Vagrants

Chapter 9

It's been three days since I last saw Damba. Since the day he took my virginity, or better put, the day I gave him my virginity for free. The day I lost everything. I've been avoiding Damba since then, skipping most activities so I wouldn't get to see him. Sometimes, he sent Remi to me, he told her to tell me not to be afraid of Shade if that's the case. He sent tons of letters, telling me how he really liked me and that he wanted to keep me because I was unique and different. I read them all but never replied any. Just yesterday, his letter asked if I was avoiding him and I felt a lump in my throat. I wanted to see him and I didn't. I wanted to talk to him and I didn't. I wanted to lie to him and I didn't. But then, I had a flashback of that night and I snapped back to my senses. I harshly told Remi to tell him I wasn't avoiding him and that I was just busy. Remi, like the good friend that she is, conveyed my message and I haven't received any letter since then.

We had just two days till the end of the service and it would be very wrong of me to skip any activities. I had a very busy day, the man-o-war drills, morning exercises and everything else were stressful.

Then, we all went to our different hostels to freshen up and everyone came back out for breakfast except me who decided to skip breakfast.

After that, we had the most dreaded lecture in the history of NYSC service. SAED. Skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development which was set up to sensitize and mobilize young graduates for skill acquisition. The lecture went on for hours, most people slept off, some talk to eachother while some like me, whirled away time on phones.

I was almost drifting off to sleep when the lecture ended. We were so relieved that most of us rushed out of the hall even before we were dismissed.

"Been a while."

I was startled by that voice that I almost tripped on the stairs but got grabbed by the waist just in time before I fell. I looked into the eyes of the man I've been avoiding for days and swallowed hard.

"Miss me?" Damba asked.

"L-Let me go." I struggled.

"I don't think I want to." Damba sighed. "Why are you avoiding me, Deola?"

"I-I'm not. Remi already told you."

"That's not true. The shock in your eyes and the discomfort you're feeling tells a different story." He looked around to see if people had dispersed before he finally let me go and sat me down on the stairs.

"Thank you."

He nodded. "I knew you were avoiding me. I had to get out of the hall early to confirm and behold, you were one of the first set of people to leave the hall. So unlike you."

"That's because I have something important and urgent to do."

"I knew you'd say that. Why didn't you reply any of my letters?"

"I was busy."

"Not even once did you reply my letter and that's what gave you away Deola. I knew something was wrong. At first, I thought it was Shade. I think I mentioned it in the letter."

"Yes, you did." I nodded.

"You even read the letters?" He asked and I looked away. "No, no, no. I'm just surprised that's all."

I nodded.

"Why are you avoiding me though?"

"I..."

"Is it because of that night?"

I felt a lump in my throat. I cannot be having this conversation with him. I need to leave from here.

I quickly got up and made to leave but Damba grabbed my hand and pulled me back down.

"Because we had sex?"

"Damba, please leave me alone."

"I didn't know that's how you feel after everything." Damba frowned.

"I...I'm embarrassed." I let the words out.

"Why? Because I took your virginity?"

"You didn't take it. I gave it to you."

"And you regret it?"

I looked down at my feet.

"No, no, no." Damba lifted my head. "You are still the same to me. I still value you and you would never diminish in my eyes."

I nodded. "Thank you."

"Is there anything else or...?"

I shook my head.

"Wow! So, you decided to avoid me because of that night. This is why I said you're unique and different."

"Why?"

"Other girls that I know will always want to be around the guy who took their virginity and they want to be possessive of him but you keeping your distance, You deserve an accolade. In fact, I need to meet your mother and commend her."

"You're joking right?"

"No." He shook his head. "After service, I'd love to meet her and thank her for giving me the wonderful Angel that you are."

I looked down.

"What is it this time?"

"My mother would be ashamed of me."

"Why?"

"Because I gave away my virginity before marriage."

Damba laughed. "She would be happy. You are a grown up and you've found a man who loves you and isn't going to leave you. So what difference does it make if you sleep with him before or after marriage?"

"I..." I sighed. "I don't really know you."

"Then why don't you attempt to do so."

"I don't get you."

"Spend time with me silly," Damba smiled. "And stop avoiding my calls, messages and even letters."

I laughed. "Okay. But this program is almost ended. There's no time for that."

"Then come to Abuja with me and get to know me better."

"Abuja? All the way?" I shook my head. "No."

His face dropped. "Why?"

"I can't afford it."

"Who told you you're the one paying?"

"I'm not?"

"No." He chuckled. "That's settled. You're coming to Abuja."

"I have to get my mother's permission and introduce you both."

"You're sha looking for excuse." Damba laughed. "I will meet all your relatives. You must come to Abuja. That's all I care about."

I smiled. "Okay."

"Yes!" He leaped.

"Don't be too happy. My mother could say no."

"I bet she won't." Damba grinned.