Chapter Five:

The evening light filtered softly through the half-drawn curtain. Peace sat up on her bed, legs folded beneath her, a pillow propped against the wall. Her phone glowed in her hand as she scrolled through messages, reflecting on her day after classes at the University of Benin.

Another notification appeared.
Salisu:

> “You home yet?”

She smiled before replying.

> “Yes, just got in.”

Almost immediately, another message arrived.

> “Good. I was worried. I don’t like it when you walk alone.”

Peace chuckled quietly. He was always worried, always checking, always there. At first, it felt sweet. After all, nobody had ever cared this much before. But lately, it was starting to feel like… something else.

Her roommate, Kemi, lay on the other side of the room, half-asleep but observant.

“Hmm,” she murmured suddenly, “that must be your favorite man again.”

Peace laughed softly, tossing a pillow lightly. “You and your talk, Kemi.”

“I’m serious,” Kemi said, sitting up slightly. “It’s like every time I blink, he’s either calling or texting. You sure this isn’t too much?”

Peace shrugged, still smiling. “He’s just concerned. That’s all.”

“Concerned or controlling?”

Peace frowned slightly. “Kemi, please. You always look for the bad side in people.”

Kemi sighed. “Fine. Just don’t lose yourself in this.”

Peace didn’t reply. Instead, she turned her gaze back to her phone, where another message waited:

> “I miss our talks. You sounded different today. What’s wrong?”

She smiled faintly.

> “Nothing. Just tired.”

> “Tired? Of school or of me?”

She laughed quietly.

> “Of school, of course.”

> “Good,” he replied instantly. “Because I don’t want to lose you.”

She exhaled softly, resting her phone on her chest. The words should have felt comforting. Instead, they left her heart a little heavy.

Kemi’s voice broke the silence again. “Peace, don’t tell me you’re smiling at that phone again.”

Peace smiled weakly. “Goodnight, Kemi.”

“Goodnight, lover girl,” Kemi teased, pulling her blanket over her head.

Peace rolled her eyes and turned toward the wall. But long after the lights went out, her screen still glowed faintly — and on it, Salisu’s final message for the night:

> “Sleep well, my Peace. I’ll be thinking of you.”

She smiled again — unaware that every “goodnight” from him was quietly weaving her closer to him.

To be continued.....

WRITTEN BY 
UMORU DANIELA JOHN