Chapter Four:

The afternoon was calm and bright. A soft breeze brushed through the trees as Peace walked home from class, her bag slung over her shoulder. The day had been long, but her mood was light.

She was just a few steps from her street when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

“Peace!”

She turned, startled — and there he was, Salisu, crossing the road with that confident smile that carried too much warmth for someone she barely knew.

“Salisu?” she said, surprised. “You again?”

He laughed lightly. “Don’t sound so shocked. I was around this area and thought I saw you passing.”

Peace smiled. “Oh, really? What a coincidence.”

“Maybe not,” he said, half-joking. “Remember, you said maybe when I asked if I’d see you again. So I decided to take my chances.”

She laughed softly. “You really took that seriously?”

“I take my words seriously,” he said, his gaze steady.

There was a brief silence between them — not uncomfortable, but charged. Then he added, “Can I walk you home?”

Peace hesitated a bit. She hadn’t planned on seeing him again so soon, but his tone sounded harmless enough. “Sure,” she said.

They began walking together, side by side.

“So this is the route you take every day?” Salisu asked casually, glancing around.

“Mostly, yes,” she replied.

“You shouldn’t walk alone,” he said in a lower voice. “You know how people stare.”

She looked at him, puzzled. “People? What people?”

He shrugged. “Men. Not everyone looks at you innocently, Peace.”

She laughed awkwardly. “You sound like you’ve been watching me.”

He smiled faintly. “Maybe I’m just observant.”

They reached her building, and she pointed toward it. “That’s my place.”

Salisu nodded, scanning the compound. “Nice neighborhood. You and your friend still stay together?”

“Yeah,” Peace replied. “Kemi. You remember?”

“Of course. The one who interrupted our call.” He smiled, but there was something different in his tone this time — teasing, yet slightly sharp. “I hope she didn’t say much about me.”

Peace smiled politely. “Not really. Just jokes.”

He nodded slowly. “Good. Some friends mean well but don’t understand other people’s hearts.”

Before she could respond, he touched her arm gently. “You looked tired today. Make sure you rest, okay?”

She smiled softly. “I will. Thank you.”

He stepped back, hands in his pockets. “I’ll see you around, Peace.”

She waved lightly. “Alright.”

He turned and walked off, but his words lingered — You said maybe, so I took my chances.

When she got inside, Kemi was already near the window, peeking out.

“Who was that fine man you were talking to?” she asked with a grin.

Peace laughed. “Salisu again. I think he just… appeared.”

Kemi raised her brows. “Appeared? Hmm. That doesn’t sound random.”

Peace chuckled and waved her off. “You’re reading too much into it.”

But later that evening, when she checked her phone, a new message popped up:

> “It felt good seeing you again. I like the way you smile when you’re surprised.”

Her lips curled into a small smile.
She didn’t know why — but something about the message made her feel both warm and uneasy.

To be continued....

WRITTEN BY 
UMORU DANIELA JOHN