Episode 2: A Ride She Could Never Forget
By the middle of the semester, Daniel had become a familiar face in Sophia’s daily routine. They still weren’t friends, but they were no longer strangers either. Their greetings had become effortless, often accompanied by brief conversations that ended almost as soon as they began.
Sophia noticed the little things about him without meaning to. He always left for work neatly dressed, never seemed to be in a hurry, and greeted everyone with the same quiet politeness. It wasn’t enough for anyone else to pay attention, but somehow, it was enough for her.
Whenever she caught herself thinking about him during lectures, she quickly scolded herself. Final year wasn’t the time to develop feelings for someone she barely knew. Yet every evening, she found herself hoping their paths would cross before she went inside.
One Wednesday morning, she woke to the sound of heavy rain beating against the roof. The sky was unusually dark, and the weather showed no sign of improving.
Chioma peeped through the window and sighed.
“At this rate, nobody is getting to class early.”
“We have that departmental presentation today,” Sophia replied, checking the time on her phone. “Missing it isn’t even an option.”
She packed her laptop into her bag, slipped a folder containing her presentation notes into a waterproof file, and picked up her umbrella.
“You’re actually going?” another roommate asked.
“I have to.”
The rain had reduced to a drizzle by the time Sophia stepped outside, but before she reached the compound gate, it returned with even greater force. She hurried beneath the small concrete shade near the entrance, waiting for the rain to ease.
Commercial buses drove past without stopping, spraying muddy water onto the roadside. The few tricycles that appeared were already full, while every ride request she made on her phone was either cancelled or ridiculously expensive.
She looked at the time again.
Her presentation was less than an hour away.
The anxiety slowly crept in.
Just then, a familiar white Corolla rolled toward the gate.
Daniel slowed down when he noticed her standing in the rain. He drove past the gate, stopped a short distance ahead, then lowered the passenger window.
“Sophia.”
She looked up, surprised.
It was the first time he had called her by name.
“You’re going to school?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He glanced at the rain before looking back at her.
“I’m heading that direction. Get in.”
For a brief moment, Sophia wasn’t sure she had heard correctly.
“Oh… are you sure?”
He nodded.
“Unless you don’t mind getting soaked.”
She laughed softly.
“I don’t.”
She hurried to the car, folded her umbrella carefully outside before getting in, making sure not to drip too much water onto the seat.
“Sorry,” she said as she closed the door.
“No worries.”
The car pulled back onto the road.
For the first few minutes, neither of them spoke. The rain tapped gently against the windshield while soft gospel music played quietly through the speakers.
Daniel broke the silence.
“So… how’s final year treating you?”
Sophia smiled.
“It feels like they’re trying to make us earn the certificate.”
He laughed.
“I’ve heard the same from almost everyone.”
She relaxed a little.
“We’re presenting our projects this morning. That’s why I couldn’t stay back because of the rain.”
“I’m sure you’ll do well.”
“I hope so.”
“You will.”
There was something reassuring about the way he said it. Not dramatic, not exaggerated, just genuine.
As they approached the university gate, traffic became heavier. Daniel carefully navigated through the vehicles before turning toward the road leading to Sophia’s faculty.
“Is this close enough?” he asked.
“Yes, my department is just ahead.”
He pulled over safely.
Sophia reached for the door handle before turning back to him.
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I really appreciate it.”
He smiled.
“Have a great presentation.”
“I will.”
She stepped out of the car and watched him drive away before hurrying toward her department. The rain had almost stopped.
For the rest of the day, Sophia couldn’t explain why she felt unusually happy. Even after her presentation ended successfully, it wasn’t the applause from her lecturers that stayed on her mind.
It was the short drive from home to school.
That evening, Chioma noticed the smile on her face almost immediately.
“You look like someone who won a scholarship.”
Sophia laughed.
“I survived the presentation.”
“That’s not why you’re smiling.”
Sophia tried to hide it.
“What else could it be?”
Chioma folded her arms.
“Start talking.”
After a few seconds of hesitation, Sophia finally told them what had happened.
“He gave you a ride?” Chioma asked.
Sophia nodded.
“All the way to school?”
“To my department.”
The three roommates exchanged knowing glances.
“Hmm,” Chioma murmured.
“What?”
“I don’t know…”
Another roommate smiled.
“Maybe your quiet neighbor is finally noticing you.”
Sophia immediately shook her head.
“No, he’s just kind.”
“Kind men don’t stop in heavy rain for every girl they see.”
“He probably would if they were his neighbors.”
Chioma laughed.
“Keep telling yourself that.”
Sophia laughed with them, but deep down, a tiny seed of hope had already been planted. For the first time since Daniel moved into Apartment 6, she allowed herself to imagine the impossible.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
He had started seeing her differently too.
To bc continued
Do you think Daniel offered Sophia a ride simply because they were neighbors, or could he be interested in her too?
