Chapter Three:

The evening air was calm and cool, drifting softly through the open window. It was one of those peaceful nights when the world seemed to move a little slower.

Peace sat outside on the small wooden chair near the doorway, scrolling through her phone. From a distance, the sound of laughter and passing cars mixed with the hum of evening life. Kemi, her roommate, was still outside chatting with a neighbour.

Then, Peace’s phone buzzed.
A strange number flashed on the screen.

She frowned slightly, then answered.
“Hello?”

A calm, familiar voice came through the line.
“Good evening… Peace, right?”

She paused. “Yes… who’s this?”

The voice chuckled lightly. “Ah, you’ve already forgotten me? It’s Salisu — the man who rescued you that day.”

Her eyes lit up instantly.
“Ohh! Salisu!” she said, smiling wide. “Wow, it’s you!”

She stood up from the chair and walked inside, closing the door softly behind her. Her tone turned warmer now.
“I wasn’t expecting your call.”

“I told you I’d check on you,” he said, his voice deep and calm. “You’ve been on my mind since that day. How are you?”

Peace leaned against the wall, trying to steady her smile. “I’m fine, thank you. Just tired from school.”

“You sound like someone who works too hard,” he said. “You should take care of yourself. People like you deserve calm, not stress.”

Peace giggled. “You talk like an old soul.”

“Maybe that’s why we met,” he teased softly.

She laughed again, shy and lighthearted. Their voices melted easily into each other, the way new conversations do when everything feels fresh and unforced.

Then, the door opened.
Kemi stepped in, still holding her phone, smiling mischievously.

“Wassup, babe?” she said, eyeing Peace. “Who’s making you smile like this?”

Peace turned away quickly, whispering, “Kemi, abeg, stop!”

Salisu laughed faintly through the receiver. “Seems I’m interrupting something.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Peace said quickly, shooting Kemi a playful glare.

“Tell your friend I said hello,” Salisu added. “She sounds like someone full of energy.”

Peace smiled, lowering her voice. “She is. Always teasing me.”

He chuckled. “Don’t mind her. Anyway, I’ll let you rest. I just wanted to hear your voice.”

Her smile softened. “That’s sweet of you.”

“Will I see you tomorrow?” he asked.

She hesitated, smiling shyly. “Maybe… I’m not sure yet.”

“Then I’ll hope your day brings you my way,” he said gently. “Goodnight, Peace.”

“Goodnight,” she whispered, her voice warm and low.

The call ended, and Kemi immediately sat on the bed beside her, eyes wide with curiosity.
“Hmm, Peace! So that’s the guy, eh? The mysterious hero from the other day?”

Peace laughed, hiding her face in her pillow. “Kemi, please, don’t start!”

Kemi grinned. “Ah, look at your face! You’re glowing. Hmm… I know that look. You’re gone already.”

Peace threw a pillow at her, both of them bursting into laughter.

But later, when the laughter faded and the room grew quiet, Peace lay on her bed replaying the sound of his voice.

It was deep, calm, reassuring — like something she didn’t know she’d been missing.
And right there, she didn’t realize she had already started slipping.

To be continued.....

WRITTEN BY 
UMORU DANIELA JOHN