TIDES OF LUST (Episode 28)

The next morning, Sandra woke up and was acting cold towards me. I tried asking her what the problem was, but she didn't respond to me.

When we left my lodge together, we didn't speak to each other until we got to school, and went to our various departments.

I had only two lectures on Monday, so I was heading home when Charlotte called me again. She had just arrived on campus and wanted to meet up, asking where I was.

I informed Charlotte that I was on my way home, but she asked me to wait for her outside her old hostel instead. I was curious about what could be so pressing that she needed to discuss it in person.

Approximately ten minutes passed before I spotted Charlotte stepping out of a taxi. I waved to catch her attention from beneath the shed where I was standing, and she walked over to join me.

“You sounded urgent earlier, what’s the emergency?”........I asked as she sat beside me.

“And you couldn't wait for me to settle down first? not even pleasantries?”.........she teased.

“Sorry about that, good evening and how are you?”........I asked.

“I am fine thank you”...... she replied.

After exchanging a few friendly greetings, I inquired about the sudden urgency to meet up with me, curious about what was on her mind.

“Can we find somewhere to relax and talk?”........she suddenly asked.

“I was headed home before you called, but since you are already here now, let’s go to the cafè”........I replied.

“Since you are already going home, why don’t we go to your place together?”........she suggested, and I caught a mischievous smile on her face, before it faded away.

I was taken aback when Charlotte proposed accompanying me to my lodge. 

Moreover, given Sandra's abrupt departure that morning, I was uncertain if she would return, making the situation even more awkward.

Despite my repeated attempts to reach Sandra, she ignored my calls. Ever since Charlotte's phone call the previous night, Sandra's demeanor towards me had become distant and frosty.

“See Charlotte, I think I would rather not take you to my house. Let’s just go to the cafè”..........I concluded, after deliberating in my mind.

“But why? don’t you want me to know where you stay?”........she asked, with a sad expression on her face.

“It’s not like I don’t want you to know my house. I just don't want to be too forward with you”.........I replied.

“Okay then. if you say so”........she shrugged.

We boarded a cab and made our way to Perk-up café, the same cozy spot where we shared our first date.

As Charlotte and I stepped out of the taxi outside the café, I was stunned to see Sandra emerging from the entrance. She froze in her tracks, her eyes locked on us, as we approached her.

I caught a glimpse of the shock and surprise on Sandra's face, but she swiftly masked it with a forced smile, attempting to conceal her true emotions.

When Charlotte and I walked to where Sandra stood, I wanted to walk pass her, and pretend I didn't see her, but she held my arm firmly, and further hugged and kissed me right in front of Charlotte.

After doing that act with me, she gave Charlotte a condescending glance, then she left without saying a word to me.

I expected her to ask me for the keys to my lodge, but she didn’t. This is the same Sandra that was being cold to me since morning and wasn't even taking my calls.

I know the hug and kiss Sandra did to me was to intimidate Charlotte and send a message to her. Let's say, she was trying to mark her territory in front of Charlotte.

Now seated comfortably inside the café, Charlotte finally spoke up, breaking the silence that had fallen between us since our unexpected encounter with Sandra.

“Who is that girl?”.........she confronted me, with an unpleasant look on her face.

“She is a friend of mine”.........I muttered nonchalantly.

“A friend you said? and she had to do all that to you? Did she have to hug and kiss you to show everybody that she is your very good friend? And didn’t she see that you are with someone?”.........she exasperated.

I glared at her, she was beginning to make me inpatient and feel irritated. Why does she think she has the right to question who I mingle with?

“What is your problem Charlotte? Is it the hug and kiss or the fact that she did it before you?”.........I blurted out angrily but she looked away from me, and was mute.

“You don’t have to be pissed over nothing”........I mumbled.

“So that action of hers out there means nothing to you right?”........she grumbled.

“Believe me it’s nothing serious, worse things are going on between us behind closed doors so don’t just get pissed over nothing. Truth be told, she is the reason why I didn’t want us to go to my house, I don’t have to spell what that means out to you”.........I said bluntly, without remorse.

“Even at that, does she have to show it to everybody or flaunt it to my face?”.........she said, with an indignant tone.

“Well, I apologize on her behalf, and to be honest she meant no harm”.........I said nonchalantly.

“You know what, I don’t think I'm in the best mood to discuss anything with you.....we would see some other time”.........she said coldly.

“Okay then, if you say so”........I shrugged.

Charlotte stood up and l watched her leave the cafè. After some minutes I requested for a bottle of yogurt and two meat pies from a waiter.

When I was done eating, I left the cafè, and strolled to my apartment.

Upon arriving home to find my room unlocked, I immediately suspected that Sandra had let herself in using the spare key I had given her, as she hadn't asked for my key when we met up earlier.

Upon entering my room, the sound of the shower caught my attention. After changing, I ventured into the kitchen, where a steaming plate of fried rice sat on the counter. With no signs of cooking, it seemed Sandra had ordered food instead.

As I stood in the kitchen, Sandra emerged from the bathroom, a look of surprise flashing across her face as she took in my presence.

“When did you come in?”.........she asked.

“Five minutes ago, I saw the door slightly open, you didn’t bolt it well”........I replied.

“Okay then, the food is for you”.........she said, pointing to the food in front of me, and she walked away.

“Have you eaten?”........I yelled from the kitchen.

“Yes”.........she yelled back from the room.

I devoured the fried rice in the kitchen, then headed back to the room, where I found Sandra fully dressed and poised to depart.

“You are leaving already?”.......I asked.

“Yes”......she replied glacially.

“What is wrong with you Sandra? What is the problem? You have been giving me some cold attitude since last night, why?”........I asked worriedly.

“Nothing, just haven’t been in the right mood”........she replied, avoiding my gaze.

“Come on, stop lying to me.......I know you too well Sandra, Why not tell me what the problem is let’s talk about it and get it over and done with?”.........I muttered.

“You are sure you really want to know what the problem is?”.......she asked.

“Yes, tell me”........I replied.

“What is it with you and that girl again?”........she confronted me, staring at me intently.

“You mean Charlotte?”.......I asked.

“Yes Charlotte or whatever her name is”.......she lashed out.

“Is it because of Charlotte that you’ve been acting cold towards me since yesterday?”.........I asked with incredulity.

“That doesn’t answer my question”........she snapped.

“Fine, there is nothing between us. It’s just like I told you yesterday. She wanted us to meet and talk about something”........I explained.

“All of a sudden she calls and wants to talk about something and you willingly obliged?

What is wrong with you? What is your problem? Aren't you over this girl yet? 

Can’t you for once say NO? You know what? I won't stop you from whoever you want to roll with, but if you are going to start rolling with that chick, then I’m off your lane”........she counterattack, her eyes misty with tears.

“What does that mean?”.......I asked, in a low tone.

“Just like it sounds”.........she riposted, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.

I stood up from the bed, and I walked up to her pulling her close to my chest, and trying my best to pacify her.

“Sandra come on, there is nothing between me and Charlotte. We couldn’t even talk about anything today. She got pissed when I told her about us. There is nothing between Charlotte and I, believe me”........I assured her, rubbing her back gently.

After a tender moment in each other's arms, where time seemed to stand still and the world around us melted away, she slowly pulled back from me, her eyes locking onto mine with a deep affection.

Then with a gentle smile, she leaned in and sealed everything with a passionate, lingering kiss that left me breathless and yearning for more.

As the evening drew to a close, Sandra expressed her desire to return home, and I obligingly escorted her to the junction.

When we got to the junction, I waited for her to get a cab, before leaving. A cab finally came, and she got in and waved me goodbye.

As we shared a gentle goodbye, the subtle yet unmistakable language of her eyes and the softness of her smile spoke volumes.

It was a moment of unspoken understanding, and I was left with little doubt that Sandra's feelings for me had blossomed into something more profound.

No prophetic insight or intuitive leap was required to discern the truth. Sandra was, without a doubt, deeply in love with me.

To Be Continued..........