.

"Really? What happened?" Ore threw over her shoulder as she hurled her box back into the wardrobe.

"She said that I have not still changed my investigative attitude when I asked her if she and my brother had something going on. I was slightly offended by the talk so I countered her. To cut the long story short, she ended the call abruptly." Mercy bit into her chicken lap and moaned in delight.

"I wonder why she'll be hiding her relationship life from us. Doesn't she consider us friends anymore?" Ore sadly asked flashing back to the memory of the brief kiss she and Philip shared few months ago. The image was still fresh in her mind and subconsciously crept up in her thoughts whenever she was less busy with school work.

"You know, I thought Philip actually liked me but I don't know. I acted very badly to him before we parted ways," Ore muttered blowing out a terse breath.

"Hmmm. I know Philip liked you but after what you did? I don't think so. And as for Martha being friends with us, who knows? Maybe she has grown wings on campus and decided to ditch us." Mercy shrugged licking her glossy lips.

"Well, that aside, have you ummm heard any news from you know who . . . since the time we errm broke up?" Ore nervously chewed on her nails looking at the tiled floor.

Mercy smiled faintly. "I think you should stop thinking about that dude, he is your dreadful past. This is the present, you have to move on. Besides, did he tell you he was traveling abroad?"

Ore's head jerked up. "Where did you hear that from?"

"You see?" Mercy confirmed. "He is not worth the stress my dear. Just let it go."

"I have done that a long time ago and settled that it can never work between us. I am just surprised that he didn't inform me in some way that he was traveling." Ore sniffed feeling bad about how things went down but she pushed the thought to the back of her mind.

She strictly told herself that she was never going to reminisce on the 'what if's' and move forward.

"Well, the deed is done. Thanks for the food bae. It was dope." Mercy drank from the bottle water by her side as Ore quickly washed the plate.

"Do you know who I saw in school today?" Ore rinsed the dish and placed it on the plastic rack before cleaning her hand with a kitchen towel.

"Who?" Mercy excused herself to belch and patted her chest.

"You won't believe it. I saw Martha's brother, the one that's schooling in Covenant or where in my lecture hall area. Guy, I was shocked."

Mercy stopped picking her teeth and frowned. "Martha has a brother that schools here?"

Ore laughed. "Babe, you're on a long thing. That gist will be for later. Let me hurry and return this gas to the owner."

Ore heaved the gas cylinder and hastily carried it outside. "Ahhh, you're borrowing gas now?" Mercy shouted at her retreating back.

"Mine is finished," Ore responded.

Later that evening after Ore and her roommate had finished fetching water in their drum, Ore was getting foodstuffs to cook at a nearby store when a black shiny benz cruised past her and parked by the side.

For some odd reason, Ore ducked behind a glass showcase and peered around as a guy got out of the driver's seat and checked the time on his watch. He scratched the back of his neck just as he turned in her direction. Ore slightly gasped on catching the person's side profile.

It was Patrick.