SHEILA'S AWAKENING ( A Nigeria Story)

A tangled web of emotions

Saturday evening came quicker than Sheila expected, everyone is back to campus and already settling in. As she was deep in thought about Ahmed, her thought was interrupted by a knock, it was Fatima and zarah, they just arrived at the campus. Sheila put on a smile and hugged them, "I've missed you both so much" said Sheila, they both hugged her but she noticed the confusion on zarah face and couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Fatima, we missed you at the dinner at Ahmed's parents house" said Sheila, "I was busy, my brother was sick again, the doctor said he is still little traumatized about my dad's death,so the thing is affecting his brain"replied Fatima with a sad tone."I'm sorry about that fatima, truly, he will be fine by God's grace " said Sheila.
After catching with the two girls, Sheila excused herself to call home.
"Hello mummy?" Sheila said, "Sheila" replies a deep voice.
"Father, is that you?, where is mother asked Sheila In a worried tone. "Your mother is sick, she has been sick for weeks now, but she told us not to call you and tell you anything" her father replied.
"We need money Sheila, desperately in need?" Said her father,'how much do you need?"
Asked Sheila. "150 thousand, I haven't been able to raise anything since then and she seems to be getting worse" her father said, "okay I will send you the money before this weekend" replied Sheila.
After speaking to her father Sheila ,was worried, not only about her mothers health but how will she raise 150 thousand in one week.

Monday morning arrived, and Sheila reluctantly made her way to her psychology class. As she entered the lecture hall, her eyes scanned the room, and her heart sank. Ahmed was sitting in the same seat as last semester, mere feet away from her.

Sheila's mind raced as she tried to process her emotions. She had thought she was doing a good job of hiding her feelings, but Ahmed's presence brought everything to the surface. She felt like she was reliving the moment she caught him and Zarah kissing.

As the professor began to speak, Sheila tried to focus on the lesson, but her eyes kept drifting back to Ahmed. She couldn't help but analyze his behavior, a habit she had developed as a psychology student. She noticed the way he avoided eye contact, the nervous fidgeting, and the forced smile.

Sheila's thoughts were a jumbled mix of anger, hurt, and curiosity. She wondered what Ahmed was thinking, if he knew she had seen him and Zarah, and if he felt any remorse. Her mind was a battlefield, with her emotions warring against her rational thinking.

As the class progressed, Sheila found herself torn between her desire to confront Ahmed and her need to maintain her composure. She knew that as a psychology student, she was supposed to be studying human behavior, but she couldn't help but feel like she was living her own case study.

Sheila's inner turmoil intensified as Ahmed accidentally caught her gaze, and their eyes locked for a brief, tense moment. She quickly looked away, her heart racing. She couldn't believe she was still reacting this way, especially after vowing to maintain a distance.

The lecture continued, but Sheila's focus was gone. She scribbled some notes, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Ahmed and Zarah. She couldn't help but wonder if they were still together, if they had ever truly been apart.

As the class ended, Sheila gathered her belongings, her eyes avoiding Ahmed's. She hastened out of the lecture hall, needing some fresh air to clear her head. The campus grounds were bustling with students, but Sheila felt isolated, lost in her thoughts.

She spotted a vacant bench and collapsed onto it, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She was torn between her desire for closure and her fear of confrontation. Should she talk to Ahmed, after all she had planned to act Normal when she sees him but this is not normal at all.
As she sat there, a gentle breeze rustling her hair, Sheila realized that she needed to take a step back and reassess her priorities. She was a psychology student, after all, and understanding human behavior was her goal. Maybe it was time to apply that knowledge to her own life, to analyze her own emotions and move forward.

But as she stood up, determined to take control of her situation, Sheila's eyes met Ahmed's across the courtyard. He was watching her, a mixture of guilt and longing on his face. As she looked at him, she couldn't decide weather to go hug him, shoot him or pound him into the ground. She decides to go with the one she didn't want to do and went over to him and hug him tight.

Sheila's emotions were a jumbled mix of anger, hurt, and confusion as she hugged Ahmed tightly. She couldn't believe she was doing this, especially after vowing to maintain a distance. But there was something in his eyes, a flicker of remorse and longing, that drew her in.

But as they pulled back, Sheila's gaze narrowed. She couldn't forget what she had seen, what she had felt. She couldn't forget the betrayal and the hurt.

"Ahmmed, we need to talk," Sheila said, her voice firm but her heart racing.

Ahmed nodded, his eyes locked on hers. "I know, Sheila. I've been wanting to talk to you for days, but I couldn't bring myself to call you back after seeing your calls."

Sheila raised an eyebrow. "Days? You've been wanting to talk to me for days? You've been avoiding me, Ahmed. You've been avoiding me like the plague."