Third Person POV: Crossing Paths

As the lecture droned on, Kendrick slumped in his seat, his head resting on the table.

His mind wandered back to Mandy and his behavior towards her the previous day.

The memory of his hurtful words lingered, and the weight of remorse was crushing him.

He couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that settled in the pit of his stomach. He longed to take back those painful comments, to erase the hurt he had caused.

Now, he was consumed by regret and self-reproach, feeling utterly miserable.

Kendrick felt an overwhelming urge to leave class and rush to Mandy's side.

He longed to apologize sincerely and reveal his genuine feelings to her. He wanted to explain why he had acted the way he did yesterday and make amends.

The lecturer's words became a distant hum as Kendrick's mind raced with the desire to tell Mandy that Kelly meant nothing to him - just a distraction.

His true feelings belonged to Mandy alone. He yearned to confess that his hurtful words yesterday were a test, a misguided attempt to gauge her feelings.

He had perceived her as someone who easily opened up to anyone, including Emmanuel, and he wanted to ensure that he wasn't just a fleeting infatuation.

Kendrick wanted to assure her that his words were a cruel mistake, and her response - that she didn't like him - was tearing him apart.

As Kendrick daydreamed, Mandy's captivating eyes and endearing innocence had danced in his mind. He was smitten by her genuine nature and couldn't help but smile when he thought of her.

His heart had ached with desire to be with Mandy, to have her all to himself. The thought of her staying in the same room as Kelly had filled him with joy, knowing she was nearby.

However, Mr. Charles, the lecturer, had noticed his distraction and paused his lecture.

Mr. Charles was familiar with Kendrick, having met him during his post-UTME visit, when Kendrick's aunt, the deputy Vice Chancellor, introduced them.

As a result, most lecturers knew Kendrick well, and Mr. Charles was no exception.

Noticing Kendrick resting his head on the table, Mr. Charles's expression had turned to a frown.

"Kendrick," he called out. But Kendrick was too lost in thought to respond, and the entire class turned to look at him, their interest sparked by the sudden interruption.

Whispers and murmurs began to circulate through the air as Mr. Charles called out again, this time with increased volume,

"Kendrick!" But Kendrick remained utterly oblivious, his head still downcast.

Richard, his friend and course mate, seated beside him, gently tapped his shoulder, rousing Kendrick from his reverie.

Kendrick slowly lifted his head, a faint frown on his face, and gazed at Richard with a mixture of confusion and annoyance.

Richard raised an inquiring eyebrow, silently questioning why Kendrick was so deeply absorbed in thought, but Kendrick dismissed the inquiry with a subtle headshake.

He sat up straight, attempting to compose himself, and refocus on the present moment.

However, Kendrick was met with an unsettling silence and the gaze of his classmates, all turned in his direction.

He felt confused as to why everyone was staring at him, and he almost asked "what?" but hesitated, sensing it wasn't the right moment.

Instead, he remained still, his eyes scanning the room until they met the lecturer's gaze.

"Is there something wrong, Kendrick?" Mr. Charles asked, deep concern in his eyes.

Kendrick casually folded his arms and shook his head, trying to downplay the situation.

"Okay then, let's continue," Mr. Charles said, seemingly accepting Kendrick's response, and resumed his lecture.

Soon enough, the lecture came to a close, and Kendrick swiftly began packing his belongings and checked his phone for the time. It was already 5 o'clock, and he was eager to head out.

He wanted to pick up Amanda and check in on her. However, Richard and Emmanuel noticed his haste and exchanged curious glances.

"What's up, bro? Why the rush?" Emmanuel asked, but Kendrick didn't look up from his packing, his focus intense, and replied briefly, "It's none of your business."

With his bag slung over his shoulder, he headed down the stairs, pocketing his phone as he went.

As Kendrick reached the exit door, Emmanuel called out, "Tell Kelly I said hi!" assuming Kendrick's haste was due to a desire to see Kelly.

However, Kendrick ignored the comment and walked out without responding.

Unbeknownst to Emmanuel, Kendrick's heart belonged to Amanda, and he was eager to see her and express his feelings.

Emmanuel wasn't offended by Kendrick's brush-off, familiar with his friend's quirks from their time together in the US.

He turned to Richard, who was engrossed in his phone, scrolling through a girl's Instagram profile.

"Yo, bro, are we still heading to that spot? I want to see someone," Emmanuel asked, but Richard was too captivated by the photos to respond.

Emmanuel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by what had captivated his friend's attention.

He snatched the phone from Richard's hand, and his eyes widened as he scrolled through.

"Omo she fine! See yansh!" [Wow, she's stunning! Look at that figure!] He exclaimed, clearly impressed.

"Hey, give it back, bro!" Richard yelled as he tried to wrestle the phone away from Emmanuel.

Emmanuel was relentless, holding the phone out of Richard's reach.

"Calm down guy, make I see!" [Relax bro, let me take a look!] he teased, chuckling.

Richard tried to grab it again, but Emmanuel dodged his grasp.

"Dude, seriously, give it back!" Richard pleaded, laughing.

Emmanuel just grinned mischievously and continued scrolling through the photos.

.....

As Kendrick approached his car, he pulled out his key and unlocked the door with a press of a button.

He opened the door, tossed his bag onto the back seat, and got in, closing the door firmly beside him.

Eager to see Amanda, he started the engine and began driving to her faculty building, hoping to catch her before she left.

"Where could she go?" he wondered to himself. "She's not familiar with the area, so she might still be there."

And most of all, he couldn't shake off the concern that she might get hurt again, a fear that drove him to hurry.

...

Kendrick pulled up to the faculty building, where a sea of students swirled around him, their chatter and laughter filling the air.

He killed the engine and stepped out, his eyes scouring the crowded scene for a glimpse of Amanda. But she was nowhere to be found.

Just as his hope began to flag, she appeared in the doorway, her expression a mix of confusion and disorientation, like a sailor stumbling onto dry land after a long voyage.

Amanda's eyes scanned the area in confusion, as she clutched her dangling bag strap.

The sight of her tugged at Kendrick's heartstrings, and he couldn't help but smile.

He slammed his car door shut and waited for her to approach, his eyes fixed on her as she slowly emerged from the entrance hall.

As she got out, she paused and her head began turning left and right as she tried to decide which direction to go.

As she pondered her next move, her mind wandered to the comforting embrace of home, where she could finally finish her notes and indulge in a rejuvenating massage and cold bath to soothe her aching body.

Yet, her heart yearned for something more - Kendrick's sudden appearance, just like earlier, to whisk her away home.

She longed to express her gratitude for his kindness and perhaps unravel the enigma of his behavior. But then, her gaze fell upon a familiar figure, and her heart skipped a beat.

Her eyes locked onto Kendrick, her expression a mix of surprise and wonder, as she marveled at the serendipity of his arrival, and the timely answer to her silent musings.

Mandy stood frozen, her mind racing with uncertainty as Kendrick approached her.

Ignoring him wasn't an option, so she watched warily as he drew near, his warm and friendly expression a stark contrast to his reserved demeanor earlier.

But then she frowned, perplexed by the shift in his behavior. He was a little bit reserved this morning, but now he's suddenly all friendly, and she can't figure out why.

As Kendrick reached her side, he couldn't help but feel flustered by her confused gaze, which seemed to bore into his very soul.

Mandy, however, appeared oblivious to the effect she had on him, her expression a mask of puzzlement.

"Uhm..." Mandy said hesitantly, her words trailing off as she struggled to find her next sentence.

"I'll take you back to your lodge," Kendrick intervened with a soft offer, his gentle smile a stark contrast to Mandy's deepening frown.

Mandy sensed a hint of relief and happiness emanating from him, but her confusion had only intensified. She couldn't grasp why Kendrick had suddenly been so kind and attentive.

But then, Kendrick's hand enveloped Mandy's, his gentle touch igniting a warm spark that coursed through her entire body.

He had intertwined his fingers with hers, and Mandy's heart had raced faster, her pulse pounding in her chest.

She had been torn between her lingering feelings for him and her attempt to move on.

His touch had reignited a familiar spark, making her wonder if she had truly been over him.

The thought had sent a flutter of uncertainty through Mandy, and she instinctively pulled her hand away, causing Kendrick's smile to falter slightly.

Kendrick felt a pang of offense, but he knew he had it coming.

"Let's go now," he said, his tone gentle.

Mandy felt like hesitating, but she knew she had no other option if she wanted to avoid another awkward encounter.

She nodded curtly, her frown still on her face, but Kendrick's expression transformed into a warm smile.

"Come on then," he said.

Mandy tore her gaze away from kendrick, then began strolling towards Kendrick's car, with him closely trailing behind her.

His gaze remained fixed on her as they walked, his eyes locked onto the back of her head.

As they reached the car, Mandy's hand closed around the door handle, poised to open it, but she hesitated.

Suddenly, the thought of sitting beside Kendrick in the front seat felt uncomfortable.

Yet, she didn't want to seem impolite, so she pulled open the door and slid inside.

As she settled into the seat, Kendrick was already seated, his hand resting on the steering wheel, waiting for her to get comfortable.

However, Mandy's gaze drifted away from him, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at something outside the car.

Kendrick's expression turned quizzical, his brow furrowing in concern.

"Mandy?" he called out, as he tried to follow her gaze and understand what had captured her attention, but couldn't see exactly what caught her eyes.

Mandy's gaze remained fixed, her eyes locked onto the familiar features she hadn't seen in months.

The same yellow skin, the same striking body - every detail was etched in her memory.

Mandy's lips parted in shock as she struggled to process what she was seeing. What was Faustina doing here?

The question raced through her mind as she stared at the lady who she once considered a friend.

Faustina, too, looked taken aback, her expression a mix of surprise and discomfort.

But before Mandy could react, Faustina turned and fled, leaving Mandy stunned and frozen in place.

Mandy's instincts screamed at her to give chase, to confront Faustina and demand answers. But she hesitated, the memory of their last encounter still fresh in her mind.

Mandy sat there, transfixed, as Faustina vanished into the distance.

But Kendrick's persistent calls broke the spell, and she turned to face him, her expression a mix of confusion and discomfort.

"What's wrong?" Kendrick asked, his brow still furrowed in concern, as his eyes searched hers for answers.

"Uhm, it's nothing," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She was unsure if she should reveal what she had just seen

Kendrick's gaze lingered on her, his expression skeptical. "Are you okay?" he pressed on.

Mandy nodded hastily, gulping the lump in her throat, and her eyes darted away from his.

Kendrick's face reflected his concern, his eyes narrowing slightly as he wondered what was really going on.

He felt a pang of hurt that Mandy wouldn't open up to him, but his primary worry was her sudden strange behavior.

Shaking off his doubts, Kendrick started the car, heading towards Mandy's lodge.

He hoped to spend time with her, to finally express his true feelings and clear the air between them.