The Date

Sophia had to hurry because she heard her phone rang repeatedly. She managed to pick before it stopped ringing. It was Larry. He was on the other end of the line. He was also outside the door of their house. Her heart raced as thoughts of him flooded her mind.

“Oh Larry, I'm so sorry. I have missed your calls. I was in the bathroom. Please, I will join you soon. Give me a moment,” she said.

“Alright, I will be waiting,” Larry said.

“Do you mind coming in? My mum won't mind.”

“Sure! I don't mind. I will like to meet her.”

“Alright, then I will join you soon.”

Although Sophia had informed her mum about Larry's visit, she was still a bit uncomfortable. She was not sure of how her mum would see him.

She was still not sure of what to wear. She needed to look exceptional, this being her first date with Larry since the inception of their friendship.

Sandra had told her to wear her royal blue ball gown which was given to her on her last birthday. It was just the right dress for the occasion. She looked just like a princess who was going to meet her prince charming. Getting down from the stairs, she saw Larry looking so handsome in a striped white shirt and blue jeans which fit perfectly to his muscular frame. She overheard her mum cross-examining Larry as though he came for marital rights. It was a hilarious sight, as Larry was answering her barrage of questions. 

“My daughter just turned 18 and I wouldn't want her to be in the wrong hands,” her mother said.

Larry flashed her mother his signature smile. “Ma’am, you can trust me with your daughter. I’m not going to let you down,” he said with so much confidence which made Sophia even love him more. 

At that moment, he glanced at her side and their eyes met. His eyes glinted as he watched her walk towards him. “Here she comes, looking as beautiful as always.”

He held her hand when she approached him and glanced at her mother. “Alright ma’am, we will be on our way now. I promise to bring her back as soon as possible.”

Sophia's mum nodded and cautioned, “Please drive safely.” 

“Don't worry about that ma’am. I started driving since I was 16. I promise to bring her back safely,” Larry reassured her. 

“Alright, you guys should take care,” Sophia’s mum said.

Sophia couldn't stop laughing as they stepped out of the house. She observed Larry was looking a little relieved. 

He stared at her. “You don't have to make fun of me. I did well there. You should give me accolades.” He flashed her a grin. 

“Well, yeah. You sure deserve accolades,” Sophia said with a smile. “Can we go now, Mr. Accolades?” She teased him. 

Larry opened the passenger door for her. “After you, Your Majesty,” he said, bowing as though he wanted to make way with a show of hand. 

***

Larry drove for thirty minutes and parked the vehicle in front of a beautiful KFC restaurant in the center of the city. 

Sophia’s eyes widened when they got out of the car. “Wow! You didn't tell me that we will be having this lunch here.”

“Why? I hope you don't have issues with that. We can visit another place if you wish,” Larry said.

“Oh! No, I sure love it here, I was just expressing my surprise.”

“Alright,” Larry said.

They entered the restaurant and took their seats at the far right end of the room. 

Larry looked at her and said, “Place your order.” 

“I’ll have chips and juice.”

“Which kind of juice?” 

“Apple juice.” 

“Okay.”

Larry ordered the same. He signaled a waiter over to their table and gave her their order. He couldn't wait to tell her why he decided to take her out when it was not even her birthday. Larry wanted to tell her about his admission into Berkeley University. He felt it would be unfair not to tell her about his feelings. He believed it was the right time. 

Excitement flooded his eyes as he stared at her and held her hands. “Sophia, I got my letter of admission last two weeks, and guess where? Berkeley University.”

Sophia looked at him and said. “Oh, wow, that’s amazing.”

Larry tightened his expression. “You don't seem surprised, why?”

“Because I already know. Caleb told me,” she said with a little smile.

“Someone has spoilt your surprise package,” she said and laughed so hard. “Don't worry, next time I will act dumb to make you feel good,” she teased him. 

Larry grinned. “I’m going to deal with Caleb for spoiling my show.” 

“Talking about admission, have you gotten yours? I believe everyone from our school has received it,” he said.

“Yes, I have gotten mine and I was admitted to Berkeley University too.” 

Larry widened his eyes as he stared at her. “This is a joke, right? Did you say Berkeley?” he asked to be sure he heard right.

“Yes, I was admitted to Berkeley with a first-class scholarship. Our Principal called me last week and gave me the news.” 

“This means, this means…” Larry couldn't complete a sentence. He was still processing the news and was finding it difficult to express his excitement. “The universe is happy with us and has found a way to keep us together. What about Sandra?”

“Oh! Sandra. She was admitted to St Louis University. I will miss her terribly. I pray God will give me another friend like her. She is one person I can't trade for anything.”

“Interesting, so what about me?” Larry asked feeling a bit jealous. So you can trade me for the world, right?” 

Sophia smiled and held his hand. “There's no need to be jealous of Sandra. Each of you has your place in my life. Anyway, enough of that, when are you planning to move? I heard school starts on the 10th of January.”

“Yeah, my dad said I will leave on the 6th to settle down well before resumption and I think you should consider that too, it will save you a lot of stress. What do you think?”

As they chatted, Sophia started feeling dizzy and needed to get some rest. She excused herself for the restroom where she could have a moment of solitude. Larry became restless when it was getting late. So many thoughts ran into his mind. Did he say something wrong? 

He couldn't wait any longer and decided to go in search of Sophia. He was shocked when he found Sophia lying on the floor leading to the women’s restroom. He shouted for help as panic gripped him. He continued to shout for help and the owners helped her carry Sophia and put her inside his car. He quickly drove her to the hospital. 

Larry had never been so afraid in his life like he was when he saw Sophia lying lifeless on the hospital bed. He decided not to call her mum because he didn't want to raise an alarm that would put two lives in danger. 

He was still in deep thought when the doctor came out.

“What happened, doctor? What is wrong with her? I found her lying lifeless on the floor and she hasn't complained about anything before that time.” 

“Thank God you brought her on time. We would have lost her if she wasn't brought in on time,” the doctor said.

“Please, doctor, what is wrong with her?” Larry was anxious and agitated. 

“Are you related to her?” the doctor asked.

“Yes, you can tell me,” Larry replied. 

“She has leukemia and won't be able to live for long.” 

The doctor dropped the bombshell in Larry’s ears. For several seconds, the world spun around him and he felt his heart racing. “This can’t be true. She has never mentioned this before. How can she have a little time to live?” 

Larry had no option than to call her mum. He told her about the situation. 

“I will join you in the hospital soon,” Sophia's mum said in a panicked voice over the phone. 

***

Martha was heartbroken she first received the news when Sophia was ten years of age. She had hoped that the doctor’s diagnosis was wrong and her daughter would live long and enjoy a fruitful life. After losing her husband to a motor accident, she couldn't bear losing her only daughter.  But what could she do? She just had to prepare for the inevitable.

Sophia was already awake talking with Larry when she got to the hospital. 

“How are you doing my dear? You shouldn't have stayed out long. I got you some beverages,” she said and dropped a blue nylon bag filled with beverages on the table beside her daughter’s bed. 

Sophia flashed her a weak smile. “Thank you, mum.”

Martha stayed with Larry and her daughter throughout the day. She slept with them in the ward at night and left in the morning, praying to God to save her daughter’s life.

“When did you plan on telling me?” Larry asked Sophia with mixed feelings. 

“I was hoping to do so on our way home,” Sophia said. 

“Let's leave that till when you are out from here. The doctor said that you will be discharged today,” Larry suggested. 

“Oh, that's great to hear, please can we stop by Sandra's place? I just don't think I should call her on phone.”