A Familiar Stranger

Shortly, I emerge from the kitchen with a steaming plate of jollof rice accompanied by a boiled egg.

The remaining in the pot will likely see me through the rest of the day.

I clear my devices from the table, set the plate down, and take a seat.

Next, I open a pack of bottled water, extract one, and place it beside my meal.

With my phone in hand, I'm ready to enjoy a movie while savoring my food.

Shortly, the movie begins - a Thai gay film, to be exact. Although I'm reluctant to admit it, I have a soft spot for gay series.

Currently, there's an ongoing BL (boys' love) series that releases new episodes every Friday.

However, due to school preparations, I missed last week's episode, so I'm catching up now with 'This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans.'

I watch the screen with rapt attention, completely absorbed in the screen, savoring each bite of my rice while laughing and commenting on the main character's witty humor.

The show has me fully engaged, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the entertainment. Before I know it, some minutes have passed, and I've finished both the episode and my meal.

I return the plates to the kitchen, wash them quickly, and head to bed with my phone.

Just as I'm about to dive into my novel, I'm startled by the sound of the door handle turning, followed by a loud banging on the door.

I frown, wondering who it could be?. Fortunately, I had bolted the door earlier for security reasons, a decision that now seems prudent. Muffled voices outside the door add to my curiosity and unease.

That tiny voice sounds surprisingly familiar, like Kelly's, and I catch a mention of 'my roommate' or something similar, suggesting she's with someone or on the phone.

But could it really be Kelly? I wonder, my interest sparked. Why would she be banging on the door when she knows I'm inside?

"Mandy, oooh, come and open the door!" she yells, confirming my suspicion.

"Coming!" I respond, leaving my phone behind with a smile.

I eagerly approach the door, unclick the bolt, and pull it open sharply.

However, my smile slowly fades as I come face-to-face with him. To get straight to the point, it's Kendrick - of all people! And his smile completely disappears upon seeing me.

What the hell is he doing here?!

I release the door handle, and my chest heaves slightly as I take in the sight of Kendrick after all these months.

He looks utterly transformed - or is it just the new hairstyle that's throwing me off? His hair is now styled in a sleek cornrow, pulled back tight, a stark contrast to his previous look.

But then, I notice his lips curving into a gentle smile, and those surprised eyes transform into ones that seem to be gazing at me endearingly.

I frown and glance at Kelly, who's looking back and forth between us, seemingly surprised by our intense stare.

She pauses, fixing me with a slight frown. "Do you guys know each other?" she asks.

I meet Kendrick's gaze, his eyes locking onto mine with a lost intensity, as if he's afraid to look away.

But I break the spell, taking a deep breath and shifting my focus to Kelly, whose eyes blaze with unspoken questions. "I don't think so," I reply firmly.

I don't bother glancing at Kendrick's reaction, keeping my gaze fixed on Kelly, who now wears a knowing smile.

"Well, I thought you were going to say he looked familiar," Kelly says, her words raising my eyebrows in confusion.

Did Kendrick mention me to her, or is something else at play?

I shake my head firmly, 'no.' But before I can ask Kelly what's behind her question, Kendrick steps in, his gaze still locked intensely on mine.

I frown, a mix of confusion, annoyance, and anger swirling inside me. Yet, despite my growing unease, I can't ignore the unsettling racing of my heart.

I take a step back, my skin crawling at his sudden invasion of my personal space.

But then, he bends down, his face inches from mine, and gently waves at me, his playful gesture turning my frown into a scowl.

"Hey Mandy," he says, his thick voice sending a shiver down my spine, leaving me feeling paralyzed.

For a moment, my scowl falters, and I'm caught off guard by the familiarity in his tone. But I quickly regain my composure, my eyes flashing with anger, glaring daggers at him.

Before I can react, he pulls me into a sudden hug, causing my heart to skip a beat.

But I quickly push him away, my hands flat on his chest, trying to create some distance.

Kelly's voice rises from behind, tinged with annoyance. "Hey, what's going on here?" she complains, stepping into view and positioning herself between us.

Her eyes dart back and forth, her gaze lingering on each of us with a hint of suspicion and concern.

Then she pauses, focusing on me. "I thought you said you didn't know each other," she says.

Before I can respond, Kendrick interrupts, "We do know each other."

I quickly intervene, "We don't know each other, but I think we saw each other during the post-UTME exam."

Kelly's eyes narrow, her gaze scrutinizing. "But why did you hug her, then?" She turns to Kendrick, her voice colored by a petulant pout, "Kendrick, baby, why did you hug her?"

Kendrick glances down at her, his expression softening, "It's been a while since we saw each other, I missed her."

His response leaves me stunned, my eyes widening in surprise. Miss me?

The words echo in my mind, but then, I notice his hand slipping possessively around Kelly's waist, and his eyes remain fixed on mine, burning with an intense, unspoken message.

Before I can even process it, they share a tender, intimate kiss right in front of me, his gaze still fixed on mine with a piercing intensity that makes my heart race.

I force a strained smile, watching as he kisses her with an unbroken stare that makes my skin prickle.

The sight ignites a fire within me, my fists clenching tightly as my chest feels like it's crushing under the weight of my emotions.

Unable to bear it anymore, I turn away, my eyes stinging, and walk towards my bed, releasing my fists as I go.

I climb onto my bed, seeking solace in the familiar words of my novel, and pick up my phone to resume reading, trying to escape the turmoil brewing inside me.

Who cares if they're together? I have Daniel in my life, don't I?

I attempt to escape into the pages of my novel, but my mind refuses to cooperate, constantly drifting back to the unsettling scene I witnessed earlier.

I swallow hard, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat, and give my jaw a brief, tense clench before forcing myself to refocus on the words.

Just as I'm finally becoming immersed in the story again, the sound of their lips parting echoes through the room, followed by Kelly's carefree giggles, shattering my concentration and pulling me back into the uncomfortable reality.

The door closes with a soft click, and they slip inside together, their happy murmurs muffled but still audible.

I force myself to continue scrolling through the novel, attempting to tune out their joyful conversation, despite the faint ache in my chest.

The urge to escape, to excuse myself and leave them to their affection, is tempting, but I've grown stronger, learned to navigate their romance without getting lost in my emotions.

I steel myself, hoping I won't get too rattled when they unwittingly push my buttons, determined to maintain my composure.

Kelly's sudden question pierces the air, shattering my concentration. "Hmm, something smells amazing, Mandy, did you cook?"

I lift my head, my eyes instinctively meeting Kendrick's gaze, who's sitting on the edge of her bed, his focus fixed intently on me.

For a fleeting moment, our eyes lock, before I force a bright smile and respond, "Uhm, yeah."

Kelly's enthusiasm erupts, "Oh, that's great!" She exclaims, clapping her hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling with delight, as she stands beside her bed.

"Can you serve us both, please?" she asks, and I frown, incredulous.

"What do you mean?" I ask, trying to clarify.

"Serve us," she says innocently, as if oblivious to the audacity of her request.

I'm taken aback - I didn't use even a pinch of salt from her foodstuffs to cook the rice. Every ingredient I used was mine. And now she wants me to serve the food I cooked for myself to her and her boyfriend?

I raise an eyebrow, silently questioning if she's serious.

"I knew you'd refuse, you're so stingy Mandy!" Kelly exclaims, her voice dripping with mock indignation.

I feel a surge of anger and defensiveness, my brows furrowing in a mix of confusion and annoyance. "I'm not stingy," I retort. "In fact, I'm willing to share my food with you and your boyfriend."

I dart a glance at Kendrick, who's watching me with an intense, piercing gaze and a knowing smirk.

I quickly look away, feeling a bit flustered and unsure of how to respond to his unnerving stare.

"Can't you just do us a favor?" Kelly asks, causing me to grit my teeth and return to my novel, refusing to engage in an argument.

Despite forcing myself to focus on the words, my ears catch every word they exchange, their conversation seeping into my consciousness like a persistent hum.

"I'm so sorry babe, are you hungry?"

"I'm not at all, don't worry too much."

"So sorry, don't mind Mandy, she can be a bit selfish and annoying."

Kelly's words sting, but I refuse to react, keeping my eyes fixed on the pages.

"I'll go get us something, just wait a bit, okay?"

That suggestion sounds like a terrible idea, making my heart race slightly.

But then, a plan forms in my mind. I'll leave the room first; I don't care if I don't know where I'm going - I'll do anything to avoid being alone with Kendrick.

I get off the bed, phone in hand, and walk towards the door without giving either of them a glance.

I ignore Kelly's questions about where I'm going, my focus solely on escaping the uncomfortable situation.

I grasp the door handle, pull it open, and step out into the hallway. As I do, I hear Kelly's chuckle, and I pause, wondering what's so amusing.

Is she laughing at me?

I push the thought aside and exhale slowly through my nose. The hallway stretches out before me, empty and silent, except for the distant hum of male and female voices engaged in conversation.

I head towards the entrance of the hallway where my mom and I had arrived with Chisom, and the memory makes me miss my family dearly. I'll call them when I find a comfortable spot.

As I emerge from the hallway into the entrance hall, I notice a girl meticulously braiding another girl's hair, their heads bent in quiet concentration.

I disregard their presence and make my way down the short flight of stairs, feeling a bit disoriented and uncertain about where to go next, my mind still reeling from the earlier encounter.

Ahead, I see a gate leading out of the lodge, but I hesitate, realizing it's not a good idea to leave since I'm unfamiliar with the area.

Moreover, I notice that the compound is eerily empty, devoid of any cars, with only a vast expanse of cemented ground stretching out before me.

I venture deeper into the compound, my head swiveling left and right as I take in my surroundings.

The sun is hidden, but the weather is pleasant and comfortable, with birds chirping in the distance.

The air is filled with the murmur of voices from the occupants, creating a gentle hum of activity.

My eyes land on a wooden bench tucked away by the far end of the wall, sheltered from the sun by the building's shadow.

I make my way over to it and sit down gently, grateful for the quiet refuge.

To my left, I notice a laundry area with a linen line that stretches down to a distant point.

This must be the side of the building, with rows of small square windows that likely include my room window - though I'm not sure which one it is, as I don't even know my room number. I'll check that when I return to my room.

I turn on my phone and dial my mom's number, eager to hear her voice. She answers almost immediately, and we have a heartwarming conversation about school and home. She mentions she's currently at Grandma's house but will be heading back home soon.

After catching up, I end the call, feeling a bit more comforted and connected to home.

Just then, I spot Kelly walking towards the gate, oblivious to my presence. I don't bother calling out to her, instead shifting my focus back to my phone.

The refreshing breeze provides a pleasant accompaniment as I read. However, my tranquility is soon disrupted by a pressing need - my bladder feels heavy, signaling that I need to pee.

But with Kendrick still in my room, I hesitate to return. I decide to wait for Kelly to come back.

But I don't think I can wait any longer. I wonder when Kelly will return.

My gaze constantly flicks between my phone and the gate as I squirm uncomfortably on the bench, growing more agitated by the minute.

Several minutes pass, and Kelly still hasn't arrived, while my urge to urinate has become almost unbearable. I'm at a loss for what to do next.

Kendrick is definitely in there!