Mercy shoved her hair backwards as she alighted from the tricycle she had boarded. She pic,who sped off immediately. Adjusting her handbag pand pulled out a bunch of keys. Stretching forwardHer friends were home. She landed heavily on one of the sofas in the living room, stress written all over her face. Pullinpened her eyes,the scent of leftover jollof rice h"I need to eat first." She muttered,her tone leaving no room for debate. Gold,one of her room mates,never one to let a moment slide, slid the half empty plate towards her wie what you went to do didn't feed you" she said,onGold watched her for a second, then leaned back with folded arms. "You know you're not escaping thisMercy didn't respond. Her focus was locked on the food, as though each spoonful was helping her recock with curiosity, but no one dared interrupt her Gift, the quiet one, finally broke. "At least blink twice if it went well."Mercy paused mid-bite, raised her head slowly, and gave two slow, deliberate blinks—then went back to eating.A chorus of gasps and squeals filled the room."I said it!" Gold clapped her hands dramatically. "This girl has secured something!. That was why she didn't tell us where she was going." Mercy swallowed, wiped her lips, and finally spoke. "You people don't even fear God. Let me eat in p Laughter erupted. The tension cracked into easy chatter as her friends gathered around, the questionpouring in with reckless excitement. ---Mercy took another spoonful, chewing slowly, deliberately dragging out the suspense. Her eyes dancedractically vibrating with curiosity."I hope it's not that same boy with the fake British accent that you went to meet?," Gift said, narrMercy chuckled. "No, it's not him. Relax.""So who then?" Gold pressed, eyes wide. "You walked in here like a Nollywood heroine. You better talMercy set the empty plate aside, leaned back into the sofa, and folded her arms. "Well… let's just s it came with an offer."There was a beat of silence."Meeting ke. Wait—like offer as in money?" Gold asked.Mercy raised a brow, letting her silence speak volumes.The room erupted again. Pillows flew. Questions overlapped."Is it a job?" "Is he cute?" Mercy's smile stretched as she watched the chaos unfold in the room.Finally, she spoke—calm, deliberate. "I didn't go to see any boy."The room went quiet."I went to the school headquarters."Gift frowned. "Headquarters? What for?"Mercy paused, letting the silence build. Then she dropped it: "I registered for the campus fellowshiA collective gasp.Gold nearly fell off the armrest. "You what?!"Mercy nodded. "They just reopened nominations this morning. I got there early enough to submit mine."And?" Gold asked, eyes wide.Mercy's lips curled. "I've been shortlisted."The room erupted again, but Mercy raised her hand."There's one issue," she added. "Chidinma was also shortlisted."The noise died down.Gift winced. "Ah. Chidinma. The people's girl."Gold scoffed. "People's girl ko, people's champion ni. We'll back it up with a 21-day dry fast. Let'Laughter burst.Gold grinned. "You better not doubt it, Madam President-to-be."Mercy leaned back into the couch, a soft smile playing on her lips as the chatter and teasing buzzedthe outcome would be—but surrounded by loyalty, laughter, and a little madness, she felt ready for whatever came next.
