He was the only child of his parents, the Omotayos, who were not particularly rich nor poor, but they always made sure he had everything he needed at his disposal. Perhaps his intelligence was the assurance they needed to spur them on or the bitter acceptance of the grim knowledge that his mother couldn't bear another child.
She had undergone an operation for fibroid and the family had duly decided she wasn’t to get pregnant again to avoid any further complications. Everything had changed though as soon as he had begun his tertiary education away from the eagle eyes of his parents; he finally had the freedom he had always craved and didn't fall to utilize it.
His handsome features meant he never stopped receiving attention from members of the opposite sex and even though he didn't show commitment to anyone, they never stopped coming. In his second year in the institution, he won the award for the Most Handsome Law Student and this brought him further into the spotlight.
However Kelechi was tired of being the center of attraction. He was tired of being on the receiving end of inviting smiles and sensual gestures, he wanted more difficult adventures, ladies who would play hard and that was what had drawn him to Pearl the moment their parts crossed. Pearl had rebuffed his attempts to begin a conversation on numerous occasions.
In one instance she had even vowed to trace him and do weird things to him if he didn't steer clear. But this only further fueled Kelechi's interest, he had found a worthy challenge and he didn't plan to lose, at least not yet. He kept hounding after her until she finally conceded defeat and gave him a chance. Since then he hadn't looked back and now they were as close as ever, all that was left was meeting her in person which he was going to complete soon.
In less than twenty-five minutes he was at the bus stop, finding shelter under the roof of an electronics store. The rain was still pouring and one part of him wanted it to continue that way as it would afford him the opportunity to sleep over at Pearl's home. He licked his lips at the thought of several possible scenarios, none involved him going back to campus that night.
He decided to call his host then to inform her of his arrival.
"Hello P. I'm at the bus stop now."
He shouted into the receiver as soon as she'd picked.
"Oh no! I had been trying your number to tell you not to bother coming since the weather was getting really unfriendly."
He impatiently grumbled something incoherent into the receiver as she paused briefly.
"I wouldn't want you being uncomfortable on our first date. Hold on though, I'll be there with an umbrella soon."
She concluded, ending the connection before he even had a chance to say anything. He shivered, aware that he might be battling a cold shortly. Soon enough though, he saw a figure smiling and waving at him from across the street. He was stunned at what he was seeing but recovered in time to close his parted lips and return the smile as he ran out to meet her.
