★★★

WAKE ME UP

***

I looked at the face of the fool who made me run. Kelechi Nmereole. He had a smirk on his ugly face as he saw how stressed and worried I was.

"Aww, so you came back for—" he couldn't finish his sentence as I smacked him right there on his head.

"Ow! What was that for? That's not a way to treat an accident victim."

I didn't even know what to say. I was just generally happy and I didn't know what to do, so I settled it with a hug.

"Ow, ow, ow! Munachi my hands are still injured, you know?"

"I don't care."

"I never took you for a dishonest person." I released my arms to look at him.

"You know I never waste my words. Lies are told by the likes of you. Trouble makers like you. I'm just wondering how you got into this accident, so would you be honest enough to tell me?" I put on an innocent smile, knowing he hadn't actually told anyone.

"Muna—"

"I'm not them, Kay. I won't take no or any lies for an answer. What the hell happened? I had to- I—had to leave everything for you! To make sure you'd wake up and you're going to lie?" I could see the hurt in his expression after I said that, but I was angry too.

"Catherine broke up."

"What?" I didn't understand.

"Catherine, David's sister, broke up with me." I looked at him confused. I always thought he and Princess had something going.

"What?" I repeated, "I didn't know you were still dating her. Why? What does the breakup have to do with this?"

"I got drunk," he said, ashamed. "I don't know how, okay? I was angry when I saw her kissing someone else at the party we went to and she broke up there. I know it's stupid, you don't need to tell me that, but I liked her Muna, hell, I loved her."

"And you never told me? You just decided to keep all these things to yourself?"

"You had your own problem. I couldn't disturb you with mine when I was supposed to help you."

"We're friends, you fool! That's how it's supposed to be! What of Princess, huh? I thought you liked her. I thought you were dating her, even!"

"I—I— don't know. I do, but no, we're not dating. Muna, please don't tell anyone else about the reason I was drunk."

"I won't. For now though." I looked at his worried face and smiled. I'd missed his stupid expressions.

"I'm sorry for making you come back. What of Richard and Gabriel? Did you leave your friends? Your scholarship? Munachi, are you mad?"

I laughed, "Yeah, I am."

"It's not a laughing matter, you know. You—"

"Munachi, it's time. He still needs rest," the doctor, who entered, told me.

"Sure." I pecked K.C on his cheek and told him to heal fast.

"If only I had those super powers, Muna. If only." And I laughed as I left the room, relieved.

We all were finally smiling and chatting heartily after I came out. I couldn't tell them the real reason, so I had to say he was drunk-driving. Obia and Chidinma followed me out as night was drawing close. I didn't leave with them though. I needed to do something important.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"I'm really sorry for this five months that—"

"It's okay, Mona."

"No, no it's not! You know it's not, Richard. I've been the worst girlfriend in the planet. I'm just so sorry that I shut you off. I—" I began to sob, missing his warm comforting arms around me. "God, Rich," I sniffed. "I miss you. I miss you so much."

"Mona," he drawled, sounding utterly worried, "I miss you more. I know what happened okay? It's really fine. I—"

"You don't have to put on that bad boy-big boy act with me, Rich. I knew from our calls. You know you can't hide it from me."

"Noting gets past you." There was a little silence between the two of us. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

I smiled, though I knew he couldn't see it. "KC's awake now."

"What? Really? Finally!" I laughed at his reaction. "You're coming back soon, right?"

"Huh?"

"You're coming back here now he's awake, right?" I could hear how hopeful he was. I didn't even know if I could. I'd have to contact the university to ask if my scholarship was still valid after five months of not showing up to class.

"I hope so, Rich. I'd try to." Immediately, he heaved a sigh of relief.

"I can't wait to see you."

"Richard..."

"I love you." I hesitated. I wasn't even sure if I was going back and I didn't want to give him false hope. Still, it itched me to reply, to confess too.

"You don't have to say it now, Mona. I get—"

"I'm sorry."

"Sure, baby. These things take time," he said, faking a laugh.

"I'll call you back later? I mean —" things were getting awkward all of a sudden.

"Yeah. Sure, anytime."

"Bye."

"Bye, Muna."

That night I contracted the university about my scholarship program and to my surprise, it was still intact. Thank God! I went to their website to check the classes I had missed and started covering up for them. Finally, I might go back.

After finishing more tests and exam questions, I decided to call Richard to tell him I'd be coming soon. He was excited.

The next day, I visited Kelechi in the hospital again with food from Kilimanjaro.

"God! Their Chinese rice is the best! See this big chicken!" He took the chicken in his hand and took a huge bite from it.

"See how you're eating like a village boy," I said.

"Dhurr, I'm a village boy."

"Village boy in Lagos. That'd make a nice movie," I laughed.

"Any movie with me in it will obviously be nice," he gloated.

"Not when you're injured all over, mumu."

"Injury is the new hotness," he winked. I smacked him on his head after that statement. Such a fool he was.

"By the wayyyy,' I drawled, as he looked at me suspiciously, " I'd be traveling back tomorrow. I called the university and they told me my scholarship hadn't been withdrawn yet, but I had to meet up with classes before the end of the season unless, I'm on my own. I didn't look at him after saying all that. I felt bad leaving Nigeria already.

"Finally! Why are you looking guilty? What crime did you commit?" He asked, oblivious to my thoughts.

"You're not angry that I'm leaving??"

"What for? I won't know why you came back in the first —" I cut him off with a smack on his head.

"What do you keep doing that for?! It's fucking painful!" I smacked him again.

"Language."

"Seriously?" I threatened to smack him again when he clutched his head and begged for forgiveness. Good.

"Kc, take care of yourself." He looked at me now, sad.

"Of course. Don't forget to call me often."

"You too." I hugged him one last time and rushed out of the hospital so that goodbye wouldn't be any harder.

I went home that day to see my parents. Though I'd seen them many times months ago. My younger brother especially.

"I'd be going back again. I'm going to miss you, Emeka!" I hugged him.

"Me too," he hugged back.

I waved goodbye to my parents and left for my hostel. My bags were still there and my flight wasn't going to wait for me.

Hurriedly, I packed as many things as I could, knowing I didn't even come back with much. I dragged my bags down the stairs, into the main road and took a cab. Before I knew it, all boarding and tickets were arranged and I was on the plane back to New York. It felt like ages.

I called Richard to talk him I was already on my way and he offered to pick me up. Gosh! I know I'd be flustered to see him again! He must've grown taller. His stubble must've appeared finally. His hair? His face? What if he was fatter? I laughed at that thought. And before I knew it, I'd been dragged down to the land filled with the good things of this world.

Dream land........

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I know, I know! And I'm very sorry!! I've not updated in ages!!!

But grab your pants dear readers, our rollercoaster ride is just about to end, unfortunately.

And thanks for all the support.

Muna loves y'all💕