After the heavy breakfast, Megyn returned to her hostel room to begin packing her belongings before evening. She had also planned to vacate the room on Sunday. As she folded her clothes and sorted through her things, Benjamin's words echoed in her mind:
"Princess, I hope you understand that Evans would never let Cindy go."
She had looked at him, puzzled.
"What do you mean, Benj?"
He had paused, watching her closely. "I mean exactly that. I don't know what has changed in Evans, but he seems happier since Cindy became his friend."
That statement had caught Megyn off guard. She didn't know what to make of it. Evans was a mystery to her—his intentions unclear, his past buried. She had planned to dig deeper, to unearth the truth behind his actions. Now, he seemed to be targeting her closest friend?
She had muttered repeatedly, "Oh my God…" while Benjamin watched her with a mix of amusement and concern.
"Princess, it's not that bad," he'd said gently. "Let's wait and see what happens."
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Cindy walked in, visibly tired.
"Hey Meg. You look so deep in thought. What's going on?"
"Hey Cindy. You look exhausted," Megyn replied, patting the bed beside her.
Cindy sat down and exhaled deeply, as if trying to release the weight of the day.
"What a long day!" she sighed. Then, turning to Megyn, she asked, "How's your packing coming along?"
"Just fine. I think I'll donate most of my stuff to the church. I want to close this chapter of my life and begin a new one," Megyn replied, studying her friend. "Tell me—what do you think about the date we're having this evening?"
Cindy yawned and stretched. "Honestly? I don't get it. I just want to rest today and surprise my mum on Sunday morning."
Megyn nodded slowly. After a thoughtful pause, she asked, "Cindy, what's really going on between you and Evans?"
Cindy looked at her seriously. "A lot, Meg. A whole lot. Dr. Evans asked me to be his girlfriend, but I turned him down. I'm still dealing with the whole Jerry saga. I guess I'm still traumatised."
She yawned again before continuing. "And besides, how do you trust a guy who has a signature smirk for every girl he talks to?"
Megyn gave a soft smile. "Still, I've noticed he smiles more these days—he seems more radiant since you two became friends. But if he truly loves you, he'll pursue you patiently."
"I think so too," Cindy said, nodding. "I'm not about to rush into another relationship. Not after Jerry—he was charming but immature."
Megyn suggested they head to the student centre for lunch. On their way, they spotted Evans surrounded by a group of five girls, chatting and laughing.
Cindy instinctively tensed. This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid, she thought. Yet, despite herself, she felt a pang of jealousy.
Megyn shot her a concerned look, but before she could say anything, Cindy walked briskly up to Evans, hugged him, and smiled.
To Megyn, it seemed like Cindy was marking her territory.
"Cindy! I haven't seen you in a week," Evans said, warmly returning the hug. "I've missed you."
"Me too," she replied, stepping back.
Evans then turned to the group and introduced Cindy. "This is a very special girl to me—the one I want to know better."
He looked up and noticed Megyn approaching, her face bright with a friendly smile. He extended his hand.
"Oh, Megyn! How are you? I see you finally conquered the medical course."
"Yes, Doctor, I did," she said, returning the handshake with a grin.
As the five girls left, Evans walked with Megyn and Cindy toward the student centre. Sensing they were headed to lunch, he invited them to join him at Classic Cafeteria.
While eating and chatting casually, Megyn took the chance to ask what had been on both their minds.
"Doctor, I've always wondered—why do you hang around so many girls? Cindy and I are curious. What do you do with them?"
Evans swallowed his food slowly, then replied with a smirk, "It's about time someone asked what I do with them instead of just judging me."
Cindy leaned in. "So, what do you do with them?"
He set his fork down and looked serious. "Five years ago, I had a little sister. I failed to protect her. Back then, my friends and I were caught up in foolish games—making bets on girls, using them, and moving on. I was selfish and blind to the damage I caused. I got three girls pregnant and pressured them into abortions—I wasn't ready to be a father.
"But then one of my friends—one I trusted—did the same thing to my sister. He impregnated her and convinced her to abort. She died on the operating table."
Megyn and Cindy fell silent, chewing slowly, digesting more than just the food.
"I'm so sorry, Doctor," Megyn said softly.
Evans took a sip of juice, then continued, "That experience changed me. The evil I did to others cost me my sister. Whether it was guilt, grief, or a need to make things right—maybe all three—that's how Mtoto Shoo was born."
"Mtoto Shoo?" Megyn and Cindy echoed together, puzzled.
Evans nodded. "It's our initiative. The vision is to build confidence in girls and instill responsibility in young men. We teach sex education, self-worth, relationship boundaries, and provide counselling and healing spaces. For any vulnerable girl needing support, we offer psychosocial care and peer-led discussions."
"Wow, that's a huge idea!" Cindy exclaimed.
"We're working toward registering it as an NGO," Evans explained. "Then we'll seek donor funding. Actually, those five girls you saw me with earlier—they've benefited from the program and are training to be peer educators."
"And the boys? Do you involve them?" Cindy asked.
"At first, no," Evans admitted. "Mtoto Shoo began in memory of my sister, so the focus was girls. But we've realized boys also need guidance—to treat girls with respect and form healthy relationships."
As Evans finished, he checked his watch. "I've got to run—I have a patient appointment at the university hospital."
He stood up, paid the bill, then turned back. "Ladies, we'll pick you up at seven. Don't be late."
He walked to his car, which was parked nearby, and drove off, leaving the two friends alone to finish their lunch.
Cindy was quiet for a while. Then she spoke thoughtfully, "Meg, I think Evans deserves a second chance. His voice was filled with pain when he talked about his sister."
Megyn frowned slightly. "He didn't say who that friend was—the one responsible for his sister's death." She leaned forward as if struck by a revelation. "I hope it's not who I'm thinking…"
They stared at each other and then both blurted out, "Jerry!"
Megyn recalled that party night vividly. Evans had told Jerry, "You're still in the business of breaking ladies' hearts."
"He once referred to Jerry as a 'frenemy'—the night you fainted," Megyn added.
"Well, now we understand him," Cindy said. "He has a mission—he wants to help university girls, especially in the medical field. He's doing something meaningful through that NGO."
After a pause, Cindy smiled gently. "I just wanted to tell you... I think I'm ready to give Evans a chance. What do you think?"
Megyn held her friend's hands warmly. "Now you know his dark past—his pain and his healing. I'll support your decision, Cindy. One thing's clear—Evans isn't ready to let you go."
The two friends walked back leisurely to the hostel, hoping to catch a short nap.
For the first time in a while, Cindy and Megyn felt clarity—and peace—about the man who had once confused them the most.