The Ru Effect

Chapter nine

I step into the apartment, shutting the door behind me. My mind still reels from the conversation with River. His piercing gaze and subtle smiles linger in my thoughts.

As I drop onto the couch, I can't shake off the feeling that River's hiding something. His guarded nature only piques my curiosity.

Why does he seem so broken? What's causing the pain in his eyes?

Rachel's name echoes in my mind. Is she the reason for his guarded heart? Their relationship seems complex, layered with secrets.

I glance around the apartment, my gaze drifting toward the window. The city lights twinkle like stars, but my focus remains on River.

What would it take for him to trust me? To open up and share his secrets?

My thoughts swirl, a mix of fascination and concern. I want to understand him, to unravel the mystery that is River.

The silence of the apartment envelops me, leaving only my thoughts to keep me company.

Tejiri emerges from her room, stretching her arms above her head. "Hey, Kobi,Enjoy the view from the tower roof?" She drops onto the couch beside me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Yes," I reply, a soft smile spreading across my face. The memory of River's intense gaze lingers, but I push it aside.

Tejiri nods, settling into the couch cushions. "I've always loved that view. It's breathtaking."

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment before I hesitate, curiosity getting the better of me. "Tj?"

She turns to me, her expression open. "Yeah?"

I take a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Can I ask you something?"

Tejiri's brow furrows slightly. "Of course, what's up?"

I fidget with the hem of my jeans, unsure how to phrase it. "You and Alex... what's actually going on between you two?"

Tejiri's expression changes, a subtle shift from relaxed to guarded. Her eyes dart away, focusing on the wall across the room.

For a moment, I worry I've overstepped. But then Tejiri's voice breaks the silence, measured and cautious.

"When I came to Crawford University, I struggled," Tejiri says, her expression turning introspective. "I was obsessed with getting perfect grades, and the pressure consumed me. You know how Daddy can be" I nod in agreement.
"I  felt lost, anxious..." Her voice trails off.

I never knew she struggled with her grades, infact I was always jealous of how she was able to get good grades so easily.
My parents boast about her all the time.

Tejiri continues, "That's when I met Alex. He was friendly, genuinely interested in getting to know me. No ulterior motives, just... kind." A soft smile spreads across her face.

"He introduced me to Jamie, and we became fast friends. Later, we met River and Rachel." Tejiri's eyes sparkle at the memories.

"But Alex... he's more than just a friend. He's been my rock, my confidant." Tejiri's voice drops to a whisper. "I've had feelings for him for a while now."

My eyes widen, surprised by Tejiri's confession.

Tejiri's gaze meets mine, vulnerability shining through. "It turns out, he's attracted to me,  But..." She hesitates. "A few months ago, we realized we want different things. Alex doesn't want anything serious."

I sense the unspoken pain behind Tejiri's words.

Tejiri's voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't tell him how I feel. I'm scared it'll scare him away, ruin our friendship." Her shoulders sag. "So, I settled for being his butty call "
She laughs sadly.

I'm taken aback by Tejiri's openness. Back home in Nigeria, we barely spoke, yet here she is, sharing her deepest secrets.

"Tejiri, I... I'm honored you're trusting me with this," I say, genuine concern etched on my face.

Tejiri's smile is tinged with sadness. "I guess I needed someone to talk to."

"But don't you think that's self destructive?" I ask in concern.

" What is?"

" You settling for less, you holding back your feelings for him just so you don't ruin a friendship that has already been shattered the moment you guys started sleeping together?  And how are you so sure he doesn't feel thesame? Did he tell you that? cause from what I see he seems awfully attracted to you"
I blurt out the words without thinking.

From the way her shoulders tense I can tell she's going back to being guarded.
"You don't understand.....it's complicated and I know he doesn't have feelings for me, I just do because Alex has always told me that he hated commitment"

" So you just assume that he might not want something with you just cause he hates commitment?"

" It's not assumption, trust me I know Alex"
She's getting defensive.

I nod like I just understood what she said but honestly I don't.

After Tejiri's revelation we both sit in silence.
Out of curiosity I ask her "how did you guys meet Rachel and River?"

"We met them through Jamie, actually," Tejiri says. "We were all in the same study group during our second semester."

"Rachel was... intense. Passionate about her causes," Tejiri continues. "River was quiet, observant. There was something about him that drew us in."

I lean in, intrigued. "What was it about River?"

Tejiri's eyes seem to gaze into the past. "He had this aura of quiet strength. We couldn't quite put our finger on it, but... we were all drawn to that."

I sense a hint of curiosity in Tejiri's voice.

"Rachel and River, though... they're like two peas in a pod," Tejiri says. "We thought they were siblings at first, with different surnames and all. But they're not."

I raise an eyebrow, interested.

"Alex once mentioned that he thinks Rachel has feelings for River," Tejiri continues, "but I'm not so sure. Rachel's protectiveness isn't possessive; it's... different."

Tejiri's brow furrows.
"I'm not sure what they've gone through, but whatever it is, it's what keeps them together"

I nod, processing Tejiri's words.

"It's like they understand each other on a deeper level," Tejiri adds. "A level we can't quite reach."

The mystery surrounding River and Rachel deepens.