"Where were you yesterday?" a man said from the line said when she picked up the call, her sleepy self has registered that she picked up the call so she yawned then placed her phone beside her on the bed as she stretched.

She looked around the slightly familiar looking room and frowned. She remembered that she was so tired and stressed out yesterday after the numerous shopping she did the previous day then she came over to Patrick's dorm room where she cooked them something with his help and they talked before starting on their school project then they slept off.

She let out a sigh and yawned again then looked around the room for any sight of Patrick but didn't see him so she decides to get up and get prepared to leave for her dorm room.

Then it hit her that she was on a call earlier, immediately she grabbed her phone to check if the person was still on the line but the call had already being disconnected. So, she checked the recent caller to see Tomiwa's name there. A sigh and groan left her lips and she rest her face in her palm as she shook her head.

It was early morning and she isn't ready for his unnecessary drama and inquires but if she didn't call now and explain that she was just waking up after a long and tired night, then she would never hear the end of it.

She dialed his number and it rang for a few minutes but he didn't pick, she tried it again and again and again but still same then she made a mental note to call him when she gets to her dorm room so she stood up from the bed and went out of the room to look for Patrick.

A nice and delicious aroma was coming from the kitchen and it brought a smile on her face as she continued her way to the kitchen and just as she suspected, she saw Patrick with his back to her, mixing something.

"I would never have to worry about waking up hungry if I have you around" she comments as she walked up to him.

Patrick looked back from what he was doing and let out a chuckle as he put in a plate freshly fried eggs then two pancakes followed, he passed her a plate of croissant so that she can start eating.

"How was your night?" he asked and she yawned then took a fork and began with the pancakes.

"This is delicious Patrick" she comments then took some more into her mouth and some eggs.

"Juice or tea?" he passed her both and she smiled then took them and made them some beverage tea.

"My night was great, thanks for asking... How about yours?" she asked him and he sighs then switched off the stove before putting the last pancakes he was cooking on a plate for himself.

"It was okay, thank you... at least I didn't get to dream about you stepping on my legs because I chose to give you some dance lesson" he comments.

Ife turned around and threw him a playful glare before turning back around to continue making them the tea. When she was done, she carried two cups and placed them on the counter for them both.

"That's yours," she said and he smiled then took a sip from his cup. "Thank you for teaching me how to dance... Thank you for everything" she said and he grinned at her.

"You're welcome Ife"

"You know, my dad use to teach me how to dance back home. When I was a little girl, he'll carry me in his arms and play a really cool and soothing song as he dances around the room with me" she said and chuckled.

"I would most of the time giggle as he tickles me lightly or when sleep in his arms... he'll hum and dance with me in his arms and when I wake up, it's because of my mum's loud voice that wakens me up and startle me" she smiled.

"Why did you need me to teach you how to dance, if your dad was there to teach you?" he asked her and she let out soft chuckles before answering.

"My mum" she shook her head then dropped her fork as she stares at her fingers then at her plate. "My mum do complain that my dad gives me so much attention and abandon my older sisters" she tells him and he frowns.

"Is that true?" he asked and she looks at him "Does he really neglect them and give you all the attention?" Patrick asked and she shook her head.

"They prefer to be with mum more than they do with dad, I have seen dad try to spend time with us but they somehow just prefer to stay with mum while I prefer to be with dad because he is quite easy on me" she shrugged.

"I don't know why my mum is like that to me but I do wish I was closer to her like my older sisters" she confessed and let out a sigh before continuing her eating "Don't let what I say spoil the mood, I love this breakfast you made, thank you" she smiled and he returns it as he watch her eat.

He was worried about her and how she feels. He had his own issues to deal with but Ife became his priority since what she did for him when they first met. No one he knew has done something like that for him and he appreciates her for it.

Even when his sudden interest in her turned into a full blow crush then gradually turned to love as they spent more time together as friends, nothing could make him stop being friends with her.

He was the only one he knew that she told her problems to, willingly and comfortably... he can't assure that her mum would stop picking on her as she wish but he comforts her and tell her to hope for the best and pray to GOD to help her be strong.

He knows Ife to be a well determined woman who ignores words of people that try to bring her down but when it comes to her family, she tends to take it to heart and it makes her sad which he didn't like.

He wanted to see her happy all the time because seeing her happy brings him happiness. Even when she came back last year telling him that she had a Nigerian boyfriend who was from the same state as her mum, Ekiti. He was sad but because she looked happy when she told him, he decided to put back his feelings for her and be her supportive friend.

He roots for her and her goals and wishes her success all the time. He tells her all the time he is proud of her and would be by her side any time she needed him.

"Things will be good" he touched her hand and gave it a small squeeze and she smiles.

"I believe so," she said and let out a sigh then contemplated telling him what was disturbing her the previous night. "Er... I and Tomiwa had a quarrel yesterday" she said and he looks at her with his brows raised "It's not too serious but he just said some really hurtful words to me which made me mad and hurt and when he called in the evening, I felt angry that he wasn't going to apologize for how he spoke to me earlier so I disconnected the call" she sighs and dropped her fork.

"Does he use those words on you frequently?" he asked and her eyes widened as she thought about telling him the truth but that would make he.want her to leave since it was verbal abuse.

"Uh... no, no, not at all... he doesn't use those words on me at all" she defends and could see that he didn't look convinced and was glad he didn't push further.

"If you say so, did you try to talk to him when you woke up?" he asked and she shook her head.

"I saw his missed calls though but I'll call him when I get to my dorm room" she pushed the plate away from her front then stood up to take her plate to the sink and hoped he wouldn't ask any further questions

"Ife, are you sure you're okay?" Patrick stood and went to stand beside her by the sink.

She turns to him and smiles then walked away to pack up the plates they used.

"Are you through here?" she asked.

"Ife..." he warned but she didn't answer and just went on to cleaning "Ifeoluwa Ayomipo Grace Tobiloba"

"Seriously Patrick?" Ife turns to look at him with her brows raised and a forced smile on her lips.

She didn't want to raise her voice and get mad at him but he was worried about her so he can't be blamed for his pressing questioning.

He knew something was wrong because she couldn't keep eye contact even when she was turned to him.

Whenever she lies or isn't certain about something, she tends to freak out and avoid eye contact.

"Ife..." he began but she shook her head.

"Patrick, it's fine. Let's drop this, please" she walked past him and he sighs as he watched her walk to his room.

He let out another sigh and shook his head then went after her.

"Ife, look I am sorry. I was just worried about you" he walked up to her and held her hand that was going to grab her bag beside his bed. "I care so much about you and seeing you troubled makes me troubled" he says and she looks up at him then let out a sigh.

"I am not mad at you and I get that you're just worried for me but please when I say it's fine... it's fine" she said and he nods then she wrapped her arms around him and his went over her shoulders.

"Take care okay?" he said.

"Thank you, Patrick... you're a good friend" she smiles up at him.

He nods his head and released her so she can get going, he walked her to the door and helped her with the bags she brought in the previous day.

"Do you need me to help you get this downstairs?" he asked taking his coat to wear but she shook her head.

"I brought it in last night, I can definitely take em back" she grinned and he nods then opened the door for her "Thank you once more Patrick, I'll see you when I see you" she salutes and he salutes back before turning around to leave.

Patrick stood by his door watching her leave for the stairs then he saw her stop and frowned, thinking that she forgot something.

She turns to him and walked back again.

"You look good with or without losing your weight, just do what makes you happy and don't loose them all" she pokes his stomach and h laughs.

"Don't worry, the akpu I eat won't let that happen" he replied and she burst out laughing.

"I'll see you later, Patrick. Take care" she turns and walked away.

"You too, Ife" he said and watched her disappear down the stairs.

"Progress, progress, progress" he mutters then went inside to call his sister to ask about his mum's health.

---

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think.

I'll be posting update on this book during the weekend, Saturday or Sunday, hope you like it

Have a lovely weekend