A Stranger I Met ✔

8

She shrugged and smiled at me.
"Should I wait here for you?" I asked.

"I might not come back. Like I said, Martins is my friend. I've got to help him out." She turned to go.

"Wait!" I stopped her. "You didn't tell me your name."

She smiled at me and said. "Veronica. It's Veronica."

"Will you be around for next Friday's party?"

"Which one? There are many."

"Oh! Well. . .which one are you attending?"

"I'm going clubbing. Four different clubs so it depends on the one you're attending."

"Four different clubs?" I repeated. "How is that possible?"

"Everything is possible if you plan for it. You should try it too." She smiled at me and then she was gone.

I sat on the stool thinking of what to do next when I sighted the bottle of rum. There was some content remaining. I picked it up and before I could think I poured the content into my mouth.

The burn was still there but it felt nice. Not long, the strippers came and I sat watching my favourite Ella dance around the pole.

I ordered for more bottles and I continued to drink. I couldn't believe that I, Daniel would ever attend a party, let alone drink to stupor. It was so funny to me and I laughed quietly.

The night had been wonderful. I got to meet the mysterious girl, speak to her and laugh with her. I felt fulfilled. All thanks to Tony who persuaded me to go with him.

As I sat drinking, I felt dizzy. I knew I had had enough but I couldn't stop myself from drinking. My vision was blurred as I stood up to find Tony. I managed to get to him after much staggering. Tony quickly got up the moment he saw me.

"Daniel, I was about to come for you. It's time to go."

"So soon? I. . .I don't want. . .want to go." My speech was slurred.

"Are you drunk?"

"Drunk? Of course not."

He raised an eyebrow at me. Then his eyes opened when he saw the bottle of beer in my hand. He snatched it away from me immediately and stared at me, completely amused.

"Oyaaa! Boss man!  So you sef don de drink? That's right. That's the spirit." He held my shoulders and helped me out of the building.

I could hear his friends booing me but I ignored them. Uche, Bello and Prince, the guys we always come with were standing by the car waiting for us.

Prince, who was the owner of the car stared at me, anger clear on his face.

"Why ur friend drink like this na?" I heard him say to Tony. "Let him not vomit in my car o or else,  he will wash it."

We got into the car and began to drive when suddenly, I felt the need to vomit. I whispered into Tony's ear and he glared at me.

He then whined the glass down and gestured for me to vomit through the window. I did as I was told.

I could hear Prince mumbling to himself. "I don't like this yama yama o."

I sighed and closed my eyes.
☆ ☆ ☆

I woke up with a headache the next day. I stood up lazily, holding my head as I glanced at the wall clock in the room.

My eyes popped out immediately. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing clearly.

It was three pm. My group study was to start by twelve. I picked up my phone immediately_ sixteen missed calls from Chineye; two from Tunde.

I sighed heavily and turned to look at Tony who was buttoning his shirt.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" I yelled at him.

"Wake you up for what?" He replied.

"My group study. It was to start by twelve and now it's three pm."

"Well, not my fault. I didn't know. Besides, must you attend every group study? Can't you miss one?"

I held my head in my hand thinking of what excuse to make. I did not like this at all. I hated the fact that it seemed like I was ruining a group discussion that had held since the first year of school.

"I'm going to buy food. Do you want me to buy some for you?" Tony asked.

"No thanks! I'm fine." I sighed.
★ ★ ★

I was looking forward to Friday like a child looking forward to his mother's return. I couldn't wait to see Veronica. I wasn't sure if the club we were going to was the same club Veronica planned on going but I was willing to take the risk.

I escaped Tunde's ranting by lying that I went to visit my mum for an urgent reason and so, I was able to get the recording of the course they studied. I was determined to wake up early and attend the group study to avoid making any more excuses.

That Friday, I got to my hostel quickly and got dressed. I sat on the bed waiting for Tony. It was nine pm and we left the hostel by ten every Friday night; so I had an hour to spare.

I sat playing a video game while waiting for Tony. I got tired of the video game mid way as I stared at the clock: 9:30. Yet, no sign of Tony. I picked up my phone and dialled his number.

I waited patiently for  him to pick up but he didn't. I tried again yet no answer. I decided to go online and check offline messages. There were a couple, so I busied myself with answering them.

I finished replying all messages by 10:10. I looked at the door in frustration. I called him again, yet no reply. "It is finished." I said to myself. I couldn't believe that this would happen.

"So I wouldn't see Veronica today? After waiting for a whole week?" I held my head as I stood up, pacing around.

How I wished I paid attention to details. I would have known what club we were going to and I wouldn't have to wait for that idiot of a roommate. I didn't even know the room number of either Prince or the rest.

I knew they stayed at the same hostel with me, but I didn't know their room number. I took my pillow and threw it on the floor. I sat on my bed staring at both the clock and the door.