The Link To Light, (Published).

part 43

dedicated to gakeni_a_bigail

At the end of the first semester, the quakers started leaving the college.

Ayo drove Mandy, Megan, Skylar, Avery and Ifes in Ifeses car while Ian drove Ryan, Hunter, Annemarie and Bradley in Hunter's car and the duo were left with the responsibility of safely driving the cars back to the college.

They helped the travelers to get down their luggages before bidding them farewell.

As they darted to the lobby where the duo stopped following the travelers, Ayo stepped in to walk beside Ifes.

"So I won't be seeing you after sometime?" Ayo asked.

"Yeah !" Ifes grinned up at him.

"And Mandy."

"Her grin broadened. "I  was just waiting for you to mention that name."

"You  know how special she is to my heart."

"Yes,  but you still declined her invitation to come along with us, she felt bad you know."

I know, and I already said my apologies, I believe she understood."

What could a girl who is in love possibly understand? Ifes wondered thoughtfully. Maybe, just maybe someday she would probably find real Love and know how it felt but for now: she wasn't ready,no no! not after what she had seen with Mandy and Ayo.

"I know you disapprove of my not coming along with you, but you've also got to understand, Ifes.

Ifes scoffed. "What I approve or disapprove doesn't count in this case, it's between you and Mandy."

Yes, I know alright, but I pondered over my decision carefully, you know." Ayo moved uncomfortably on one of his legs at a time. "What was my importance? Should I come along with you? Mandy is beautiful; I mean: very beautiful! When I saw her the other day at your birthday party, it was all I could do to prevent myself from proposing to her already,, it took all ounce of willpower that I did not do so."

Ian spun around to give Ayo a sign he was familiar with, Ayo nodded affirmatively and tilted his gaze back to Ifes.

"What was that?" Ifes asked

"It's nothing much, Ian was just telling me that we should leave soon."

" Oh! I see you two seems to be getting along just fine."

" Yeah, and the guy is cool."

Ayo gazed solemnly at Ifes. " You and I know that Mandy needs you now more than me?"

"Yes."

"So,  take good care of her for me, will you?"

"I'll  try my best!" Ifes answered delightedly as though she was just elected the president of the country.

Also remember the most important thing, Christ! Teach her about Christ till her heart swells with it, her soul is more important than my love for her."

"Oh  Ayo!" Her knuckles brushed his arm. "I'll  do."

After the conversations, Ian and Ayo ambled out of the airport lobby. The duo tilted their heads one after the other to give one last glance to the ladies they both loved but had not told them.

Annemarie and Mandy didn't look eager to go.

Ian was now in his fourth and final year and Annemarie was not certain of the future., He would soon be graduating and he would leave her, all alone: in this college. "No! that couldn't happen."