I could not help but groan as I kept moving side by side on the bed. Summoning the all in me, I lifted my head only to be caught in awe. It is night already," I mused, as I felt my head spinning.

I moved out of the bed with my feeble self heading to my study table, as I switched on my phone to reveal the time. Oh no! It is 10 pm. I can't believe I slept till nighttime.
My stomach grumbled, waking me to satisfy my appetite soon. Chris is probably at a friend's place for his project. Since it was his final year, he has been head-on when it comes to projects.
I checked my phone to realize an unknown number of calls, messages also. Oh, Phil! He must have called me to take me to the market. I closed my phone as I placed it iñ my pocket. I will give him a call tomorrow.
I held my stomach thinking of what to eat. There is no pin of foodstuff at home. I was supposed to buy it today but ended up sleeping for over 7 hours.
My mind flashed back to the biscuits Phil gave me as I rushed to my bag opening the box which contained it. Tearing one, I could not help but moan at the taste.
After eating two, a thought came to my mind as I decided to buy some noodles down the street or possibly the roadside. I pray I get at least a close-by kiosk open.
I gently sneak out of the hostel, afraid of waking others up. I kept walking down the street, but most of the kiosks were closed. As I made my way towards the roadside, I decided to give up at this last time only to see a shop open.
I felt happy as I used my strength to cross to the other side of the road. I quickly asked the person to sell the noodles to me as I felt fear in my heart. It was late at night and most of the street lights were broken, making it seem quiet and dark along the streets and roads.
I kept reciting 'Jehovah is my Shepherd' as I walked back home, a journey of close to five minutes. My heart leaped when I saw a group of guys sitting by the other end of the street.
"Stop", one of their voices made my heart skip. I just hope I don't end up killed. I hastened my footsteps as I began to run only to be almost hit by a car as I fell to the ground.
The car driver was swift enough to be able to dive to the other side of the road. I can't believe the car's headlight was not on. I tried to stand up from the ground, as I could not catch my breath.
I could hear footsteps as I stayed on the ground, my hands tightly wrapped around the content I bought. I felt the scent of a familiar smell, which made me turn a bit
" Michael, what are you doing outside this late?", the voice sounded as I opened my eyes.
"Phil", I called only for him to carry me, dropping me on the front seat.
I opened my eyes widely, thanking God that I was not knocked down by his car. I peeked at the mirror to notice Phil sitting on the bonnet, his headlights now on.
My heartbeat remembering the group of boys that ran after me. I quickly got out only to see the boys, who happened to be mostly in their early adulthood.
My mind went wide at what I saw, as they started hailing Phil.
" Boss, we are sorry for running after him. We were just doing night patrol. You can go, boss. Forgive us", one of them said with a thick voice.
I went back quickly to the car as I saw Phil, waving his hands to send them away, as he got back into the car.
"Are you hurt", he moved his hand to touch me as I flinched.
The smell of alcohol oozing from his mouth.
" I'm okay. You drink?", I asked as he nodded. He took some sweets out of his dashboard, putting one in his mouth.
"A friend of mine had a party around this area. Something happened, so I left. I only drank a bottle of beer. I'm not the type that overdrinks", he stated as I chuckled.
" Am I free now?", he asked, turning his head a little.
"You are", I replied as he smiled.
" Why are you out so late? You did not even pick my calls, and never responded to my messages. I was beginning to think, ``you want to ditch me for your friend", his voice calms as he faces me.
He is sure good at presuming things.
"No. I'm sorry about that. I slept off only to wake up this night. I was hungry and since there are no foodstuffs at home, I decided to get some noodles to cook", I responded as he nodded in agreement.
" Oh, you must have been very tired. I waited for some time in front of your hostel. I still can't believe you eat noodles. Are you like 5?", he said as I burst into laughter, as I punched him slightly.
"I'm 21 okay. Noodles are just among my favorites too", I said
" Okay then. Promise me not to go out this late again. I was scared seeing you on the ground. What if I knocked you down", his face wearing a concerned look.
My face turned pale, as I tried not to think of what would have happened if I was involved in an accident. My mum would have been worried.
"I had no other choice. My roommate has projects to deal with at a friend's place. I never knew I won't be able to get some food at this time", I said hoping he would give in.
" That is not an excuse. It is 11 pm already. Next time, call me, understood?", Now he sounds like a father.
"Okay sir", I replied, raising my hand to my head.
" So let us get you something to eat. You are not eating noodles, but some good food, okay?", he said, his hand resting on the gear, as he prepared to start the car.
"And where do you expect us to get that good food", I questioned as he faced me.
" Just wait and see friend", he said as he started the car.
We left the street and we arrived at the main road. My mind flashed back to how Phil saved me from the group of boys or rather men. They treated him with respect. What if he was a bad guy?", my mind could not help but ask.
"A penny for your thought", Phil's voice broke me out of my reverie.
" Nothing to worry about?", I replied, smiling at him as he nodded.
We continued talking, and that was when I knew his favorite color was black and grey, and his favorite food was Pounded yam with ugwu soup(pumpkin). We finally reached the road which has street lights on it.
My mouth dropped as I saw some people still displaying their goods, mostly food items. According to Phil, they sell the best food here and tend to close by midnight. Most of their customers are motorcyclists, which of course was not surprising as you can see motorcyclists almost every time of the day and night.
After some minutes, Phil came back with a bag and handed it over to me.
"You should try it. Their food is great", he affirmed, placing the other bag at the back seat and handing over the first one to me, as I collected it.
"Why are you doing this?"I blurted out, as he turned to face me
"You mean caring for you?", He asked with a smile on his face.
"Well, there are a lot of reasons why I do. I'm glad you asked that question. It shows that you believe in me one way or the other. I'm not going to hurt you nor will I allow someone else to do so", he explained, as I felt my heart race. This is not good.
He leaned closer, placing the bag on my leg, as I held it. His cold hand suddenly touched my head, as I looked at him.
"I promise to answer all your questions tomorrow. I promise not to get angry no matter the question you ask", he said as I nodded, mouthing a 'thank you' to him which he smiled at before starting the car.

He played Intentions by Justin Bieber, as we both sang to it. He was surprised I sang and he told me I would sing a song for him.
I must confess he is funny and does not act proud. Unlike some seniors who do not like to associate with the junior ones, he is different. I do hope I can help him in whatever way I can. He won't even accept money from me.
He parked in front of my hostel which was slightly dark, but thanks to the light illuminating from the bulbs, it is not dark totally.
As I said goodnight, I could feel him being uncomfortable, as he kept saying, and trying to sit up.
"Hey, is anything wrong?", I asked.
"I will miss you", he said leaving me in another trance, as he leaned closer and hugged me.
"Good night bro. I enjoyed the time we spent together. I hope you can help me with my problems", he whispered to my ear, releasing me gently.
I blinked my eyes, as I smiled at him.
"See you tomorrow. Thank you and bye", I quickly said as I moved out of his car, releasing the breath I never knew I was holding.
I quickly ran upstairs, as I gently carried the bag before opening the door, thankful it had not been locked.
Breathing, at last, my face flushed as I remembered what Phil said. After spending about two minutes, I finally opened my door only to see Chris reading on the bed, the bulb Li to provide light.
"Where have you been?" He asked as I scratched my head. Time to tell a story.
I narrated everything that happened between Phil and me, right from the time he saved me from the bully, Till this night.
"You mean Senior Philip, the final year student of Pharmaceutical Science?", Chris asked, his eyes almost popping out of his eyes.
"Yes. Is anything the problem", I asked, taking a spoonful of the jollof rice he bought.
"He is a cultist. One of the most dreaded cultists", Chris deadpanned as my spoon fell, my mouth opened.
I could feel my head spinning.