The First Time

home as his academic performance to his par

mind of most girls like Kolia? They are after your money. They will dump you at the sl

rogant, full of insult, and disrespectful. She sleeps about

apped around it. The likes of Peter, Alaska, Eme, and even Kristor had taken him into their confidence most of the time. This is especially the case with their relationships, family matters, social and academics challenges. He had won the trust and confidence of most of his colleagues in the lodge b

a surprising thing to hear anyone inform him of an impending issue that needed his urgent attention. For a while, he began to ask himself what

to be behaving the way he's doing?" Iyk

re effective if such is done from a more mature manner than publicly ridiculing him," he replied. It was obvious everyone was listening to his response. "I had personally called his attention to my observations and I knew what he told me. On the other hand, I don't think it would be wise for anybody to neglect his or her studies n

. It was not connected at all with the Kolia saga. Kolia was only a front to vent their anger. So, it had not surprised him when the four kinsmen,

ntimacy with Kolia. She declined the amorous advances only for Onoo to win her heart o

AND

with the girl no matter what. Not even the frequent sarcastic pressures and mockeries could stop h

the handwriting on the wall. He was still in love. He was not aware that the end of

l had but one purpose; to meet the selfish and immediate emotional needs of those invol

s. Bukas later became a close acquaintance of Kelvin and also as a

e pre-degree. He furnished his apartment to taste on getting admission into the institution. Kelvin was uncertain if Onoo was given provisional admission into the regular program. It was however told that Onoo had planned to make life comfortable for himself and for his girlfrien

from his investigations that Kolia ditched Onno because he was in the part-time program, whereas she was in the regular full-time program. The second option; their relationship was no longer on the same

f events. There was no way he was going to live in this promiscuous environment without a negative impact. If he escapes the ridicules for what he stood for, he will no doubt be tempted to test his mettle. In an honest appraisal of thi

orrow one or two things from him. Most end up holding on to it till he would pleadingly ask for it. Neither was he a social freak nor inept. It became a smart ploy by some female students to lure him to their rooms and lodges. This was a part of him he struggled to win over during the pre-d

or a favor, especially on their academic problems. Others came to borrow something from him, only God knows when he is getting t

N AND

the little gate of the lodge behind him. He turned

e asked her after exc

hat he would be traveling and wo

I hope all

hould know. The

u telling me if he couldn't do that himself

g me? Please,

let light rays into the semi-dark room. There was no public power supply within the

ench the gnarring hunger in my stomach,

cooked some stew in the morning befo

tomach with her two legs raised backward to her bos

biscuits? I've some cabin bis

st have some ma

garine and mayonnaises... enh

n, you know some students are not equ

you're his girl. I'll always give you a sp

the rice," she offered as she t

ind to allow you but permit me to honor my

ble allowing girls to c

while munching the biscuits lac

ave his attention. She was rather worried that he had not been nice or friendly with her. He had not even for one day called her by her

do you Kelvin?" she looke

if I don't like my fello

eant...I mean having

y reason why I should get involved seriously

moment of silence.

Nothing, just curious...if you migh

ide to side. "Nope...am

she was engaging him. "

ou can have some fun between such risk

I end up with regrets over my risky act

ith life, Kelvin. Ther

't answer m

ctive either, do you," sh

was more a protective strategy to safeguard his heart. He was cautious at developing any emotional attachment with anyone of them including Patricia. Look at her now hitting on him for a moment of pleasure at the slightest opportunity that cam

n that of his roommate. Kelvin had no concrete evidence to prove that, yet he could not be able to wave the possibility that it happened aside as easily as that. What convinced him of such possibility was that his cream bed sheet s

ial. They cooperated quite well with each other. They

was undecided where to live. He had wanted an apartment only fo

ing. He happened to be the first person making a deposit till when it was going to be completed. It had remained only the lavatory and fittings to complete the building. He calculated ho

Nwajagu defrauded him; he

egan his search for another convenient place. He had gone into his present lodge and fortunate enough he met the Caretaker of the lodge, Papa Ugochukwu. Papa Ugo

he student was agreeable to accommodate anyone who could pay up th

an $20 per annum. Kelvin suggested he meet with his would-be roommate b

yke who to his wildest shock inflate

e by inflating the actual rent of an apartment. The increase could be as high as a hundred to one thousand pe

Caretaker. He surprisingly handed him the key to the

ly as he could even though he was a year his senior, that he had already settled the Caretaker. Iyke flared up in annoyance. Ordinarily,

which was not possible. Iyke only paid half the amount instead of the full amount. Paying the full amount would have

made a blunder. Kelvin saw how furious the characters

use in his absence. Kelvin warned him not to be fooled into thinking that it would be as easy as he w

any misunderstanding. Except on the likely prospect of discov

gh he tried to mask it from him, not for too long though. Kelvin was convinced Iyke never felt happy over the developments. He tried to improve his relationship with Kelvin but for his randy disposition, Kelvin was not comfortable with him. There was this young lady in her thirties then. She was called Aunty by most students in the lodge―she was obviously well ahead in years of all the students living in the building. At first, Kelvin had taken her for an indigene of the community. Later on, he took her for a non-student maybe a trader until he was put in the clear of her status as a pre-degree student. He was doubtful at first. Well,

n her likes that Iyke kept around him. Kelvin was not trying to impose his own opinions on him nor was he unfair to him but he was only trying to protect himself and their

at happened between Alaska and Eme. Though they were much younger and less mature, for God, sakes problems were bound to stick out its' ugly

They tried hard to restore the lost confidence they once had. Kelvin was made their go-between as each of them always called on him to complain ov

t it was their estr

. This was in his effort to see t

ty-without-his permission. Being uncooperative over common household responsibilities etc. Apportioning

tly, the youngest male student, he had a rather impulsive character. This is besides his natural jovial disposition combined with his boyish exuberance.

TRACY,

AS

ke Alaska. However, she was his senior. She was pr

terested in Alaska just because of his jovial boyishness. Their f

advances. Her continuous refusal irks him. In his normal reaction, he would abruptly end the relationship

ulsive nature. There could have been that emotional vacuum which he tried to fill unsuccessfully. Whenever he feels

r died when I was tender,

he must have loved my mother that much to resist the pressure to take a second wife. My father was of the notion that no woman would have loved

him from a different viewpoint. And that was an opener to him on why he seems to be acting the way he does―longing for what he had lost.

p as normal―laying her. That left him with wounded pride and in tu

A

n oval face, slim and really pretty too. She looked demure a

th the affair. This was not to be. She discovere

R

laimed one certain evening emerging out of the r

to mine," it was Krist

all

o?" Kelvin fo

is it you're doing?"

rait," he replied. "Mine―oh―mine

n draw

ska starting to feel uncomfortable

u, Alaska," she

trait he did on himself," replied Alaska as he pic

ul. You're trul

he discussion at least to command the flow of the interaction. Kelvin knew Ala

e?" Kelvin pretended n

ours?" "Call

my man too," Alaska added

elvin but for one th

asked looking straight

attention he gives with that eye contact. He had found out the effects of looking straight into the eyes of anyone he's conversing with. So, it seemed to get the best out of the person as he or she fe

er fixed gaze on him in spite of Alaska's presence. Alaska had walked away and was now slowly strol

.all the same; must I go on acknowledg

e issue," "The

between someone's look of admiration f

on is worth the attention? A mad pers

him for some se

putting on great effort to control his emotions. It was obvious, no boy or man would be happy to see his prided girlfriend hitting on another boy or man at first sight in his presence. It all calls for matu

Kelvin. Tracy had seen this as an open opportunity. She was willing to give it a try. She wants to make the best out of the rare opportunity

er way straight to his side and sat down. Was she to be blamed? She

oyed Alaska. He could sense that the si

s moment to decide her next move. She reluctantly stood up slowly and climbed down the pavements. "Would yo

cture," Kelvin replied with

nship between the trio; Jane, Tracy, and Alaska ended. It was in his second year at

ssurance that it was not true. As the story was told, a free for all fight broke out in Alaska's apartment between Alaska, Tracy, and Jane. Every item owned by the lover boy was used as a weapon against him. The fight br

ey don't feel comfortable with the effects he has on their girls. They could not

of his by the name of Nonso from the department of environmental science, looking visibly worried came

nd?" He'd asked him aft

me you haven

's she? Is she i

cal looks that would ask you, "Do you thin

rate any of your pranks. Don't pretend to me

n peace. Have you ever introduced any girl to me as your friend? When did you start see

n lecture for an evening period. To make the situation really annoying it was the weekend; on a Friday and already four in the evening, yet there

ly known. Sincerely speaking, he tried to keep his cool; trying to take the whole scene as quietly as he could. It puzzled him

elv

e. If you can't keep your house in order stop look

een confiding in you everythi

ll, he made effort to keep his cool and surprising

ctly the Ngozi―your girlfriend is. I want to know how you came to the conclusion that I'd been seeing her

n seeing her secretly. Yo

ts if your sinister mind isn't construing negative thoughts? Why do you

whole problem had started the day he paid him an unscheduled visit to his apartment to retri

sclosed his unannounced cause of call and Nonso readily thanked Kelvin for his patience. Kelvin needed the drawing i

wo were that close. Sometimes, though he meets her on the way. They usually exchange greetings from time to time. It was as if they had known for a while―that though was not unusual. Ke

ay he met her in his company at his apartment. Right from that day onwards, sh

mplied that she would be too glad to accompany him to where Kelvin lives. That was the genesis of mistrust between the two and finally, it had spilled over to him the cause of

enefit of the doubt. However, I would still not exone

do you

l feels when she is ignored or rather snubbed. You sim

have anything to

hat's the very area where t

don't g

I do agree with you. Because most of

ndle it. I must say, you remember these are natural. Not every look of admiratio

I have to investigate each of them before I could really discern which is

old. Remember, they too are human beings like you. Even if they live a life different from yours, they could still come out useful. Change is a permanent thing. People can make a total turnaround towards a

ook callous. You kno

ed to take a balanced and objective view of the real situation. Sometimes too, it might be that we simply found ourselves in an awkward position. That can make us act out of desperation by trying to protect the little of self-di

be with. They can't resist being with you, talking to you. Though caution should be your watchword I knew that you wouldn'

int of view. You are quite correct I must admit. I c

. All you need is to get rid of you this poor orientation that everything that has to do with the opposite sex had to do with promiscuity or i

s in their minds. I just can't give away any false

ommendable moves to right the wrongs by extending your warm arms of companionship as possibly as you could. But you make things

give someone an impressi

eling free. You're inhibiting yourself. This is not the real you. You're living a life of another person's script. I wonder who is writing that script for you. There's nothing b

ke that will burn my conscience with

ay around with her? No! She would be instantly be celebrating her fortune. Can't you see what you mean to all these people? Don't think I am just trying to flirt with your feelings and ego. I am laying down the fact for you. There are some things about you that make them comfortable and rave for you. I can't say for sure i

something