The Chase

They say manners maketh man and I have got manners which could make up four men, but none from the female counter part notices me, others have told me that the muscles makes one to be defined as a man, well I have them but still I have not yet captured that mystical creature called love hidden in the depths of the feminine heart. Each day ends in circles of admiration without any reciprocation from the complimented, "well maybe it is because my words are too shallow to pierce their hearts" is a suggestion I place to my endless thoughts in admission of defeat as I scatter my eyes all over in search of weak prey within my chasing range which I never find.

My name is Samuel but my friends call me Sammy which is a name I like much than my actual as it makes me feel younger, I am a High School English teacher which is a job I proudly do as it is rare in my country to get a job you trained for shortly after graduating as I did, but as you know right after graduation above getting a job parents will be expecting to hear you informing them about engagement or seeing someone you just promise to marry, and unfortunately on my side it has been so dull I know it's really a disgrace for a grown man like me to say that, but that's just the truth, I am totally single but at least Iam searching which means there is still hope for me to find someone who will appreciate me for who I am, don't judge me saying I have not yet tried I have even more you could have but what I have gotten are wounds on my heart as it got scratched with arrows of betrayal hence I am on this road of endless chase for love which has proven to be a chase of wind.

Here is my story ever since I chose to follow the uncertain path of love full of twists and turns which blinds you from the next notion from your partner. I met a wonderful girl in my first year on campus when I had just turned twenty one without having any involvement with regards to relationships as I had made it a life time resolution that I would keep my words for one woman I would consider worthy of them and the same I would marry, cuddled in such an ambition I met one fine girl who made me betray myself from my vows, please before I tell you do not judge me to have been lustful or a fool because who knows what you could have done if you were in my shoes, I can just imagine. It all happened so quickly than I could tell, there we were on the notice board at the end of semester looking at who had been the best student of our class, and shockingly I was on top with a distinction in a phycology module which had been barely passed by my class, it got me cheers from my friends who knew I deserved it due to the extra effort I placed on it more than anyone, as I rushed back to my hostel to collect my belongings and head home as others were doing, I heard a female voice calling me from behind with urgency, in that moment I turned to see who it was, behold it was Nicole an adorable short young lady in our class, with brownish eyes which matched with her light skin, which perfectly blended with her ginger braids which she renewed constantly, her beauty always got me on pause each time she stepped in class as it did to all other boys, but I always hid my interests for her in loyalty to my vows. My heart began to beat fast as I wondered what she was about to say to me, as we had never spoken before.

Nicole: " Hie Sammy, sorry to bother you, I know you have a lot to do but would you mind sparing me a minute of your precious time" she said quickly blinking those browish eyes of hers in desperation, a request I could not resist from a lady as all men do.

Me: "No it is not a problem Nicole, I am still on schedule" I said this out of the blue forgetting that I had a taxi to catch up with within thirty minutes time, by the way it was going to take me about fifteen minutes to gather my belongings and another fifteen to reach the campus gate where the taxi would not wait for more than a minute, but something forced me to wait and I got curious in each tick of time.

Nicole: "First all I want to congratulate you for passing your exams, then secondly I want to ask for a favor from you I know it is awkward and unethical for a lady to say this to a man, but will you be my friend" she said this whilst winding her hair as he looked straight into my eyes in search of an answer, and honestly speaking I fell weak to her words.

Me: "Thank you Nicole, and about being your friend I will be glad to be considered as one, do not feel bad I understand you" I said this cheerfully as the fear I had for her in the first place as I did with other ladies gradually disappeared, it is not that I feared ladies out of not knowing what to say to them as you would assume no, but it was just I had much respect for them.

Nicole: "Ooooh thank you so much, this means a lot to me, I desire to have a friend like you that I may be motivated to read more, so can I have your number so that we can talk over the vacation when you are free" she said this with excitement as she took out her phone, and I gave her the number, it was such an unusual thing but that is what really happened.

We parted ways and I went to my hostel thinking about what I had gotten myself into, but at the same time feeling important, I packed all my things quickly and rushed to the gate to board a taxi which I met on its arrival, the taxi driver Jimmy assisted me with packing my stuff which did not take long, then we left for my home. Along the road I thought about an amazing moment I had just had with Nicole and in each thought of her my face broadened with a smile which ended up being visible to the notice of Jimmy who had been silent for miles while listening to modern Jazz music which he always played when he would be having dull days. He looked curiously at me by the mirror as I sat in the back. I kept on smiling, I did not know that was love for her, I just thought that's how it felt to have a lady for a friend, suddenly Jimmy interrupted my joyful mood:

Jimmy: " I guess that's smile of someone who had a perfect semester and good grades at school" said Jimmy as he focused on the road which was conjested with traffic.

Me: "Yes I had just the perfect semester and good grades too, how has been your business" I answered him in distanced thoughts as I still had a part in me that thought about her, at the same time trying to shift the conversation to hide what I had in mind.

Jimmy: "Ooooh that's wonderful, well my business has just been perfect have bought two more taxi cabs which are on the road as we are speaking now" replied Jimmy proudly as he drove smoothly to the other end of town where I resided.

Finally I got home, I saw my six year little sister Carol who happens to be the last born in a family of two looking through the window as the tires of Jimmy's car squeaked as he applied brakes, few seconds after closing it I saw the door being bursted open, it was my mother who was rushing down the steps in cheers with arms opened to hug me as she always did, that part made me feel embarrassed especially when I was in front of people and she always did it, even now. Jimmy looked aside almost laughing as she smuggled me like a toddler whilst my little sister Carol clung to my feet tightly making me feel like a prisoner, but I endured it as I knew it was out of care, above all I knew it was going to end soon, and it surely ended with mother heading to the boot to start offloading my belongings, after we were done I gave Jimmy his money and he went his way gratefully as we remained standing outside waving at him as he disappeared. We went inside the house holding all things I had come with as my mother asked me how my first semester on campus had been, whilst my sister did all she could to interrupt as she told me about the good moments they had been having with father in my absence which included outings.

Finally we got into the house and it was like I had left home yesterday, same setting neatly arranged with all our pictures on the walls, I headed to my room as they followed behind with my things, as I reached the room, they left the things on the door to give me some time to see my room as they went to the kitchen to get me something to eat, I untied my boots and dived to my bed which I had missed a lot, I began to look around from there, it was all neat as someone had been cleaning it daily. In that moment of trying to regain my composure I saw Carol stepping inside without a knock which did not bother me at all as I knew her to be a girl who loved to surprise people:

Carol: " Mother sent me to tell you that your food is ready" she said this with a broad smile then she rushed out.

Me: "I am coming Carol !" I responded to her as loud as she could hear as I knew that not being heard was considered to be a no.

I went to the kitchen where I found my mother sitting on the table with warmed pasta meal she had cooked before my arrival as she knew it to be my favorite, I sat down to eat as they all starred at me happily.

Me: "How is father doing mother, I tried his phone since Monday till today it has not been going through" I asked mother curiosly at the same time trying to break the silence which had emerged between us.

Mother: "Oooh your father is doing great as usual, he went to the next town for a four day business seminar, hopefully he will come back tomorrow morning, we miss him a lot, but he has been calling at 12 midnight when he will be free from day one" replied mother calmly as she fixed her eyes on me as if she wanted to know I rated the food.

Me: "This food is just perfect mother, your hands never aged it tastes as good as yesterday" I said this as I finished what had remained, she was really happy to hear those words.

Mother: "Thank you son, glad you like it" she replied instantly proving that she had surely been waiting for my comment as I had judged.

I stood up and washed the plate I had been using as my mother had taught me, as I stood by the sink I finally announced the news about being the top student in my class which I intended to tell in the presence of my father, but I failed to keep it, this really got my mother to her feet, she was really happy to a point that she wished if father was around to hear the news as well. After washing dishes we went to the couch where we watched animal documentaries whilst speaking about various issues, and beyond our notice the sun had slipped away, mother stood up to prepare dinner and I remained sitting down on the couch watching television whilst Carol sat on the rug coloring her book as she always loved to do as she waited for dinner.

After waiting for what appeared to be ages, finally mother called us to the dinning room where we rushed to curiously, we found plates of Lazania placed in front of our chairs and we sat down to eat what our mother had graciously prepared, but my heart still thought of Nicole, and in the middle of eating I checked my phone to see if any message had been delivered from her. This really turned off my mother's mood in a second.

Mother: "Samuel what did we say about eating whilst using your phone" she said this in a disturbed tone which had turned from the jovial one I had gotten from her since my arrival which made me to place my phone back into the pocket without any defense.

Me: "I am sorry mother it will not happen again" I said this to her remorsefully, then she remained silent for a moment.

Morher: "It better not, even if it is a girl rules remain rules" she said this as she stood up to wash her plate as she had finished her portion.

Me: "Oooh mother there is no girl at all, it's just that I was looking to see if there is any news from our lecturer about vacation assignments that is all" I said this to dismiss the thought she was having about me which was right.

Mother: " It better be so, because I know you boys what you turn out to be on campus especially when you are an A student or a good sports person" said mother as she came back to sit on her place, and I found no words to defend myself again as I feared to worsen things.

We went quiet for some as I finished my meal then I also stood up to wash my plate whilst Carol followed behind as well. Then after that I asked for permission to go to my room as it was already eigtht pm, my mother totally understood, I went my way as she went with Carol to watch a movie, as I went to my room I finally manage to make myself not to think about Nicole, but to take her as any other normal person I could talk to. I slept with that mind little did I know she was also thinking of me, it only took fifteen minutes after my sleep for her to call my phone, I checked my phone to see who it was, behold it was a new number and I definitely knew that it was her, I hesitated to answer it on the first dail, then on the second one I just picked it without thinking much.

Unknown: "Hello Sammy" said a gentle feminine tone on my picking, which I identified as Nicole.

Me: "He..he..hello Nicole" I answered her in shock and fear as it was my first time to talk with a lady on the phone who happened not to be my relative.

Nicole: " Ggggg....I am fine Sammy, by the way how did you know it was me" she said after giggling over my response and surprised at the same time that I had identified her voice.

Me: "Oooh your voice, your voice, ehhh I heard it when we talked that time in the afternoon and in class when you talked to your friends during lectures" I said this to with a beating heart as I tried to gain composure and prepare for the questions that were to follow.

Nicole: "Oooh really it didn't know someone was listening to me in class from a distance, anyways I just wanted to hear if you had travelled safely my friend, and also to inform you that this is my number" she said this with so much enthusiasm I guess it was out of knowing that I listened to her from afar in class.

Me: "Ha ha ha, yes I did but not all times though, I arrived home safely thank you so much, will surely save your number" I said this laughing to hide the fact that I had interests for her before she even talked to me.

Nicole: "Oooh don't mention it Sammy you are my friend, have a good night sleep, happy you got home safely bye" she said this bluntly and cheerfully at the same time and she hang up her phone before I could say anything word back to her.

After placing the phone down my heart began to wonder more about what was her intension in all this, "could there be anything more to it which she is hiding from me as of now which she fears I may not be able to take" so I thought as I laid on my bed covered in sheets motionlessly, her reason in that moment for making me her friend no longer made sense, me being her friend to motivate her reading was no longer clicking as she had a friend by the name Mercy who read more than me and happened to be second from me with slight marks, and funny enough they even shared a room, so now how was my presence in her life going to better her reading? A question I asked without anyone to answer back.

I finally concluded that this was not even her intension to make me her friend as her reason did not make any sense, now what mother had said about being an A student and a sports person at varsity making you to be on limelight on the female side was beginning to make sense, there I was a twenty one year old young man who had gone to school to learn without any relationship intension being baited by one of the most amazing ladies in our class whom no guy left passing without admiring, what to do next was not certain, so I made up my mind to visit a Highschool friend the following morning by the name Chris he was an expect in advice concerning these matters and I strongly believed that he would help, hence I slept over it.

Morning favored me by coming earlier, I rushed to my window, opened the curtains, and the window panes wide to get the first breath of the morning. I made my bed, went to take a shower, changed my clothes, headed to the kitchen for breakfast where I found my mother sitting with my little sister who was preparing to go to school finishing her bowel of wheat cereals which was her favorite, whilst mother refilled hers as she normally did.

Carol: "Morning Sammy!" said my little sister excitedly whilst swing her little feet as she sat on her chair with a mouth surrounded by milk.

Me: "Morning Carol, morning mother" I this as I rubbed lightly her braided hair and she giggled happily.

Mother: "Morning how are you, you are up already I thought you were going to take time to enjoy your bed" replied mother curiously as she dug from her cereal bowel.

Me: "Iam doing okay mother thank you, at school we hadly sleep, most times in the night we are occupied by assignments so I am

used to getting up early" I replied her as I took my own bowel which I placed cereals and milk which had remained in the jar that was in the middle of the table.

Mother: "Oooh that's good, glad you are coping with the new environment, Carol and I are now going out, my off days are over, so I am starting work today, I will first drop your sister at school" said mother as she stood up to go out as Carol followed behind her leaping happily.

Me: "Okay mother have a nice day" I said this as I followed behind them to her car, and I waved at them as they drove out.

I went into the house to tide up as mother always taught me from a tender age, after I had finished everything I informed my friend Chris that I was going to visit his home and he approved my coming as he was available for the day, I sat on the couch watching television as I waited for the sun to rise more before I made my way out for a fifteen minute walk to his house as we lived in the same hood. Thankfully the clock ticked to my favor, as it stroke eleven A.M I went to my room to wear my shoes, turned off the television, went out and locked the door heading to his house. With a couple of turns I found myself standing at his gate, I put forward a call to him, he declined it as he knew that I had arrived, I saw him through the fence that surrounded his premises rushing to open the gate for me.

Chris: "Sammy my friend, you have arrived, happy to see you it has been long" said Chris as he opened the gated for me in an impressed voice which really got to my heart as I felt welcomed.

Me: "Hie Chris, I am glad to find you home, I thought I would never see you here as you are a greatest walker I have ever met" I responded to his welcome in this way trying to rebond with him using the humor we used to use during Highschool days.

Chris: "Aaaaah come on Sammy grow up, you have not changed at all, get in before I change my mind about welcoming you" replied Chris as he got me in to his premises with laughter.

Me: "Hahaha same as you Chris you still have short temper as in those days" I said this as I got in heading into his house.

Along the way we were reminding each other about the good and bad moments we had as Highschool seniors which we laughed over gratefully, at the same time I was wondering how I was going to present my case to him in a way which will not prove me to be a dull person to him in terms of relationships, but that was the only way I could get help, if I did not hide my fears and my thoughts towards Nicole. He gave me a place to sit on the couch and he switched off television so that we could talk, in that moment I chose to be frank so that I could hear his mind as an expert due to being involved multiple relationships without the knowledge of the ladies he was in love with ever since Highschool, I know this is an undesirable character he had and it is the least place you would expect me to go for advice but in that moment it was the best for me to be at as he had interest with women making him to understand them better so I thought.

Chris: " So what brought you here Sammy ? , I know you do not just come like this without a reason" asked Chris curiously, I was happy with such a question as it created a floor for me to say my heart out.

Me: "Well you are right Chris, something is really bothering me, infact I lost my sleep in the night and I believe you carry the knowledge I am in need of concerning this matter that is why I came to you" I said this calmly to prepare him to listen and know how serious my case was, I saw him getting to the edge of his seat with a concerned face.

Chris: "Oooh Sammy what is it that is troubling you to such a point, tell me I will be happy to help in the best way I can" responded Chris as he was eager to hear what had been bothering his friend, and this made me certain that I was going to get the best and genuine answer from him.

Me: "Okay here is what your friend is going through Chris, I was the top student on campus for the semester and there is this girl amazing from our class who was really impressed with my grades so she requested me to be her friend the reason being that she wants me to encourage her to read, but funny enough she shares her room with a girl who reads more than I do whom I beat slightly, so I came to ask you from your experience what could she be intending to get from me" I said this with excitement without taking a breath which left him in awe.

Chris: "Ho ho ho slow down my bro trying to gain sense, so this lady asked you to be her friend on the basis of encouraging to read?" asked Chris as he tried to gain the sense out of my story which I had spoken without breathing.

Me: "Yes bro she did just that but her reason seems too odd Chris, infact she even called last night asking how I had traveled and if I was safe" so it just confused me so I thought of asking you because I know you carry the answer I need.

Chris: "Ha ha ha surely you have not changed, is that why you came here, come on Sammy this girl likes you got for her, infact she has composure she wants you to act you role of asking her out so do not keep her waiting bro, do you think a lady in the varsity would chase a guy to teach her to read, come on grow up this is not Highschool" said Chris as he laughed to death on my late judgement towards Nicole.

Me: "But Chris how can I do that, I do not know what to say to her, what if my conclusion is wrong will I not lose a friend?" I asked out of fear as those words I thought I had kept all that while for the lady I would love were not even there, I was not even ready for her which is really a worst thing to be heard from a living man, in other words I was dead to love that is what I came to discover.

Chris: "If you lose her, you lose her bro then she was not meant to be there, if she is your friend she will remain one, there is nothing to fear here, where does she reside?" said Chris in a concerned way which brought me assurance that things were going to work out perfectly in either ways.

Me:" I just hope so too, because I have something in me liking her that I cannot stop thinking of her each moment, she resides in the next town one bus away from ours" I replied Chris with thoughts of visiting her to know where we were standing instead of hiding things.

Chris: "That liking you are having is love, do not suppress it because it will burn your inside let it glow, infact visit her and have time to clarify things, do not worry about words they will just come along spontaneously" said Chris boldly and gradually I was becoming bold to face her and tell her my mind without caring about how she would see me after such a moment.

Me: "Thank you so much, let me step out of the box and see how things will turn out with this amazing lady, let me be on my way Chris, it was nice talking to you, let me go and prepare for the journey"I said this as I stood up feeling like a grown man for the first time in my life.

Chris: "Always welcome my friend, you will thank me later, do not forget to tell me of your success" said Chris as he stood up to walk me out of his premises, when we got out we realized that it was already sunset which shocked me as I had gotten there in the morning, he walked me few steps away from the gate then he retreated back to his house as I jogged my way home feeling relevied.

As I reached my home I found my father's car parked outside I opened the gate excitedly as I knew he was inside, I closed it and ran into the house where I found him sitting on the couch quietly with the television set off as he read the weekly business paper of the state as it enabled him to be skillful in leading the fastest growing supply company in the country which had made him to be invited to various platform to share nuggets of becoming a successful manager. As I got in he shifted his glasses to look to my direction to see who it was, he was really happy and shocked to see that it was me.

Father: "Son! You returned?" He said this as he stood up opening his arms widely to hug me, but his hug never embarrassed me as mother's did.

Me: "Yes father I returned yesterday, so much happy to see you had missed you father, I tried your phone but it was not going through for some days" I said this without breathing as I was under his firm grip.

Father: "Oooh I was really busy son I turned on my phone during the night sometimes, but I am now back, happy to see you my boy it had been long, how was your semester ?" said my father as he returned to his seat as I sat on mine too.

I told him everything that I had experienced on campus except the issue of Nicole which I knew was not appropriate to be addressed to him, I told him how I had excelled in my grades for that semester, he listened to me proudly and congratulated me on my success, I was really happy to see him celebrating my success, we talked for few more minutes about his seminar and how he had won more partnerships due to his golden practical speech, I snagged him as well and he gladly accepted it. I excused myself from him as we had not much to say each other due to the respect I had for him as a father and I always wanted to maintain that distance so that I could not end up exposing myself to him in a way that would disgust him.

I headed to my room where I closed the window and curtains I had opened for air to circulate, looking through it I noticed that outside was getting darker, in that moment of gazing on the amazing combination of light and darkness outside I had the door being opened, it was my mother who was getting in along side Carol whom she went to take from a nearby day care where she was dropped by the school bus after school to be cared for in the remaining hours of the day until mother finished work, and collect her, the reason being that she had noone to keep her company at home.

I heard cheers coming from the sitting room where father sat reading his paper, Carol was really happy to see him and could not stop talking as she did on my arrival until mother sent her away to put the uniform she had in her small backpack in the laundry basket which she happily, after few minutes of talking I heard mother telling father that she had to prepare dinner then the house went quiet again as she focused on preparing the best as usual, I laid down on my bed waiting for her summoning which I knew was going to take quite a long time but it was worth waiting for.

As I listened for her call I saw Carol burgin into my room as usual to inform me that food was ready, then she left rushing as usual, I followed behind her curiously wondering what mother had prepared for us, I found father sitting already on his chair digging in his plate with a satisfied look, it was another pasta dish with a colorful chicken stew caping the whole plate, I sat down to join them, it was really tasty as always we all complimented her and she proudly nodded her head as always, on the last bite I took that is when I realized that I was full, I always wondered how mother always knew the right amount which could fill my belly. I stood up and cleared the dishes off the table as all were done with their plates.

I began to wash the dishes and Carol help with drying them using a towel, whilst father and mother talked over the table what we could not hear, except for laughters, I paused a bit looking in their direction in admiration of how love could make one happy from within, as I looked at them I wondered what could become of me and Nicole if all things went perfectly as assured by Chris, and I was drained in those thoughts as I held the last plate in my hand, then they fiercely got me out of it.

Father: "Youngman! Do you have anything to say or add on our discussion here" said my father on top of his voice as he was irritated with my endless gaze towards them accompanied with a faint smile which made them feel insecure, in the hearing of this I dropped the plate I was holding and it broke.

Mother: "You broke my plate I bought from Poland! Do you know how much it costs?" shouted my mother angrily whilst her hands shook, I felt cornered in that moment with noone to defend me, I swiftly gathered the broken pieces feeling embarrassed, and placed them in the bin.

Me: "I am sorry mom, I am sorry dad it won't happen again" I pleaded weakly hoping to be pardoned and they just ignored me and continued with their conversation, in that moment I chose to go to my room leaving then there, as Carol went to hers to.

Father: "Son tomorrow we are going for fishing, you and me seven A.M sharp no excuses" said my father as I got out, my heart began to pound fast as many questioned rushed through my head to a point that I had nothing to say except of nodding my head then I went my way.

I got to my bed not feeling myself anymore, luckily sleep got the better of me and ceased me from endless thoughts which were eating me up, the night shortly ended when I still needed it, my eyes automatically opened facing a digital clock beside me which had stroke five, its red light irritated my eyes and got me out of bed to prepare for the day scheduled by my father, I took my hicut black boots, a pocketed short and a brown T-shirt. I made my bed and sat on my bed to check messages on my phone which I had forgotten to do in the night as I was under great confusion about everything, as I opened it I found couple of messages from friends, but the message second was from Nicole I quickly opened it and it read:

Nicole: "Evening dear, hope you had a great day, missing you a lot hope this vacation will end soon that I may see you good night" this was her message which really shocked me as this message showed that she was also thinking of me as I was thinking of her, I replied her message.

Me: "Morning I had a great day thank you, how was your night, missing you more here, will come by soon to see you" these were the words which I sent to her wondering how she would respond on the last line.

As I placed my phone down to go and bath before taking breakfast I heard a tone of messages on my phone, and I turned back to pick it up and read, and I discovered that it was a message from Nicole, I opened it and I was really surprised:

Nicole: "My night was perfect, oooh really it will be great to have you here even today I will be ready" these were her words which really shocked me due to the immediacy of her reply and how she was eager to see me.

Me: "Good to hear, will inform you soon about my coming, going out for fishing with my father to say" I sent her the message and switched off my phone as I did not want her to distruct me from keeping up with time which was on the rush, then I was on my way to take a bath.

As I headed my way there I heard my father speaking to mother from their room, I rushed to the bathroom before he could see me, I took a quick bath as I learnt to on campus where sometimes I woke up late and had early lectures to catch. In few minutes I was done and I rushed to my room to change which only took me few minutes to be done, and I headed to the kitchen where I found my father frying eggs to put on bread for our breakfast. He looked me with the corner of his eye right eye then he smiled a bit.

Me: "Morning father" I said this scaredly as I wondered if he was still angry about the last night issue.

Father: "Morning son how are you? You are all set already, come let's eat time is not on our side" said my father happily as he came to the table with a plate of perfectly fried eggs.

He sat down with on the table with me and poured the coffee he had placed in a flask, we ate happily and fast at the same time. As we stood up to gather our fishing kit which was in the garage, mother and Carol entered in the kitchen to take their portion from the remaining part of eggs and bread. I took two cooler boxes one to put the fish we would catch and the other one which I placed drinks, whilst father took fishing lines, artificial baits and a keep net, we placed them in the car and we went out after saying our goodbyes to mother and Carol who wished us luck, we both left our phones as father regarded it as a special time needing no interruption which phones would bring, on our way we passed by a worm market where we bought a container of many worms enough for the day then we headed out of the city into the country where the fishing site was located.

On our way my father played old school music which did not get my interest from the first track, but he danced on his seat whilst whistling along the songs to make me laugh but I remained serious not showing any signs of interests to his actions until he finally turned off the radio and he opened his mouth to speak to me:

Father: "Son I know you are wondering why this old man has brought you on such a trip he normally goes alone with his friends, well when I turned twenty one my father too took me for fishing and I had the same question, but what happened that day made me to be who I am today, hopefully it will work for you too" said my father as he crossed his sight to me and the road at the same time, I wondered what he had in mind behind the fishing game as he had ended his line before telling the reason for such a trip, he then continued as I still wondered:

Father: "Son today I saw it fit for me to teach you what it means to be a man, you are growing each day and I am so proud of you, I saw you last night gazing at me and your mother in admiration and I knew it is the right time to teach to become a responsible man and father before you choose the wrong path" he said this on top of his voice passionately as we rolled out of town, I looked down out of shame as I knew he had seen my thoughts the recent night.

I remained silent curiously as I wondered where he was driving his conversation to as he had gone silent as he appeared to be thinking of the next words to say, then he opened his mouth to continue his speech:

Father: "Son you are not getting any older and it will be ruthless for me to hinder you to be in any relationship, what I am simply saying is if you find a girl you love go for her, you never know she maybe the right one for you, just like I met your mother on campus when I was your age" was really happy to hear such words from my father in such a time, I wished he could go on but he had gone silent again.

We went on for almost an hour then suddenly our car sat on a gravel road, buildings no longer appeared ahead of us there were only tall trees on the sides of the road which stood among tafted grass, with a couple turns we were finally at the entrance of the fishing park, the security man opened the gate for us and my father gently drove in heading to the parking lot where a large number of cars were parked, and he parked ours too there, we got out, we took our fishing kit as well as the drinks I had placed in the cooler box, then we went to the dam which was filled with water as well as a lot of people fishing on the banks whilst others used boats. We went to a free spot where we placed our things beside us and sat on the bank as my father taught me how to set my bait on the fishing line, and how to cast it into deep were the big fish were likely to be found.

I managed to do exactly what he taught me and we waited for our lines to make a catch as we watched the still waters, as I sat there I desired to here more words from him he had started to say on our way which he had treasured all the years of growing up around him. After all the day was not bad as I imagined it to turn out it was just a refreshing day, I had even forgotten that I had no phone which I was not used to leave behind. As I had all those thoughts I heard him clearing his throat and I totally knew that more nuggets were about to come up, then he opened his mouth to speak to me:

Father: "You know son, relationship is like fishing, you need the right bait to get the specific lady you desire, carry those characteristics which will make you draw the class of woman you desire to have, but above all be patient, you see here we have placed appropriate baits but no response yet, but this does not mean it is not been noticed stick to your style" he said this as he reeled back the line gently as I followed suit as well whilst smiling to his words as they were practically.

In that moment of reeling I saw my line being pulled back twice, my heart began to beat fast that I almost let go my line as I had not had such an encounter with fish, it felt like another person dragging the line from beneath, but my father was quick to notice it and he told me not to let go as he rushed to take my line:

Father: "This is an interesting part son when it comes to a relationship, nomatter how much aggressive a lady maybe to your offer you do not let go, you hold on tightly but you let her do what she wants, then when the right time comes you pull to your direction, because it is the battle of opinions but in end the man wins" he said this with illustration to the fish he was battling with which had been caught on my line, it was a really interesting way of learning how to win the heart of a woman I could not wait to apply it in the case of Nicole.

I placed back my line back into the dam after removing the fish my father had brought out of the dam which was really huge measure forty five centimeters long and twenty centimeters wide with sharp fins on its back which pricked me as it battled to get out of my hands to get back into the water as I placed it in a keep net which I threw into the water and tied to the bank. I had many other topics coming from my father which we laughed over as we drank the drinks I had brought as time flew past us, as the sun set on the horizon my father ordered that it was time to go home I stood up to gather our things as he assisted me, I took out the huge fish I had caught which he identified to be a base and we went our way back to the car park where we got into the car and drove off back home.

Father: "Well soon glad you caught a fish, hope you learnt something from what I said" said my father happily as were on our way back home.

Me: "Yes father I surely did thank you so much, it was really a fun way to learn from you a son really practically" I replied him excitedly feeling confident about myself, I felt like a man for the second time in my life in that moment, but I kept the Nicole issue to myself.

We got home at five PM in the evening, I got out of the car to open the gate for him, and he drove in. As he reached the garage whilst I locked the gate mother rushed out to see how lucky we had been, she got into the garage where father handed over the fish I had caught to her, she was really excited, but she threw it away when she realized that it was still alive, it fell down and began to flop on the concrete pavement, father picked it up with the gills, then he ordered me to bring a pocket knife I had in my pocket and tore its belly wide open took out all the inside parts causing it to swing weakly as it died in agony as blood rushed out to the ground whilst it flipped its golden eyes. Carol brought a huge dish which he placed it in, filled it with water , he began to scrab off all the scales on its black and silver skin whilst mother watched from afar irritatedly.

When it was totally clean he handed it to mother who went with it to the kitchen thankfully whilst Carol followed behind her curiously, I went my way to take a shower as a way of getting rid of the scent of worms and fish that had mounted on me, so did my father in the bathroom that was within his room too, after I was done I changed my clothes, my hands still had a funny scent but better than before I had bathed. I rushed to check my phone to see how Nicole had responded to my last message. When I switched on my phone I rushed to my messages where I found her reply on the sixth place, I rushed to open it and it read:

Nicole: "That will be great dear, ooooh fishing? Sounds interesting with your father, have a good time there, play safe for my sake talk later dear" those were her words which really got to my heart especially the last phrase about being safe for her sake.

Me: "Evening Nicole hope you had a great day, thank you for wishing me well, I came back safely and I caught a huge fish too, father helped me to get it out, was wondering if you would be free tomorrow thinking of visiting you" I sent this message expecting an instant reply but unfortunately she was offline.

My mother once again sent Carol to call me as she was done with cooking I placed the phone I was holding down as I did not want to be tempted to check whilst eating which would not end well with my mother. I reached the dinning room where I found father already present on the tabled as mother placed our plates on the table, which had a lighter meal of fried fish and chips with a glass of orange juice, we are hurriedly as usual without any second thoughts as we obviously knew our mother's meal to be simply the best. The fish was perfectly roasted that the thorns were also roasted to a pointed that they turned into fine crusts with just one bite, the chips were just perfectly roasted having a golden color we just enjoyed each bite as sauce and vinegar was shared across the table.

After finishing eating we washed the plates as usual, but this time I avoided looking into their direction as they set on the table in avoidance of the last night's incidence which really brought me a lot of embarrassment. Soon after finishing I excused myself from them to my room and they did understand as they assumed that it was because I was tired because of the fishing activity I had as a first timer yet they did not know it was because I was rushing to check if Nicole had replied, I reach out for my phone I had left on my bed went to my messages, unfortunately she had not yet gotten online I placed my phone far from me and I slept disappointedly.

Morning came as all other days but I woke up curiously as I reached for my phone to see if there was any reply, but there was nothing, I got out of bed opened my window as usual, made my bed, took a quick bath and I went to the kitchen to have my breakfast as it was already seven in the morning. As I ate my cereals quietly wondering how she would react after seeing my message, as I thought about this I had my phone ringing from my room, I rushed to answer it as I knew beyond doubt that it was her, as I got my phone I saw that my instincts where not blind, I picked up slowly to answer her:

Me: "Hello Nicole" I answered her gently as I settled my heart which was beginning to pump beyond my control.

Nicole: "Hello Sammy, how are you today?" she replied in an excited tone which really got me wondering.

Me: "I am doing well thank you, how are you there" I answered her confidently whilst clearing my throat which was becoming gummy.

Nicole: " I am doing great as well, ooooh I saw your message this morning was having bad network here but I am around Sammy you can come to see me" she said this joyfully as she really expected me to visit.

Me: "Ooooh really, I will be there by twelve in the afternoon, so where can I meet you?" I said this more excitedly than she was as I finally had a chance to say my heart to her in person and see if it would work out.

Nicole: "Yes I am sure Sammy you can come I have no problem with that, you just tell me when you are coming so that I can wait for you in town there is an amusement park nearby we can spend a day there" replied Nicole in a welcoming way which really made me certain that she was eager to see me.

Me: "That is okay Nicole, will be there soon" I said these words as they were the only words I could think of that moment.

Nicole: "Okay Sammy, it was nice talking to you goodbye" she said these words proving that she had also ran out of words as well.

Me: "Okay Nicole, thanks for the call" as I said these words she hung up her phone and I placed my phone down as well cheerfully.

Finally I had gotten an approval to visit her, but here was the problem which I believed most man do have as well, I am not trying to justify myself but I am just being realistic, and this problem of mine was on what to wear, I ran through my wardrobe obviously not knowing what to put on I chose my red jean, yellow shoes and a red T-shirt, but I was not sure if that was an appropriate dressing so I set it to my mind to pass through Chris' place to hear his mind about my dressing. I went to Chris' place to see him, I took my phone and a small amount of money I was left with from the upkeep money I had gotten which as enough to buy lunch for two, my transport and hopefully leaving some change too. On my arrival I found him at his gate as he was about to leave for some errands, he was shocked to see me as I had not called him to inform him about my coming:

Chris: "Hey man why do you just come without informing me, you could have missed me here" he said this almost shouting but he was happy at the same time.

Me: " Hahaha I knew I would find you that is why I did not bother to call you" I said this as I laughed over his complaint which he accepted.

Chris: Anyways what sends you here bro dressing like father Christmas, man just look at you hahaha" he said as he pointed me from head to tores sarcastically. I lost confidence of myself as I knew he really meant what he said.

Me: "I don't know man help me out, I did not know what to really pick from my wardrobe haven't been on a date before" I replied him in a ashamed voice as I saw the disorder in my dressing.

Chris: "Well come inside let me transform you my friend, I will give you my clothes, but you bring them back after seeing her" said Chris almost doubting if I would return them.

He gave me black jeans, white T-shirt and a pair of black tender foot, I stood by his mirror admiring how I had been transformed into a different person than I was used to seeing myself, we both went out of his house, we parted ways at his gate as he went opposite direction to mine as he wished me luck. I rushed to the bus station where I would take a bus to the town she resided which was an hour journey. I put forward a message to announce my departure from my town which swiftly got a reply from her informing me that she was starting to prepare to leave her home for town to meet me, the bus treaded swiftly on the road that had a lot of twist and turns as my mind ran through options of how I was going to present myself to her as well as the appropriate words to tell her, for a moment I wished if I had jotted some few lines from Chris. Whilst caught up in such a dilemma I heard the driver announcing our arrival to our destination, I came down swiftly from the bus placing my hands to check if my phone and wallet was still there, fortunately they were all safely stuffed in my pockets, I put forward a call to her as I went to the shed on that bus station we had been dropped at.

Before receiving an answer I lifted up my head and I saw her coming out speedily from the crowd which was waiting for different buses, she had put on a yellow dress which lengthed beneath her knees which perfectly blended with her light skin, she came in my direction joyfully as she swang her arms which had red coloured nails which blended with red heels she had put on her feet which had red nails as well. She was completely a different person than the one I had last seen on campus except for her ginger braids which looked new as always as she constantly renewed them.

Within seconds few seconds I saw her standing before and she leapt to hug me as she called out my name and I found myself opening up arms for her, she held me tightly and I rounded my arms round her to weakly as I felt all eyes descending on us. We began to walk away from the station as she told me the brief history of her town, and the meaning of the statues we found here and there as we headed to the amusement park, it was such a beautiful spectacle seeing all buildings neatly arrange and laughter everywhere as, all the way I felt different about her but I wondered if she felt the same for me with a couple of turns which I barely noticed due to focusing on her we were the at the gate of Amusement Haven, a popular site in her town where we found people from surrounding towns flocking in, people of all ages as it was a place designed for everyone.

We stood by the queue which moved quickly as people paid for their tickets depending on the hours they intended to spend inside, when it was our turn I swiftly placed my hand into my pocket to pay for three hours as it was already 11 Am and I did not want her to go home in the dark which would really be odd for the first day. After obtaining our two tickets through the small reception window, the gate on the pedestrian side was opened us and we both chipped in curiously to see what was hidden behind the firmly built graphite wall, and behold truly it was another world. From the gate for a couple of hundreds of meters was an about five meter wide road smoothly black tarred road boarded by a grey pavement, on the end of that pavement the ground was carpeted by a green lawn mowered evenly in all directions, across that loaned ground there were several bushes shaped into various wild animals which really got our attention, ahead of us stood a tall building which had five floors to in it, the first floor which we entered in was used as an eating outlet, I bought two bottles of juice and snacks then we went out with the other door on the other side in search of a place we would freely sit and talk whilst we had time to.

On stepping out the appearance was totally different from the from veiw there was a pool for the toddlers and right beside it was another which was wider than the first in which adults swam wildly we passed by heading to a small dam which was placed in a further distance with hopes to find a perfect place for us to settle, we reached the dam we found a bench to sit on which was few meters away from the dam, we sat there as we watched fisherman rolling their boats in the middle of the dam, we opened our snacks and begun to dig in whilst sipping the mango juice we had bought, we were silent for some time as we both search for the right conversation to put forth in such a cool atmosphere we were having as befitting the spring season in it's youth stage. Suddenly Nicole became bold to break the ice that was beginning to merge between us, she called my name looking straight into my eyes and said:

Nicole: "Sammy can I ask you a question?" She said this fearfully and she paused to see how I would respond to her request.

Me: "Yes you may ask Nicole, I am all ears" I replied her as my heart began to beat fast wondering if I would have the appropriate answer for the question to come.

She went silent silent for a moment and picked up parables and began to throw them gently into the day as she appeared to be searching for words to present her question to me, she then cleared her throat and open her mouth to speak again:

Nicole: " Sorry to ask you this but what really pushed you to come here to see me? I mean I have not had any person to visit me from other town as a friend like you have done" she said this curiously as she continued to throw more parables into the dam. I really got cornered on this and I just found myself answering before I could think.

Me: "Well honestly Nicole it's really odd to get such a visit and especially from a guy, but here is the truth ever since day we parted ways on campus I have not stopped to think about you, you face has always been spinning in my head and your words haves always been drawing me closer to you" I said this without knowing where I was getting the words, but still looking at her face she did not seem to be answered.

Nicole: "Ooooh well I hear you but still I am not answered on why you are actually here, sorry to bother you but just being curious why you made such an effort?" She insisted in her questioning trying to squeeze an answer out of me as someone who knew what she was expecting to hear.

Me: "Okay here is the truth Nicole, I am in love with you my heart is always thinking about you, so I came all this way to know if you felt the same about me because have tried to shut it but I am burning inside, so was wondering are going to continue as friends?" I said this on almost a loud voice but persuasive, and I regret as her face increased to show lack of impression but what was I to do I had already said the words and now all I had to wait for was an answer which I feared to hear.

Nicole: "Oh men oh men, you are all the same you misinterpret liking for love is it a crime for a woman to befriend you, all you think is having a relationship, well I think I have heard enough for the day, I want to go home now" she said this on top of her voice that all who were close could have heard us but I no longer cared in that moment as I had already brought my heart into the open.

She stood up quietly from the bench and I followed behind her wondering how she see me from that day I followed her lead as we surrendered the tickets we bought for time checking by the receptionist who looked surprised on the notice of an hour remaining on our tickets and she said:

Receptionist: "Ooooh why leaving so soon when you have more time to enjoy this peace of heaven we have here" said the avarage aged lady as she looked at us for a reasonable answer for such a quick leave.

Me: "We were really having a good time, but something just came up which requires our attention, we would have loved to have more time here but it's more serious" I replied quickly in defense of our action as I saw that Nicole was only thinking about leaving, we got out.

She stopped a taxi got in and left me alone, I regretted wasting time traveling such a distance to get that kind of a response. I went to the terminus to board a bus which headed to my town ashamedly, I got into the bus and the bus took off moving swiftly on the fine road. The only thing I remember is the old man who sat next to me waking me up as we had reached out time and it was already four in the evening, I passed by Chris' place to surrender his clothes, he saw my low mood and he knew that things had not gone as expected and he chose not to talk about it, I wore back my clothes and went out of his home to mine, every minute I gazed on my phone hoping to see a message from her but nothing came, until bed time came I slept wondering what she had in mind with regards to me. I wonder if I would still earn the position of a friend which I had gotten before which I valued less as I thought we could more than that but that moment it meant everything as I had lost what I expected, what Chris had assured I could get from her which had now proven to be the end of the road.