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Kome maintained a cold look all through the ride to the apartment where her friend, Rachael lived. It had been a day of mixed bag of experiences and the cheery news had taken a backseat with the future looking bleak without the support of Eric, her supposed partner. She felt exposed at this point as she found herself hanging onto little or no support. She got to the apartment and found the key carefully tucked by the side of the window. It was a sign of the fact that her friend must have gone somewhere and this offered her little relief. She was too distraught to talk and this would also give her an opportunity to diffuse the tension in her mind. She had no cause to regret that night if her relationship with Eric had ended but she couldn’t imagine that the consequence could be as big as it was today. She laid on the bed as tears rolled freely from her eyes. She was woken up by the return of her friend.

‘’ Good afternoon’’ she drawled.

Rachael laughed and this made her get up.

‘’ It’s already evening, you must have slept for a long time’’ Rachael said.

She turned to look at the clock on the wall and found out Rachael was correct about the time. It was almost six in the evening. She stood up and walked outside. She reckoned that it must have been as a result of the pregnancy or Eric. She felt her stomach hoping to identify the sign of the baby’s movement but there was none. She knew no feelings towards the foetus growing in her womb and she had not considered it not until this point. She had stood for the right of this being against the menacing thought of Eric and had also gone against her father’s plan for her life. She felt this might be God’s will for her life as she had often heard that children were a gift from God. Unfortunately the circumstances surrounding her was proving too strong an obstacle for the maturation of whatever illusion may be developing in her mind. She suddenly broke into tears and could have cried longer if not for the little weight she felt on her right shoulder. She shuddered.

‘’ Why are you crying?’ her friend asked.

She didn’t reply as she rushed to clean the tears on her face.

‘’ Did you fail any course?’ her friend asked.

She smiled at the thought of failing a course. After all her friend knew little about her.

‘’ No, I made all my papers’’ she said.

Rachael still had a curious look on her face. She could tell her but she felt it was too early to let the cat out of the bag.

‘’ I just remembered the fact that my mother will not see me when I graduate. I miss her’’ Kome said.

Rachael sighed and became sober. She knew little about her friend’s mother but the loss of loved ones was one of life experiences that seems to unite all people.

‘’ So how was your day?’ Kome asked.

‘’ It was fine. My lectures were good’’ she replied.

The rest of the evening was spent preparing dinner while they discussed several things. Kome tried as much to keep her mind away from the storms gathering around her future. She tried to discourage her fears but they kept appearing in her thoughts. She had little sleep that night as she thought hard about what would be the next step. She thought about her aunty who lived in Warri and decided on going there as soon as possible. She had effectively blacklisted her father and was therefore eager to live anywhere but his house.

She travelled to Warri two days after her meeting with Eric. She had told Rachael that she would visit her as soon as she was mobilized for youth service. The last time she saw her aunt was when she was in junior secondary school and that was when she lost her mother. She arrived Warri on a sunny Saturday afternoon. She took a taxi to her aunt’s home which was situated in Okumagba Avenue. Her aunt's family lived in a bungalow owned by her and her husband. The compound was fairly large and had ample space for parking cars. She knocked on the door and it was opened by a male teenager.

‘’ Good afternoon’’ he greeted.

He kept staring at her and then it struck Kome that he had a problem identifying her.

‘’ Please, can I see your mother?’ she asked.

‘’ Okay, I will be right back’’ he said.

He walked back into the house and closed the door. He was gone for a while before the door was opened by a middle age woman. She was dark and had her hair done in an afro style. The lady recognized her immediately.

‘’ Kome!’ she screamed as she drew her into a tight embrace.

After a while she led her into the house. The sitting-room was a beauty to behold. A full set of chairs sitting on a rug. Paintings and calendars adorned the wall and music was playing from the television.

‘’ How are you?’ her aunty asked.

‘’ I am fine’’ she replied.

‘’ It has really been long. How about your father?’ she asked.

‘’ Daddy is fine’’ she replied.

‘’ What should I offer you?’ she asked.

‘’ I will love to have water’’

Her aunty called the boy and asked him to go and get her a glass of water. After she had drank water, she told her aunty all that she needed to know up to her current state but did not tell her about the pregnancy. She told her that she would be staying with her for a month as she was hoping to go for the national youth service soon. Her aunty told her that her two daughters were in the state university while her only son was living in Port Harcourt. Her husband was at work while she was on leave from her school. She knew little about her aunty and her family up till this point but she found her to be a good company. She helped in preparing the evening meal.

xaviercasmir:
NICE WORK . KEEP IT UP

Thanks.

Ralupresh:
SmH too bad for kome following

You are welcome.

Quite a story sir.

A month and two weeks into her pregnancy she decided to inform Eric. She had thought of writing a letter but the desire to see Eric grew into an obsession. Despite the present challenge, she still loved Eric. She couldn’t imagine a situation where they would have to go their separate ways. Benin was not far but she didn’t have enough money to pay for her trip. She decided to approach her father. It was going on to the second week of her father’s cold war and they had talked little apart from the occasional greetings and his issuance of instructions. At this point, she began to pine for the presence of her mother who she was certain would have stood up for her. Her father returned from work just before dark on that day. Once he had eaten and he was out in the verandah enjoying the evening breeze, she decided to approach him.

‘’ Ose…’’ she began’’ I want to ask for a favour’’

Her father remained unmoved.

‘’ I want to travel to Benin and I need some money?’ she asked.

‘’ What do you intend to go and do in Benin?’ her father asked.

‘’ I want to go and check my result. I heard it has been pasted’’ she replied.

‘’ All right, I will give you the money as soon as you want it’’ her father said.

She smiled in acknowledgement of her little triumph. She already had everything planned out and the first step was already taken care of.

********************

She embarked on the journey two days after she had informed her father. She had arranged to stay with her friend who lived outside the main campus for a few days. She arrived just before the evening of that day and she was entertained by her friend who obviously had missed her company. She felt a relief especially after leaving the presence of her father whose reluctance to speak was becoming unbearable for her. She also made a decision to see Eric as soon as she had seen her final result.
She checked the result the next day and found out that she had made a mixture of distinctions and credits in all her papers. This piece of information ensured that she had graduated as one of the best students in her department. This was a cheery news to her and also she has been slated for the National youth service scheme. She enjoyed the air she breathed for a while before it occurred to her that she would not be able to go for service in her condition. She remembered Eric at this point and decided to go and visit him that same day. She had written his home address down in her jotter aside the fact that she had been there. She arrived his house just after noon on Thursday. She was received by the gatekeeper who asked her some questions before he allowed her to enter the compound. She pressed on the doorbell, waited a little while before the door was opened by a servant.

‘’ Good afternoon’’ she greeted the servant.

The servant was a young lady who she felt must be her mate.

‘’ Good afternoon, who are you?’ she asked.

‘’ My name is Kome, I am a friend of Eric and I have come to see him’’ she said.

‘’ Okay, wait a moment’’ the servant said.
She closed the door while Kome waited outside. She loved the cool breeze blowing across the compound and she also took time to look around. Suddenly the door flung open and a happy Eric rushed to embrace her. He was obviously excited to see her.

‘’ How are you?’ he asked after they broke the embrace.

‘’ I am fine’’ she said.

He led her through the open doorway and they strolled inside the house. He led her past the sitting-room to his room upstairs. The room was carefully arranged, smelt nice and also well furnished. She sat on the chair close to his reading table while Eric tried to help her with a bottle of coke from the refrigerator in his room.

‘’ I am so happy to see you’’ he said as he placed a bottle of coke on a stool.

Kome was also happy and she smiled.

‘’ So how have you been?’ Eric asked.

‘’ Very fine, it’s just that I have missed school and you especially’’ she replied.
‘’ That is good to hear’’ he said.

He went to sit beside her and held her gaze for a while.

‘’ Have you checked your result?’ She asked.

‘’ Yes, I passed all the papers and it is a confirmed fact that I am a graduate’’ he said happily.

‘’ That is great. I checked mine and it was good’’ she replied.

‘’ That is worth celebrating’’ he said excitedly.

He opened the drink and gave it to her. She took a sip and then placed it on the table. It was obviously time for her to reveal the reason for her visit. She loved him but the most important thing at the moment was for her to resolve the issues hanging around her pregnancy.

‘’ Eric, I have something important to tell you’’ she began.

‘’ What could that be that is so serious’’ he said smiling.

She tried to evade his inquisitive eyes while she mustered enough courage to drop the bombshell.

‘’ I am pregnant’’ she announced.

Slowly the smile left the face of Eric and it was replaced with shock.

‘’ How come, this is not good’’ he lamented.

He stood up and began pacing the room. Kome was not taken by surprise as she expected this reaction from him. Unfortunately, the look on Eric’s face carried a grave expression which only exacerbated her worries.

‘’ How far gone?’ he asked.

‘’ One month and three weeks’’ she replied curtly.

‘’ It isn’t too late for us to do something about it then’’ he said as he came to sit beside her.

‘’ How do you mean?’ she asked.

‘’ You will have to abort this…’’

‘’ You are not serious’’ she screamed in a mixture of shock and anger.

Suddenly, the whole room took an eerie atmosphere. Two months ago, she wouldn’t have imagined that she would be having this conversation with anyone but here she was trying to save her life and the life of the being growing inside her.

‘’ What are you going to do then?’ Eric asked in surprise.

‘’ I am not going to commit another sinful act because of you’’ she replied angrily.

‘’ You are acting strange. What I am asking you to do is not a big deal. You obviously know that if we delay any further, we will be in a bigger problem’’ he explained.

‘’ I will not do what you are asking me to do. I can’t imagine killing this baby’’ she said.

‘’ You know you can’t afford to have a baby now’’ he said.

‘’ There is no choice at this point’’ she retorted.

‘’ You are proving difficult. How do you intend to cater for this baby?’ he asked.

‘’ It isn’t me alone, it is for us to decide’’ she replied.

‘’ I am not ready to be a father, you have to terminate this pregnancy. I can give you the money if that is what you want’’ he said in a tone of finality.

The look on Eric’s face was enough to make her flaming heart go cold. He had suddenly grown distant and this was becoming uncomfortable for her. She stood up slowly and took her bag. She made to leave when Eric held her left arm.

‘’ You are making this thing too difficult. Can’t you understand the implication of having a baby at this point?’ Eric asked as he tried to cajole her.

‘’ You are not different after all. You are just like the rest, a scared boy afraid to take responsibility’’ she said coldly.

She drew her hand and left the room. Eric suddenly grew cold. He could stop her but he feared that the baby could derail his future. He wouldn’t have imagined that their relationship could come to this but there was little he could do. He knew his family would reject such a baby thus he refused to run after her.

Oghale did not come home until the evening. It was almost dark when he returned home. Kome opened the door as soon as he knocked. His facial expression was strangely indifferent and this puzzled Kome.

‘’ Dhewo…’’ she greeted.

‘’ Vredo…’’ he replied.

He walked past her even as he noticed that her head was slightly bowed. He felt it was not time yet to confront her as he was tired. He had managed to finish up the assignment given to him at the office before returning home. Kome on her part heaved a little sigh of relief. She knew he must have gotten the news but was happy that he had not brought up the issue immediately. She was getting the table set for the evening meal when he came into the kitchen.

‘’ I hope you have heard?’ he asked suddenly.

She did not reply.

‘’ Are you deaf?’ he asked raising his voice.

‘’ Yes, I have heard’’ she replied as she stood back in shock.

‘’ So what happened?’ he enquired.

It was a very confusing question to say the least. She couldn’t imagine recanting the story that led to her first sexual intercourse. She could easily see that her father was gradually succumbing to the anger that was welling inside of him.

‘’ I slept with a friend’’ she said.

‘’ That is a very stupid confession from you’’ her father thundered ‘’ I can’t imagine that you could be so cheap as to sleep with a man who is not your husband’’

‘’ Ose (father), I am sorry’’ she said.

‘’ That won’t be enough to cover this evil you have done. I just want you to bring that man that impregnated you’’ he said angrily.
She remained in the same spot with her head bowed.

‘’ Are you still standing there?’ he asked angrily.

She made an attempt to move but her mind was cloud in confusion. She was lost on what to do to pacify her father. The deed was already done and there was little she could do at this point.

‘’ You betrayed me, you failed to adhere to my instructions’’ Oghale said with a voice overwhelmed with pain and anger.

‘’ I am very sorry’’ Kome pleaded.

‘’ No, you will have to take this pregnancy to the person that slept with you. I don’t think I can allow a single girl to live with a pregnancy under my roof especially my own daughter’’ her father said.

That night, she was pushed out of the house by her father. It came as a huge shock to her and her fervent knocks on the door did not assuage her father’s anger. She looked around the dark street for a while before venturing out. She was unsure of where to go and she waited in front of her compound. She had an uncle and an aunty that she could put up with but she was unwilling to report her present predicament to them. She preferred to leave that responsibility to her father hence she was reluctant to go to any of her relations. She didn’t wait too long before hitting the street as she walked to the house of one of her friends.

She arrived her friend’s house just before it was 8:30pm and she was gladly taken in by her friend. Her parents were not in the sitting room when they entered and her friend quickly took her to the room she shared with her two younger sisters. She took a place on the mattress beside her friend as they settled down to sleep. They didn’t talk much and Kome was quite delighted as she was unwilling to discuss anything. She slept intermittently throughout the night constantly bothered by the nightmares that occupied her mind. The future was gradually unravelling itself before her and she was yet to arrive at a definite decision. She left just before dawn and she managed to evade her friend’s parents. Suddenly, she felt she was turning herself into a castaway.

As she made her way home, thoughts of a possible solution occupied her mind. She had not given thought to a possible abortion but she knew there was still time. She could still carry out the procedure within the second or third month but something else came up in her mind at this point. Eric was faraway and the baby belonged to him. She had missed him even before now but his absence was becoming obvious even as she sought for that emotional protection. Her father had revealed how far he could go in carrying out his wish and she couldn’t imagine how torturous it would be for her to carry the pregnancy to term in his house. Just about this time, she got to the front of their compound and she walked in. The compound was quiet but she was sure that her father was around. She knocked on the door and waited a while before repeating the action. Her father opened the door after a while and turned away immediately.

‘’ Dhewo’’ she greeted.

There was no reply as she watched him walk away. There was scarcely little she could do at this point to change his mind towards her so she set about doing her chores. She tried to occupy her mind with other things but she couldn’t shake off the fact that she would need to contact Eric sooner. She served her father his food which he ate while she stayed away from his path. She couldn’t stand the silence that was gradually becoming a norm between them. Her father did not return home until around 7:00pm that day. That day was the beginning of a week of silence that drove Kome’s patience to its limit.

Her first few weeks home was a mixture of both good and bad experiences. She received several congratulatory messages from her close friends and her church members. Her father was particularly thrilled with the fact that she came out with a good result and she got a rare hug from him. She found the settling back into normal household chores a distraction she could not cope with. She was already used to living on her own and surely loved the freedom that came with it but coming back to her father’s house made her remember her school days with nostalgia. She also missed Eric and this made her pine for an opportunity to visit him in Benin. She would soon find a reason to visit him after she fell ill two weeks after her return home.

It started with symptoms associated with malaria fever. She tried to self-medicate for some time but when her health condition failed to improve, she went to the hospital in company of her father. The doctor did a test to confirm if it was malaria but it came out negative. Other tests were conducted but nothing was found. Oghale, her father was worried and he was already thinking about possible spiritual solutions.

‘’ I am afraid sir, we have not found anything’’ the doctor reported.

‘’ This is strange, what do you think we should do?’ the father asked.

‘’ I really don’t know but these symptoms are common place especially in pregnancy related issues’’ the doctor replied.

‘’ Definitely not my daughter, she isn’t married yet’’ Oghale replied half chuckling.

The doctor suddenly saw sense in what he had just revealed. They had conducted all possible tests and have found nothing. The pregnancy test was the only one they had not done. He felt uncomfortable with the trail of his thoughts but it was almost foolish to rule out such a possibility. How was he going to tell the man that they should give pregnancy test a trial considering the fact that he was familiar to him? He knew him as a disciplinarian and therefore it was expected that his only child should be able to follow the right path.

‘’ Sir, there is little we can do. Maybe it would be wise to take her home’’ the doctor advised.

‘’ Alright, thank you very much’’

Oghale shook the doctor’s hand and then took his daughter home. Kome was feeling weak but she tried to find solace in the fact that the doctor had found nothing wrong with her. She felt that all she needed at that point was rest and things would return back to normal as soon as possible. She was able to live through the next two days without much incidence but the third day presented an insight into what could possibly be wrong with her. She was setting the table for breakfast when she fainted. Oghale rushed her to the hospital where he had taken her to earlier. She must have slept for a long time because when she woke up, the sun was already out with a powerful glow. The room was quiet as there was nobody except her. She stood up and was about leaving when the doctor walked in.

‘’ Good afternoon sir’’ she greeted.

‘’ Good afternoon, how are you?’ the doctor asked.

‘’ I am feeling okay’’ she replied.

She went to sit on the bed while the doctor stood facing her.

‘’ Kome ’’ the doctor called.

‘’ Sir’’ she replied.

‘’ You are pregnant. You are a month gone already’’ the doctor announced.

She stared at the doctor dumbfounded. This was the most unexpected of news and there was little she could do about it. How was she going to explain the pregnancy to her father? Finally, the event of that night with Eric was about to be revealed. She bowed her head in shame while the doctor patted her on the back. The doctor walked away. He was already used to such scenes. Kome felt tears run down her cheeks which she quickly brushed away. Crying was not going to solve her problem. She stood up and left the hospital. The journey back home was filled with thoughts of how she was going to face her father and also what next since the pregnancy has been confirmed. She couldn’t utter the word ‘God’. She felt like she had been separated from him a long time ago and she was tired of being held down by the overwhelming guilt that assailed her mind. The realization of her true spiritual state was becoming obvious. She had lost touch with her faith and suddenly church was becoming an inconsequential part of her life. She stopped just in front of the compound she lived in with her father before paying off the motorcycle rider. Once she got home she went to her room straight. She was already drained and she needed as much rest she could get before facing her father. If it was up to her, she wouldn’t have informed her father but she knew that the doctor must have told him even before she heard it from him.

The last day on campus was quite eventful for Kome. She had submitted her project and was set to return home the next day. Eric came visiting in the afternoon. He was happy to see her and they both went out to see a movie before going to an eatery where they had a small celebration. They returned home just before it was dark but there was no electricity supply. They sat on her bed and continued talking.

‘’ I will miss you’’ Eric said after a brief silence.

The feeling was clearly expressed in his voice. Kome would miss him also and she felt safe in the knowledge that he loved her as much as she loved him.

‘’ I will miss you too’’ she said.

She rested her head on his shoulder and Eric brought his hand to support her head. They stayed like that for a while until the room was almost covered in darkness. Kome stood up and turned on the rechargeable lamp. The light was quite strong as it illuminated the room. She returned to sit beside Eric and he immediately leaned closer to kiss her. She obliged and they kissed passionately for a while and then Eric started undressing her. She hesitated at first but she was unable to resist him and willingly gave herself to him. The feeling from below her belly was at first painful but she gradually grew to enjoy his thrust. It was a blissful experience as Kome relished the night she gave her prized possession to her one true love.

The joy of her first sexual experience was etched on her tired face when she woke up the next morning. She watched Eric who was still sleeping for a while before she stood up. She suddenly felt guilty when she saw the blood smeared on her bed-sheet. Suddenly her conscience started pricking her, she felt like a traitor. She became conscious of the fact that she had defied herself and she couldn’t imagine that God would forgive her. She tried praying but it was fruitless as she struggled to put her thoughts together. Eric woke up just as she was struggling to understand her present state.

‘’ Good morning’’ he said.

There was no reply. She couldn’t bear to look at the devil’s agent who had made her commit such a grievous sin. She hurried out of the room even though she had just her wrapper on. Eric on his part was surprised by her sudden exit. He wore his clothes and came out and found her sitting on a stool.

‘’ What is wrong with you?’ he asked.

She didn’t reply him as she continued staring at the floor. Eric had not seen her in this mood before and he was already lost on what he could do to pacify her. He went and squatted in front of her.

‘’ What is wrong with you?’ he asked.

Kome was obviously in a state of shock and despair. She looked at Eric who was immediately moved by the look on her face.

‘’ Promise you won’t leave me’’ she blurted.

‘’ I won’t’’ Eric replied.

She leaned forward to embrace him. It was all she needed at that point and she was glad that he gave a positive response. She was feeling a deep sense of guilt and also coupled with the fact that her father would vilify her if he finds out. She needed the assurance from the only person she felt could defend her even in this tumultuous time. She held onto him for a little longer before Eric disengaged from the embrace. He patted her hair and then kissed her on the forehead. He left after some minutes. That was going to be their final happy moment together as Kome would soon find out.

She went into her room and started packing her clothes. She struggled to keep her mind at rest while also faced with the fact that she was almost late for the trip home. Her father had always advocated for travelling as early as possible. She left for the motor-park as soon as she was done with arranging her luggage. The journey back home was cool and refreshing. She indulged herself as she remembered the fun times she had in her four years stay in the University of Benin.

This desire made him to try and talk Kome into having a sexual relationship with him. She was resistant at first but soon they started a romantic relationship. Despite this, she still maintained her decision not to have a sexual relationship with Eric. Eric sometimes felt cheated and he decided to confront her. It was on one of such rare meetings in Kome’s apartment. He had kissed her and he was about progressing beyond that when she pushed him away.

“What are you trying to do?’ Kome asked in astonishment.

‘’ Why are you acting this strange?’ Eric asked angrily.

‘’ I am not acting strange, you should understand that it isn’t time for this” she replied while pulling away from him.

‘’ When will it be?’ Eric asked.

She looked at him indifferently and turned away to stare at the door.

‘’You are not helping this relationship’’ Eric said in exasperation.

‘’ I really don’t know what to tell you anymore but I am not ready for that yet’’ she said.

‘’ You really have to give a thought to it, we have been together for a long time at least’’ he said almost pleading.

‘’ It doesn’t matter, I just think the time isn’t right’’ she replied.

They didn’t argue any more but the rest of that day was quite uneventful. Eric left and took solace in the company of his friends. They remained incommunicado for about three weeks. Kome feared for their relationship while at the same time saw it as a necessary sacrifice to adhere to that old advice of waiting until the bridal night. She trusted Eric but the relationship was still a promise no matter what superlative may be given to it. She had been able to keep her relationship away from her religion and therefore she didn’t have to suffer from the haunting thoughts of being wayward. Her father was unaware of the way she lived and she was confident of not been found on the wrong part even if he had a spy watching her.

Eric on his part missed Kome greatly but he felt it was best to keep away from her. He feared he was losing grips with his sense and worth. While he loved Kome, he just couldn’t imagine how low he should go in his desire to sleep with her. The decision to keep away was supported by his friends who were against the relationship from the outset. They felt that Eric was turning into a soft guy as a result of his fraternizing with Kome. These factors ensured that he stayed away for about three weeks. The second semester examination came around this period and everyone took to their studies religiously. They were both in final year.

Kome was done with her paper for that day and she was in her room relaxing when she heard a knock on the door. She opened and found Eric standing at the door. He wore a white shirt and a pair of denim. He looked good even though he had a worrisome look on his face. He didn’t say anything for some time and Kome stood at the door staring down on the floor.

‘’ Won’t you let me in’’ he managed to say.

Kome stepped aside and he walked in. He stood and looked round her room. She had her mattress on the floor while a wooden wardrobe stood at corner.

‘’ What do you want?’ Kome asked still standing at the door.

‘’ I came to see you’’ he said as he turned to look at her,’ how are you?

‘’ You can see that I am fine’’ she replied.

‘’ You didn’t bother to check on me’’ it was a reply filled with guilt.

Kome eyed him in reply. He obviously was in the wrong but she wasn’t going to tell him to his face.

‘’ Alright Kome, I am sorry for what happened the last time’’ he said after a while.

She got the message and was unwilling to prolong the tense atmosphere hence she walked to where he was and embraced him. A little cuddle and they disengaged. It was all they needed to bring the three weeks of silence to an end. Eric was drained and he felt he needed an emotional spark to enable him finish his examination well thus his visit to Kome. Kome on her part saw this as a welcome relief as she had missed his company. Their reconciliation was merely a link between their once beautiful times together as they began almost in equal footing. The examination finished in good time and they stayed back in school in order to put finishing touches to their final year projects. The period presented more opportunities for them to meet and the commitment in their relationship was obvious to all. Eric took Kome to his house on one of such days when his parents were not around. He made sure that he got her acquainted with his relatives and referred to Kome as his wife. She loved him the more from that moment and couldn’t wait for when their plan to get married would materialize.

skillful01:
Following,i love your use of words. do you reside in oleh


T34M V1RG1N

Thanks. I live in Effurun.

Eric’s father, Chief Osareimen, was one of the richest man in his Bini clan. He was quite influential and he was bringing up his son to take over from him. Eric was therefore one of the popular faces on campus but this did not stop him from enjoying the company of Kome. He loved her and he also felt that she had the same affection for him. Kome did not relent in her academic work as she continually made progress. Her relationship with Eric only made her better as it improved her once dormant social life. They visited fun places together though she would always resist every of her friends and mates reference to the fact that they were dating. She enjoyed being with him but she was unwilling to concede to his subtle romantic gestures. Eric on his part was fine with the pace of their relationship though he was also interested in having a romantic relationship with her. He had let go of other girls as a result of his relationship with Kome but he was finding it hard to resist the urge to have sex.

This desire made him to try and talk Kome into having a sexual relationship with him. She was resistant at first but soon they started a romantic relationship. Despite this, she still maintained her decision not to have a sexual relationship with Eric. Eric sometimes felt cheated and he decided to confront her. It was on one of such rare meetings in Kome’s apartment. He had kissed her and he was about progressing beyond that when she pushed him away.

“What are you trying to do?’ Kome asked in astonishment.

‘’ Why are you acting this strange?’ Eric asked angrily.

‘’ I am not acting strange, you should understand that it isn’t time for this” she replied while pulling away from him.

‘’ When will it be?’ Eric asked.

She looked at him indifferently and turned away to stare at the door.

‘’You are not helping this relationship’’ Eric said in exasperation.

‘’ I really don’t know what to tell you anymore but I am not ready for that yet’’ she said.

‘’ You really have to give a thought to it, we have been together for a long time at least’’ he said almost pleading.

‘’ It doesn’t matter, I just think the time isn’t right’’ she replied.

They didn’t argue any more but the rest of that day was quite uneventful. Eric left and took solace in the company of his friends. They remained incommunicado for about three weeks. Kome feared for their relationship while at the same time saw it as a necessary sacrifice to adhere to that old advice of waiting until the bridal night. She trusted Eric but the relationship was still a promise no matter what superlative may be given to it. She had been able to keep her relationship away from her religion and therefore she didn’t have to suffer from the haunting thoughts of being wayward. Her father was unaware of the way she lived and she was confident of not been found on the wrong part even if he had a spy watching her.

Eric on his part missed Kome greatly but he felt it was best to keep away from her. He feared he was losing grips with his sense and worth. While he loved Kome, he just couldn’t imagine how low he should go in his desire to sleep with her. The decision to keep away was supported by his friends who were against the relationship from the outset. They felt that Eric was turning into a soft guy as a result of his fraternizing with Kome. These factors ensured that he stayed away for about three weeks. The second semester examination came around this period and everyone took to their studies religiously. They were both in final year.

sirblero:
following bro.. loving this story...

You are welcome bro and I hope you stay till the end.

In the Beginning
Kome grew up as the only child in a home headed by her father, Oghale. She had lost her mother while she was still in junior secondary school. They lived in the town of Oleh and her father was a strict Anglican member whose life was a model to others. Kome knew all the necessary moral codes as a child who grew up in the church and under the tutelage of a strict father. She finished her secondary education in good time and also as one of the youngest in her class at the age of sixteen. She applied for her higher education at University of Benin and got admission to study Business Administration at the first trial.

The university life was a different experience entirely. She suddenly found herself surrounded by so many choices and activities whose effect was also amplified by the freedom the students enjoyed. She had always lived with her father and had been content to live within the bounds of his authority.

She adjusted quickly to the frenetic pace of activities in school. She became a member of the Anglican Church on campus and also joined the choir. Letters from her father was frequent as he feared that she could be lured into bad activities. He would always tell her that two things matter which were her studies and her relationship with the church. Despite temptations from her roommates and course mates she was able to stay on course. This also led to a sterling performance in her academics as her grade points fell within the second class upper grade. Kome was growing fast from a timid girl into a self-assured lady. Her father was both indifferent and worried at the same time. He saw Kome as a task that must be done and delivered in good condition. He always had that overwhelming feeling that his wife was solidly behind him. They had shared a strong bond until she succumbed to the deadly force of breast cancer. His love for her had made him resist the urge to get married.

It was not until her third year in school that she met Eric. He was in the same level with her and also a member of the school football team. He met her in church and was moved by both her physical beauty and her voice. He asked for her friendship and introduced himself as a student in the Chemistry department. Eric was a native of Edo State. Kome liked Eric but she was hesitant on accepting his offer of friendship. She was wary of having a romantic relationship as she had been taught in church that it leads to fornication which was obviously a sin in the sight of God. Eric saw her refusal as an inspiration to return as he was obviously smitten by her beauty and personality. He offered to have a platonic relationship with her and made a promise to be a source of encouragement. Kome had little in her way to refuse his consistent pleas. She was living alone and her father was faraway in the neighbouring state of Delta. She considered Eric’s request and decided to give it a trial. It was a simple letter and that was how they started their relationship. The beginning was quite interesting as they grew to know each other.

Copyright © 2017 Okoribe Aruakpo

All rights reserved. Not to be copied or transmitted without the author's permission.
This is a fictitious story. Any resemblance of character and events is entirely coincidental.




Prologue
Grace took another look at the mirror and then patted her left cheek. A subtle affirmation that she was done with preparing for the trip home. She was fifteen years old. She was dark, taller than average and quite beautiful. She was one of the several children at the Lady Theresa orphanage home. The home was a place where orphans, abandoned and vulnerable children were taken to for proper upbringing. Grace have been a member of the orphanage since she was an infant and had known no other family but that was all about to change. She was preparing to meet her new parent. One she would not have to share with anyone. She was reluctant to leave when the mother-in-charge first brought up the issue. It took some plea from the mother-in-charge to convince her to decide to go with the anonymous woman. She felt tears stream down her face as she enjoyed the cool breeze from the surrounding vegetation. She was out in the garden of the Lady Theresa home. The voices of excited kids were the only noise that blurred the chirping of the birds.
Out in the city some twenty miles away, Kome kept her attention on the flow of traffic. She was finding it difficult to suppress the effect of the mixed feelings that assailed her mind. She had an important assignment to fulfil and she was on her way to the venue. She was thirty-six, a dark complexioned lady, beautiful and confident in her carriage. She was an unmarried lady. Fortunately or rather unfortunately, whatever notion people had about her was going to change. She was about to earn the tag of a single mother. She was on her way to claim her daughter who had been separated from her for a long time.

She moved her car forward and covered the little space between hers and the person in front. The thought of a frosty reunion had dominated her mind for a long time but she wouldn’t let that serve as her expectation. She was anticipating something better than a cold reception. She had waited several years for the opportunity to shower her love on her daughter but she couldn’t imagine what other love could be greater than the thought that influenced her decision to give her daughter away some fifteen years ago. While she had some selfish motivation then, she could easily say with hindsight that she had done the right thing. She snapped out of her thoughts as the blaring horns of the cars behind assailed her senses. She removed her legs from the brake and edged the car forward. She noticed that the way was free and she increased her speed as she prepared to meet her daughter.

Divepen1:
What training?

Writer's workshop.

Literature cannot be great without the readers. It would be great if avid readers offer their own suggestion.

More quality stories need to be written. Divepen I will suggest a revival of the training in order to help those who are interested in the business of writing stories.

Nice narrative with an enduring lesson.

Cool but gut wrenching prose. The length is apt though considering the message you are trying to deliver.