The Meeting.

I am not one of those who believe in signs, but sometimes there are signs that can't be ignored. It just happened that day, and I thought it could mean something even though it would have meant nothing to me on a random day.

Source

It was the second week of resumption in the polytechnic and as a fresher, I was gradually settling into the school environment. I got to school premises feeling excited as usual that morning, but the thought of someone occupying my favorite spot in the class crossed my mind immediately I noticed the school was more crowded than the previous week. I hastened my step and silently prayed that the spot was still available for me.

"Good morning, bro." A male voice said from behind as I walked past the school football field towards my department.

I stopped and turned to see who it was.

"Good morning," he greeted again.

"Good morning," I responded, accessing him from head to toe. He had a school bag and was carrying another big bag, so I assumed he was fresher too.

"You look like someone very familiar. Did you attend Itoki grammar school?" He stuttered.

"No, I didn't. Never heard of the school before," I replied.

"Wow, you look very much like one of my classmates. The height and resemblance are too much," he added.

"Oh okay. I am not the one," I replied sharply and walked away before he would say another word.

---

Upon arriving in class, there were more new faces, and my favorite spot had been occupied.

"If this guy hadn't stopped me, someone wouldn't have occupied this seat." I muttered while looking out for another suitable spot and despite the inconvenience, the morning lectures went smoothly for me.

We were free at noon, so I rushed to the library to complete my library registration since it was one of the places I intended visiting. On my way there, I saw the same guy who stopped me in the morning, and he waved from afar.

He was smiling like we knew each other more than just that morning encounter, and I just waved back, remembering how he made me sit at the back of the class.

---

Lectures ended pretty well that day, and I decided to wait a bit longer in school, just revising under a tree. Going home early would mean that I have to just sit alone in a room and parlor self-contain, which my boss blessed me with when she knew I was schooling around where she has a property.

I don't know anyone in the neighborhood, so it was just me from home to school and vice versa. I waited till past 6 pm that day, and upon arriving at the school gate, there were no tricycles going to my destination.

There was a night market opposite the school gate, so I crossed the road to get something for dinner.

While checking around the small market, I saw this same student who stopped me in the morning sitting outside a vulcanizer shop. He had his school bag and the big bag he was carrying in the morning.

I thought of snubbing him, but he had seen me already.

"Hi, you are still round. How was lecture today?" He asked.

"Lectures were fine. I stay around Ita Oluwo and just want to get foodstuffs here," I replied.

"How was lecture too? Do you stay around here?" I looked around, trying to see if there was any residential building.

"Lecture was fine too. I am actually stranded, I don't have a place to pass the night. I am just here thinking of what next," he stuttered.

"Here?" I asked.

"Yes, the Vulcanizer accommodated me last week, but his roommate has started complaining and there is nothing he can do about it," he replied.

"That's serious! Didn't you talk to any of your coursemates?" I asked.

"I did, but none of them gave me a response yet," he replied.

"Oh, sorry about that. I hope you find somewhere because it's getting late," I replied and left to buy the things I needed.

While waiting to cross back to the tricycle park, I started feeling disturbed. I really want to help, but my boss said she doesn't want anyone other than me in the apartment.

"Would you just leave him there? What if he sleeps at the wrong place and something happens to him? Will my boss know if I help me just tonight and he can sort himself tomorrow?" Different questions started popping in my head, and I became confused.

"We have met three times today; could this be a sign?" I thought about it for a few minutes and finally made up my mind.

I returned to him, introduced myself properly, and told him my intention about helping but with a condition.

He must leave as early as possible the next morning, which he agreed to.

That night, I couldn't sleep, and he was awake as well. We started chatting, and he told me about his journey up to that day, which made me emotional. We had so many things in common, and I really felt for him.

He wanted to further his education by all means without any plan for accommodation because he couldn't afford one.

He left early the next day as planned, and I told him he could stay with me for another night, but he has to leave early again. The next day turned into a week, and my boss eventually knew that I wasn't alone. She wasn't happy, and I almost lost the apartment, but God intervened.

After much pleading, she eventually gave him permission to live with me, and that was how our friendship started in 2014.

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