Chapter 16: Chapter 16
CALEB
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CALEB'S POV
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My parents always taught me that miracles do happen and my scholarship to study business at Harvard has proven just that.
I had applied just for fun as my friends Kemi and Ranbir advised me to as they were also applying, at the end, I was the only one amongst us three that got into Harvard and on scholarship. I couldn't have afforded it otherwise.
The first day of university was all I thought it would be and more, it was a different world on its own. I was amazed at how large the community of students was.
The lectures and teachings were my favorite part, it was very interactive and the students were all brilliant. I thought I was very intelligent till I met the other students.
Making friends has never been easy for me, I was always shy to make the first approach, I sometimes worry that I wouldn't be loved or wanted to avoid such things. I stayed on my own.
The only friends I managed to make while in college were Kemi and Ranbir, they both were foreigners from Nigeria and India. We just connected and became friends, we were largely bullied in college but when we stuck together the bullying reduced.
But here in the university, it was tougher to make friends still I liked it here a lot, there are lots of foreigners in Harvard and we are not judged by our skin tone or religion.
The first week of school flew by, and I adapted to school life easily. I was given a flat nearby surprisingly it was part of the scholarship I got. The flat was already furnished and had all I needed to make schooling easy and fun.
My parents visited me in school a month after I resumed to ensure I had settled in, their visit got me a new friend. She was curious as my parents were white and I was mixed, I had to tell her I was adopted. It didn't bother me anymore, my parents loved me and that was all that mattered.
I and Zoey became friends after that day, she was studying to become a lawyer just like her father, though I was able to make other friends, later on, I spent more time with Zoey, we both shared similar tastes in music, movies, and food so it was easy and fun to be in her company.
The only area we didn't seem to agree on was our nightlife. Zoey enjoyed going to clubs and outdoor activities but I was an introvert and enjoyed staying indoors. Most times she tried to get me to come along with her and the day I agreed to join her was the last time she invited me to tag along. I just couldn't flow along with nightlife in the city.
The year before we were to graduate, we started dating, and not too long after we started dating Zoey moved in with me. We made plans about the future, especially concerning our careers, six months into our dating I asked her to marry me and she said yes.
Things were going according to our plans until my father came with a proposal, the proposal was ridiculous and at first, I thought he was joking.
“You are joking right,” I replied astonished
“Unfortunately no. it's just for a year at most two years.”
“I'm an engaged father and you know that.”
“I do, consider it a business deal.”
“I'm sorry no. what does mum think of this.”
“She doesn't know yet, I wanted to tell you first.”
My father had asked me to come home so Zoey was not aware of what was going on, I couldn't break her heart just to please my father.
I had intended to spend the weekend with my parents and had also informed Zoey that I wouldn't be coming back till Monday afternoon. However, I decided to go back that same day because I was not comfortable with my father’s proposal.
I just couldn't wait to unfold my day to Zoey. The door to my flat was locked so I thought she might have gone out with her friends as usual. I unlocked the door with my keys and walked in.
Everything looked normal till I saw Zoey walk past me with two champagne glasses. “You..are back.” she stammered as she saw me. What baffled me was the look of shock and guilt in her eyes.
“Yes, you don't seem pleased to see me.”
“Where are you Zoey.” a familiar voice called from inside our bathroom.
“What's going on here .”
“Please calm down, Caleb, it's not what you think.”
“You are naked and holding two glasses of champagne and a male voice is asking for you from the bathroom.”
“What is going on here….oh. I thought you said he wouldn't be home till Monday. This is not good at all, I’m leaving.” walking away he wore his clothes hurriedly and left
“You mean you have been dating Mr. Philip all this while.” I stuttered, he was my favorite teacher.
“I'm sorry.” Zoey wept. “this is just the first time we have been together
That night I slept on the couch, Zoey tried to talk things out with me but I was so hurt and I ignored her, she packed her stuff out of my flat the next weekend.
The rumor spread like wildfire and I was arrested, Zoey and the lecturer had framed me up for hitting her. It took help from my dad's friend's lawyer to get me out of jail. This also cost me my last semester in school.
I had to prove my innocence before I could take my final exams and graduate. It was a downtime for me and my parents, my dad's friend who had brought the proposal promised to help only on the condition that I accept his offer. It was a no-win situation for me but I had no choice but to make a decision even if it cost me my freedom and self-respect. It was a matter of choosing between the lesser of two evil.