PART TWO
~2.
FRED
For a second, I totally forgot today was my birthday.
I leaned across the narrow space of our room, shook my shoulder gently, and whispered to myself; "Happy birthday, Fred."
My eyes fluttered open, groggy but soft, and for a brief moment, I was a child again, smiling without defense, surprised that even Tolu remembered.
He told me to enjoy my day, to go out, laugh, find my people, taste the freedom that birthdays promise.
I chuckled, scratching my head, murmured something about being too busy, about maybe later, and I didn't press.
But when he left, I knew the truth I would never confess. I had no circle waiting outside, no friends planning surprises, no one to drag me to the canteen or the lagoon front. My life was an island, and though I laughed often, my laughter sometimes carried an echo only loneliness made.
That was why I cared so deeply. Not just because of exams or missed lectures, but because beneath my careless grin was me who carried silence like a second skin.
And so, after he stepped out, I sat in the stillness of our room, praying quietly that the world would be kinder to me today, that love, whether through me or some stranger's kindness would find me before the sun set on my birthday.
Because sometimes, being a friend means celebrating even when no one else shows up. Sometimes, it means being the only voice that says; "You matter. You're not alone. Not while I'm here."
As I was thinking my brain out, suddenly, I glanced at the curtain and remembered what I saw last night. Instantly, I hurried up and drew the curtains open. Then looked straight out, over to the next building to see if I would see the shadow I saw burning candles last night. Lo and behold I saw an ebony skinned damsel resting her hands on her window frame looking outside from her window with a lovely smile on her face as it dazzled my heart.
"No way! My birthday wish just came true." I muttered beaming with smiles.
I couldn't resist such beauty and I was so lost in her world. It felt like a voice whispered to her that I was staring and she glanced over at me instantly like she knew I had been there all along watching. I couldn't think of any thing else than a wave and immediately disappeared into the curtains. I couldn't catch my breath and I ran to my bed and collapsed on it reminiscing over her beauty like a lost fool. Do you know how lost fools fall in love? If you don't know then I don't too but I had this strong feeling that I would soon be lost in love. I smiled and got off the bed to check if she was still there but she was already gone. I hissed sadly frowning like a child whose sibling snatched his snacks away from him.
TRACY
"What creature did I just see"? I asked myself gasping out breathlessly...
"Is he human? No I doubt because no human is as beautiful as he is". I thought for a while and gazed out from my window afar to see if he was still there but no.
"How come I've never seen him before? Is he a new student? Obviously, he's a new student."
I muttered, perambulating senselessly in my room as I sucked the hell out of my littlest finger.
"Well, I will see him again, maybe this time—get to talk to him."
I was deep in thought when my phone buzzed, snapping me back to reality. I reached for it and checked the notification.
It was Sonia.
"Hey baby, it's Saturday and I know you'll be free today. Why don't you come over to my place? Let me treat you like a princess, then take you out later. Please don't keep me waiting. I love you."
I chuckled softly after reading the message and shook my head.
This girl really thinks I'm her boyfriend. Can you imagine? I've told her countless times to find a man who actually enjoys dates, shopping sprees, and vacations. Yet she keeps clinging to me like I'm her personal project. Don't get me wrong—I genuinely love Sonia and her vibrant personality. But sometimes… she really does too much. Then again, I suppose that's just who she is—an unapologetic extrovert paired with someone like me, her complete opposite.
I've been in Lagos for three years now, studying Business Administration at the University of Lagos. And believe me when I say this: aside from Sonia's place and the school campus, Lagos might as well be a mystery to me.
Being an introvert has shaped my life more than I care to admit. Most days, I stay locked in my room from morning till night, perfectly content in my own company. Making friends has never come easy. Social interactions and crowded gatherings drain me, and I usually avoid them. Still, every now and then, when the loneliness creeps in quietly, I feel this small tug in my chest urging me to at least try.
Truth is, there are moments when I want more. I want to hang out, go swimming, shop without rushing home, and have deep, meaningful conversations about life, academics, business—everything. I crave it sometimes. But the big question always stops me in my tracks: Where do I even begin without second-guessing myself back into my room?
I come from a very disciplined family—one where accountability isn't optional and every action carries weight. That upbringing molded me into who I am today and shaped how I view the world. Financially, my siblings and I have never lacked anything. We were born into comfort, and even now, anything we reasonably want is within reach. The only thing we were never freely given… was freedom itself. Left to my own devices, I could stay indoors for days without stepping outside—if not for lectures pulling me out.
Then one day, boredom hit me harder than usual.
I couldn't sit still.
On impulse, I dressed up—yes, sexily—and took myself out. That single decision changed everything. That was the day I met Sonia at the beach in Lekki… the day she somehow fell in love with every complicated piece of me.
Honestly, I've never met anyone who has shown me the kind of genuine care, love, respect, and kindness that Sonia gives so effortlessly.
She's practically my other half. Somehow, life—or maybe nature itself—pulled us into each other's orbit, and part of me knows I'm not letting her go anytime soon. Because really… what more could I ask for?
For someone who hates going out, Sonia has become the one person who can successfully drag me out of my comfort zone. And strangely… I don't hate it. In fact, I'm starting to like it.
Something inside me keeps whispering that there's a whole life waiting beyond the four walls of my room and the lecture halls of the university—a life I haven't fully embraced yet.
And honestly?
I want to see it.
I want to feel it.
I want to live it.
Yeah… happiness is free. And that's the most priceless gift I've always wanted to give myself.
Reluctantly, I picked up my phone and stared at Sonia's message one more time.
This time, though, I felt something different.
A quiet spark.
A new strength.
Maybe… just maybe… I was finally ready to begin my adventure.