Raymond smiled as he approached her. The thick curly black hair partitioned in four and held in a colourful ribbon had drawn his attention. His heart palpitated excitedly as warmness filled its chamber. It was always like this with Sandra, she managed to make his heart enlarge every time he saw her.
He got to her side, and gently lowered his behind on the table where she placed her head. Her textbook peeked from underneath her arms and he smiled even wider.
He wanted to watch her nap, content to watch the sun's reflection on her blonde skin, but he couldn't resist the urge to put away a strand of her hair from her forehead.
Sandra stirred lazily and slowly raised her head, yawning widely with her right hand covering her mouth. Her sleepy eyes found him and she broke into a smile.
"What are you doing here?" She flipped through the pages of her textbook helplessly.
"Watching the woman of my dreams read in her dream."
"It's not funny." She finally gave up and placed her right elbow on the opened book and rested her head on the raised palm. Her eyes found his teasing gaze.
"Is this the research you're doing? How do you intend to solve Professor Kole's project?"
Her full lips retracted into a frown. "I have been trying babe, I can't think of what he wants."
Raymond turned his gaze towards the window where the sun rays peeked through the half-opened blind. He returned his gaze to Sandra looking at him anxiously. She saw the excitement dancing in his eyes and the smile teasing his lips.
"I have got an idea."
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Sandra did not love the idea one bit. This was the third trash they were raiding, rummaging through the large metal container filled with empty cans, decayed foods, damaged appliances, baby napkins, and every rubbish you could get from a large estate in Ibadan . Yet, Raymond kept asking that she trusts him.
Their backs hurt from the torrid sun, and the stench played with their nostrils, as they stirred the monsters in the bin with their gloved hands. After about an hour and going on to the third street, Sandra had had enough.
"Babe, I can't do this anymore, what exactly are we finding in this trash? I can't believe I've been digging into…gawd!" She stood wearily, afraid of placing her gloved hands on her waist.
"This is your project babe, we need enough of these plastic bottles, we'll create something mind-blowing." Raymond held the sack of plastic bottles firmly, and looked convincingly at Sandra, hoping she'd see the optimism in his eyes. She read his eyes well. Balls of sweat dripped from his temple and forehead- hot balls mixed with dust.
"But we look more like mad people, searching for a prized possession in these wastes."
"Babe, trust me. Let's take your pictures, and pick the ones on this street and I'll take you out for lunch."
"Like this?" Sandra didn't take her eyes off him"
"Of course, over to my place for a hot shower," Raymond chuckled lightly and continued into the streets.
"I don't want a hot shower," Sandra murmured resignedly. "I'm in hell already."
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Halfway through their pizza box, Sandra was liking the idea and licking her fingers.
They were seated in the famous "Able" eatery, down the University road- a haven for those who wanted a serene environment and a good pizza. Many students sat there every day, enjoying the AC from the well-spacious room or the breath of fresh air outside. Sandra and Raymond sat outside, enjoying the breeze on their faces, and the background music dancing quietly around their ears.
"I love this, I can't believe you'd think of something like this!"
"The pizza?"
"Come on, babe!" Sandra held a large slice to her mouth. "This idea! You're superb! Professor Kole would love it, and believe me, it's the start of something big.

Raymond smiled widely at her, enjoying the excitement on her face. He quickly took his phone and took a shot of her as she bit carefree into the pizza slice. He didn't miss her raised brows.
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Over the weeks, they worked with the five hundred plastic bottles they could gather. Cutting, trimming, designing, and creating magic with their fingers. They made watering cans, flower vases, and jewelry cases. They grew seeds in several containers, stored feed, and constructed different equipment from the bottles. In between, cutting, designing, and kissing Sandra put their project into words, describing the need to rescue plastic containers and save the environment. She wrote so convincingly that Raymond caught the passion she had captured in between those beautiful lines and pages. Instagram was trending with their pictures and hashtags: #rescue the plastic containers, #save the environment and #save cost.
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On the day of her presentation, Sandra stood before her coursemates and a panel consisting of three lecturers from her department including Professor Kole. He stood out among them, with his well-pressed white shirt and a bow at his throat that made his head appear bigger. Raymond smiled at her from the front seat and the knots in her belly loosened. How he managed to always surprise her.
Professor Kole nodded for her to begin, and silence descended upon them while her voice commanded their attention.
________________________________________
The thunderous applause at the end of the five minutes allotted Sandra took her unawares. Professor Kole was standing! He was smiling! He was clapping very hard! Sandra's eyes glazed with tears as the hall gave her a standing ovation. Her constructions lined a table by the side, and many were taking pictures. Professor Kole wanted the project to be televised, he wanted the University to take up the #rescuetheplastic and #savetheenvironment project.

A hand grabbed her in a tight hug. She turned to look into Raymond's smiling eyes. How had he gotten to the podium so fast?
"You did it, babe!
"We did it, babe! She tightened her arms around him.