BROKEN

THE FRESHER'S BAIT

*Edited*
       I moved on with my life after Paul left and was prepared to face whatever life would throw at me.

"When a lady gains admission into the university, guys begin to seek her attention in order to prey upon her because they believe she is fresh..." Those were my dad's words as he spoke to me the night before I left home for school. I was nervous and curious; I just wanted to know what to expect when I get to school. I imagined how freedom would taste like and how I won't need anyone to make decisions for me. I imagined how being an adult and living the adult life would be.

Dad continued, "These guys––mostly in their 300 or 400 levels––are referred to as predators because they are always looking out for the most vulnerable fresher to prey upon. They set traps known as the "Fresher's bait."

"Fresher's bait???" What is that? I asked, confused.
"Yes. These guys usually present themselves to their "victims" as nice people who want to help them with school activities such as registration, settling down, locating strategic places, class work/assignments and so on. Although some of them have good intentions but most of them just want to get under their victim's skirts. So you need to watch out for such traps. As you go to school, you need to pray for the spirit of discernment and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit so you don't fall prey to the fresher's bait," Dad concluded and prayed with me before we finally went to bed. I kept thinking about the things Dad said to me until I fell asleep.

I left home the next day but since I couldn't get an apartment before school resumed, I decided to stay with my grandma so I could go to school from her house until I was able to secure an apartment. It wasn't easy but it was worth it. The university environment was quite different. I just saw people with books and bags walking around in droves and moving from one place to another. The sight was somewhat new and surprising to me––like something I've never seen before.

I left my grandma's house on the first day of school in high spirits. I didn't even know what to expect. I woke up 4 a.m. which was earlier than usual and got to school before 8 a.m. My course mates were the best people to meet when you get to school for the first time, they were so helpful and supportive, I found my way around school with them by my side.

One afternoon, after lectures, this guy strolled into the lecture theatre and walked straight to the front of the class. I was blown away by how handsome he was the moment I set my eyes on him. His physique screamed sports, he was of average height and was everything a lady wanted in a guy (physical speaking).

"Hello everyone, my name is Shola and I'm the faculty president and..." he said. His voice was something I would love to hear every morning when I wake up. I had a crush on him instantly. He gave us his phone number and told us he was available for us anytime if we needed help in sailing through school. As he walked out of the lecture theatre, I stood up, went after him and intentionally bumped into him.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking," I said.
"Oh, it's alright, I'm sorry too. Were you in class when I spoke to the students?" he asked.
"Yes I was and I got your number. I'll surely give you a call," I replied.
"Alright, I'll be expecting. You look really beautiful by the way, what's your name?" He asked with a smile that revealed the shape of his face.
I blushed and said, "I'm Jane; you don't look bad either."

Everything in me screamed, "Stop flirting Jane, you are a Christian" but I wasn't ready to listen. How did God create someone so fine like this? I thought and concluded in my mind that God must have created him on the seventh day. I didn't bother to call or look for Shola after that day because I didn't need him to do anything for me. It was only a crush anyway.

One day, not long as I entered the faculty building when I heard someone call my name. I looked back and behold, it was Shola.

"Hi Shola," I said smiling, knowing what he wanted to say already.
"Oh Jane, I thought you said you would call me. I expected your call like forever but didn't see it. Why didn't you call as promised?" he asked.
"I'm so sorry, Shola. You told us to call or come to see you when we needed help and I didn't really need any; that's the reason I didn't call," I explained.
"Alright, I want you to call me," he said.
"I'll call you when I get home."
"We can stroll together to your hostel, right?" He asked.
"I wished but I live with my grandma off campus for now until I'm able to secure an apartment. Bye, Shola," I said. I saw the disappointment on his face as I bade him goodbye.

I called Shola when I got home and we talked for an extended period of time. I found out he was in 300 level and he would commence his internship soon. He shared his goals with me and I marveled at the level of connection we had in a very short time. I promised to see him at the faculty office before leaving school the next day.

Shola and I connected very quickly. He helped me with all my assignments to an extent that lecturers noticed my well-organised answers. Every time lecturers came to class, they would refer my course mates to me so I could teach them how to do their assignments properly. I felt like a genius and I knew I was coming out with a very good result.

I always wanted to spend time with Shola but it was difficult because I was living with my grandma as I had to leave school after lectures so I could get home on time, else Grandma would start asking questions. So, I started lying to my grandma, telling her that I would have to stay late in school because I had assignments and practicals. My grandma never had reasons to doubt me because she trusted me. I knew what I was doing was wrong and lying to Grandma but I did it anyway. Who said it's not possible to be Christian and still tell lies?

I also knew that lying about a relationship to my parents or loved ones was wrong but I was comfortable being wrong. I got away with my lies all the time and I felt so comfortable with Shola forgetting what my dad told me about the "Fresher's bait." To me, fresher's bait was a mere fallacy.
Shola was the perfect guy to be with regardless of what anyone had to say.
There were times I would sense the Holy Spirit tell me that this was all shades of wrong but I ignored Him and felt like the Holy Spirit was too "holy" to understand. I would say to myself, "Jesus didn't date anyone in the Bible, so He doesn't understand love." I had forgotten that Jesus is love. Few months later, I secured an apartment in one of the hostels in school. I was so happy that I wouldn't have to tell lies to be with Shola anymore. I moved in to the apartment in no time. Shola and I saw each other every day. He taught me difficult courses and we talked about everything.

One day, Shola called me in the evening for us to hook up, as usual. We met under a tree and sat down to talk.

"Babe, who gave you this necklace? I noticed you like it very much," he said, pointing at the necklace around my neck.
"My dad gave it to me and told me to wear it all the time," I replied, blushing.
"Ok then, I'm going to remove it and give you mine. Is that okay?" he asked, holding out a beautiful sliver necklace.
"Yes, you can," I responded.

Shola removed the necklace from my neck and replaced it with his own. He removed my family values and replaced it with worldly values. I admired the necklace and saw that it was more beautiful than the one my dad gave me. Shola told me to wear it all the time just as my dad told me to wear his. I collected the former necklace from Shola and told him that I'll always wear his. He leaned over for a kiss and I did not object. This was the beginning of my drifting away.