The next day, I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm. As the familiar beeping filled the room, I could feel the warmth of the morning sunlight seeping through the curtains. "Today was going to be a long, boring day", I predicted, feeling a sense of drudgery settle over me. I remembered the dream I had yesterday night and hissed. "Anything that was going to happen, let it happen", I thought angrily, the remnants of the dream still lingering in my mind.

After doing my normal routines and having breakfast, I heard someone knocking at the door. The sound echoed through the hallway, creating a sense of anticipation. "Who could it be this time?", I thought, curiosity piqued as I made my way to the door. As I turned the doorknob, I could feel the cool metal beneath my fingertips. Lo and behold, it was Julius.

I suddenly recalled the events that happened on our vacation, the distant scent of the ocean and the sound of seagulls faintly coming back to me. I didn't even attend my graduation. Julius gave me an entertaining smile and walked into the house. "Hey, sorry I came early enough. Was a bit bored at home. Want to go somewhere?", he asked, his voice breaking the stillness of the morning.

I just shook my head, feeling the weight of the moment. "Nah. We can have a friendly discussion inside," I said, leading him into the house.

Before he could reach my room, I started bombarding him with questions. "How was grad? Who won the valedictorian?" I asked eagerly, feeling the anticipation in the air.

Julius just shut his ears, and I could sense his need to unwind. "Allow me to land first," he said, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion.

When he entered the room, he bounced on my soft bed and let out a sigh of relief. "Hey, your bed is so cool," he said, fondling my pillows. I could see the contentment in his eyes as he took in the comfort of the room. "As for the grad, you did miss a lot. See the expensive designs here and there. Trust our director, nah, she's capable of anything," he said, his gaze drifting to the ceiling as if he was lost in thought. "What about the vale.." I started to ask, but he cut me short. "Dominion won it. Anyway, forget about that. We should be focused on having fun," he said, his words echoing in the room.

"That's right," I said, as an idea crept into my mind. "Let's visit Linda's place," I suggested, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of the upcoming adventure.

"Okay, if you say so. You know she stays in an orphanage," he said, his voice carrying a mix of compassion and understanding.

"I know," I replied, feeling a sense of empathy for Linda and the children in the orphanage. We hurried outside, and soon we were on his scooter. As we journeyed on the road, the wind brushed against my face, and I could feel the adrenaline kicking in. I asked him a dumb question, feeling the lightheartedness of the moment. "Did you miss your scooter in school?" I asked, a playful grin on my face. He laughed at my question, and I could feel the warmth of his laughter filling the air.

The journey to the orphanage was a long one. Not that it was too far, but it was the farthest we had ever been together since he rode on his scooter. As we arrived at the orphanage, the sight of the building against the backdrop of the sky filled me with a sense of awe.

We entered there and were greeted by poor, helpless kids below five years old. "Uncle...Biko choro anyi ife?" they asked, their innocent voices carrying a note of longing. I looked at them, feeling a surge of compassion for their plight, and the unfamiliarity of their Igbo language made me feel like an outsider. "What did they say?" I asked Julius, seeking to understand their needs. "They want you to give them something," he answered, his voice reflecting the sadness of the situation.

One of the kids came again, holding onto my trousers and echoing the same request. I looked at him with pity, feeling the weight of their desperation and innocence tug at my heart.

Julius, seeing my compassion towards the boy, nudged me. "That's how it is. You can't put a smile on all their faces," he said, as he dragged me forward. I wanted to help, even if it was one person. I dipped my hands inside my pocket and threw all the money I had in there to them. The sound of the coins hitting the ground resonated through the air as the boy scrambled to collect them.

"You don't seem to listen to me," Julius said, infuriated. His voice carried a tinge of frustration that hung in the air.

At the reception, we were asked the name of the person we wanted to see.
"Linda," we both echoed at the same time. The receptionist smiled at us. The glint of laughter danced in her eyes, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
"So you are her boyfriends?" she asked, trickishly. Julius immediately coughed, pointing fingers at me. The awkwardness in the air was palpable, and I could feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. This only made the receptionist smile even more. "Don't worry, I will call her for you," she said.

I heaved a sigh of relief when she left. The tension in the air dissipated, replaced by a sense of anticipation.

"That lady is so creepy," I told Julius. I could feel a shiver run down my spine as I recalled the encounter.

Julius just laughed. "You wanted to come here. Here you are," he said, his laughter ringing in the air.

Linda was called immediately, and when her eyes met ours, she smiled knowingly. The receptionist gave her a nod, and she moved with us outside, her footsteps echoing in the hallway.
"Don't stay too long," she said, her voice filled with concern.

As we moved out of the reception with Linda, I could hear the chattering of children nearby. The sound of their laughter filled the air, creating a joyful ambience.
"You miss me already," Linda said, breaking the silence. "Of course. I miss you even now you're with me," I said, looking deeply into her eyes. The warmth in her gaze enveloped me, creating a sense of comfort and reassurance.

As I came closer to her, Julius coughed, fearing we might kiss in public, disrupting the tranquil atmosphere.
"C'mon, you can do that when we get home," he said, his words cutting through the air. I gave him this hateful look and withdrew from Linda, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment. The tension between us was palpable as we headed to his scooter, the engine roaring to life as we zoomed off into the distance. The rush of wind on my face and the hum of the engine filled my senses, distracting me from the lingering awkwardness of the encounter.

The cold air brushed our faces as the scooter moved smoothly on the road. The faint smell of freshly cut grass and the distant sound of chirping birds added to the serene atmosphere. No one uttered a word - just enjoying the ride while the gentle warmth of the sun caressed our skin. When we arrived at my place, Linda marvelled at the sight of my house, complimenting the vibrant colours of the flowers in the garden. "This is so beautiful," she exclaimed in amazement, her words accompanied by the scent of blooming lilies lingering in the air. I just smiled as we walked through the garden, taking in the comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies from inside the house.

I looked over to see Julius standing beside his scooter. The soft rumble of the engine filled the air, and a light breeze carried the scent of gasoline. He wasn't moving in with us. He just stared at us with a wide smile and winked at me. "Have fun. I will be coming in 2 hours to pick up Linda," he said, his words carrying a hint of anticipation, leaving an air of excitement for the upcoming plans.

I smiled back at him and whispered, "Thank you", as the warm sun bathed us in its golden glow. I think he heard it because he nodded and zoomed off, the sound of his engine fading into the distance.

As I and Linda went to the garden, the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. I guided her through the rows of vibrant blossoms and lush greenery, the soft grass tickling our feet. I saw her cheeks flush red and felt the gentle breeze brush against our skin as we played together in the grass. The sweet melodies of chirping birds accompanied our laughter, and suddenly, we found ourselves lost in each other's world, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and sensations of the peaceful garden.

"I love you, Sam", Linda said as she drew me close. The scent of her perfume filled the garden, and the soft touch of her hand on my cheek sent shivers down my spine. "Me too", I replied, as we hungrily kissed, the taste of her lip gloss lingering on my lips. I pulled away when I saw my mum watching from the window. She just smiled at me and gave me a signal to continue. The sight of the warm sunlight streaming in through the window, the sound of birds chirping outside, and the smell of freshly cut grass wafting in created a surreal atmosphere. "What's that?", Linda asked.
"I just wanted to catch my breath", I lied, as I continued, this one more intense than the last, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine and losing track of time in the moment.