𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐃 • 𝐏 𝐄 𝐑 𝐒 𝐎 𝐍 • 𝐏 𝐎 𝐕
○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○-○

JAMB was finally over, after the endless reading and sleepless nights, it was finally over.

Some people had good experiences some people hard worse. Like their systems shutting down in the middle of the exam, some people were late to their assigned centers and some not being able to access their results.

But Sonia was not part of the unfortunate people who experienced all that, she had a good experience with hers and got 310 in her JAMB.

She was shocked at first, but later got used it, she accepted the fact that she actually got that score, even though that wasn't what she aimed for.

Her mum was proud of her ─ even her dad was proud. And her friends too.

But no one was proud of her more than Derrick, ever since he found out her score he couldn't stop praising her.

He even wanted to take her out on a date.

"So where are we going?" Sonia asked him as she picked a pack of Oreos and put in the shopping cart.

They were currently at the store, shopping for snacks.

Even though it was obvious they were probably going for a picnic date she still had to ask.

"Just wait and see," Derrick replied with that same annoying grin and mysterious tone he always used.

Sonia rolled her eyes. "You're lucky you're cute."

As they were about to reach the counter to pay for the stuff that they've bought, Sonia couldn't help but notice that a girl working there was staring dreamily at Derrick and full out giving her the stink eye.

Okay weird.

When they finally reached there, the girl flashed her set of white teeth at Derrick completely ignoring Sonia.

"Hi Derrick! Do you remember me?"

Sonia blinked. Huh?

Derrick looked just as confused. "Am I supposed to?"

"Yes, I'm Helena, I was your classmate in Primary school. I was your seatmate once before they changed you. You always asked me for a pencil and you never returned it to me, but it's in the past now." She giggled. "You still owe me the 71 pencils sha."

God abeg o.

Sonia thought in her mind, why somebody even count the number of pencils they gave to someone?

She felt this whole encounter strange and wished that the girl would just do her work so that they can leave.

"Please how much is everything here? We have somewhere to be."

The girl completely disregarded Sonia and continued trying to converse with an uninterested Derrick. "I tried messaging you on your socials but you never reply."

"I ask again, how much is everything?" Sonia said again much more pissed.

The girl looked at Sonia dead in her eyes. "There are other people here who can attend to you please don't disturb me, I'm trying to have a conversation with someone."

Derrick just stood there, frozen like a confused mannequin, one hand still on the cart handle.

Sonia let out a short, humorless laugh, then began pulling out the snacks from the cart-one by one-and dropping them on the counter. Looking at Helena with the same energy.

"Here," she said coldly. "Do your job. Not your childhood fantasy."

Helena blinked, clearly caught off guard.

Sonia tilted her head slightly, smiling but her eyes were ice cold.

"Trying to flirt with someone's boyfriend while the girlfriend is standing right there? That's not boldness, babe. That's poor home training."

Derrick looked like he wanted the ground to open and swallow him.

"You saw us walk in together, shop together, and laugh together-but somehow, you still thought this was your audition for 'Desperate Women of Abuja'? No decorum. No dignity. No direction."

A soft "Omo" escaped a customer behind them.

Sonia leaned closer, voice sweet like honey, sharp like blade.

"Next time, when you see a woman with her man, try to act like you were raised by a woman too."

She gave Helena one last pitying look, then turned to Derrick. "Let's go, love. This place stinks of desperation and expired pencils."

As they walked out of the store, the automatic doors whooshed open.

Sonia didn't say a word at first. She just walked, bag of snacks in one hand, dignity in the other.

Derrick followed beside her, pushing the cart like his life depended on it.

Finally, when they reached the car, he let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding.

"Remind me never to piss you off," he muttered, half-joking, half-terrified.

Sonia raised an eyebrow, unlocking the car. "You don't even need a reminder. Just keep that girl's name and her 71 pencils out of your mouth."

He held up both hands like he was surrendering. "Noted. Respectfully."

They both laughed-the tension cracked open, and just like that, the awkwardness melted away.

♤♤♤♤♤♤

Derrick and Sonia finally reached their destination - a quiet, almost dreamlike park tucked away from the city noise.

It was evening now, that golden hour stretch of the day where everything looked softer, warmer... almost unreal.

The park was mostly empty, save for a few kids packing up their toys and reluctant parents calling them home.

The air smelled of grass, roasted corn, and faint Ribena. Birds chirped lazily, and the breeze moved through the trees like it had nowhere else to be.

Sonia stepped out of the car and took a deep breath. Peace. Real peace.

The sun cast long, glowing beams across the open field, and the grass glistened as if someone had dusted the whole park in gold.

The light kissed her skin, and for a moment, she stood still just admiring.

"This is beautiful," she whispered to herself.

Behind her, Derrick was already fumbling around in the boot, trying to carry both the mat and a medium-sized picnic basket that clearly thought it was a bag of cement.

Sonia turned and saw the mini chaos unfolding. He was struggling, trying to balance the mat on one shoulder and the basket in the other hand while also attempting to shut the boot with his elbow.

She chuckled and moved to help.

"Oya give me something before you injure yourself trying to impress me."

But Derrick shook his head with fake seriousness, puffing his chest slightly.

"I wouldn't allow that," he said in a posh British-Nigerian accent. "That won't be very gentle-like of me."

Sonia blinked. "Huh?"

He smiled. "You're the prize, babe. I can't let you carry anything heavy. I'm trying to be a gentleman here."

She scoffed. "You? Gentleman? With your slippers falling off like that?"

Derrick looked down at his foot, where his left Nike slide was indeed hanging on for dear life.

"Ah. Betrayal."

Sonia burst into laughter and walked straight up to him. "Give me this thing joor," she said, dragging the basket from his hand without warning.

"Hey!" Derrick shouted, holding on like they were fighting for a plate of rice. "I said no!"

"See how you're struggling. Abeg shift."

They both laughed in the middle of the quiet park, the kind of laughter that made strangers smile from afar.

Eventually, she won the battle, holding the basket in one hand like it was a purse.

"You're not serious," Derrick mumbled, grabbing the mat.

"But you like me like that," Sonia replied with a wink.

They wandered around for a few moments, searching for the perfect spot. The park was wide and open, but they wanted somewhere special-somewhere peaceful, private, and with vibes.

Eventually, they found it ─ a quiet patch of grass near the lake, shaded by a tall tree with leaves that swayed gently like they were dancing to soft jazz music.

The water sparkled nearby, and a couple of ducks waddled by.

"This is it," Sonia said, already unfolding the mat.

They spread it out under the tree, the branches casting playful shadows across the blanket.

Derrick brought out the snacks-Oreos, Ribena, chin chin, plantain chips, meat pie, and of course, the king of the feast - a paper-wrapped pack of suya steaming with peppery goodness.

They arranged everything like royalty, then finally sat down, the air around them filled with warm sunlight and soft laughter.

Derrick reached for the suya instantly, eyes gleaming with hunger.

"Let me just take one piece-"

Smack!

Sonia slapped his hand away with zero hesitation.

"Are you mad?" she said, adjusting her camera app. "You want to eat before we take pictures? What kind of uncultured behavior is that?"

Derrick frowned and pouted like a toddler denied candy.

"Babe na, we're literally going to eat it anyway. What's the point of starving for aesthetics?"

She gasped dramatically. "Did you just say 'what's the point'?"

Her voice went fake serious. "This is not just food. This is a curated aesthetic picnic moment. I will not let you ruin the vibe for one meat."

Derrick rolled his eyes and leaned back like a man defeated.

Still... when he reached again, Sonia gave him a look.

That look. The one that says, "I will disgrace you in public without blinking."

His hand froze midair.

He slowly dropped it like a guilty man in court. "Okay. Picture first. I hear you, madam."

Sonia smiled, satisfied. She lifted her phone, adjusted her lip gloss with the front cam, then said, "Say plantain."

"Plantain."

He smiled with fake enthusiasm.

Click.

Sonia angled her phone and snapped a few flat lays of the snacks-Oreos perfectly stacked, Ribena tilted just right beside the suya, with the grass and sunlight giving natural filter energy.

"Now move back small," she said, waving her hand in Derrick's face like a stylist on set. "Let me take the full vibe."

Derrick sighed like someone forced into community service. "Why am I suffering like this when food is right there?"

"Because we must document joy," Sonia said dramatically. "One day you'll look back at these pictures and thank me later."

He chuckled.

She crouched down, snapped a photo of him sitting with the lake behind him, the snacks in view, and the sunset hitting just right.

She paused. Hold up.

That one actually looked fine fine.

"Derrick," she blinked. "Why do you look like you just stepped out of a music video?"

He smirked, leaning back with one hand behind him, his chain glinting slightly. "Natural beauty, baby."

"Okay, now act like you're candid," she instructed, lowering her voice. "Look away from the camera. Think about something deep... like how you owe me a kiss."

"Wow." He turned slightly, squinting into the sunset with his serious face.

Click. Click. Click.

Sonia gasped. "No because I'm actually going to post this with the caption 'Soft men only.' "

He rolled his eyes, still smiling. "Alright, alright, my turn. Give me the phone."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Madam baddie, let me take your picture now. Sit down and stop doing photographer."

She handed him the phone with small suspicion. "Don't come and take those useless pictures where my forehead is the main character o."

"Relax," Derrick said, already moving around like a cameraman for a movie scene. "I'll do justice."

Sonia posed effortlessly, crossing her legs and holding a Ribena like a wine glass.

Click.

She switched to a peace sign and pout combo.

Click.

Then one with her looking away like she was daydreaming about Paris and court cases.

Click.

"Wait wait," she said, adjusting her hair and reaching for the suya. "Now take a bad bitch picture with the suya like I'm holding a designer bag."

Derrick burst out laughing. "You're not normal."

She smirked. "But I'm cute."

Click. Click. Click.

Derrick looked at the last shot and smiled. "You look happy."

Sonia tilted her head. "Because I am."

He lowered the phone, met her eyes.

"For real?"

She nodded. "For real."

Sonia carefully locked her phone and placed it beside her, the soft smile still lingering on her face.

"Okay," she said, clapping her hands once. "We can eat now."

Derrick looked like he'd been waiting his whole life for those words. He dove straight for the suya and ripped the paper open like it was a gift from the gods.

"Finallyyyy." He took a bite and let out a dramatic moan. "Mmm. This is not just suya. This is therapy."

Sonia giggled, popping open her bottle of Ribena. "Abeg behave. Before people start thinking you've never eaten in your life."

They both ate in silence for a few minutes - comfortable, easy. Crumbs on lips. Fingers glistening with oil. Laughter between bites.

After the mini feast, Sonia leaned back on her arms and stared at the lake. Her voice was a little more mellow now.

"So, what's next for you, Derrick?" Sonia asked softly, her eyes watching him carefully. "Where do you see yourself in the future?"

The question caught him off guard.

He blinked, stared out at the lake for a few seconds, and let the breeze speak first.

Honestly, he hadn't really thought that far ahead.

Not because he didn't want to... but because he hadn't been allowed to.

His father had always made that decision for him-pushing, commanding, demanding-insisting that Derrick would one day take over the company. That he'd wear the suit, sit at the top, and keep the "family legacy" going.

Even though it never felt like his dream. Just a burden he inherited.

But now?

Now the bastard was in jail.

Gone. Out of the picture. And for the first time, the path ahead was open-but also uncertain.

"I don't know," Derrick admitted quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I used to think my life was already planned out for me. Like... there was no point dreaming because my dad had already drawn the map."

Sonia listened, silent but present. She didn't interrupt. She heard him.

He continued, "I put Mass Communication as my first choice in JAMB. It felt like the only thing that made sense to me-I love storytelling, media, film... But even now, I'm not totally sure. I feel like I'm still figuring it out. Like I'm waiting for something to click."

He looked over at her, honest and raw. "Is that crazy?"

Sonia shook her head gently. "It's not crazy at all. It's brave."

Derrick smiled, just a little. "I might change it later... if I discover something else I love. For once, I think I'm okay with not having all the answers. I just want to live on my own terms now."

Sonia nodded in understanding, her gaze softening as Derrick spoke his truth.

A quiet moment passed between them. Comfortable and safe.

Then he turned the question back at her. "What about you?" he asked, voice low but curious.

"Where do you see yourself?"

Sonia didn't hesitate. Her voice was steady, certain.

"I'm going to study Law," she said. "I put it as my first choice."

Derrick's eyes widened, a smile creeping across his face. "Okay then, Barrister Sonia," he teased, placing extra respect on the title.

"We see you o! Should I start calling you My Lord now or later?"

Sonia rolled her eyes playfully. "You can start with 'Your Honour'. Let's set the tone."

Derrick laughed out loud, hands raised in surrender. "Ah! I no go argue. If you ever drag me to court, I'll just confess immediately."

"Good. Saves me the stress."

They both chuckled, but beneath Sonia's calm tone was a flicker of fire. She wasn't just saying it to sound impressive-she meant it.

"I've always wanted to fight for people," she added. "To speak up where others can't. I want to make real change. And not just in some fancy courtroom... I want to be the kind of lawyer that actually listens."

Derrick looked at her, truly seeing her in that moment-not just as the girl he liked, but as a force in the making.
A girl with vision. With purpose.

"Remind me to book you in advance," he said with a grin. "Before your fees go global."

Sonia smirked. "You'll get the friends-and-family discount."

︾︾︾︾︾

As the sun began to dip lower into the horizon, the entire park transformed into something straight out of a painting.

The golden hues deepened into warm orange, the lake shimmered like liquid fire, and the breeze turned just a little cooler-like the universe itself was wrapping up the evening with a bow.

Sonia looked up and sighed, a soft smile resting on her lips. "It's crazy how peaceful this place feels."

Derrick nodded. "I don't want to leave."

They both sat there for a moment longer, neither of them ready to break the perfect stillness. But eventually, reality whispered its way in.

Sonia checked her phone and let out a small groan. "We should probably start packing up. My mum will soon start calling like I'm on the run."

Derrick laughed. "Say less. I have to check on Daphne anyways."

They stood up slowly, gathering the leftovers, folding the mat, and stuffing wrappers into a small trash bag. It wasn't the chore that made them sigh-it was the fact that their little world was ending for the day.

As they reached the car, Derrick opened the door for her like the gentleman he swore he was.
"Your Honour," he said with a small bow.

"Thank you, chauffeur," Sonia teased, stepping in.

When Derrick got in on his side, he didn't start the engine right away. He just sat there, watching her in the dim glow of the car interior.

She noticed.

"What?"

He shook his head slowly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Nothing. Just... this was a good day."

Sonia turned to face him, her expression soft. "It really was."

There was silence for a beat. Not awkward-just heavy with something unspoken.

Then Derrick leaned in slightly.
"Can I..."

He paused.

"Is it okay if I kiss you?"

Sonia blinked-caught off guard, but not in a bad way. She smiled, heart fluttering, stomach doing small gymnastics.

"You're asking like I haven't been waiting since this date started."

And that was all the permission he needed.

He leaned in the rest of the way, closing the gap gently.

Their lips met in a soft, slow kiss-no fireworks, no dramatic music, just warmth and the feeling of two people finding safety in each other. His hand cupped her cheek, and she leaned into him like her body already knew the shape of his.

When they finally pulled back, Sonia opened her eyes slowly and grinned.

"You taste like chin chin."

Derrick blinked. "And you taste like future success."

They both burst into quiet laughter.

He finally started the engine, the car humming to life beneath them.

As they drove away from the park, the world outside moved on-but inside that little car, with their fingers interlocked and hearts still fluttering...

Everything felt still.

Everything felt right.

*******
A/N

This was a really frustrating chapter to write😭. Though I enjoyed writing it🤭

Thoughts on this chapter? What do you think of their future?

Let me know.

Buh bye✨