Beneath His Touch

Chapter One

                                                                                                 Sarah

My heart beat hard against my ribcage, each thud echoing in my ears as I stared at the laptop screen. The weight of anticipation pressed down on me, making it feel as though the air had thickened. My breath came in heavy bursts, and I swore anyone passing by could hear the frantic rhythm of my anxiety. My right hand trembled slightly, dancing nervously over the touchpad as I entered my credentials into the Kuccps portal.

I had worked so hard for this moment. After a grueling study schedule, countless late-night revisions, and more caffeine than I could count, I had achieved a B+—a solid effort that deserved recognition. I had applied to three campuses, but my heart was set on Nairobi Campus. Not just because it was the second-best institution after the University of Nairobi, but because of him. Brain Chege. My boyfriend of two years, the one who had captured my heart during a campus tour.

He had been the first thing I thought of when I opened the application. He was everything I had ever wanted: not too tall but still taller than me, with a deep voice that made my heart flutter and a smile that could light up the darkest day. He was perfect—always there to pick me up from school, filling my days with laughter and sweet messages that kept me smiling long after the conversation ended. He deserved my dedication, and I wanted to show him just how much he meant to me.

"Breathe, Sarah! Breathe!" I whispered to myself, willing my racing heart to calm down. I moved the cursor toward the submit button, feeling the weight of the moment. "You passed all the requirements, and you will get it," I assured myself, closing my eyes for a brief moment as I summoned the courage to click the mouse. The moment felt like an eternity as I held my breath, and when I opened my eyes again, I glanced at the corner of the screen, and there it was—a capital 'N' shimmering back at me.

A smile spread across my face, growing wider as I read the words in bold, bold letters: "Congratulations! You've been accepted to Nairobi Campus!"

I erupted in an ecstatic scream, my voice bouncing off the walls as if it were an echo of pure joy. "What is happening?" my mother called from the hallway, her voice tinged with shock.

Without thinking, I jumped up, wrapping my arms around her in a tight embrace, my excitement overflowing. "I got in!!! I did it!!! I got in!!!!" I shrieked, the words tumbling out of my mouth in a rush. My mother's eyes widened in disbelief, but then she broke into a smile that lit up her face.

"Are you for real?" she asked, her disbelief quickly melting into pride as I held out the laptop for her to see.

"I did it!" I cried, my feet barely touching the ground as I tiptoed out of the room, feeling like I could fly.

I raced to the living room where my dad was engrossed in his lunch-time news, the familiar sounds of the TV fading into the background as I wrapped my arms around him. He turned, already smiling as if he knew what was coming. "I did it, Dad! I got into Nairobi Campus!" I said with a giddy giggle, the adrenaline coursing through me. "I fucking did it!"

"Am proud of you, Sarah. You've made me proud," he replied, his voice warm and full of affection.

"Yes, I did!" I shouted, adrenaline taking over as I snatched his phone and started dancing on the sofa, my joy spilling over in every movement. "I did it! I did it! Sarah did it!" I screamed, my laughter filling the room as my parents stood there, watching me with smiles that reflected their love and pride.

My mother was a homeroom teacher, a beacon of support and encouragement, while my father worked at Rana Auto Dealers, a hardworking man who had always instilled in me the value of perseverance. They were my greatest fans, and as I looked at them, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. They had no idea that my excitement wasn't just about getting accepted to Nairobi Campus—it was about the adventures waiting for me there, the moments I would share with Brain, the boy who had stolen my heart, and the new chapter of my life that was just beginning.

*****

"That's amazing, Sarah!" Becky's voice rings with excitement on the other end of the call. "You're finally going to be with him."

I can't help the giddy laughter bubbling out of me as I kick the sheets off my legs, my body practically buzzing with excitement. "I know, right? I'm so over the moon, it's like... I don't even know how to handle it!" My cheeks are flushed, and I feel like I'm on the verge of floating.

"Girl, you need to calm down before you float away," Becky teased, her laughter soft but full of amusement. "He's just a guy, and let me remind you, there are tons of hotties where you're going. Word is, there's a band of—"

"I don't care about any of that!" I cut her off with a playful, determined tone. "I'm not interested in the whole bad boy fantasy like everyone else. Seriously, I don't get why so many girls lose their minds over those brooding bad boys with their leather jackets and smirks. I just want to be in the moment, you know? Brian is everything I need. To hell with the so-called hottie bad boys!" My voice lifted with defiance, but the laughter that followed between us was light and carefree like two kids sharing a secret under the stars.

"So, have you told him yet?" she asks after a beat, her voice brimming with curiosity.

"Nope, I'm planning to surprise him after tomorrow's match," I say, grinning as I picture the moment in my mind.

"That's the spirit, girl! Your man is in for it." Becky giggles, her voice quivering with amusement.

"What about you?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"I got into UoN," she replies, and I can hear the pride in her voice.

"That's awesome!"

"I know, right? It was my first choice, so I'm really glad I made it," she says, chuckling softly.

Becky was more than just a friend. She was my confidante, my ride-or-die. Sure, there were Jacky and Faith, who I adored, but Becky was the one I could trust with anything, no matter how small or significant. She was brilliant, and it came as no surprise that she secured a spot at UoN. A year older, she was always more focused and serious, especially when it came to her studies. Boys, for her, could wait. But for me? I was already hopelessly hooked. Not on just anyone, though. I had standards—no bad boys with their rough edges and unpredictable moods. I liked boys, but only the kind who were driven, respectful, and didn't come with unnecessary baggage. Someone like Brian—focused, ambitious, and most importantly, completely dedicated to me. He wasn't just my boyfriend; he was the kind of guy who shared my values and faith, someone who understood what it meant to be grounded in something bigger than just the fleeting moments. The thought of him brought a smile to my face, a smile I could barely contain.

"Sarah!" my mother's voice calls out from the other room.

"That's my cue. Talk to you tomorrow!" I tell Becky.

"See you at six!" she says before hanging up.

I make my way to the dining table where my father is already seated, and my mother is setting down a steaming bowl of wet-fried chicken—my absolute favorite—along with some greens and rice. Her warm smile only heightens the growling in my stomach. Just then, Vicky walks in. She's my older sister, a nurse at GA, and still in her scrubs, looking utterly exhausted.

"Hey, everyone," she greets us with a yawn, rubbing her eyes as she drops her bag on the floor.

Her gaze lands on me, and I can't help but grin at her, my eyes wide with excitement.

"No. Don't give me that look," she warns, already shaking her head. "I'm exhausted and not in the mood for whatever you're about to—"

"I did it!" I scream, practically vibrating with joy as I jump up from the table.

Vicky freezes in her tracks. "You...?" Her words trail off as we rush toward each other, and suddenly we're hugging and dancing like crazy.

"Girls! Girls!" my mother calls out, trying to get our attention as she laughs, "Please, at least eat first—"

Before she can finish, Vicky pulls her into the hug, and now we're all spinning around the kitchen like a tornado of pure joy.

"Our little girl did it!" Vicky screams, her voice full of pride as she squeezes me tighter.