Chapter 61: ~ SIXTY-ONE ~

“Must be serious for you to miss classes,” came Aaron’s voice as Obinna opened the front door.

The early evening sun spilled a warm golden hue across the hallway and into Obinna’s apartment. The shadows from the balcony rail stretched long across the tiled floor, dancing faintly as the cool breeze from the street below swirled lazily upward. Outside, the street buzzed faintly with the fading rush of students heading home—cars honking, laughter from a group of girls taking selfies, and the rhythmic beat of music playing faintly from a nearby shop.

Obinna stepped aside to let Aaron in, rubbing a hand over his neck.

“Good evening to you too,” he muttered dryly.

Aaron whistled low as he stepped into the living room. “Damn, did a heartbreak hit you overnight or what?”

“Glad you noticed,” Obinna fired back with a sarcastic smile, already heading into the kitchen. “Want something to drink?”

“Sure. Give me something cold before I die of concern for your sorry self.”

Obinna chuckled from the kitchen. He returned moments later with two glass bottles, tossing one over to Aaron who caught it with a lazy grin and flopped onto the couch.

Aaron took a long swig, then looked around the living room. “Nice place. Still too neat for a guy though. Almost like you’re trying too hard.”

“I’d offer you a mop if you’re dying to ruin it.”

“Tempting.”

They laughed before settling into easy silence, Aaron stretching his legs out while Obinna leaned against the arm of the couch.

“So,” Aaron began, “you didn’t miss much today. Just Dr. Moses talking for forty minutes about a topic that wasn’t even on the course outline. And then Jerry, that idiot, tried to argue with him—man legit said ‘but sir, ChatGPT said…’”

Obinna burst into laughter. “Wait, what?! He really said that?”

“Dead serious. Everyone was wheezing. Even the prof had to pause and look at him like he was an alien.”

“Jerry never disappoints.”

“Never,” Aaron said, smirking.

There was a beat before Obinna asked, “Any update with Mandy?”

Aaron shrugged, the humor in his eyes dimming just a little. “Still the same. Nothing new. But it’s okay, I guess.”

Obinna nodded thoughtfully, reading between the lines, but didn’t push.

Aaron shifted. “So... I saw the trio leaving class together earlier.” His tone was too casual to be innocent.

Obinna stilled.

Aaron smirked. “Kaima looked good, by the way. Not that you noticed or anything.”

Obinna rolled his eyes, but the smile tugged at his lips gave him away.

“Oh?” Aaron leaned forward. “Is that… a grin I see? Something happen, Obi?”

“No,” he said a little too quickly.

Aaron raised a brow.

“I’m serious.”

“Bro. You suck at lying.”

Obinna exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. “…Fine.”

Aaron straightened, sensing gold.

“There was… a kiss.”

A stunned silence.

Then Aaron exploded. “A WHAT?!”

“Keep your voice down,” Obinna hissed, but it was too late—Aaron was already halfway off the couch, eyes wide with glee.

“You kissed her?! You— Obinna, you—Wait, wait, did she kiss you first or—?”

“Does it matter?” Obinna groaned.

“Hell yes, it does!” Aaron threw a pillow at him. “Details, now!”

Obinna dragged a hand down his face. “I don’t even know how it happened. One minute we were watching people laugh, and then she looked at me and… man, it was intense. She kissed me first. I thought I imagined it.”

Aaron let out a low whistle. “That’s huge, Obi. I thought you said you were gonna stay away, focus on school, 'do the right thing'.”

“I know.” Obinna’s voice dropped to a quiet murmur. “But it just happened. And it felt... real. Too real.”

Aaron gave a dramatic sigh. “So, basically you’re in deeper shit than I thought.”

“Thanks. That helps.”

“You’re welcome.” He leaned back, sipping from his drink with a smug grin. “You need a distraction.”

Obinna raised a brow.

“A club night,” Aaron said with a grin. “It’s the start of a long weekend, and I’m guessing you need to cool off before you accidentally combust in public.”

Obinna snorted. “And this advice is coming from the guy who still texts his ex at midnight?”

Aaron placed a hand to his chest, mock-offended. “That was one time. And she posted a cute selfie!”

They both laughed.

After a while, Obinna leaned his head back against the couch, sighing. “A night out doesn’t sound too bad, honestly.”

Aaron grinned. “Good. Get ready. We’re going out tonight.”

Outside, the soft hues of twilight were folding into deeper shades of purple. The air still carried a gentle breeze, but Obinna knew… the storm inside him wasn’t over. Not even close.

But maybe, just for tonight, he could pretend.

\----

Aaron pulled into the curb with the ease of someone who had done this many times. The ride back had been quieter than usual—Obinna focused on the road, one hand on the wheel, the other drumming lightly on the console as soft music filled the car. The night had been just what they needed: drinks, loud music, dancing with strangers, and more importantly—distraction. They’d laughed more than they had in weeks, sat in the far corner of the club away from their usual crowd, and let the night bleed into early morning.

Obinna, ever the responsible one, had remained sober, nursing one drink all night and acting as Aaron’s designated driver. As they reached Aaron’s block, they exchanged drowsy fist bumps, both worn out but somehow lighter.

“Same time tomorrow for the project?” Obi asked as Aaron opened the door.

“Yeah,” Aaron nodded, stepping out. “And thanks, man.”

Obinna gave a tired smile. “Anytime.”

Aaron shut the door and turned to his building, watching the taillights of his friend’s car disappear down the road before dragging his legs toward the staircase. His body ached from the night—too much moving, too much whiskey, and not enough sleep. Still, he climbed steadily, up to the third floor where silence met him like a slap.

His steps faltered halfway down the hallway.

There—curled up right outside his door—was a familiar figure. At first, his mind stalled, trying to catch up with what his eyes were seeing. But then the details clicked in rapid succession: the small frame, the mop of curly hair tucked beneath her chin, the worn sneakers, and most unmistakably—the 'M' charm bracelet that glinted faintly under the corridor’s weak overhead light.

Mandy.

He stopped completely now. Whatever leftover smile he had on his face dissolved. A sharp breath escaped his lips as he looked up at the ceiling for some kind of cosmic explanation. When none came, he scrubbed his hand over his face and stepped closer.

She was asleep, her body curled into itself, face buried in her folded arms resting on her knees. Even in rest, her brows furrowed ever so slightly, like she had been thinking too much even in her dreams. The sight tugged something deep in his chest, something he didn’t know he had been holding onto.

He crouched beside her, eyes scanning her face in the dim light. Carefully, he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and for a moment, he just watched her breathe.

“Damn it, Mandy…” he whispered to no one, the words barely leaving his lips.

Sliding one arm under her legs and the other around her back, he lifted her gently. She stirred slightly, instinctively curling toward him but didn’t wake. Unlocking the door with one hand had never felt more impossible, but somehow he managed, and once inside, he carried her straight to his bed.

He laid her down softly, pulled off her shoes one by one, then unhooked her earrings with a delicacy he didn’t know he had. She murmured something in her sleep, but her eyes never fluttered open. He grabbed the blanket from the foot of the bed and tucked her in, brushing her forehead with the back of his hand before stepping away.

He returned to the door, picking up the small crossbody bag and hoodie she’d dropped, then moved into his bathroom. The buzz from the club had long since faded, replaced by a quiet that rang in his ears. As he shed his clothes and washed up, his thoughts raced. The last time they’d spoken… the last time she looked at him without flinching had been before the kiss. That stupid truth or dare kiss.

She hadn’t spoken to him since.

And now she was here.

By choice.

He moved around quietly, settling back into his living space as if tiptoeing around a fragile bubble he didn’t want to burst. Once everything was in order, he turned off the hallway light, leaving just the soft amber lamp by his TV on. Then, reluctantly, he walked back to the bedroom.

She was still there, small and peaceful beneath his sheets, her breathing even. He stood by the doorway for a beat too long, watching her.

What happened to you tonight?

Why come here now, after all this time?

Were you okay?

And if not—how do I fix it?

The thoughts rolled like waves.

Eventually, he moved to the couch and stretched out with a heavy sigh, pulling a throw blanket over himself. He didn’t want to risk waking her. He didn’t want to ruin the moment by asking questions she might not be ready to answer.

But the one thing that grounded him, the one thing that had him staring at the ceiling with a strange sense of calm, was that she came.

She came back to him—even if she didn’t say why.

And for now… that was enough.