It's been a few days after that dinner they had which ended in silence, mostly from Ife's mum and sisters.

Patrick, her dad and Tomiwa were the only ones who wished her the best and we're genuinely happy for her and that made her happy but as much as she wants to pretend that she isn't affected by her mum and sisters behavior towards her, she can't help but wish that they would be genuinely happy for her and celebrate with her in her joy.

But, there's little you can do to making anyone happy for you. You can't force someone who has total distaste for you to like you or be happy for you.

At least she is consoled with the knowledge that she has people rooting out for her.

Ife and Patrick would be going back to school in two days and she made a mental note to go visit his mum today or the next day, that's if she comes back early from the lunch date Tomiwa invited her to.

She is happy that he is really pushing forward to making sure that things go well between them. It feels amazing.

Ife was taken out of her reverie when she heard her phone ring, she stood to her feet and walked over to her dresser table to go check who the caller was.

It was Gerald and she rolled her eyes. She placed her phone back on the dresser and went to sit on her bed when she halt in her step.

'What could he possibly want to say to me?' she asked herself and had this sudden urge to ignore his call but she just gave in and turned to pick the call to at least know what he wants to tell her.

"Yes Gerald?" she said when she pick the call.

"Hmm... It's nice to hear you say my name like that" he chuckled and she rolled her eyes "Guess I'll be calling frequently" he says and she resist the urge to smile.

He has a reputation of making girls swoon and head over heels with his tempting words.

"What do you want, Gerald?" she went to sit on her bed and crossed her legs.

"Always straight to the point, nice" he comments then let out a sigh "I wanted to ask if it would be possible for you to bring me some of your local food? I want to know how it tastes"

A creased formed on her forehead as she thought about all the dishes she has seen him eat.

"I know what you're going to say but let me explain," he said before she could say anything "I have eaten some of the food here but I want to know how it tastes directly from the roots" he explained.

"The spice might just differ" she shrugged.

"Exactly" he said.

"So, you need me to bring you some some of the spices we use for our food?" she asked to confirm.

"Yes, I'll send you some money to help me with that, just tell me an estimate and I'll make the transfer"

"Okay, I'll check prices and let you know" she said then lay back on her bed.

"Thank you Ife, you're the best, don't let anyone tell you otherwise" he said happily but it brought a frown on her face.

It's not like he is aware of what she faces at home, she hasn't shared with anyone aside from her twin friends and Patrick and she was so sure that Patrick would never discuss something that sensitive to another person.

Ignoring his comment she nods her head "You're welcome, I need to go prepare for my date which is happening in a few minutes" she looked at the time on her phone then placed it back on her ear.

"Oh, okay... don't let me be a block to that," he sounded sad but she ignored it too "Thank you so much Ife and enjoy your date" he said.

"I will, thank you, bye" she disconnected the call and sighed then sat up on her bed and placed her phone on her bed. "Such a man" she comments then stood up to go prepare for her lunch date.

...

Tomiwa and Ife are seated in an ice cream palace that's just some street away from Ife's home, he had been glancing at her frequently as he thought about the main reason he asked her to this date.

He didn't want to listen when he was told to do this but the pressure was getting much and he couldn't just day no.

Ife looked happy and was comfortably enjoying her ice cream which he had no plan of ruining for her... for them.

This was the last time they get to spend the afternoon together till she travels back to school the next day and it's till she was done with her exams for the semester, that was in a month or two.

He didn't want them to have any negative feeling towards each other before she leaves, he wants her to leave happy with him and not mad at him but their bugging words is making him uncomfortable.

'I just have to say it'. He said to himself and sighs which caught her attention for a moment.

"You good?" she asked and he nods his head while he flashed her a forced smile.

"Yeah, just thinking about something" he frowned in thought.

It was best he told her and got it off his mind, he thought then considered her feelings which would be hurt when he brings it up...

"Tomiwa? Tomiwa?" he was brought out of his reverie when she touched his arm. "Are you fine?" she asked when his attention was now on her.

Tomiwa smiled a bit then nods his head.

"What is bothering you? What are you thinking?" she asked and dropped her spoon to give him her attention.

"Babe" he started then held her hand in his, brought them closer to his lips for a light kiss.

"Tell me what's going on" she requested.

"I am proud of you" he said and that brought a huge grin to her lips "So proud of you and with how much you are advancing in your schooling and wanting to take it to the next level by taking your masters program... abroad" he said.

"Thank you, I am glad that you are proud of me, it give me hope and assurance that no matter what, I have a loving boyfriend who would be there to support and root for me, even if the whole world wants to turn against me, you'll be there to stand by me" she smiled and the forced one on his lips vanished.

'I'm so sorry Ife'. He apologized within then said what was in his mind for a long time.

"Why don't you take your masters in Nigeria here? It's our country and I know that we have good university who will offer such opportunity to you" he encouraged.

"Here? I already made my mind Tomiwa and I have started the processing" she shrugged.

"I know that you have but is it necessary that you do that abroad? You already are schooling there so that should be enough for you... do it here in Nigeria, then we can get.to be closer to each other and spend more time together" he said to her.

She frowned and thought for a while "But you were happy when I announced it that day, why didn't you say something?" she asked.

"I just thought about it for a while" he said.

"Or my mum and sisters told you to tell me this" she shook her head in annoyance.

"No babe, no. I just thought that you need to spend more time with us here and we could build strongly on what we have," he tried to convince her but she looked far from that "I could even execute all the juicy plans I have for you" he smiled but she wasn't having it so he continued.

"We could spend more time together and you could be closer to home than you imagi-"

"I asked you some days ago if it was okay and you were totally up for me going for what I want, now you're telling me this" she shook her head disappointedly.

"Babe, I thought about it again, I want us to be cl-"

"No, no Tomiwa" she cuts him off and let out a short laugh "It's not because of that, my mum and sisters probed you to tell me that... no convince me to stay here and have my masters"

She was already feeling irritated.

"Why do I feel like I can't have my life if my mum and sisters aren't involved?" Tomiwa reached to hold her but she retracts away from his reach "I never expected this from you Tomiwa," she shook her head, stood up and left the restaurant, ignoring his calls to her.