The empty seat

I knew Mr. Felix would not let me in the lecture hall since I was already thirty minutes late, beyond the ten-minute grace he gave. I stood outside the window alongside a few others who had come late. The lecture hall was large enough to contain at least five hundred students, but we were more than that in number, and it was always a struggle to get a seat. Thus, we often came early to class, especially if we wanted the front seats. And like an eagle's eyes, I sighted an empty seat just by the edge of the rows of seats in the hall, and my calculations revived. My senses heightened for the right opportunity when Mr. Felix wasn't looking so I could sneak in to the seat. Getting the attendance register was paramount to my qualifying for the examination scheduled for two weeks.

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And like Jackpot, I neatly maneuvered myself with my back bent so as not to attract attention, especially from Mr. Felix, the lecturer on the podium, who had his direction to the opposite. I stealthily got to the empty seat beside a lady whose fragrance was choking as her beauty was mesmerizing. "The seat is taken; you can't sit here." The partly familiar lady whispered harshly with a frown, also careful not to attract attention.

My world seemed to come crashing down. As soon as I heard this, my head became heavy, and hope seemed like a far cry. "Please? Just in the meantime." I whispered, my eyes feigning a pleading look. I knew hell would be let loose if I didn't get to sit, especially if I was caught.

"The seat is for Ella; she went to the restroom." She continued. I didn't know if I should enjoy looking at her dazzling beauty or plead more for the seat she was adamant on not letting go of. "Shu, go away." She waved me off, and this gradually pissed me off. I continued to squat, fighting for the seat and trying not to get caught by Mr. Felix, for about three minutes. Right at that moment, the only thing I felt was irritation for the beautiful lady who denied me the empty seat. "Why is she so uncompromising and heartless?" I thought to myself, and I turned to retreat out of the hall.

"Young man, stand up this minute!" Mr. Felix bellowed right from the podium, as he had sighted me. I slowly turned and stood on my feet. Many eyes stared at me, making me feel awkward, as though the ground should open and swallow me. "Who are you, and why are you disturbing my lecture?" Mr. Felix continued, obviously unhappy with my presence. I stood speechless, trying to find the right words to calm the tensed atmosphere.

"I..." I stuttered.

"Sir, he wanted to go ease himself in the restroom." The lady I already began to detest interjected, coming to my rescue unexpectedly. I nodded my head several times, like a child being offered ice cream. A few giggles traveled around the lecture hall.

"Don't disturb my class next time; you either leave and miss the attendance or sit down!" Mr. Felix ordered. I turned to look at the lady, as I knew the ball was in her court and my fate was in her hands.
She whispered inaudibly to me, "Sit down," and I hastily jumped on the seat with a "thank you." Mr. Felix continued with his class while I settled in. "Thank you once again." I said this to the lady. She was unfamiliar, but I knew we were both fresh students on campus in year one. I saw her pick up her phone and send a text message, but I could not get the details, nor did I want to look too poky.

"I've asked my friend to stay back because of you. Avoid me!" She said it with a subtle threat.

"I'm deeply sorry once again." I replied soberly.

"Don't use 'sorry' to wound me; just face your front." She said it angrily, waving me off. My anger had already melted away at her for saving me, but I knew I needed to appease her angry spirit after the lecture. I was lucky to have my name written on the attendance sheet, which was circulated during the course of the lecture.

The two-hour lecture soon ended, and we all dispersed from the lecture hall haphazardly. I was able to keep track of the lady who eventually offered me the seat. "Can I help you with your bag? I asked her just as she was exiting the hall. She stood midway and looked at me for a split second.

"You were sent to me, right? Tell them you didn't see me." She said this right before she continued her walk out of the hall. I noticed another lady who was fair and tall (whom I guessed formerly occupied the seat I took) approached her with a questioning look but was waved off for later as both walked away.

I left the lecture hall for my hostel. The following day, I made sure I got to the lecture hall earlier than usual and took ownership of two extra seats. I went out of the hall intermittently, hoping to see the lady from the previous day, and eventually got a glimpse of her friend.

"Hello, remember me?" I approached her with a smile.

"Not really; who are you?" She asked.

"My name is Paul; I'm the guy your friend offered a seat to yesterday. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"Oh... It's alright. She told me, Sorry about the embarrassment."

"It's fine, and where is your friend?"

"Tolani, she'll join us shortly."

"That's her name? Pardon me, and what's your name?"

"Stella, or Ella for short."

"It's nice to meet you, Ella."

"The pleasure is mine."

"I kept two seats for you both, if that's fine by you." I began to say that and noticed Tolani walk up to us.

"You again? Ella, see me; see trouble," Tolani said to her friend.

"Come on, he has apologized; he sounds like a gentleman; plus, he got us two seats already." Ella said to Tolani, holding her arms out for a hug, which Tolani took sheepishly.

"So, you also bribe your way out?" Tolani asked with a feigned angry look.

"If it means bribing my way into your heart, I'll do that till eternity." The two ladies disengaged with laughter and stared at me for a while.

"Nice one poet and flatter-lord. Let's get to our seats." Tolani said as I led the ladies to the seats I had preserved for them.

We chatted briefly before the lecture for the day commenced, and there I realized what a sweet soul Tolani was. Tolani, Ella, and I became the trio's friends in college since then. We studied together, kept seats for one another, and occasionally laughed off how our hate encounter had turned to that of love.

Here is my entry into #aprilinleo monthly and daily prompts. You can participate via this LINK