I instantly froze, the moment i read Evelyn's text message. My heart sank as i stared at the screen, the weight of my own lie crashing down on me.
I had been so sure that my plan to create distance between Evelyn and I was foolproof, but now it seemed fate was playing a cruel joke on me.
Panic crept into my chest as i re-read her message, disbelief mingling with regret. I realized the magnitude of the mess i had created and felt a knot tighten in my stomach.
My mind raced as i tried to figure out what to do next. Should i come clean about my lie, or should i attempt to fabricate an even bigger story to cover up the situation?
The latter seemed dangerous, but the thought of facing Evelyn and admitting my deceit was terrifying. As I deliberated, my palms grew sweaty, and I felt trapped by my own web of dishonesty. How would Evelyn react if she discovered the truth?
My thoughts turned to Evelyn's persistence and sincerity. She had no idea that my announcement about being redeployed to Akwa Ibom was a ploy to keep her at arm’s length.
I hadn’t anticipated her matching my supposed location, and now, the irony of our closeness was inescapable.
Her excitement about being posted to the same place as me was evident in her message, and it made me feel even worse. Guilt began to replace the panic in my heart.
After a while, I decided to compose a reply, but my fingers hovered over the keyboard indecisively.
Should I express surprise and feign happiness, or maintain a neutral tone? The idea of pretending further exhausted me, but I feared Evelyn might notice if my tone seemed off.
With hesitation, I crafted a short message congratulating her on her posting while leaving the conversation open-ended, stalling for more time to think of a long-term solution.
Despite sending the message to her, my anxiety lingered. My mind remained a whirlwind of regret and uncertainty.
I couldn’t shake the fear of our inevitable meeting, nor the consequences of Evelyn learning the truth. As the hours ticked by, I resolved to confront my mistake eventually but struggled with the courage to take the first step.
The very thought of Evelyn’s reaction left me restless, consumed by the complications I had brought upon myself.
I informed Jenny about the posting, she advised me to be cautious with the two girls I was traveling to Akwa Ibom to camp with.
She had also teased me, joking that I shouldn’t come back home with a pregnant woman after my service year, as if implying I might get myself into some unexpected situation while I was away.
Her playful tone, however, held a hint of concern, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of such a thing happening.
In contrast, my sisters had often shared how enjoyable camp would be, and it was something I had been eagerly anticipating.
The night before I left for camp, my family gathered for a meeting in my honor, offering a constant stream of advice and prayers from every direction. By the time the meeting was over, I felt a sense of relief, finally heading to bed.
The next day, I arrived in Akwa Ibom a day before the NYSC camp resumed. I took a cab from the park and inquired about a place to stay.
The amicable cab driver took me to a hotel close to the NYSC camp, making it convenient for me to reach the camp when it opened the next day.
After dropping me off at the hotel, I paid the driver and took his contact information, as I would need his services later that evening and the next day.
I checked into the hotel, got settled, took a shower, and lay down to rest, setting my phone alarm for 6 p.m. Instead of resting, I became lost in thoughts.
The thought of being posted to the same state as Evelyn and Sandra sent shivers down my spine, as I could already anticipate potential drama ahead.
I considered telling Sandra when she came, but ultimately decided against it. It felt better to let it be a surprise for both of us when we met at camp. Besides, I wasn’t sure how she would react, would she even believe me if I told her?
Evelyn had been calling me for a few days, but I intentionally avoided answering her calls. I wanted us all to be genuinely surprised when we eventually met at the camp.
Since we were required to report to camp a week after printing our call-up letters, I knew it wouldn't be long before the drama unfolded.
Sandra had mentioned to me earlier that her flight from Lagos would be landing at Akwa Ibom airport around 6pm. After much thought, I soon drifted off to sleep.
I was awakened by the ringing of my phone; it was my mum calling. We talked for a little while, but afterward, sleep seemed to slip away from me.
It wasn't even 6pm yet, so I took a shower and headed down to the hotel bar. I grabbed a bottle of Heineken and took in the surroundings of the hotel.
Many taxis were arriving, bringing what I assumed were prospective corps members as well. Given the hotel's proximity to the Camp, it was perfectly situated.
I was still observing my surroundings when two girls walked into the bar. They had enviable height, both fair-skinned with a glow that radiated in the soft evening light.
One was lean, the kind who could eat a massive meal without showing any sign of weight gain, while the other was curvier, with well-rounded proportions that complemented her figure.
They took a seat at the table across from me. The curvier girl went to place their order, leaving the slimmer one engrossed in her phone. I was mesmerized by their striking beauty and remarkable resemblance. There was no doubt they were twins.
As I glanced around the bar, her eyes caught mine. She smiled and nodded, and I did the same in return. What a gorgeous smile she had.
It would be a disgrace to my honor if I let these girls leave without making an effort to become friends with them.
I was still deciding on my next move when the curvier girl returned with a pack of Hollandia yoghurt, a small bottle of Smirnoff vodka, and two glasses.
Grabbing my bottle, I made my way over to their table.
“Hello sweeties! Do you ladies mind if I join here?”........I requested politely.
“Sure no problem, please make yourself comfy with us”........the slim girl replied with a smile while the plump girl also smiled too.
“Thanks. Are you both corps members?”.........I asked curiously, while settling down.
“Prospective”........the curvy one replied, stressing the prospective as she giggled.
“Come on, once you are mobilized, you are a corps member already”........I said playfully.
“You can’t be so sure until you are done with the camp registration without any issue”.......The plump girl said amidst pouring their drink.
“By the way, I’m Pascal, a prospective corps member”.........I muttered, making sure to stress the prospective.
“Pascal?”........the slim girl asked while the plump girl smiled.
“Yes, any problems?”........I asked curiously, surprised at their reaction.
“Is that your real name or a nickname?”........she further inquired.
“It’s my real name, are you surprised? Haven't you heard of the name before?”........I inquired, a bit surprised by her ignorance.
“Of course I have been hearing of the name, anyways, I’m Pascaline and this is my twin sister Daisy?”........she responded, referring to the curvy girl as Daisy.
“You are joking right? So there's a feminine name for Pascal?”........I asked in disbelief, and they both giggled.
“Yes of course”.......she replied.
Right as I was about to speak again, my phone rang, and it was Sandra calling. I apologized to the ladies and stepped away to take the call from Sandra.
Sandra let me know she had arrived at the airport, and I told her to give me a few minutes before I came to pick her up.
After finishing my phone conversation with Sandra, I made my way back to the ladies, who were still chatting. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before informing them that I needed to leave.
I explained to them that my girlfriend had arrived at the airport and I had to go pick her up. They understood, and I made sure to thank them for the time spent together before heading out of the bar.
While in front of the hotel, I called the cab man that dropped me at the hotel, earlier that day. He came to pick me up, and we left for the airport.
After picking Sandra up from the airport, we headed straight to the hotel where I was staying. She appeared exhausted and drained, and I could tell it was due to the long journey she had just completed.
Sandra exchanged only a few words with me before heading straight for a shower and then going to bed without having any dinner.
After freshening up, I slipped into bed beside her, enveloping her in a gentle hug, and soon let the warmth of the moment lull me into a peaceful slumber.
To be continued........
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