WRONG NUMBER by Toyin Taiwo

*Episode 1*

My name is Isaac Oluwapamilerin Daniella. Everybody calls me Pamilerin except my Dad, who only calls me Daniella.
The first daughter of a family of three kids(two girls and a boy) My Parents are civil servants.
I'm intelligent, emotional,beautiful, tall, size 8, dark skin. I can classify myself as a good girl because I was raised well by my Parents. I’m not an introvert and I’m not an extrovert either. Let me just say I’m in between.
****
Tunde and I are level mate, same department. We’ve been very good friends since 100 level. He’s the best student in class with the highest CGPA followed by me, making us the best two student in class. By the time we got to 200l I realized he had feelings for me.
Truth be told I have feelings for him too. The eye contact we exchange in class, especially during practicals when we are grouped together and all that but we shy away from it.
What attracted me to him was the fact that he was brilliant, tall and handsome. I love brilliant guys. And all my male friends back home are brilliant as well.
One fateful day, he told me after class that he’d like to discuss something with me. I was scared because I know what he wanted to say.
He held my hands. “Pamilerin, I like you, I know we are friends and all but I want us to take this friendship to another love”
“Another level! I don’t get you” I pretended as if I don’t understand what he was saying.
“I know you know what I mean, but if you want me to say it out loud I will”
“So say it out loud”
“I want you to be my girl, I really like you”
“I like you too but I don’t like the idea of dating my class mate. We see each other every day” I explained.
“That shouldn’t be a barrier, or what do you think”
“I’ll think about it”
“Please do, I hope I’ll get a positive reply?”
I just smiled at him. Tunde finally let it out, and profess his love for me.
“See you tomorrow Tunde” I said and walked away.
I came back from school and I met commotion at my lodge.
“What’s going on here” I asked one of my lodge mate.
“Its Bolu's parent o they came to pack her things”
“Why is that?”
“You won’t believe it, she has been rusticated since 100l and she never told her parent about it”
“That’s not possible, she do go for classes, in fact I’ve met her in lecture theaters severally and if during exams we go for night classes together”
“She’s just acting o, she no more a student of this school”
“Pamilerin, so you don’t know all this while, I have known since” Another girl in my lodge joined the conversation.
“Really, I never noticed, because most times we even go to school together in the morning”
“Her parents thought she was in final year o, and she’s been collecting school fees from them o.
“Na only school fees pain you, she even collected #200,000 for project.
“Jesus! This is so unfair to her parents nau”
“Thank God for the good Samaritan that revealed the truth to them”
“She even denied it, not until her parent went to her so called department and discovered the whole truth”
“This is so sad, She made a big mistake, she should have open up to them or better still use all the money she’s been collecting to get a Jamb form and try again.
“She wrote Jamb twice after she was rusticated, but she was denied admission”
“It’s not compulsory she stays in this school, she should have opt for another university”
“If she change university the truth go come out na, you know the thing weh pain me pass?”
“What is it?” I asked
“She’s the only child o, and she’s making her parent suffer and waste money like this”
“Eh ya, but its not to late, she can still start all over again, I believe she has learnt her lessons”
“If na my papa o, no school for you again o. He don finish for you be that”
“That won’t help her, I believe she can still start all over again, everyone deserves a second chance” I said
Bolu's parents were through packing her things with the help of some guys. They all entered into the car. Bolu was sitting at the back seat. I walked up to her and held her hand. While her Dad was still doing one or two things in the car. I seize the opportunity to have a word with her.
“Bolu you don’t have to cry, tears won’t repair all the damage. Just make sure you don’t give up on your self”
“Thank you Pamilerin” she sniffed.
“You can start afresh, you can be whatever you want to be. All you need is determination”
“Thank you my daughter” her mummy said to me.
“Its nothing ma, please ma, don’t give up on her. I know how you feel right now, but its not the end of the road for her”
“Thank you dear” she said
“Thank you, thanks for the advice, I’ll try my best” Bolu Dad said
“You are welcome sir, I pray you and mummy will reap the fruit of your labor”
“Amen” they chorused.
I faced Bolu, it’s not a crime to fall, but the most important is too rise again. May God be with you”
“Amen” she nodded, crying out loud.
“I will give you a call” I said
She nodded.
“Safe journey” I said and waved at them as the car took off.
I went straight to my room and crashed on my bed, I was tired and famished at the same time.
I thought about Bolus case again, I really felt sorry for her parent.


WRONG NUMBER

 *Episode 2*

Weeks later, Tunde and I started dating. Trust people, they noticed in no time. We are already tagged couples. Some girls in class who has eyes on him gave me attitudes but I understand.
I know they secretly envied me because I was dating the most intelligent guy not only in the department but even in the faculty.
I know how they flock around him all in the name of tutorials, but he never gave them attention.
With time they realized we are for real and gave up.
Even the guys discovered that they can only get him to tutor them through me, so they have no choice than to be on my good books.
With time the girls started relating well with me and everything was back to normal again.
Tunde and I became so close and inseparable, we spent most of our free time together.
Some months later, he came to my room in the evening to check on me. We chatted for a while and all of a sudden we started this stupid rough play. He kissed me, caressed me. I wanted to stop him but I couldn’t.
I realized things are getting more heated between us, so I gathered all the strength in me and stop him.
I moved away from him.
“Tunde please stop, you are trespassing”
“Trespassing!”
“Tunde what do you want from me?”
“I want you”
“I’m a virgin, I don’t want to loose it, not now”
“You want to keep it for your man, right?”
I nodded
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I’m not just dating you for the fun of it, I’m in this for real. I want to marry you”
“You can’t be so sure, we still have a long journey ahead of us”
“I will never disappoint you, I will never hurt you, I promise”
I eventually gave in, he undressed me, I was shy at first, I’ve never been unclad in the presence of a guy before, I grabbed my cover cloth to cover myself. He pulled the cover cloth gently from my body.
“You don’t have to be shy, look at me, I’m unclad too”
I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, I was even scared of seeing him unclothed.
My church mind was saying otherwise, but I gave in after so much persuasion. I lost my virginity that very night.
Before now I promised myself not to loose my virginity until I’m married, but I broke my promise and gave myself to him.
That night he slept in my room for the first time. And ever since that night we started having sex on a regular basis.
Exam came, we read and studied together( exam didn't stop us from having sex)But we don’t sit together in the exam hall. We sit separately. We do submit our answer booklets almost at the same time. So we leave the exam hall together.
Our result came out the next semester and he was still leading the class with the highest CGPA followed by me. I was happy our relationship did not get in the way of our academics.
****
By the time we got to 300l, Tunde and I practically lived together in his self contained apartment in school. It’s not that I don’t have my own room, I do but he wanted me to be a live in girlfriend.
I don’t like the cohabitation idea in the first place but I eventually agreed to it. I only go to my place once in a while to clean up and do one or two things. I only sleep in my room when my relative came visiting especially my mum.
Our love waxed stronger, we do things together and things were going on smoothly between us. Then the worst happened.

TBC.......
Wrong Number
 Episode 3
“Tunde I’m two weeks late, I’m scared” I informed him.
“Pamilerin you can't be pregnant, we always use protection except for few times that we got carried away”
“Those few times are enough to get me pregnant”
“I think you should get tested first before jumping into conclusion” he said
“I will get a pregnancy test strip from the pharmacy on my way back from school” I said as I dress up preparing for lectures.
Later in the day, we both came back from school, and I prepared dinner and dished it into a breakable plate. We do eat together.
“Babe you are not eating, you are just staring at the food” he said looking directly into my eyes.
“How will I eat, I’ve bought the pregnancy test strip and I don’t know what the result will say. I’m seriously scared”
“Just calm down, let’s see the result first”
“Tunde what if I’m pregnant?”
“When will you have the test?” he asked
“First thing tomorrow morning”
“Just calm down”
“You are just saying I should calm down, you are a man it won’t affect you”
“You think it won’t affect me? Let’s just wait till tomorrow, now eat your food”
“I've lost myappetite” I stood up and sat on the bed.
“You know starving yourself won’t solve the problem. I’ll cover the food, you can eat when you regain your appetite”
I lay on the bed to sleep but I couldn’t sleep all through the night. I thought of my life and my future. I came from a godly home where my parents did their best in raising godly children. But see what love made me do.
I know it everyday that what I’m doing was wrong, it’s against my belief. I never intended to have sex in my relationship not to talk of been a live in girlfriend.
I did all this for the sake of love, the pressure was much from Tunde that I had to succumb. Fine staying together makes us bond well but I wonder what we stand to gain aside from the bonding and regular sex but see where it landed me.
I’m pregnant I’m very sure of that, I’ve never been this late since I started menstruating, worst is between two or three days, then I’ll see my period" I thought.
While I was still thinking about the mess I got myself into, I felt his hand on my body because I was backing him so I didn’t see him, he was trying to get me aroused.
“Tunde take your hands off me this minute” I said angrily.
“Babe I’m just trying to help ease your worries”
“By having sex with me? I doubt if you are bothered a bit”
“Off course I am, I just want to….
“Do you even love me, because if you do you won’t be thinking about sex right now”
“I cant believe you just said that, you know I love you"
“Which I’m beginning to doubt, just let me be, pleaseeee”
“I’m very sorry my love, I thought it will help. Stop giving yourself headache we are not even sure yet”
“I get it, it’s my body not yours and I know if something it’s not right”
I took one of the pillows, stood up from the bed and lie on the rug.
“Please come back to bed Pamilerin, I won’t touch you” he pleaded.
I pretended as if I did not hear him. I just lay there on the rug thinking about what the test result


Wrong Number-
 Episode 4
I woke up the next morning, I took the PT strip into the bathroom, I sat on the toilet sit and pee on the stick. I waited for some minutes and to proof my suspicion, I saw two red lines, meaning I’m pregnant. I screamed.
Tunde rushed into the bathroom and held me. He took the stick from me, he saw two red lines which I’m sure he doesn’t understand the meaning.
He took the PT strip pack from the top of the sink where I put it. He read the instructions and he realized what was going on.
“So two red lines means positive “ he said and sighed heavily. He was sweating profusely.
He took me into his arms to console me but I cried the more.
“Tunde I’m finish, my father will disown me that’s if he didn’t kill me first” I said in tears.
“Pamilerin take it easy we’ll figure it out”
“You can’t understand, have brought shame upon myself and family. My mum is a deaconess while my dad is an elder in church. I’m the first child what example will I set for my siblings” I wept uncontrollably.
“I understand, we are both not ready for this, just put yourself together”
“You are a guy, I’m going to be the object of ridicule not you” I said amidst tears. He wipe my tears with his hands.
“Babe, take your bath and let’s prepare for school its almost 7am and we both have 8 o’clock lecture”
“Go ahead and take your bath, let me stay at home and mourn my woes”
“Let’s stay at home together then, I can’t leave you all alone, not like this”
“Don’t miss lectures because of me, don’t worry I won’t commit suicide. I know better than that, suicide is a direct flight to hell”
“I’m not leaving, we’ll stay here together”
We were like that for hours, we did not bath or eat. We were both engrossed in our thoughts. He sent a text message to the class rep that we wont be coming to class that very day. One thing is sure the whole class we noticed our absence.
Despite the text we still got so many calls. He picked some, I didn’t pick any, it got to a stage I had to put off my phone.
Both of us are just in the room we didn’t say a word to each other.
I thought of so many things, should I run away? But where will I go? I thought.
“Pamilerin! He broke the silence.
“Yes”
“What do you want us to do about the pregnancy?”
“I wish I’m dreaming, I want to wake up and realize all this is a dream”
“This is real”
“What do you want us to do about it” I asked him the same question he asked me.
“We have just two options here, it’s either we keep it or will abort it.
“Let me think and weigh my options” I said.
“I think we have to decide fast”
“I’m keeping it”
“Pamilerin as much as I’m happy that you are carrying my child, and that I can father a child, you know we are not ready for this, we can’t take care of this child”
“What are you insinuating?
“Abortion, that’s the only option we’ve got”
“Abortion! Murdering an innocent child!” I sighed heavily
“Pamilerin, I’m ashamed of myself, this is my seed we are talking about here, I want to see my flesh and blood too but I can’t bring a child into this world when I’m not ready”
“What if something goes wrong in the process”
“Whatever happens, I will stand by you, I will never leave you. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. That I promise you”
“Tunde, I hope the tune of the song won’t change tomorrow. Hope it’s not just an empty promise?”
“Do you want me to swear or something”
“No! You don’t have to” I said although deep down inside of me I wish I could make him swear an oath, but I know its not right.
I sighed heavily and picked my phone and dialed my cousin’s number. Joy is a close and trusted cousin, we always have each other’s back. She once had an abortion and she confided in me then.
“Joy I’m pregnant” I said immediately she picked the call.
“Preg what? Pamilerin why? You should have been more careful, I told you my experience and it was not a good one” Joy lamented.
I noticed she was already close to tears from the sound of her voice.
“God! I wish this never happened to you” she said sniffing.
“Don’t cry because of me, I brought this upon myself”
“Let’s leave this baby, Daddy can’t kill you, I know he will be mad at you but I promise to stand by you” she advised.
“I don’t want it”
“This is one big guilt you’ll live with for the rest of your life, do you want that?”
“Joy, that’s the only option I have”
“Your boyfriend?” she asked
“We are on the same page”
i replied
“OK, I took pills then” she said and gave me the name of the pills.
“Thanks, I’m grateful”
“Please take care and please update me”
“I will, thanks” I said and ended the call.
“What did she say” Tunde ask after I disconnected.
“She said she used pills but I’m sorry if I’m going to be having an abortion that is not an option for me”
“Why! She used it and it worked”
“Tunde, I’m not using pills, what if it has side effects. Take me to a hospital, I will pay for it if you can’t. This is my life we are talking about here” I shouted.
“I’m not saying I’m not paying but…..
“I’m going to a hospital tomorrow” I said cutting him off.
“Do you have any hospital in mind?”
“No I don’t, God will direct me”
Did I just say God! I couldn’t believe I mentioned God, if I had obey his instruction not to fornicate, I wouldn’t have found myself in this situation.
“OK, anything you decide” he said
He stood up and went into the bathroom to take his bathes, he went into the kitchen afterwards to prepare food for us. He encouraged me to take my bath too and I obeyed.
That night sleep eluded me, what if I die, what if I did not make it. I thought of so many things, I was lying there waiting for morning to come.

Episode 5
The next day came, I prayed to the God my mother serves that morning in tears because I did not have the nerve to refer to him as my God at that moment knowing what I’m up to. I also prayed for my mother. I called her full name in my prayer.
“Abigail Oluwadbunmi Isaac, o ni foju sukun omo, Ina omo oni jo e loruko Jesu”
Meaning:
(Abigail Oluwabunmi Isaac, you we not weep over your child and You won’t loose any of your children
)
I felt that prayer needed to be said in my language.
****
We set out with no hospital in mind. We saw a hospital and decided to try it. We are about to enter the gate and something stopped me. I tried to take another step but its like there’s a force pulling me back. Right there I knew it was a sign.
“Tunde! I’m not setting my foot inside this hospital, let’s check out another one”
He looked at me and he was like what’s going on.
“What’s wrong with this one nau, let’s go in first and make enquiries”
“No, I said firmy. My spirit is against this hospital”
We continued our search and came across another hospital and we decided to give it a try.
We entered into the hospital, I walked up to one of the Nurses at the reception and told her I wanted to see a doctor.
She brought out a form for me to fill. I filled it and gave it back to her.
She told me to go back to the reception to sit that the doctor will call me in.
I joined Tunde at the reception, some minutes later, I was called.
I entered the doctor’s office with Tunde. We exchanged greetings. He asked me some questions including why I wanted the abortion and I gave my answers.
He discovered I was a student and She asked for my School ID card which I showed him.
He told me I’m going to take another pregnancy test which I did. He directed me to the hospitals laboratory.
Deep down within me, I was hoping the result will come out negative, that is the only thing that can put a stop to this nightmare, but unfortunately the result came out positive.
An hour later, we were back in his office with the result.
He checked the result and documented it, he also wrote down somethings on the case note.
“Are you responsible for the pregnancy?” he asked facing Tunde.
“Yes sir” he answered.
“Did you agree to the evacuation?”The doctor asked
“Yes sir, it was our decision” he replied
The doctor brought out a form and gave it to him”
“You have to feel this consent form, which will serve as an evidence that you agree to the whole process”
“I just told you I did”
The doctor smiled. “You know we have heard of some cases of guys who sued hospitals for aborting there babies without their consent. So you see there must be a proper documentation”
Tunde nodded and filled the consent form. The doctor gave us the bill and told us to go and pay to the cashier. The fee was quite expensive. It’s a big hospital, so I already envisaged this.
“This is too much” he said as soon as we step out of the doctor’s office”
“Seriously! So you would have preferred we go to a quack ehn? See I won’t let you ruin my life, if anything happens in the future, you will look for an alternative” I said giving him a scornful look. To be sincere I’m beginning to hate him.
“Wait! Where is that coming from?”
I ignored him, I went to the cashier and paid. I already withdraw enough money from the ATM machine that morning.
After the payment, I was told to sit in the waiting room beside the OR( operating room)
I was there alone. I called my cousin and told her my plight just in case anything happen to me. I told her the name of the hospital and all she needed to know.
The doctor called me into the OR, I saw the instruments on the table and ran out.
“ I can’t do this” I cried
He asked one of the nurses to call my boyfriend. He came and encouraged me but I was scared. The doctors decided to give me anesthesia to put me to sleep.
Hours later, I woke up. I saw my boyfriend, doctor and two of the nurses staring at me. They were all sweating profusely despite the fact that the air condition is on. I look at Tunde’s eyes, they were red, its like he has been crying.
What’s going on here” I asked, terrified.
   EPISODE 6

“We haven’t done the procedure yet” the doctor said “Why? I remembered you put me to sleep”
“You reacted to the anesthesia we gave you. We were able to resuscitate you after three good hours” I now remembered everything I saw when I was asleep, it was all like a dream. I saw myself waving at my Parents, siblings and I was begging my boyfriend to go and tell my parents what happened to me. Meaning I almost die indeed. I silently thank God for sparing my life. At the end of the day, the abortion has to be done without any anesthesia. It was so painful, I screamed, I cried. My boyfriend was there all through, he held my hand n tried to calm me down. To be candid I gave everyone in the O R a tough time. Some minutes later, the doctor was through. He left while the Nurses handle the rest. One of the Nurses was so nice to me, while the other one gave me a scornful look, I get the message she was passing across. I know in her mind she would have given me many names like slut, love peddler, fornicator and murderer I guess. She’s free to judge me, she can call be anything but I’m very sure she’s not better than me. The kind Nurse advice me to be very careful next time. She told me guys are not really worth all this pains they put us through, she said they are like birds and they can fly away anytime. She also said if my boyfriend insist on not using protection then I should zip up. She gave me all the advice she would give her own younger sister, she even gave me her number to call if anything comes up although she prayed there won’t be complications. I thanked her wholeheartedly. I was made to relax for some time before leaving. I was giving antibiotics and some analgesics. I joined Tunde at the reception and we left the hospital. We got back to my boyfriend’s place, he prepared food and hot beverage, I couldn’t eat but I took the hot beverage. My cousin called and I told her I was back from the hospital. She wanted to come over but I told her it’s not necessary that I’ll be fine. An hour later, the show began. I started bleeding. The bleeding was so much that I used 2 packs of sanitary pad in less than two hours. We were both scared to death. I remembered the kind nurse gave me her phone number. I called her and she told me it’s normal for now, she told me the kind of pad to use n not the regular ones and she also told to get some drugs. I called the names out while Tunde jotted it down. She told me to keep her posted. Tunde rush down to a nearby stores and bought lots of sanitary pads and the drugs. I couldn’t eat and I’m getting weak, He forced me to take the energy drinks he bought for me. I took it and vomitted on the floor. I saw all the stressed Tunde went through and I had no choice than to pity him. He washed all my soiled clothes, stained bed spreads, he washed the toilets and made sure the room was cleaned. “Well done” I said to him when he was through with the washing. He replied with all sincerity “Thank you. And I’m sorry for putting you through all this” I nodded. I was indoor for a whole week bleeding the first three days was terrible, I thought would not make it. The good thing is that our faculty had a one week exhibition and they declared the week lecture free. So I didn’t get to miss lectures that week. After 10 days the flow stopped. I saw hell, it was an awful experience. My boyfriend stood by me all through and the hatred I had for him vanished slowly. I shouldn’t punish him for our mistake. After the flow stopped and I was strong enough. I packed my things and left Tunde’s place, no more cohabitation. He did not even bother to convince me to stay. He knew my mind was made up.I got back to my place, he actually followed me and help me clean up my room. He makes sure I was OK before he left. That night, I wanted to pray but I couldn’t, I felt God will slap me if I dare to call him. I couldn’t even open my mouth to ask God for forgiveness. Something kept disturbing my peace. My conscience was telling me “You know if you die now or rapture happens, you know you are going straight to hell” After some days I found the courage to pray, I prayed for forgiveness but I couldn’t forgive myself. I killed an harmless child, that baby suppose to be my first child, but I denied it the right to live. I live with the guilt everyday. I refuse to go to church, thinking God will strike me down if I dare to enter his house. I gave them some excuses in church. I was in my room alone one Sunday morning, since I’m still scared of going to church I only listened to messages on radio. The message talk about forgiveness. I cried after I had the message. From that message I realized that God had already forgiven me all I need to do is to forgive myself. The message really helped me moved on with my life. I started attending church afterwards and I felt normal again.
#We cannot embrace God’s forgiveness if we are so busy clinging to past wounds# – T.D Jakes

****

The following week, Joy came from her own school to check on me. I already told her on phone that I’m fine, but she still insisted in seeing me with my own eyes. She was happy to see I've  move back into my room. She’s never liked the idea of cohabitating. I resumed lectures, all my classmate accused us for not coming for the exhibition. We lied that we traveled. Everything was back to normal again. For months I was on my own, I mean I never allowed Tunde touch me. I told him to give me time because I realized I feared sex more than anything else and he respected my opinion. He said he’ll wait till i come around*****
A year later, we are actually in our final year. We heard a shocking news. The news is on tv, radio, every where. A particular hospital was raided by the police, report got to them that the owner of the hospital is fetish. He uses pregnant women for rituals. Especially those that came for abortion, He uses both the fetus and mother for rituals. Many girls has been reported to die on his operating table. The news has already spread across the whole city. Tunde and I were shocked, this is the same hospital I almost entered to have an abortion. “No wonder you said your spirit did not agree with that hospital” Tunde said, still in shock. "I would have been a victim too” I said. I did not know where the tears came from, I cried. So God answered my prayer that day, I know He did not do it for me but He did it for my mother. The prayer I prayed for my mother who has served Him diligently with her whole heart was answered. “This is nothing but pure grace, indeed our grace differs” I said to myself. That very minute I made a promise that I will serve him all the rest of my life. Everything went well between us, My love for him waxed stronger.We both graduated with a first class. Tunde was the second best overall student. Months later, Went for service. We served in different states but things was going on smoothly between us. Yes, we have everything all planned out, we are getting married once we are through with service and start working.
****

Is Tunde really the guy for Pamilerin?
Did he even love her as much as he claims?
We’ll find out soon.
Keep your fingers crossed


- Episode 7
After youth service I tried so hard to get a job but to no avail, then I resolved to teaching.
I got a teaching job in a private secondary school in Lagos where I was been paid #20,000 has salary. Luckily for me I had some students I coach privately.
The school is trekable from my house, so I don’t get to use up all my salary on transport. Also because I stay with my parent, my feeding too was covered.
Tunde got a job in a private firm where he’s been paid #40,000 monthly salary. We still both search for better offer by applying for jobs online, with the hope of getting a bigger paying job. We plan to settle down when we get a better offer.
****
All of a sudden, I noticed Tunde stopped calling, unlike before when he calls at least twice a day.
I now do the calling, he act so cold on phone. I ask him what the problem was and he said it’s work, that he use to come back late and tired and just go straight to bed.
I was worried sick, wandering what was going on because the Tunde I use to know won’t go to bed without saying good night to me.
My house is very far from his, so I can only go to his place on weekends. I called one of the weekends to inform him that I’m coming and he said he now goes to work on Saturdays.
Some weeks later, I got a call from him, I was surprised. “Tunde remembered me today. Maybe he has realized his mistakes” I thought. So I picked the call.
Hello”
"Hello, how are you?”
“I’m good” I replied
Babe! see I’m sorry for this past days have been very busy, work is hectic and I just hope you understand”
“I don’t understand, Tunde you are not the only one working, why you allow your so called work to get in the way of our relationship is what I don’t get” I stated.
“See I’m very sorry….
“Tunde hear yourself, so you are so busy that you can’t make a 30secs call, I’m not even asking you to call but at least you should pick mine if you can’t make the call”
“Pamilerin I know I’ve taken it too far but I promise to make it up to you” he pleaded.
I couldn’t believe my ears, so he could apologize to me. “ its OK, just promise you’ll always find time for us, even in your busy schedules.
“I promise babe, are we good now”
“Yes we are” I smiled. At last he has come back to his senses.
“Can you come over on Saturday, I’ve missed you”
“Are you not going to work?”
“No, I’m free this Saturday”
He’s sudden change of attitude still baffles me, is he playing pranks on me or something?” I wondered.
“Hello, are you still there” his voice brought me out of reverie.
“I’m here, I’ll come on Saturday”
“Good, that’s my girl. See you on Saturday then. I love you
He has hurt my feeling repeatedly, that I can’t even tell if I still love him or not.
“I love you too”I replied
I was at his place on Saturday. I cooked for him, he ate. After eating, he started making sexual advances at me.
“Tunde! I’m not here for this, what we need now is not se.x. I think we should talk”
“Talk about what again”
“Tunde what do you take me for, a door mat?”
“Where is that coming from now”
“We are drifting apart,I don’t know if you feel what I’m feeling”
“See there’s nothing to talk about we are fine”
Before I could say jack, he was all over me. At first I did not respond, How will I sleep with someone who doesn’t treat me right or make me happy.
He stopped when he noticed my coldness towards him.
“Everything will be fine now I promise” he assured me.
“Tunde….
“Babe I love you, I miss you” he said kissing every part of my body.
I gave in, maybe he meant every word he altered.
Tunde practiced all kinds of stunts on me. I’m very sure he’s been seeing adult films lately, because those moves are out of this world. He made me do all manner of dirty things I can’t start talking about.
After he had satisfied himself, he fell on his bed and slept off.
I cried as I watched him sleep, I felt dirty, I felt like trash. My whole body was aching.
I woke him up when I was ready to leave.
“Tunde! I’m leaving” I tapped him
“OK, you can leave I’ll give you a call”
I couldn’t believe my ears, even a prostitute doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.
“I said I’m leaving, won’t you see me off?” I said angrily.
“See, babe I’m tired, please let me be, it’s that too much to ask” he barked at me.
“Fine! Go ahead and sleep, honestly I can’t blame you, I’m the one who played the fool” I said and stormed out of his apartment.

Episode 8
I got back home and rushed into the bathroom, I opened the shower, sat down on the titled floor and wept. I took my sponge and scrubbed every part of my body, just to wash his filthy hands off me. I was in the bathroom for God knows how many hours. In the bathroom, I thought of so many things, it was a time of reflection for me.
"Enough is enough, I think it's time to go back to God" I said to myself
I came back into the room, knelt down and cried to God for forgiveness. I made a promise to God never to indulge in any sexual act again until I get married.
I made so many promises to serve, obey him and all. I put off my phone and slept.
The next day I put on phone and his message pop in.
He apologized for what happened the previous day. I was still reading his text when his call came in. I decided to pick it after several rings.
“Baby, I’m so sorry, I was really tired yesterday”
I didn’t say a word and he continued ranting over the phone.
“Baby please say something”
“What do you want me to say, when did you become this bad, this is not you”
“Please just forgive me, please….”
“Hope this won’t happen again?”
i asked
“It will never happen again, I promise”
he replied
"I have a condition" I said
"What's the condition"
"No more sex"
He laughed. "I know you are saying this because you are angry, all the same, I've heard you"
"You are laughing right! you think I'm joking, I'm dead serious"
"I've heard you, is that all?"
"Yes, for now"
"OK my love, I'll talk to you later"
He ended the call and I couldn’t help but cry. I’m I in a right relationship?” I asked myself.
****
He acted normal for a month. He calls and even visited me twice and after that Tunde shut down again like Nigeria’s electricity.
I was so preoccupied, the only day I can meet him at home is Sunday. But now Sunday is out of it because my schedules are tight on Sundays too. Ever since the last incident, I’ve been committed in Church.
After church service I’ll have to attend meetings upon meetings and by 5pm I’ll have to be in the house fellowship which I can’t afford to miss being the new house fellowship leader.
For like two months I did not set my eyes on him. Now he doesn’t pick my calls and of course he never return my calls. The reality of loosing him now hit me. I cried my eyes out when it dawn on me that my 5years relationship is crumbling before my very eyes.
Everybody knew us to be an item, my family, his family, friends, What will I tell them. It’s 4months gone and we did not see each other despite the fact that we both stay in the same Lagos.
I called my cousin, Joy and told her what was going on.
“Pamilerin, don’t stop calling him”
“Even if he’s not picking my calls?”
“Yes, keep on calling and please create time and go see him . So that it can be said of you that you did your best”
“I’ve heard you. I’ll find time and check on him”
****
On Sunday, I decided not to attend all my Sunday meetings just for me to see him. I went to his house but to my surprise, I met the room empty. I was told he had moved out, the guy I met in his compound said he had no idea of where he relocated to.
The guy asked how come I never he knew he relocated.
I took his question for an insult. But he is right, how will my boyfriend move out without my knowledge
“Do you remember the last time you visited him?” he asked.
I nodded
“Ehn ehn! He moved out the second day”
My hand bag and phone fell from my hand.
“Are you sure of what you just said?”
“Yes, I’m sure because I asked after you when he was parking and he said you left the previous evening”
I refused to believe the guy. Tunde had another friend in the compound, I checked on him, but he was not around. I left the place troubled, I called him severally and he did not pick my calls.
I returned home in the evening and I texted him, he called back and told me he’ll come to my house the next weekend, I asked him where he relocated to but he refuse to disclose his new address.

Episode 9
Next weekend came, and he didn’t show up. I cried uncontrollably till I was exhausted, I felt so worse because I got my hopes up, thinking he’ll come and apologize and start things afresh.
So for him not eventually showing up shattered those hopes. And he did not even have the courtesy of calling to apologize for not coming.
Some weeks later, I had an interview to attend, so I took permission from the school principal.
On my way back from the interview, I ran into one of our friends, we graduated from the same school. We chatted for a while and he congratulated me on Tunde's new job in an oil company.
I was shocked to the bone, but I quickly put myself together, I smiled and thanked him.
“I heard he now lives in banana Island, I’m happy for you guys. We are waiting for your wedding invitation o” he said gleefully.
“Thank you very much, sure we’ll invite you for the wedding once we fixed a date” I said with a fake smile.
The guy left and I was yet to recover from the shock. Tunde now works in an oil company and I knew nothing about it!
I took the BRT bus and went straight home. I know I’m useless for that day, even if I return to school, I know I won’t be able to concentrate.
I called one of the staff and told her I won’t be coming back to school that very day.
On Saturday, I went to Tunde's old house to see his neighbor. I’m very sure he’ll know where he stays in Banana Island.
Luckily for me I met the guy at home. I told him what I found out about Tunde’s new job and house.
He told me he doesn’t know where he stays. I begged him in tears to tell me because I’m very sure Tunde can’t move out without telling him.
He was moved by my tears, I could see it in his eyes. He picked a pen and paper and wrote the address down and handed it over to me.
“Please he mustn’t know that I gave you the address”
“I promise I won’t tell him” I assured him.
“Pamilerin! He called out as I was about to leave”
“Yes” I answered
“I think you deserve better”
I did not understand what he meant by that statement. I thanked him and left.
I did not have enough money on me to take me to and fro to the place, so I stopped by a bank and use the ATM machine to withdraw some money.
I located the house and I still find it hard to believe that my boyfriend now leave in luxury.
I knocked at the gate and the gateman opened the door, after serious questionings he decided to call his Oga using the intercom.
He told me his Oga is not in. I couldn’t believe my ears, I begged him to let me in but he declined.
I brought out my phone from my hand bag, I called His line for like 10times, it rings severally but he refused to pick up. I then sent him a text.
“Please let me in, if not for anything, but for old time sake”
I pleaded
I stood in front of the gate, waiting for his reply.
 Episode 10
Some minutes later, the gateman opened the gate and led me into the house. The house was beautiful, the sitting room was tastefully furnished.
I stood in the sitting room waiting for him to come out, he joined me later, we exchanged cold greetings.
“How did you know this place?”
“Walls have ears you know! do you expect me to just fold my hands and do nothing about us”
“Why are you here?”
“Tunde, I’m here for just one reason, where did I go wrong?”
“Pamilerin, you did not do anything wrong, I know I promise to come see you but have been very busy”
"I think by now you should have a better excuse than 'busy' or what do you think?"
"I wish you could understand"
"Understand what? that you left because of all this"
"This has nothing to do with my present status"
"Really"
"Just give me some time to clear my head, because right now I don't even know what I want"
"I get it, after five years... you want something new right? you are bored with us"
"Don't put it like that, please give me time.."
He was still talking when I saw a lady walked down the stairs. She was wearing a crop top on a bum short. She’s fair and her skin was glowing like that of a super model.
I'm not bad myself, that is obvious but this lady is one of those who spend every penny they have on looking good.
“Baby can you please give us some minutes, I’ll meet you upstairs” he said to the lady.
Baby! I exclaimed
“I’m sorry I can’t, who is she anyway?” she asked Tunde.
“She’s a friend”
“A friend! so she’s the baby and I’m the friend right! now I get it” I said
“I don’t care who she is, but I need her to leave this place this minute before I call security to throw her out” she yelled
“Tunde I’m not leaving this place until you answered my question or don’t you think you owe me an explanation. You got a new job, you even relocated without telling me, God knows I did not deserve this from you”
“Stop right there gold digger, so that’s why you are here, to reap where you did not sow!” the lady launched at me.
“That should be my line, Don’t you know you are the gold digger here, reaping where you did not….
Before I finish the statement, her hands had already landed on my cheek, I stepped forward and returned the slap. Tunde hurriedly stood in between us.
“You watched her slap me and you do nothing about it? She lashed at Tunde
“Antonia! but you slapped her first”
“Really! I know what to do” She went out, called the Security and they ushered me out of the house.
Tunde said nothing, he watched as I was been led out of his house.
I took a cab that carried me straight to my house, thank God I had enough money on me, I cried silently in the cab.
I got a message from him on way home, he apologized for what happened in his house and promised to check on me.
I got home and cried bitterly. This is the guy that I love with the whole of my life, a guy I made so many sacrifices for. I spent five years of my life nurturing this relationship.
He was the only guy I dated all my life. I remembered the abortion and wept the more. I still live with the guilt till now. Even after the abortion I still went ahead to satisfy his sexual pleasures all because I want to please and keep him. I’ve done things I wished I could take back. All because of him.
Now i admit that sex won’t make men stay, they leave when they feel like and they stay if they want to, sex or no sex.
That night I wipe away my tears, took my bath and encouraged myself to forget about him and move on. I told God that night to strengthen me and help me move on because 5years relationship is not a joke.
I ended the relationship within me, having it at the back of my mind that I’m no longer in a relationship, meaning I’m officially single. Its obvious he doesn’t want the relationship either, so I’ll just sit back and wait for the day he’ll come to give his break up speech.

TBC...