Frank and Chinenye became best of friends and as many called it, dates. Frank aided her academically and she became better. They called each other by fond names. Frank called her Chiny while she called him Franky.
They became closer than ever. They did virtually everything together. Frank never thought odd until his bosom friend, Friday, whom they called Kpoka convinced him to step up his game like a guy.
‘Guy, you are missing a lot. Do you know the number of guys wishing they could catch that girl? If you don’t take your thing now, others will do, shuu! Guy, you will regret it.’
‘But I don’t wish to do that ‘thing’ while in school.’ Frank had argued.
‘Wetin you de call ‘thing’? You no fit even mention common ‘sex’. Nawa for you, Frank. Men, this girl is too pretty. You are my man. She is a blessing from God for you. Eat it now it’s still yours, men. Shuu! You wan shit for church? Make you no de carry last o!’ Kpoka pressed. He spoke in pidgin each time he wanted to drive home his point.
Frank finally cashed in, and it happened.
Chiny told Frank that she was a virgin. Frank initially could not believe her, knowing her family lived in a ghetto in Aba. Frank’s reason was beaten because she bled, and to him it was the only strong evidence he knew. So frank would be the one who deflowered her.
They both packed out into different hostels. Frank into Estate, Chinenye into Confidence Lodge which was cheaper and more remote.
She constantly visited Frank. In her presence Frank couldn’t read. His intelligence dwindled. There appeared nothing Frank could do about it as both enjoyed the company of each other. Frank would ask her to go to her hostel. After a brief period of rancor, she would agree. She would purposefully forget either one of her books, panties or keys behind, only to call frank later complaining she forgot one of her vitals in his room. Through that she would come back same day and never go back to her hostel.
They got deeper in the frenzy. Their husband and wife game grew wild and indiscriminate. They had sex anywhere and anytime without pattern or table.
One morning Frank was hot. He checked his drawer but there were no condoms. He had used up the remaining three the previous day.
‘Franky, must you do it this morning?’ Chiny had questioned. Frank didn’t talk. Chiny was quickly preparing for school. Frank knew she would leave. He locked the door as he went out to buy a pack of condom. He ignored Chiny’s shout for him to open the door.
He called another of his friends, Ziggy, who lived close by, but he said his own had finished also. He went to Aunty Uche who ran a small kiosk at their backyard. She said she hadn’t condoms.