Chapter Seven- Thorns of Roses

“ Cynthia, where have you been? I've been calling you since morning” I turned and saw my friend Rose walking down to where I was standing

“ I'm so sorry. My phone setting has been on silence. How are you?” I inquired smiling mischievously at Rose.

“ I'm good. I just want to have a chat with you. Rose answered. This time she looked a little worried.

“ I've been noticing some changes in Prince’s behavior. I became more disturbed when I overheard him talking with someone on phone” Rose was struggling to explain her fears to me but her statement reminded me of my misunderstanding with Devis.

“ Rose for goodness sake. Don't jump to conclusions that he is having an affair with someone. The person he was talking with could be a family member” I advised looking into her eyes.

“ After my experience with Devis, I promised myself that I will always be very ft before jumping to a conclusion on any issue. My dear friend let's still observe him.” Mary looked as if she was lost in her thoughts. I had to tap her.

“ Mary, take it easy. You weren't even listening to me. Trust is very important in every relationship. If you don't trust him, please don't stay with him” At this point, she looked up and I saw tears in her eyes. She wanted to talk but she couldn't. When she finally found did, her voice was shaking.

“ Cynthia, I appreciate your concern but I'm really worried. If it was only the call I wouldn't have been worried. I read a passionate message he sent to Sophia.”

She said and cleaned her eyes with a handkerchief. She couldn't control the tears anymore. I held her as she cried on my shoulders. “ I know things like this happen but we've gone too far to be experiencing this. Where on earth have I gone wrong” She started subbing.

“ Hey, Rose enough of all these. I will not be here and watch you hurt yourself over nothing. Have you let him know you suspect him?” I asked Mary concerned. Mary loved Price a lot. Any heartbreak would shatter her dreams and ambitions. She looked at me cleared her throat and said “No! I don't even know how to. I want to be sure he is not cheating on me” She answered looking so helpless.

“Let's walk down and get some drink. We need to find out what's going on. As we were about to enter the restaurant, we sited Prince walking in with a girl. The face looked familiar. “ Cynthia, did you see that? Rose whispered. “ Relax Rose. That face looks familiar. As I walked closer, I realize that the girl was the same Sophia I saw in Tracy’s room.

She was so engrossed in her discussion with Prince that she didn't notice our presence.” Cynthia, now I know the reasons for his sudden change” Rose said looking into my eyes for confirmation.

“I don't see anything wrong in two of them entering the restaurant. They may just be having an innocent conversation. Let's still be patient for now and observe their movement”

Rose wasn't convinced that nothing was going on between the two of them” Cynthia I think we need to leave here now. I’ll pretend I didn't see him with anyone. I'll call him later in the evening” Rose looked worried. I couldn't be of much help to her at that moment but I made up my mind to monitor their movements. Probably, I would find out something before jumping to conclusions

We left and went back to our dormitory. Later in the evening, I was about to have my bath when Mrs. Tom called” Hello

Cynthia, How are you?” She sounded kinda weak and worried. “ Hello, mum. I'm very well ma. How are you? Your voice sounds weak. I hope you're fine”

Mrs.Tom didn’t give me a convincing answer. “ I'm very well dear. I just woke up from sleep and decided to call. I've been calling Tracy’s number but it seems that it’s not connecting. Please create time and reach her for me tomorrow. I have an important message for her. She tried to make her voice stronger.

“ I'll go there first thing in the morning”

She was happy to hear that and thanked me. She never ceased to amaze me with her kindness. I rushed to the bathroom, had my bath, and went straight to bed to sleep. As I lay on the mattress, I started begging sleep to envelop me.

The sweet memories of the time I spent with Devis kept tormenting me. I remembered his warm embrace that made me feel like crying for joy. His gentle touch made me long for nothing but to be with him. He always looked passionately into my eyes which made me see nothing but love in his own eyes. How could this sweet love die due to his lack of trust?” Devis don't you love me enough to at least give me chance to explain?” I thought you said life would be meaningless without me. But you moved on so easily” I kept crying and asking him questions as if he were with me.

The following day, I went to see Tracy. I tried calling her but it wasn't connecting. I decided to go and see her. When I got to her room, I knocked surprisingly it was Sophia that opened the door.

“ Yes, what do you want this time? She is still sleeping. Next time, before you leave your house, call her and tell her you're are coming” Sophia uttered those words with so much hatred that I started wondering what I did to her. “ I didn't come here to exchange words with you. If you don't mind I want to go in and see my sister it's very urgent” My statement fell on deaf ears. She looked at me, hissed, and closed the door. I didn't know what to do. I left and started calling Tracy but her line wasn't going through. I wanted to call Mrs. Tracy but I didn't know what to tell her that will make sense to her.

I went for my lectures in frustration. When the first lecturer began to teach I was lost in my thoughts that l didn't know when I was asked to answer a question. I felt so embarrassed.

My coursemates worsened my miserable condition when I couldn't answer what was supposed to be a simple question. I just sat down and prayed for the lecture to end shortly.

When I got to my room so many thoughts started flashing through my mind. I wondered why Sophia didn't allow me to enter inside to see Tracy. Nothing reasonable came to my mind.

I remembered blocking the door so I wouldn't be able to see who was inside.

My instinct told me that there was more to her hostility. I dressed up and decided to go back to Tracy,’s room since her line wasn't still going through.

When I got to the door, a familiar voice made me want to retrace my steps but I summoned courage and knocked on the door. This time it was Tracy that opened the door.”Hi Cynthia, You came again today without calling. Anyways come inside” She was wearing a blue bum that revealed her sexy full hips. “ I'm sorry Tracy, I've called so many times and couldn't get through to you” I was patiently waiting for Tracy to ask me to come in and she finally did. I wish she didn't “Please come in Cynthia”

When I walked in, I couldn't believe what I saw. On Tracy’s bed was Devis watching a movie. When he saw me, he showed no sign of surprise, and I just said “Hi” and he responded and said “ Hi”. At that point, I didn't know if I should say why I came standing and leave or sit and pretend I was fine.

“ Cynthia make yourself comfortable. What Should I offer you?” She asked without any sign of remorse knowing that Devis was my boyfriend.

“Don’t bother Tracy. I don't want anything. I'm fine. Your mum called and said she called you and it wasn't connecting. She sent me to tell you to call her. I tried calling and had the same experience “Tracy listened to me with divided attention. She was trying so had to make sure that Davis wouldn't look in my direction.

“ Oh really! Sophia mistakenly threw my phone into the water. I'm trying to replace the phone. Now that you are here, let me talk to her with your phone”

I handed her my phone and she started talking with Mrs. Tom. She was so engrossed in their discussion that she forgot her “ adorable doll” and moved to the kitchen.

I thought that would give Davis a chance to at least take a proper glance at me but no. As long as he was concerned I was just some girl who came to see Tracy. Life can be cruel sometimes. I thought he cared about me. I thought he felt something for me. I thought life would mean nothing to me without me. Was I being fooled by him? All these questions and more occupied my mind while I patiently waited for Tracy to return. When she finally did, I told her I had to leave for an appointment. She thanked me and handed the phone to me and I excused myself.

After that incident, I vowed not to fall in love with anyone again. I was so heartbroken. How could my Davis leave me like that without any strong justification? He didn't just leave me for someone else but for someone close to me. Love indeed became meaningless to me.

Tracy looked so happy to have conquered. I remembered her threat the last time we quarreled about Devis, she said if she couldn't have him no one could. I made up my mind to mind my studies and nothing more. If Devis could dump me like that then falling in love was, to me, a risky game.

I remembered my sister Becky and started crying. “Life you are so unfair to me. The only sister I have that is alive is nowhere to be found. The love I thought I had found was a mirage. What a wicked world.” I found myself soliloquizing. When I realized that people were looking at me, I wiped my tears and moved on.

“ Hi, pretty lady! I was wondering what a pretty lady like you was doing out here all alone talking to herself.” I turned and saw a young man about four years older than me staring at me. He looked handsome. I think I'm done with handsome guys. They are nothing but heartbreakers

“ Hi! It's nobody’s business how I talk. I can decide to talk to a tree, a car, or myself. If you don't mind I have some important things to do. Excuse me”

I left him looking flabbergasted and surprised at my rude behavior. I was too bitter to pity him. I felt he met the wrong person.”Well, life doesn't always give us what we want” I didn't give them the chance he was looking for to chat with me. I thought I had won but I was wrong. He raced like a wounded lion and stood in front of me. “ I hope you are ready for this fight with me because I'm not giving up,” He said this with so much confidence that I saw myself trembling.” My name is Frederick. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to give me yours I’ll wait” He finished his statement and left.

When I met Davis I thought had met a soul mate who would help me pull through a life of loneliness, emptiness, pains, and sorrow. Davis turned the love he showed me into betrayal and hatred. I’d rather leave a lonely life than give my heart to another “lover boy” that will break it into pieces. “That reminds me. I need to call Rose to see what’s up with her and Prince.