"i have never been the talking type or the sociable one too so this my first time experiencing these kind of things OK" looking''... "I've always been the closeup kid ever since I was little and when my parents died it became worst..... I was all alone".
"but that all changed when.... When I met you Mark, you changed me for the better and am happy you did".... "I love you too Mark".
Mark was still remembering the words of Ben and picturing how his childhood would have been like.
"man I can't think of anything other thing to get my mind of Ben's words..... I wish I was there with him and I wish we got to meet sooner than this, I want to protect him with everything I've got, to protect that innocence and most of all to protect that smile of his". Mark said determined to bring his words to action.
"don't worry Benny, you will never be alone anymore.... Am here for you and am not willing to let go" he said in addition to his earlier words.
"if tomorrow is bright on us you are going to have a good time" he smiled.
Somewhere, someone was being angry at himself for being incompetent.
"how could I have forgotten to get his contact, that was the most important thing to do first" Anthony felt disappointed at in himself "just one simple task and you blew it up... Ahhhhhh!!!" he screamed while stretching his hair in frustration.
"Rachel, I screw up big time. What am I going to do" Anthony sounded sad.
"just breath and relax OK, it is not the end of the world..... Next rehearsal day you just have to get his contact, but don't forget to" Rachel advised him and also encouraged him.
"yes, you are right Rachel. Next time I wouldn't forget" Anthony felt a little relieved and relaxed "good now let's make this weekend a special one for both of us, since it will be the last weekend together. What do you think" Rachel asked waiting for Anthony's reply.
"alright Rachel, we will" Anthony said while smiling at Rachel. "fine tomorrow at 7 and be ready before I get here OK" she told him.
"alright mummy..... I will OK, but right now you need to go home it is late" Anthony said looking worried. "I will be fine OK, no take care" Rachel rose up and left for her apartment just beside their university campus.
Just outside the door Rachel had an angry look on her face "why... Why!!, why do you not notice me Anthony." see sounded bittered.
She walked to her apartment in death silence.
On Ben's end he kept thinking on the words Mark told him and he knew it was genuine.
"Ben, stop it you are making me feel emotional and who said you are alone,"
"am here for you and if I met you when we were younger we would have been best of friends then too".
"always remember am here for you, and I will protect you from any harm OK..... I love you Ben".
"Ahhhhhha!!!!" he screamed in mixed emotions
"mow what can I do, I can't think straight".
"Mark, your words makes it hard to sleep... Am having mixed feelings right now and it can't seem to stop" he said as he looked to the ceiling and said "but I know that am happy, even if I can't sleep right now" he smiled while saying the words.
The night was a chilled night that carrys emotions in the air.....
"I wonder how everyone is spending their evening" Ben wondered.
Indeed everyone had how they were spending their evening, some together outside campus, some where at their partners house, some went to clubs with either friends or partners.
Tomorrow will be a new day for everyone, and it held so much fun and other things with this mindset everyone has an anticipation of what tomorrow will look like.
"where will Mark take me to, maybe on another date or the park or even the picnic.... Ohhhh my lord, just thinking about it makes me run crazy. But one thing I know is that tomorrow it's going to be fun and epic." Ben wondered.
And with that Ben was lying on his bed looking at his phone to see if their is anything good that will make him sleep, cause it was difficult to because of the hangoot he had with Mark and the anxiety he had, but he couldn't find anything good..... He actually fell asleep but it was out of boredom.
Mark o the other hand was still awake looking out his plans he had lay down, he crossed checked it over and over till he was satisfied with his results and went to bed.
"tomorrow will be a day Ben will never forget in his life.... Let's see 5he plans are in place and the preparation are set up and ready to go. That's good and perfect, now I can't wait for the morning sun to rise" he spoke with mixed feelings as he fell asleep.
The next day bore a very beautiful morning and had this air that moves with weekend holidays but this one was extra great for the plans of friends and families coming to life.
Mark woke up and did his morning exercise and drank some tea to warm him up cause he had a little chill, then there after he went to have a shower and got out with towel rapped around his waist as he made his way to the room. There he saw his phone and switched it on to see if there were messages on it.
Ben's morning greeting message came through first..... 'good morning Mark how was your night rest and how are you feeling. Am looking forward to what you have planned out for our weekend together see you later and oh text me the time when you wanna pick me up OK'.
After Ben's message others followed, from family, from friends, from the group platform and from the clubs he attends.
He quickly replied to Ben's message..... 'good morning Benny love, am cool although a little chilly but I have had some tea to warm me up and my night rest was splendid too. Am too looking forward to spending the weekend with you and I will be happy if you got ready before *9: 10AM* OK see you later '.
"Ahaaaah, hearing from him makes my heart relax but my brain to go on overdrive with plans and how to make today special for both of us. It has to count and by God's name am gonna make it count" Mark spoke to himself with determination.
He went to put on some light clothes first so he could go out to get some breakfast to eat that morning.
On his way back from the canteen he met Emily and Samantha walking together with a guy from the other class.
"maybe they wanna get something together or are they dating.... Nah nah nah Mark you and Ben are done with them just continue to going your own way their business is never your business" he told himself as he locked eyes with Samantha who looked at his direction.
Samantha seeing Mark stirring became embarrassed and flustered se she turned he face to another direction to not see Mark's gaze.
Mark on the other hand had started walking away the hostel so he could get to his room and eat then after that he was going to get Ben for their outing today. He has a long time and a long day ahead with Ben and he was not going to stand and stir at his ex, he killed all feelings for Samantha and he put them all on Ben all so he thought.
Samantha looks back only to see Mark living and walking straight to his hostel dormitory
"why was he stirring and why am i flustered by his gaze and turned on by him, we are over each other or are we not....." she asked her self in thoughts.
"there is only one way to find out if I still have feelings for him and him for me...." she said still walking.
"Sam what is the matter, you look distant all of a sudden" Emily asked with a question look on her face.
"nothing to need of worrying OK, it's nothing I promise" Samantha said with a fake smile across her face.
"OK, if you say so Sammy... But let's hurry up with getting the food we ordered OK" Emily was talking when her eyes land's on Mark's back "oh! That's Mark I didn't see him there.... Oh well let's get what we ordered and get the hell out."
"yeah, let's do just that" Samantha said looking a bit sad by Emily's comment on her ex.
Ben at his room in his own hostel had received the message from Mark a while back but he was conflicted with what to wear for their outing.... "should I wear this or that, hmmmmm great, just great what a mess I don't know what to wear at all" Ben complained frustrated.
He read the text from Mark again 'good morning Benny love, am cool although a little chilly but I have had some tea to warm me up and my night rest was splendid too. Am too looking forward to spending the weekend with you and I will be happy if you got ready before *9: 10AM* OK see you later '.
"Oh f*ck am screwed the time is almost 8: 45am... What am I going to do now" he said in regrets and embarrassment as he fell on his bed.
Then an idea popped up in his head "my sister could help me with outfits, she has always been go at it" he jumps out of bed and grabs his phone dialing his sister's number.
"hello, Benny" his sister Emma answered as she picked up the call.
"big sister I need your help and it is very important..... A matter of life and death" Ben mentioned dramatically.
Few moments later "thank you sis you're the best, I knew I could rely on you later bye" he said as he hung up the call. "finally I can get dressed and fix up some noodles to eat first so I don't go hungry..... Sounds like a good plan" he set at side the clothes his sister picked for him as he rushed to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for the day's outing.
What felt like hours has passed only seems to be minutes that has really passed but the food part was that it enabled Ben to get ready quickly and got spear time as he walked to the kitchen to fix himself something to eat.
Later on Ben heard knocks on the door he smiled knowing who was to show up at the given time.
"I thought you were never gonna show up Mark" he stated as he opened the door.
"sorry for that, so shall we then?" Mark asked as he held out his hand to Ben
"yes we shall....." Ben said as he lift his hand and placed it on Mark's opened hand before peeking Mark on the cheek.
Both went all out not minding their environment or the people watching all they wanted was to have fun.
They went to the park together.... Drove some mini race cars, went on a roller-coaster and won a big teddy bear as an award for a game.
"Am dead hungry how about you Benny" Mark asked Ben "more than you could think of" Ben replied.
"Alright let's get something to eat and while we're at it we should buy tickets for the glader ride" Mark mentioned "OK sounds like a good plan" Ben was in favor of the idea.
They got hamburgers, fries and little soft drinks then found a spot to eat their food.
Minutes after, they went back to their ride and went out the park..... "where to next" Ben asked... "the movies and from there to the restaurant for an adequate food and we head to the gaming shop to play games." Mark spoke with pride, cause he organised the weekend plans.
"alright Mark, you don't have to sound dramatic OK" Ben smiled.
The rest of the day went as they had planned, with their adventures to the movies, the restaurant and to the gaming store it was quite a blast for the two lovers but for Ben most especially. Being an indoor kid and never really had fun this was a great experience for him and he felt grateful cause he lived the dream he thought he could never have.
"thank you Mark..... For the outings and sightseeing am grateful to you" Ben thanked Mark passionately.
"it is nothing, but am happy you could enjoy it with me" Mark said smiling.
The rest of the evening went great, as they continued to explore new places and with Ben becoming more and more free with himself.
This chapter brought me joy and happiness because some of it meant my true life experiences and am glad I could express my self in my own very book.... Thank you for your time and support, vote and drop your insight on the comments.
One more thing, if you wanna know more about me(the author) you could chat or look me up on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok with the name of **Benson abel or Enakerakpor abel** but am not very popular so I will appreciate it if you follow me up and we'll get to know each other.