SAVE ME

Morgan Smith

It’s exam week and it has been so stressful for us all, we couldn’t take this morning’s exam because our lecturer was sick and she had the questions with her so it was postponed for another day.

Ricardo told me earlier that he wouldn’t be able to take me home because of some work he had to attend to so I am on my way to meet with Ann at Gale’s Hall so that we can go home together.

I heard my phone beep and I took it out of my pocket, it was a message notification and I thought it was from Ricardo so I opened the messaging app and checked the message that just came in to see that it wasn’t from Ricardo, rather it was from a private number and the message read ‘Be safe’

I frowned and wondered who it was. Who would text me with a private number? There isn’t anyone who has my number aside from Ann, Ricardo, Amelia, Richard, George, Mrs. Addison, and her husband, then Richard too. I have a small circle and am not the kind of person to just give my number to anyone I don’t know.

I am thinking it might be a scammer. I have heard in the past about how some of the scammers will go to an extent of getting their prey. I am just going to tell Richard since he is an IT guru.

I left the class after my second paper and went straight to the cafeteria, we can’t leave for Olah because of exams, We don’t want to go through that stress of going to eat outside and then rushing back in to meet up with time.

When I got to the cafeteria, I spotted Amelia sitting with George and Richard and I was kind of surprised to see him there since he is always with Ricardo when they need to head for the office.

“Hello Morgan” George greets me when I came closer to their table I smiled and then waved at them all.

“Hi” I greet them back then sat down beside Richard.

“How was the exam?” I heard Amelia ask when I brought out the toast, mayonnaise, bacon, and ham Ann packed for me before she left for work.

“It was great and easy” I replied.

Amelia took a toast then put two slices of bacon on top, spread some mayonnaise put another toast, put a slice of ham, added some more mayonnaise and lastly put another toast on top.

“Ready to eat,” she said then took a larger bite from it “Ann, right?” she asked when she chewed and swallowed the food in her mouth.

I nod my head in response and she continued eating. We all are pretty much used to how she eats, she just needs to know how to eat ladylike in public.

“Richard, you didn’t go with Ricardo?” I turned to him as I asked and he shook his head.

“No, I still have more papers today and he said that he can handle things over there and I should just concentrate on the exams” he shrugged and I nod.

“Okay” I brought out my note so we can all revise on our next exam.

…

After we were done with our exams for the day, we all met at the parking lot. George took Amelia home, Richard offered to take me home but I declined and said I wanted to get to Gale’s Hall to meet Ann then we can come home together but he insisted on taking me to the nearest bus stop which I accepted.

When we entered his car, he started driving towards the bus stop leading to Gale’s Hall and along the ride, we talked about just anything and cracked jokes, Ricardo also called to check on us both and updated us on what was happening in the office before he excused himself because of a meeting he was having that moment.

I also informed Richard of the text I received from the private number earlier today.

“When we get to the bus stop, you will show me the message,” he said and I agreed.

In no time we were at the bus stop and he stopped there, then I brought out my phone, went to the text I received then handed my phone over to him so that he can read it.

“Be safe” he said out loud as he stared at my phone screen “You don’t know who sent this?” he asked and I shook my head.

“No, I don’t” I replied “If it was your brother, he would have left his initials ‘~R’, and Ricardo won’t text me with a private number, so… I don’t know” I shrugged.

“Okay, okay”

“What do you think? Do you think it’s some of those scammers? You know those guys can be really desperate when it comes to getting their victim” I told him and he nodded.

“I can’t say it’s that now but that could be an option. I will check it tomorrow, okay? Just don’t put too much mind into it” he told me and I nod my head.

I got out of his car and said my goodbye before he took a U-turn to head back home.

I checked the time and saw that it was five minutes past five so I began my way there as I held onto my sweater tightly due to the cold weather. I would have just let him take me there so I don’t have to walk in the cold. Ann will be mad at me if she knew I walked all the way but she doesn’t have to know.

I am just glad that she gets this opportunity to plan and organize their annual success party that is held every year for the celebration of the success they gained that year.

Aside from being good with administrative work, Ann is great at organizing things and planning events. I knew of a few events she had done their planning for while I tagged along as the decorator. She’s great at it, I wouldn’t lie.

Ann wanted me to be the one who would decorate the hall but its exam week and I can’t do any more outside jobs. She doesn’t want my mind to be divided and she let me continue with Mrs. Addison’s project because Mrs. Addison told me not to rush and that I should just focus on my exams then after, I will continue.

I got the remaining payment and a huge tip from Mr. Addison. I do have plans on what to do for my circle but that would have to be after graduation.

I heard a car honk but didn’t bother to look since I was sure it was probably a driver honking at someone who is crossing the road or trying to tell the driver in front to speed up or something. I heard it again and felt like it might be honking for me, so I looked up to see a white Mercedes-Benz A-Class parked by the roadside and on the other side of the road.

The car didn’t look familiar and I thought it might be someone in the same lane as me but then the window came down and someone was waving at me, I was confused since I couldn’t really see the face of the person waving, then I saw Ann who moved closer to the person as she waves at me with a smile on her face.

I waved back and crossed the road to meet them. When I looked closer, I saw that the person who waved earlier was Mr. Roberto, Ann’s boss. I entered the car and the heat went up immediately. The cold I felt was slowly fading away and it relaxed me.

“Thank you,” I say to Ann and greet Mr. Roberto and he greets me back.

“I didn’t know that you were coming,” Ann said and I sighed.

“Ricardo had some work to get to, he finished his exam early and left immediately after he was done so I decided to come here then we can come home together” I explained to her and she nods.

“Just to avoid any form of miscommunication, make sure you call me when you are coming so that you know whether I am there or not,” she said.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

My protective big sister.

“Will do ma’am” I salute her and she shook her head.

We chatted for a while and Mr. Roberto asked about my exams and how it was going. I told him it was all great because that is the truth, he also asked if we wanted to eat an African dish for dinner, and since I haven’t really tried anything from there, we agreed.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we got inside and were shown our table where our order was taken. Mr. Roberto ordered Jollof Rice with turkey, and they said they had Fried Rice so I choose to try out the two on them, Ann took the same order as mine.

Our food was brought to us and we prayed before we started eating. The Fried Rice is light green in color while the Jollof was red, almost like orange and the turkey was nicely grilled. When I tasted each of them, I never wanted to stop eating them, it was too good.

I think this might be our second favorite spot, the food is good.

Mr. Roberto told us about how much his wife loved this place when she was alive. He also filled us in on her visit to some African countries before they got married and she had grown to love some of their food and culture.

“She was the one who introduced this dish to me,” he said and I smiled. “It was one of her favorite dishes anytime, any day and now, it’s mine”

“It’s nice to know Mr. Roberto,” I said, and Ann nodded in agreement.

“Honestly, this is my first time eating this food and all I can say is, it’s good… it feels like I don’t want to stop eating it,” Ann said and I chuckled because that’s what was on my mind. “How about you, Morgan?”

“Yes, it is really good and I am enjoying it… a little bit spicy but this dish is something I would want to eat anytime any day” I responded “I will introduce it to my friends and boyfriend,” I say.

“That would be a good idea and a heads up… Amelia would love you for life,” Ann said and we giggled.

We continued eating as Mr. Roberto told us a few stories, some jokes, and a few pieces of fatherly advice. I can see why Ann sees him more as her father than her boss.

When we were done eating, he paid for us all and took us home, we said our goodbyes and got inside our home after he drove away.

…

“I never knew African dishes were this great,” I say to Ann then went to sit on the bed as I watched Ann towel dry her hair in front of the mirror.

“Of course, it is good. If I had known it was this great tasting, I would have learned a few tricks here and there and made you guys a buffet” she said and I chuckled.

“Always so considerate and amazing” I commented and she grinned when she turned around to keep the towel on the rack beside the bathroom door. “Well, it’s never late. You know now, so we will definitely be expecting some mouth-watering dish from you soon” I said and she walked up to me and sat beside me.

Her red hair was in a messy bun and it looked so good.

‘Oh, how I wish I had her hair’ I said to myself then sighed.

“On the scale of one, being worst to ten, being the best, how do you think you did?” she asked.

“I will go with eight” I shrugged and she looked impressed. “The questions are pretty simple, I guess but from today’s exam, it was really okay,” I told her and she nods.

“I knew you would always make me proud, well-done”

“Thank you”

“Did you call Ricardo to check on him?” she asked then took her book and placed it on her lap as she looks to me for my reply.

“Yes, I did. When I took an excuse to use the bathroom, he was home already and sounded so tired”

“Okay, he’ll keep up, don’t worry too much” she pats my back and I nod my head.

“Yeah, I know,” I say with a smile “My Ric is a conqueror” I smiled and she reciprocates it.

She sat properly on the bed to continue reading when I called her name, she closed the book to look at me.

“Are you praying now?” I asked and her eyebrows scrunched when I asked before she shook her head.

“Not yet, why?”

“Well, err…” I cleared my throat before continuing what I wanted to say. “I would like to join in your prayer, I could get used to it with time” I shrugged and she smiles.

“Sure” she put the book on the bedside table then moved closer to me and held her hand out, I placed my hand in hers and she held them.

“Let’s pray”