"The fastest way to get over an ex-girlfriend is to get a new one", Sam told Favour.
When Favour broke up with Cynthia, his girlfriend of two years, he was determined to not cross paths with her again. He contemplated various ways to get over her as soos as possible. He tried asking his friends who suggested getting a new girlfriend but he was too heartbroken to feign interest in a new girl.
Everything in Coal Town reminded him of her. The mall, the restaurants, the hills, the schools and even some roads had her shadow lurking. Theirs was an adventurous relationship and they went to almost every corner of the town and they had pictures together in almost all the spots of town.
Favour came to the conclusion that he needed to move out of Coal Town and start life afresh. At least that should give him space to clear his head. So when he came across the flyer of the road trip to Calabar, he was certain that it would be the right getaway for him. He didn't mind that it was being organised by a student body, he was willing to pay for the VIP ticket.
All he needed was to get away from Coal Town, if possible to somewhere where people are happy and having fun.
On the day of the trip, Favour showed up wearing the new jersey and jean trousers which he just bought. He had sold off some of his clothes and given out the rest because he didn't want anything that brought her memory with ease.
He planned to get more clothes in Calabar, that way he would greatly reduce the risk of remembering Cynthia.
The road trip was fun, he was able to vibe with some of the activities which the students, his travel companion brought up especially the "complete a song" game and the "pass it" game.
Although during the song game, they played Perfect by Ed Sheeran which tried to ruin his mood because of Cynthia, but he quickly kept his emotions in check.
"We have arrived" the student president announced when the got to Calabar, "the second bus arrived before us, our driver was too slow".
Favour did not know anything about a second bus, he thought there was only one but all the same, he didn't mind. Even if there were hundreds buses, he was 10 hours away from Cynthia, he would be fine, or so he thought.
"What are you doing here?" A familiar voice asked from behind, "are you stalking Cynthia?" It was Emelda, Cynthia's best friend.
"Of course not, don't tell me she is here please" Favour pleaded.
"She is here, she decided to take this trip to be as far away as possible from you but here you are".
Favour used to consider himself an unlucky man but he confirmed in that instant that he was not just unlucky but had strong forces to contend with.
"What kind of coincidence is this", Favour muttered.
"I still believe you stalked her", Emelda taunted him but he did not have her time.
"I will leave immediately before she comes searching for you and meets me. I need to be as far away from her as possible".
As he was trying to leave, he saw her, those dreamy brown eyes that never failed to captivate him, Potent as ever, threatening to drag him towards her.
"Look away, look away" he urged himself but it was too late.
"Favour? Why did you follow me here knowing full well that I was running from you" Cynthia said. "You know that I would never accept you back into my life".
Favour was dumbfounded, the last thing he wanted was to face this lady but here he was, 10 hours from home but yet standing face to face with her.
"Could she be his shadow that he cannot run away from?" Or "was he hallucinating?"
"I did not follow you, and I don't want you back" he finally heard his voice say. "I saw Emelda and decided to leave to avoid meeting you, I am not asking you to accept me back. Bye!"
Cynthia was too shocked to respond, she actually expected him to plead for her to accept him but she was disappointed. Something within her still wanted him but she just watched him disappear into the street.
