ON THE WAY TO BUY GROCERIES

Later in the afternoon, after hours of lectures and moving around campus, the boys returned to their hostel room, tired, dusty, and very hungry. No one had eaten since morning, and their stomachs grumbled loudly as they dropped their bags and collapsed onto their beds and chairs.

Despite the hunger, excitement filled the air. Idris couldn't stop talking about how kind and easygoing his lecturer, Mr. Adeoye Bamidele, was. Jordan and Michael, sitting side by side, shared how strict Mr. Bright Lawrence had been — but they both agreed that his seriousness would help them stay focused and disciplined.

Justin, however, was unusually quiet, a small, dreamy smile tugging at his lips. Idris noticed and teased him, "Guy, why you dey smile like person wey chop better food?"

The others laughed, and Justin finally confessed, "I think I just met the woman I'm going to marry."

The room exploded with laughter and playful shouting. Justin, slightly embarrassed, couldn’t hide the glow in his eyes when he mentioned Miss Freyda Omotola.

As their laughter died down, the hunger in their bellies reminded them that food was urgent. They decided to quickly freshen up and figure out what to eat next.

After resting for a while and sharing their different experiences, the boys realized their hunger was growing unbearable. Michael suggested, "Instead of wasting money again at the restaurant, why don't we cook something simple here?"

Everyone agreed immediately. They decided on making a basic meal — rice and stew — something quick but filling. They gathered some money among themselves, grabbed a few shopping bags, and set out to buy groceries outside the school gate.

The late afternoon sun was warm but gentle, casting a golden hue over the busy streets. As they walked, their playful spirits took over. Idris and Justin started teasing each other, trying to trip each other lightly on the sidewalk while Jordan and Michael laughed and occasionally joined in.

They were in the middle of their laughter and playful pushing when suddenly, a silver Toyota Corolla sped around the corner, honking loudly. Justin, not paying attention, stumbled into the road just as the car screeched to a halt, tires screeching against the tar.

Everyone froze.

The driver’s door flew open and out stepped none other than Miss Freyda Omotola. Her face was pale with panic but quickly hardened into frustration as she stormed toward them.

"Are you boys crazy?" she said sharply, her voice trembling slightly from the scare. "Do you realize you almost caused an accident?"

Justin, feeling like the ground should open up and swallow him, bowed his head and immediately apologized. "I'm really sorry, ma," he said softly.

The others quickly joined in. "We’re very sorry, ma," Michael said respectfully, and Idris and Jordan echoed him.

Freyda took a deep breath, calming herself. She looked each of them over with a sharp, motherly glare that lingered a little longer on Justin, who couldn’t even meet her eyes. Without another word, she turned, entered her car, and slammed the door shut — but not before giving them one last firm glare.

They stood in silence as she drove off carefully this time, leaving only the sound of the bustling street behind.

After a few seconds, Idris broke the silence. "Omo! See as she nearly kill you with eyes," he joked, trying to lighten the tension.

The others burst into relieved laughter, and even Justin managed a weak smile, though his cheeks still burned with embarrassment.

They continued on their way, much more careful now, and successfully bought all the ingredients they needed — rice, tomatoes, peppers, onions, spices, and some frozen chicken. They even grabbed a few soft drinks to enjoy later.

Back at the hostel, they worked together — Jordan and Michael handled the cooking, while Idris and Justin helped with washing and setting up. The small kitchen was filled with the warm smell of boiling rice and frying stew, and soon, their laughter returned, mixing with the sounds of spoons clanging and pots bubbling.

By evening, they sat together, sharing the simple meal they had made with their own hands, feeling proud, thankful — and much, much more careful about playing on the streets.

After the boys finished eating, they leaned back, satisfied and a little sleepy from the heavy meal. Idris stretched and joked about opening a restaurant, making everyone laugh again. Michael cleared the plates with Jordan's help while Justin sat quietly for a moment, staring absently at his cup of drink.

His mind wasn’t really on the conversation anymore. Instead, it drifted back to Freyda — the way her voice shook with fear and anger, the worried look in her eyes when she rushed out of the car, and even the fierce, protective tone she had used.

Justin sighed deeply, not from sadness, but from something deeper he couldn’t fully explain. She cares about life... She cares about people... he thought quietly. Even in her anger, he had seen something kind in her — a heart that didn’t want harm to come to anyone.

A small, hopeful smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Maybe one day... God will make a way," he whispered under his breath.

Michael, catching the quiet moment, nudged him lightly and grinned. "Still thinking about your 'future wife'?"

Justin laughed softly and shook his head, but said nothing more. Deep inside, he said a silent prayer — not rushing anything, just trusting that if it was God's will, everything would happen in the right time.

The room was warm with brotherhood and the peaceful sense that they were right where they were meant to be.

As Justin leaned his head back and closed his eyes for a moment, a verse from his morning devotion came softly to his mind:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

— Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

He smiled again, feeling a deep peace settle in his heart. He didn’t need to figure everything out now. He just needed to trust God — with his dreams, his journey, and even with the feelings blooming quietly inside him.

The evening ended in quiet laughter, tired yawns, and a deep, restful trust in the One who was writing each of their stories.

As night fell, the hostel room grew quiet. One by one, the boys drifted off to sleep — Idris snoring softly in his corner, Justin turning once or twice before settling, Michael already breathing steadily, and Jordan whispering a short prayer before closing his eyes.

The cool night breeze slipped gently through the slightly open window, carrying with it the distant hum of the quiet campus. In their dreams, the boys carried hopes, laughter, silent prayers, and the sweet beginning of a new chapter.

Above them, unseen but very near, the hand of God rested gently, guiding each of them into the future He had already prepared.

And in that peaceful stillness, all was well.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***