The semester continued with the usual bustle. Daniel found the cadence of university life – early morning lectures, finding his way around the sprawling campus, group assignments, the calming scent of the library – a strange counterpoint to the high-stakes world he inhabited digitally.
He managed the balance, ensuring he was present and performing adequately in his Computer Science courses, while dedicating significant chunks of his evenings and downtime to managing the ever-expanding Rocket Funds network and his personal MH trades, which had become easier to do thanks to his ingenious idea.
His connection with Bisi had moved past the initial 'just friends' phase into something more comfortable and assumed. They studied together frequently, their shared coursework providing a natural reason to spend time in each other's company. One Friday afternoon, after finishing a particularly tedious CSC class, Daniel suggested they crash at his place.
"My brain is officially fried," Bisi declared, rubbing her temples as they walked out of the SOC building into the bright afternoon sun. "I need food and zero thoughts about pointers for at least twelve hours."
"Deal," Daniel chuckled. "My duplex offers excellent pointer-free zones. Plus, I was thinking of ordering pizza. Interested?"
"Why would I not?" she grinned back. "Lead the way."
Stepping into Daniel's duplex was still a novel experience for Bisi compared to her crowded hostel room. She kicked off her sandals near the door and flopped onto the large L-shaped sofa in the living room, appreciating the cool air from the AC unit. "Seriously, this place is an oasis. You have no idea how chaotic the hostels are right now."
"I can only imagine," Daniel said, unlocking his phone and opening a food delivery app. "Pepperoni? Extra cheese?"
"Pepperoni and extra cheese I guess," she declared lazily. "Maybe some wings too? You like Spicy?"
"Who doesn't?" He laughed and quickly placed the order, paying instantly via the app. While they waited, he booted up the large TV and his console. "FIFA? Or are you scared after the last time?"
"Scared? Please. Prepare to be humbled, Adekunle," she shot back, grabbing a controller
.
Their FIFA matches were loud, punctuated by groans, triumphant yells, and accusations of cheating (mostly from Bisi when Daniel scored). He let her win one game, enjoying her victory dance more than his own wins. Their conversations and banter, it felt normal and soothing.
It was a relief to interact with someone intelligent and fun, someone who saw him (he hoped) as just Daniel, a fellow CS student, not the clandestine multi-millionaire.
The pizza and wings arrived, hot and smelling delicious. They spread the boxes out on the coffee table, abandoning the game controllers for greasy fingers and satisfying bites. They talked between mouthfuls – complaining about specific lecturers, dissecting campus gossip, discussing music releases.
They eventually put on a new Nollywood comedy that had been generating buzz online. As the movie progressed, the comfortable silence returned, punctuated by shared laughter. Bisi eventually shifted, leaning her head casually against his shoulder. It felt natural, unforced. He draped an arm around her, the warmth and closeness a welcome counterpoint to the cool digital glow of his screens later at night.
In a quiet moment during the movie, her expression turned thoughtful. "You know," she began, tilting her head slightly to look up at him. "It's funny how university works. You meet all sorts of people."
"Meaning?" he prompted gently.
"Just interactions. Like that Akin guy I mentioned? The one with the loud Mercedes?"
Daniel nodded, recalling the name. "The Senator's son? What about him?"
"He's still being persistent," Bisi sighed, a note of annoyance entering her voice. "It's like he thinks 'no' is just a suggestion. Found out which practical group I'm in for Physics and made a point of 'bumping into me' afterwards. Started talking about how his father could 'open doors' for smart people like me after graduation."
Daniel felt a familiar flicker of irritation at Akin's name, but kept his expression neutral. "Seriously? Name-dropping his dad already?"
"Exactly! And then he tried to ask me out again, suggested some ridiculously expensive restaurant in Abuja for the weekend, saying he'd fly me down. As if!" She shook her head. "I told him I wasn't interested, again, and that I was seeing someone, hoping that would be clear enough."
"Did it work?"
"He just smirked and said something like 'He can't offer you what I can'. The arrogance is unbelievable. I just walked away." She nestled slightly closer to Daniel. "It's just annoying having to constantly fend off that kind of entitlement."
"Ignore him," Daniel said firmly, patting her on the shoulder. "He's irrelevant. Guys like that are usually insecure behind the bluster." He felt a slight possessiveness, coupled with satisfaction that she was confiding in him.
"I know," she murmured. "Just needed to vent. Thanks for listening."
They watched the rest of the movie in comfortable silence, the earlier annoyance fading. Later, as he drove her back towards her hostel, the conversation was light again. He parked near the gate, cutting the engine. Instead of getting out immediately, she lingered.
"Thanks for tonight, Daniel," she said softly, turning in her seat to face him. "Pizza, FIFA, movie... it was nice, especially just relaxing."
"Anytime, Bisi," he replied, meeting her gaze in the dim light. "I had a good time too."
The air crackled slightly with unspoken feelings. He leaned in, she met him halfway, their lips meeting in a soft, lingering kiss. It felt different from their previous kisses, less exploratory, more affirming. When they pulled back, she smiled, though she couldn't hide her blush from Daniel.
"See you in class tomorrow?"
"Count on it."
She slipped out of the car and walked towards the hostel gate, turning back to wave once before disappearing inside. Daniel watched her go, a strained smile on his face. Things were definitely getting serious.