Tales of 2 university students

It is one of those evenings when you feel bone-
weary and dead tired. The evening when you
wonder why schooling was compulsory.
Evenings when you felt like going ahead and
quitting school. Yes, I was that tired. I just
finished lectures for the day, and was already
looking forward to the weekend. Who ever drew
up my time table for me is really a sadist.
8am-6pm lectures virtually everyday and I have
only one hour of break daily. Damn, my school
is just ‘weird’ like that. Well, maybe it’s because
I’m a fresher and, I was not really expecting
this.
I’m the last-born of my mother and I was born
with a silver spoon. But, I was neither over-
pampered nor spoilt. I gained admission
immediately after college, so I feel I’m of the
privileged ones. I thought I was going to a
private university, but my dad wanted me to
experience the real university life. I’m not
regretting it though, because I’m enjoying this
place except for the rather too hectic academic
schedule. Physically, I can say I’m beautiful.
And, that has not made me lack suitors.
I just had my bath, and I am lying down on my
bed, reading a paperback novel. Not my choice
though, I’m hungry and someone is using my
hot-plate to cook. Before I go further, let me
explain that I reside on-campus, in my School
Hostel. It’s divided into male and female hostel,
with six students per room or eight students per
room depending on how much you pay. My
room is the 6-students per room type and the
occupants are a mixture of all levels. 2 freshers,
1 sophomore, one 300-level, one 400l and one
500l.
My room is a community on its own. There are
three types of roommates, the church going
ones, the ‘runs’ and party ones and those in
between. I fall in-between, because I know that,
I create time to attend church service, and I
tend to party, but not too much. My closest
roommate and my best friend in school is my
bunk mate who is also a fresher. Her name is
Dunni, but I always call her ‘Bunkie’- a common
nickname for bunkmates. She’s beautiful, tall
with nice carriage, in her 1st year, and we are in
the same department- Microbiology.
My Bunkie is in the next room gisting or rather,
gossiping. My remaining four roommates were
all inside the room. Two of them are dressing
up, awaiting their boyfriend to pick them up and
the remaining two, preparing for night vigil.
Going to church is also on my mind, but I know
that going for night vigil, without eating is
suicidal. I could just faint during service and
they would think I was in the ‘spirit’.
Deeply engrossed in the novel I was reading, the
door suddenly flew open and my Bunkie came
rushing into the room. She scooted straight to
my side, excitement was clearly written on her
face.
“Helen, Helen”. She said breathlessly. By now, I
was really getting annoyed; hunger combined
with tiredness is not a state in which I love
suspense on any kind.
“Catch your breath and talk when you are
balanced.” I went back to reading my novel. She
plucked it out of my hands and said “Tunji called
me.” I was like ‘so’? “He called you, so what? ”
Tunji is a very popular guy in school, a classic
example of TDH. So, I was only trying to
dampen her mood because I really had the hots
for him. Curiosity took the best part of me.
“What did he say?”
“He just wanted to greet me. And he wished me
a happy weekend”.
“Just that? By the way, how did he get your
number?”
She looked confused, then she shrugged “I don’t
know. Obviously, he went a long way to get it.”
My other roommate in 500l, Oyinda, looked at
her with concern clearly written on her face.
“You better stay clear of that guy. He is a
womanizer, and he breaks hearts for fun.”
Dunni retorted, “is it just that, or were you
hoping he would one day ask you out?”
I gasped, “Haba, bunkieee!!!!”
Oyinda simply shook her head and went about
preparing for church.
My bunkiee was clearly angry and she beckoned
on me to follow her outside. Sighing, I dropped
the novel, adjusted the bum short I was
wearing, wore a slippers and I followed her
outside half-willingly.
“Can you imagine what she said? I knew she
never liked me, but to speak evil about
someone you never met, haba. May God forgive
us”. I kept mute and we passed through the
corridor in silence. We got outside and she
turned to me. “Tunji said he is coming to take
me out and I said ok”.
I turned in surprise, now my turn to get angry,
“Why did you say he just called to greet you?
Why did you lie?”
She looked at me with sorry eyes “I did not
mean to, I did not want to say it in the room”.
Nodding without understanding anything, I
paused and asked, “Ok, where are you going to
and are you coming back tonight?”
“It all depends on him, he only told me to get
dressed.” I looked at her, considering the
implications. I told her “are you sure you are
safe with him, remembering that you don’t even
know him.”
She replied “Since you will be with me, he
wouldn’t try anything funny.”
Looking surprised, “Who said anything about
following you? What makes you think I don’t
have plans?”
She looked at me with pleading eyes. “Please,
just this once. And I will be indebted to you”.
“Ok, I will follow you. But, next time consult me
before scheduling anything for me.”
“Thanks.”
We went inside to have our bath and change our
clothes. In the bathroom, I looked at the mirror
and told myself “I hope this turns out for good.”
I changed into a tank top and a jeans. Applying
little make up, so as not to over-shadow Dunni
in terms of beauty, after all, it was her date. I
was barely through when Dunni came into the
room and told me Tunji is around.
We both went out, met Tunji by the car and I
was surprised to see that he came with a friend.
My brain started thinking up some possibilities,
but I ignored it and exchanged pleasantries,
Dunni said, “Hello Tunji, meet my friend Helen”.
We shook hands and he introduces me to his
friend. “Helen,Dunni, meet my friend Mayowa.”
Shaking hands again, we exchanged small talks
to lighten the mood. Then, Tunji asked “Are we
all set to go?”
I answered. “Please give us a minute.” Pulling
my Bunkie away, I asked her “Did you know he
was coming with a friend? And, did he ask you
to come with a friend?” Looking fugitively, she
nodded and said “I’m sorry. I did not know how
to tell you. Please don’t be angry.”
I shook my head and we both went back to
meet them. We trooped into the car.
I looked out the window and saw array of lights
as we passed by Tunji drove the car while Dunni
sat at the passenger side. Mayowa & I were
sitting in the back. My mind kept wondering the
hell am I doing here I should be back at my
hostel eating dinner or lying on my bed reading
a very nice novel but here I am; in a car with
two guys I hardly know.
“What’s up” Mayowa said snapping me back to
the present. I turn to look at Mayowa. I can say
am surprised it took him this long to talk to me
because the two in front already hit it the
moment we entered into the car. “I’m good”
was my instant reply to him. I looked at him and
I said to my self “He really is good looking, nice
chiseled face with nice teeth and a lovely
dimple.”
“Don’t worry we will soon get there” He said in
a low voice out of the corner of my eyes. I saw
Dunni laughing heartily without any care in the
world. I turned my face back to face the
windows. I was so lost in my thoughts that I
didn’t notice that the car was slowing down. The
car finally stopped at the front of a club that
seemed to be bubbling since it was a Friday.
“A club seriously” that was the first thought that
came to my mind now I know I wouldn’t eat
again today.
We all came down from the car and advanced
towards the club Tunji paid for our tickets as we
entered the club. Mayowa held my hand and I
felt the warmth exuding from him. The club was
really banging people were dancing frantically to
the latest club banger my eyes were
automatically scanning for the safest place to be
because I don’t want to be boxed in a bad place
I looked at my room mate who was totally
oblivious of my predicament and was literally
fawning all over Tunji. I left her alone and
making my way to where I think is safe enough
for me. Mayowa didn’t hesitate before he
followed me.
“Hope you are comfortable?” I nodded my head
and he asked “what should I get for you?”
“Smirnoff Ice.” He left for some few minutes and
he returned with a Smirnoff Ice can in his hand.
“Are you not taking anything?”
“No, I don’t drink alcohol.”
I was surprised. My curiosity kicked in, I started
probing. “Are you a Muslim?”
He said “No.”
“So why don’t you take alcohol”?
“Nothing really, I just don’t really fancy it.”
Whispering, he said “don’t tell people. Most
guys make fun of me because of it.” I laughed
and told him “I don’t gossip, so, I can’t tell
anyone.” In my mind, I was wondering if that
‘anyone’ included my Bunkie.
I felt dizzy a little bit, but I continued drinking
thinking it would steady me. I looked around for
Tunji and Dunni, but they were nowhere to be
found. I let the thought of what might be
happening ease off my mind and I continued
enjoying myself.
He asked me to dance and I obliged willingly.
After about half an hour of dancing, I felt real
weak and I begged off. We went back to sit.
I had a nauseating feeling, and next thing, I
literally saw stars. Everywhere was going
around in kaleidoscope and I had this feeling of
moving in and out of time. I held on to Mayowa
and it was then I lost consciousness.
I woke up in a room, on a bed. My mouth tasted
bitter and I started having hazy recollections of
what happened. It was at that point that I
noticed that I had nothing on me. I was stark
naked!
*To Be Continued*