DIANA
I retreated back to the restaurant to ease myself, on my way back so many coursemate of mine approached me cheerfully, we exchanged greetings and plodded back to our seats.
Loud music reverberated from the huge speaker across the arena. The show started off with a speech from the Vice chancellor.
“Good morning to everyone at this ceremony, It is an honour to award and present the current outgoing set. They have studied, worked and dedicated themselves into learning for the betterment of their lives and the community at large. Shortly before we present their award we would love to acknowledge some prestigious personalities: Dr Frank Aiden, Hon Leo James, Mrs Joyce Smith…”
My attention towards the host rapidly increased on hearing Mrs Smith’s name. Branden’s mother attended the graduation ceremony? Why? Was I the reason? Is she standing for Branden? Wow! If she was going to be filling in for Branden then it’s possible that he won’t make it.
All of a sudden the feeling of amazement and joy was faded off. Branden wasn’t going to come on my big day and that was enough to get me depressed for the day.
After a long speech from the Vice Chancellor, he handed the microphone over to the host of the ceremony and trudged down to his high table.
I could barely concentrate on the wordings from the host, my mind was planted on Branden’s whereabouts. I needed to atleast speak with him.
I picked up my phone from my bag and dialed his number but I got no response in return, I dialed again and again but all my effort turned futile.
I suppressed my burning curiosity and dropped my phone, if he doesn’t feel the need to reach out to then I won’t reach out to him.
“All graduating students come up and receive your award” were the only words of the host that caught my attention.
We all stood to our feet and sauntered towards the stage, the paparazzi rushed over the stage rapidly, they flashed their cameras and took pictures again and again.
*********
It was 2 hours into the graduation ceremony, we had all received our certificates and awards. In the conclusion of the event my phone beeped.
I glanced at it and saw a message from an unknown number, curiosity drove me to open the message and see what it entails.
“Come inside the school building, I’m waiting for you at the ICT lab. Do it fast I need to speak to you urgently. Come alone”
Who could this be? Was it Branden? Certainly not. All numbers of Branden were stored on my phone so who could have sent this message? And why couldn’t the person come up to me after the graduation ceremony instead of asking for a meetup at an enclosed space.
I was confused, more puzzled to take a decision. If I actually go alone whoever sent this might try to harm me or even worse. Walking alone as a popular figure was one risky thing to do.
But I need to know who sent this, I also need to know what information this anonymous person had for me.
“I’ll be right back I want to use the restroom” I whispered into Jane’s ear before standing up. I excused myself from the crowd and walked down towards the university building.
My bodyguard sighted me from a short distance and ambled towards me speedily.
“Ma’am, may I escort you to wherever you are going?” my bodyguard suggested. The message did say ‘come alone’ but I wasn’t going to take any chances on my safety. I did that twice but I’d be stupid to do it the third time.
“Alright follow me” I ordered and he obeyed. Together we walked into the building and towards the hall.
In few minutes we were getting close to the ICT lab, I began to sweat profusely, my heart heaved and my breathing hitched a little. For some unknown reason i became solicitous. I’m about to face an anonymous personality, what if it’s a trap? Why would someone who isn’t interested in causing harm tell me to come alone?
That’s why you have your bodyguard here….. my subconscious reminded me.
She was right, I had my bodyguard with me so what was the use of getting tensed up. Although I wasn’t going to walk into the room with my bodyguard beside me. I’d ask him to stay outside and wait for me. If this unknown person tries to attack or harm me I’d scream and then my bodyguard will come to my rescue.
One step after another we continued to saunter towards the ICT lab, my heels married the tile floors, causing them to make a tapping sound on the tiles.
Few steps from the lab, my phone rang. I halted and dug my hands in my pocket to see the caller. It was Branden, my mouth fell open.
Branden? calling me? Why now? The ceremony is almost over so why is Branden calling me now? before I could accept the call it ended.
Fuck! I’ll have to call him back before I go into that lab. Who knows… he might be trying to warn me against going in. I dialed his number over and over again but I got nothing in return.
Why would he call me and then refuse to pick my own calls? There must be something fishy going on and the only way to find out is to walk through those doors.
I sighed deeply and continued my journey, at the entrance I stopped my bodyguard and scanned the whole area.
“I’m going in alone, don’t come inside unless I call you” I uttered lowly.
“But ma’am…” My bodyguard attempted to oblige me into letting him in.
“Do I make myself clear Steven” I replied strictly.
He held back his words, nodded and retrieved his step backwards. “Stay here till I’m back” I said abruptly.
What if I walk in and get shot? No one would save me then. Should I ask my bodyguard for a gun? No, he’d get worried and this time he won’t listen to my orders.
Branden made all bodyguards of mine swear that they would protect me at all cost, no matter what the circumstances were.
I sighed one last time before pushing the huge laboratory doors. “Diana” a voice called out to me in the abyss of darkness. The sudden uttering of my name caused jitters to run down my spine.
I stood still, trying to fish out a light switch to see the huge figure that was few steps away from me but I found none.