{"time":1690219660200,"blocks":[{"id":"C6VksWaUxZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Stephanie! My mother called with her usual loud tone. “I hope you have packed all your things”, she said from across the room."}},{"id":"Bzsft468IL","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Yes ma! I replied. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, my day of freedom atlas from the constant errands and most time undue harassment. I was finally a big girl or so I thought, going to the university was a sign that I had arrived.
“I know you think you are grown”, almost as if she could read my mind. I took in a deep breath cause I knew she was about to start her sermons. “Read your books, pray, don’t follow bad friends”, she said with her left hand to her ear warning me. Of course she would say that, she is a mother."}},{"id":"sd8_WJfK8p","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":" “Yes mummy”, i replied. It will look like I’m talking to much but let these words guide you, then she prayed for me. I just wanted the sermons over and brushed off the advice cause I’ve heard it a million times. I was so happy cause it was my Dad taking me being a spoiled daughter I knew what it meant, I would make any request and it would be granted."}},{"id":"bGsZs1NdHq","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I entered the car after putting all my things inside. “Be very careful, “I love you”, “I’ll call you”, she said before we left. It was an 8hr long journey from the south to the west. I was finally far from home to be my own person even though I didn’t know what that meant as I had been around people who always told me what to do, it felt refreshing stepping into “Self”.

We got in late, at about 5-6pm I could only do so much in terms of registration. At least I had a room to put all my excess luggage, i didn’t have a lot of friends before now because of my social awkwardness. Me in a room with 4girls it didn’t get more awkward than that I was terribly shy, they must’ve thought I was being arrogant cause I kept to myself, at least I said “Hi” I thought to myself.
I brought out my brand new laptop and placed it on the bed, and set out my clothes for the next day. Samantha was my bed side mate, she was in college of science and i college of engineering. She was nice and friendly and easily became my best friend, we did everything together from getting food to washing clothes together. She was bigger and taller than I was and also a level ahead, she gave me tips about being a girl in the university, for the first time ever I came across the word “October Rush”, I was a HSC(home, school, church) kinda girl I wasn’t that exposed. What does that mean, I asked. I was what they called a JJC(Johnny just come). It is when guys sort after fresher girls for their naivety, she replied. I just kept it at the back of mind, we kept on gisting till we fell asleep.

Monday was finally here, each college had color codes and ours was green, I made sure to stand out wearing a mint green chiffon top, a grey color floral pants and a pair of black shoes. We were more than 100 students in this big auditorium all uniquely dressed standing out was definitely a challenge amongst these many people but at least I tried my best.
It was an extremely sunny day with more registration, I entered into college immediately after class to get my course form. I was racing up the stairs when I heard a strange voice call out my name, “Stephanie”. I looked around to trace where the voice came from, I finally caught the eyes of a tall dark skinned guy. I’m new here how did he already know my name, I didn’t care much about it cause I had something to do I just snubbed and continued my racing."}},{"id":"UwbEGU4bO9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I headed to the Provost office, there were so many students outside I successfully collected mine and proceeded to college of science for medicals. I was in Samantha’s college and thought to see her but she was still very much engaged in class I finished what I had come to do and was heading out when a strange number called me.
“Hello”, I said and the caller didn’t respond. I quickly ended the call as I thought it was a case of mistaken identity. I was famished after an extremely long day of classes and registration. Samantha was having a rough day, her parents didn’t send her money. I really cared about her so when she asked that I helped with feeding that day I was so happy to do it, I made sure whatever I was getting I got her too so she didn’t feel neglected. It was a long week of just registration, classes and balancing my new life so when I heard of Freshers party I was excited. I had never been to an adult party, it was mainly children’s party and under strict supervision. I didn’t think of my social awkwardness/anxiety I was getting loose that night.
It was Friday I had few classes and I was looking forward to the party, I set out my clothes for the night and quickly finished the assignment we were to submit before noon.

"}},{"id":"hYfrO44xaO","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Vzzzzt my phone vibrates, a new message came in from the same unknown caller."}},{"id":"qNWsuZ_MM5","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Hi”"}},{"id":"-vxMzEmn_b","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“I’m Nathan, from college of engineering”"}},{"id":"dw9rlrN3b5","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I didn’t recall any giving any Nathan from college of engineering my number but I do recall this number calling me earlier in the week."}},{"id":"aIsoAO5RJa","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Hi, Nathan” I responded. “This number called earlier this week was that you”, I didn’t know why I asked the obvious, but his response was more confusing than my question.
“A friend must’ve called with my phone, I didn’t”, he replied. Hmm this is strange I thought, I didn’t want to give it too much attention cause “October rush” was still ringing in my head. I put down my phone and continued with what I was doing."}},{"id":"S23nQLIa8-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"
“Are you coming out tonight” I saw the message notification pop up from Nathan. “No, I’ve malaria” I responded. Whoever this was I didn’t want to play into his games. Night was fast approaching and I was eager rather anxious for the “Fresher party” to start. I stepped out with a course mate to get food just in case I was hungry after the party. It was 7pm already and I was outside on my way to get food, I peeped to see if the party had started although they were more eager Freshers who were lingering outside the venue, it was just that no music or ear splitting sounds. I turned to my course-mate, “when do you think this party would start?”, I asked"}},{"id":"5MRRF_iwKF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“I don’t know, but we shouldn’t act too desperate like we’ve not been to one before”, she replied. My eager mind quickly calmed down. My phone then rings, I quickly pulled it out from the back pocket of my Jean, Nathan again I whispered.
“Hi”"}},{"id":"wBxEnilzaQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Hello”"}},{"id":"jV4WthcM4z","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“I thought you said you had malaria I just saw you coming out of the cafeteria with your friend, you don’t seem sick”"}},{"id":"iwKkpbXLOn","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I quickly tried to eye search if I could see the caller, but I was unlucky. I remained mute."}},{"id":"GqCOtzCMvj","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“So can we see tonight?” He asked"}},{"id":"qq6DxqIHLJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“No”, I replied and quickly hung up.

I didn’t know who this was and I definitely wasn’t going to let someone use me for their sick pleasures. I got into the hostel, the hallway was filled with cute hot girls either dressed up or was dressing up. The aroma of different perfumes filled the air, my urged to be at the party increased. I entered my room and placed my food on my side desk, I had taken my bath before getting food so I pulled out a short black body-con gown from my wardrobe and complimented it with a necklace and a fashion ring with a heart and a crown on it. The gown brought out my curves and my petite ass. It was perfect, I called my course-mate and asked her to meet by the cafeteria.
Samantha wasn’t a fresher, she was a level ahead and thought it irrelevant to go, but she warned me just like my mother. “Be careful”, she said. These boys put all sort in their drinks, “Don’t drink anything you didn’t use your money to buy”, she warned again. “Yes mummy”, I replied sarcastically. We both laughed then I headed out."}},{"id":"vwJqEmMLZv","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"
I met up with my course mate although her fashion sense was off, pairing a black and silver striped pants with an odd brown patterned blouse. “What are those”, I said in my head. Anyway what were my options I needed a partner for this party so I didn’t feel alone, from the cafeteria you could hear the music and people screaming at the engineering college car park. A night adult party sign me up. We got to the venue and met some familiar faces we greeted and just kept on walking in even with the deafening sound."}},{"id":"dRfb4KtW2F","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Do you want a drink?”, a stranger asked"}},{"id":"jOnJ39IHG0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“No, thank you” , I replied."}},{"id":"jgN3B_Vq8_","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I took Samantha’s advice seriously, i didn’t want to be the butt of people’s jokes there was already “2k suya” a girl who was rumored to have slept with boys for 2k suya, I definitely didn’t want anything relating or close to that situation. I anticipated a lot for this party unlike children party were they were fun activities, there wasn’t anything fun here just alcohol and extremely loud music with people partnering in different corners at the party. I was bored fifteen minutes in already, my course mate had already partnered up too."}},{"id":"pYaQh5dv9l","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“That was fast”, I said in my head. I was about leaving when I felt someone grab me by the hand, the tall dark skinned guy that called my name while I was racing to the provost office
“Hi”"}},{"id":"PMiJorK_Nk","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Are you leaving already”, he said."}},{"id":"32klVLimIQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Yes” I replied, the party is kind of boring and not what I expected."}},{"id":"XdjHFzAwM-","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Do you want to hangout, so I can find ways to make it interesting?”, he asked. I gave him the side eye."}},{"id":"4oJZyWYOgP","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Oh it’s not what you think”, he quickly responded with a smirk."}},{"id":"G4hEAe1n6U","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“We can just sit and talk get to know each other better”.
He was well dressed in a white patterned short, burgundy long sleeve shirt with the sleeves folded and a face cap. He doesn’t look bad at all, i said in my head."}},{"id":"sXCmfC48pf","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Maybe we should sit where we can actually hear each other”, he suggested."}},{"id":"SfVGIvmLPg","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"I smiled and nodded in agreement. We then headed to the other side of the college which was darker and quiet.
“I like your ring” he said"}},{"id":"0CZJyoe9_i","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Thank you, I bought it cause it symbolizes the two things I love. “Are you a queen” he asked. I knew he was trying to be funny but I still laughed."}},{"id":"oWglPUc0AJ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“No, I’m not” I replied. He smelled so good, and that was one of the attributes I liked about men. I invest in smelling good so I expect my man to do the same. I liked him already just for that fact alone."}},{"id":"fMZ9zC4oWy","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Anyway I’m Nathan, I’m in 100lvl”."}},{"id":"KA9sZWsnQd","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Wait, the Nathan Nathan, I said in my head. I wanted to enter the ground, or vanish into the bush like in the memes but I couldn’t."}},{"id":"acsF5cTtwK","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“You are Nathan?”, the only words that could come out of my mouth, I was more than flabbergasted.
“Yes I am”, he replied. I hope you’re not going to leave, I really like you and would like to get to know you better. I didn’t think of leaving cause I like what I was seeing he was just my type dark-skinned, tall, smells good and fashionable, plus I didn’t want to go back to my hostel just yet.
“No, I’m not”, I replied I’m enjoying your company for the most part. We started asking personal questions, he had a good sense of humor which was a plus. We dived deeper into our shared more personal stuff. It was windy night, just his palms brushing mine was all the warmth I needed.
“Can I hold your hand?” He asked. I slowly put my hand in his. “Your hands are small” , he mutters. His was longer than mine, he went further to check the lines on my palm like he was a Gypsy who tell the future. “Your hands are so soft”, at this point I was feeling so shy.“Yours are hard”, we both bursted into laughter. “You know the are not”, he responded besides I’m a man that’s how they are meant to be. It was past 11pm already, we had a curfew for 10pm in school but because of the party they extended it. I was enjoying the moment with Nathan, who would’ve thought because I tried so hard to avoid seeing him and here I was lost both in his eyes and our conversation. The red guards who were assigned to drive students back to the hostel located us and called to Nathan.“Young man to your hostel” he said. “Allow me walk her back to her hostel”, he responded. I thought this really nice and thoughtful of him."}},{"id":"E9Q5CPht4v","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“Do that quickly and headed back to your hostel”, said the red guard. My hostel wasn’t far from engineering college, we walked hand in hand to mine."}},{"id":"25RxLKh76j","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"“I really enjoyed your company today, and I hope to see you again”, said Nathan. I think you’re really cool he added. “I did enjoy your company too”, I responded. “Alright have a good night rest, I’ll call you”, he said. He removed my hands from his like he didn’t want to leave but had to leave.
I walked into my hostel feeling so light and soft, my eyes brimmed with joy. I tiptoed into my room cause it was late and everyone had their lights out. Samantha was far gone to tell about my night. I ate my noodles, took a quick shower and slept off.

"}}],"version":"2.27.2"}