It has been a month since the drama with Joseph. Getting over the attraction I had for him was not as easy as I thought. Knowing fully well I did the right thing by not giving in to my feelings kept me aspiring to put an end to the liking I had for him.

I know that I made the right decision. If I should accept Joseph's point of view, things would have been upside down. Not only will we be committing such a shameful act in secret, but we will also be sinning against the Almighty.
Embracing your sexuality or controlling your sexual desires are those two options I had but I had to go for the latter because to me it is the best. It can be challenging sometimes having feelings that society shun, but with discipline, determination, and trust in God, everything will be a passing phase as long as you pass the bloom of youth.
Although you may not have complete control over your desires, you do have control over your actions. You can choose not to act on wrong desires.
The cravings, fondness, liking, attraction, and overbearing feeling will be here to the extent of making one think he or she will be happy with the same sex but the feelings are like dust. It usually fades away with time.
I turned my head swiftly as my eyes met with Joseph's figure as he sat with some of his friends. He looks dull, as sadness is written on his face. I squinted my eyes to my phone reading through the last message he sent to me the day he left my hostel.
He informed me not to try to talk to him, as that will increase his punishments regarding the bet. He said he can't promise me not to embrace his sexuality and those words alone made my heart sink.
I guess it all relies on him. I have done my best in talking him out of his point of view but he doesn't seem affected. That should be the least of my worries now. I could not even complete my Chemistry exam questions today. I slept off for close to 30 minutes before the invigilator woke me up. It was so embarrassing.
Maybe it was my fault, but ideas of new recipes kept knocking on my head, so I could not sleep not until 2 am this morning, only to wake up by 6 am. I feel drowsy right now.
"A penny for your thought", I turned abruptly to see Abigael who was wearing a smile.
" Oh! Nothing much. How was your Chemistry exam?", I asked as she said fine.
"Mine was half-baked. I slept off so I had to spend only an hour writing instead of 1 hour 30 minutes", I said as she opened her mouth in awe.
" Oh my! You slept off. Don't worry, you are our Chemistry lecturer's favorite, he will surely give you an A+", Abigael commented as I rolled my eyes at him.
"Great, thanks for taking me to cloud 9. I could not even write something immediately after I woke up. I was only able to complete 4 questions out of 5 questions. I have learned my lesson anyway. HASHTAG SAY NO TO KEEPING LATE AT NIGHT", I said as we both shared a laugh.
Abigael and I parted ways as I left for my hostel. Putting the keys in the door hole, I felt the door open. That is weird. I have not even unlocked it, as it opened slightly.

I walked in trying to observe any change, as my eyes were searching up the whole room not until it met with a traveling bag. I walked towards it, finding it familiar as a smile crept to my face. Chris is back.
" Welcome back, twinkle toes", I heard Chris's voice as I turned to see him leaning on the doorpost of the kitchen.
I stood up as I went over to hug him.
"I missed you", I said, as he hugged me back.
" Aren't you afraid I will fall for you again and move out", he said as he chuckled.

I playfully slapped his shoulder, trying not to laugh.
"You dare not", I said as we both laughed.
He pulled me to the bed as he went to the kitchen to get us a plate of Jollof five and Fried rice. The aroma came in making me remember how much I have missed his cooking.
We finished the food together leaving me filled up. Chris asked about Joseph as I explained everything that conspired between us.
" Don't blame yourself for what happened. You did your best by helping him reason in the right way. It is left for him to decide", Chris said, as I tried to reduce my worried state.
"I can't help it. What if he truly embraces his sexuality. What if..", I was lost in words as Chris's hand laid on my shoulder.
" The choice is left for him. Even if he gives in to his feelings, that should not affect you. Sex is not something that should be taken like a plaything. It is only meant to be between a married man and his wife", Chris said as I nodded.
That day, I felt a weight off my body. One thing I prayed for is for Joseph to make the right decision. A hard decision, but worth it.
*****
Weeks passed as I completed my second-year, second-semester examination. I must confess it has been one hell of a journey. Juggling studies with part-time baking, making homemade snacks, catering, controlling emotions, and feelings.
Telling Chris that I would be taking my break home made him want to stop me. I've missed my family, especially my younger brother Mark. So glad he is in his Senior Secondary School 2 leaving him a year to be through with high school.
As for my elder brother Mathew, he is already doing his Corper's service. A compulsory service after one has graduated from a higher institution in Nigeria. This implies that he has to serve his father's land. Even till now, I'm still wondering why I still have to do that when I would be spending over 6 years in the University.
I finally got home around 2 pm only to be welcomed by a banquet of food. My mum was so happy as she kept complaining that I wasn't eating enough food. She said I looked lean, which I partly accept, as she said I must eat very well before going back.
Mark's words that I was the Class Representative gave my mum another reason to scold me, stating that must have been the reason why I was lean. Thanks to my dad's contribution when he came back at night, my mum let me be.
I later begged my mum telling her I would try to distribute more of my work to my assistant. My mum is the most lovely person ever.
After staying at home for two days, I later decided to visit my dad's Pharmacy shop. It looks bigger and more beautiful. I greeted the workers as most of them are the old ones, while few of them are new.
I stayed near the counter as I assisted them in attending to the customers. Picking up the pack of the Lumartem Malaria drugs, I handed it over to the middle-aged man, as I wrote down the usage of the drug.
I must confess I am getting the hangover of this Pharmacy thing. My dad informed me of how he diversified more into making Disinfectants and other toiletries as well as an air freshener and toilet soaps.
Brother Joe who was one of my dad's workers now helps as the director in the Pharmacy. He is married too.
"How have you been with your studies? Hope you are preparing to head your dad's Pharmacy as soon as you graduate from the University'', Brother Joe asked as I blushed slightly.
" I am still in my second year, there is still time ahead", I said trying not to think of heading to my dad's Pharmacy anytime soon.
"Time moves slowly but within a twinkle of an eye, you gave to help your dad out. I saw how you attended to customers today, showing off that skill as a future Pharmacist. Do think about it. You have to make up your mind to take up your father's legacy", Brother Joe advised as I nodded smiling.
"Thank you for the advice Brother Joe, I will think about it", I said as he patted my back before leaving.
Taking over the Pharmacy would not have been a hassle, but having skills in making homemade snacks is another thing I have to think about. I hope God helps me out.
I looked up as my face turned from a smiley one to a complicated one. Just seeing him brought back memories, as I tried to calm down.
" Hey, so nice to see you", his voice sounded as I tried to say something.
A\N: Guess who entered the Pharmacy. I will be waiting in the comment section.