"Ore, someone is here to see you," Jumuoke announced as Ore prepared dinner in the kitchen. Ore stalled in the frozen chicken she was washing and frowned slightly. She wasn't actually expecting anyone.

"Who is it?" Ore called out rinsing her hand in the running tap and cleaning it on a napkin.

"Your crush." Jumuoke snickered silently and ushered the handsome guy that was waiting impatiently for her to deliver his message. Jumuoke grabbed her black purse taking it as her cue to leave and sauntered off giving Ore who stood baffled a wink.

Ore cleared her throat after the door slammed. She turned to face Patrick, a blush slowly creeping up her cheeks. He had his long dreads falling finely over his shoulder and his mustache was a tad bit overgrown since the last time she saw him. Ore inhaled the whiff of his perfume as her lips stretched into a smile.

"Umm, hi, I wasn't expecting you here," Ore stated offering him a seat to which he muttered his thanks. "What can I offer you?" She asked, her eyes darting here and there for her clutch.

"Never mind that," Patrick waved it off. "I just came here to apologize for my behavior the other day. I was terribly foolish to drink and although I can't vividly recall all that happened. I know that I embarrassed myself in front of you." Patrick paused to take a deep breath.

"It's okay." Ore assured suddenly remembering the fresh tomatoes she'd left on the fire. She hurried to the kitchen and turned off the camp gas. The food was already on the verge of burning. "So, since I can't offer you anything, how about we just talk then?"

Patrick shrugged scratching the light stubble on his squared chin. He gazed at Ore so intently that she felt chills crawling up her spine. "Are you dating anyone?" He asked straightforwardly.

Patrick gauged Ore's surprised expression with a smirk. He'd anticipated her reaction.

"Not really, why do you ask?" Ore scratched the back of her neck looking everywhere but at Patrick.

"I am indicating my interest because I like you. A lot." Patrick leaned closer to Ore his hands clasped together. "What were you cooking?" Patrick asked abruptly. He did that because he noticed the way Ore was becoming uncomfortable with the topic of discussion. He suspected that there was something she wasn't telling him.

Ore brightened. "I am going to make Ofada stew."

"Hmmm, impressive," Patrick applauded. "May I?" He gestured to the glass door of the kitchen.

"No." Ore groaned. "I haven't even started anything yet. It's still a work in progress."

"Ooh, I hope to eat some," Patrick spoke relaxing further in the chair with his long legs crossed. Ore stared at Patrick's dreads in full blown admiration. Her fingertips itched to feel the texture of his hair and the length.

She pushed the thought to the back of her mind when she saw an amused expression on Patrick's face.

Ore hastily retracted the hand she'd brought out and coughed nervously. "So, how's school going for you?"

"All good." Patrick sighed. "Although, I am having serous troubles settling into my department. The system of education in my school and here is so different you know. Covenant university had a set lecture schedule while in Uniport, they keep switching between one class and the other. No organization whatsoever."

Ore nodded understandably. "It was like that in my first year sha, you'll get used to it. What department are you in by the way?"

"Microbiology, the department I was in my former school." Patrick fanned himself subconsciously unbuttoning his shirt. Ore gulped as the sparse golden hair on his chest came into view.

"Don't you umm wear like a singlet or something?" Ore stuttered shyly biting her lower lip.

"Ahn. In this heat?" He queried with a brow raised. "I don't know why you're uncomfortable with me being around you. Am I becoming a pest?"

"Oooh no, of course not." Ore slapped her forehead. "It's just that I have not been this close with a guy."

Patrick huffed. "I thought you had a boyfriend then. My sister told me about it."

Ore's verbal tone immediately changed from playful to serious. "Did she now? What exactly did she have to say?"

Patrick sniggered inwardly, he knew he'd struck a cord. "Nothing much. I am just surprised I haven't seen him near you."

Ore bounced her knees trying to suppress the angry tears that threatened to slip. She had been holding a strong grip on her emotions till Patrick reminded her of the incident that scarred her for life. "We broke up. Now, I don't to talk about it because it doesn't matter anymore," Ore said gruffly.

Patrick breathed heavily. "I am sorry if I overstepped. I shouldn't have asked you about that. It's your private business, I know. I just thought that I didn't stand a chance."

"A chance for what?" Ore asked pretending to be confused.

"Never mind," Patrick enounced with finality. Ore began to note that anytime Patrick was frustrated or worried about something, his accent switched up a bit.

Ore wanted to ask a question that was troubling her in her mind but she kept quiet. An awkward silence reined in the space between them before they both spoke up.

"No, you go first," Patrick conceded.

"Are you sure?" Ore inquired promptly, earning her a small nod from Patrick. "Is your sister dating someone?"

Patrick glowered in disapproval. "Where is that coming from?" He judged.

"Take it easy," Ore calmed. "I think that's the reason she is avoiding me."

"Why would she be avoiding you because of that?" He asked sheepishly. Girls and their drama, he thought.

"I don't know. She liked this guy back then in hostel but his eyes were set on me and then things happened and we parted."

"So?" Patrick queried further. He hadn't the slightest inkling of the direction Ore was going.

"So, they might be together now and she doesn't want me to come in between them," Ore concluded in a rush.

"Well, I know she liked this guy alright. I think his name was Philip yeah? They dated for a few months when she came back to school for another semester. But that's it!"

"What do you mean that's it?" Ore eyed Patrick warily.

"They broke up nau. How else do you want me to say it?" Ore's lips twitched.

"Waoh. I didn't know that." Ore shook her head.

"The nigga is a fucking prick for using my sister. If I see him, amma beat him to a pulp. My sister was going through shits when our dad died and all he did was to waltz into her life and leave her broken. I guess she thinks it has something to do with you," Patrick spat with venom.

Ore's lined brows furrowed. "And why's that because of me?"

"Why don't you ask the dude huh?" Patrick massaged his temples blowing out a terse breath. "Let's just drop it."

Ore sniffled, standing up from her languorous position on the bed. "Yeah, we should. Now, let me get back to my cooking if you don't mind."

"I will be on my way then," Patrick stated imitating her actions. Somehow, the apology he rendered felt useless in the first place.

Ore walked Patrick to the door and watched him take his leave. She pressed her lips firmly in a thin line as tears clouded her vision. Why did everything about her life have to be so complicated?

Ore scratched the answer she'd gotten to a complex equation for the umpteenth time. She grumbled tearing the piece of paper she used in solving into two. She kicked the leg of the plastic table with her feet and screamed in agony when blood trickled from her big toe nail.

She hissed, skimping to get a tissue paper from the bathroom. Ore cut out a sufficient wrap and stuffed it on her leg injury, watching in horror as it soaked. She discarded the first and tore yet another wincing as the pain transcended to her head.

Ore gritted her teeth swearing under her breath. There was a loud knock on the door before Jumuoke entered and slammed it behind her as usual. She suddenly rushed to Ore's side gasping as she saw the injury on her leg.

"What happened?" Jumuoke asked dreadfully.

"Don't ask!" Ore exclaimed.