TIDES OF LUST (episode 49)

 I woke up the following morning feeling like someone that was knocked down by a train.

I felt my body aching all over coupled with the fact that I couldn’t sleep through the night.

The clarion sounded when it was like I just closed my eyes to sleep.

The headache that accompanied the body ache was head splitting. I knew all that was a sign of a restless night.

After the parade that morning, we had all gathered and headed to Mami market for our breakfast without Pascaline.

Everybody noticed that I wasn’t myself as I was ordinarily cold. Sandra had pulled me aside and asked me if I was okay to which I had replied in affirmation telling her that I just had a bad night.

At the SAED lecture, I slept throughout. Sandra became extremely worried but since she didn’t know what was wrong with me, there was nothing she could do.

After the lecture, I didn’t have the appetite for lunch so I told them to go on ahead that I wasn’t feeling hungry.

While I headed to the hostel to sleep. Sandra understood that I was really having a bad day so she just allowed me to be.

Yamani on his part haven’t seen this part of me before, so after trying to get me to flow with his discussion without success, he surrendered and allowed me be.

I don’t know for how long I slept, but I woke up to see some people relaxing and gisting about football.

Pulling my phone from under the pillow, I saw it was already 6pm. I don’t know how, but my phone was on flight mode. Turning off the flight mode, messages started coming in.

The first message was from an unsaved number, another from Pascaline and some Whatsapp messages too.

The message from the unsaved number read “Mr Man where are you?.......Come to the parade ground right now before I count three” I a light smile crept on my face after reading the message. I know it was from my platoon commander.

Pascaline's message confirmed it. Hers read.

“where are you? Commander is looking for you” After looking through the Whatsapp messages I decided to call my commander.

“Good evening sir”........I greeted politely as he answered.

“Ozuor, what is your problem? Why weren’t you at the parade ground this evening?”..........he barked.

“Sir I was sleeping and didn’t hear the clarion”.........I replied.

“Mumu, you think this is your father’s house where you can sleep as long as you like abi?........Don’t worry, you will meet me tomorrow morning”........he retorted.

“Sir please I’m sorry, it won't happen again”.........I apologized.

“Is sorry a name of person abi na una village head name? Sorry Kee you”.........he snapped.

I continued apologizing for some time until he instructed me to report to the platoon leader and provide my complete details, as they were compiling the list of members in each platoon, before ending the call.

I called Sandra afterwards, while we discussed, she told me she was glad I was back to my usual cheerful self.

I asked for her location and she told me that some guys took her, Daisy and some of their friends to Mami market, to which I told her to have fun.

I had my bath, changed to another set of white outfit and went out. I called Yamani twice but got no reply.

I was heading to the pavilion when I saw Evelyn with some of her friends.

I called out for her but she didn't hear me, so I dialed her number.

“Where are you headed?”........I asked as she picked the call. She turned looking around for me “I’m going to the volley ball court, where are you?”........she asked.

“Behind you”........I replied.

“Behind me where? Abeg tell me where are you joor?”.........she retorted.

I raised my hand and waved at her. She saw me and dropped the call, while I walked down to where she stood with her friends.

“So you have learnt to play hide and seek with me abi?”.........she asked, when I got to them.

We exchanged pleasantries and started walking down to the volley ball court.

“Are you playing volley ball?”........I asked curiously as we walked down, ignoring her first question.

“No oh, I don’t have that kinda strength......Just going to watch my platoon girls train”.......she replied.

“Is there ever anything you have strength for, lazy girl”........I teased.

“Ehnnn! What did you just say? You said I don't have strength for anything? Really?

Should I remind you of something? Do you want us to go down that lane?”..........She bombarded me with questions, staring at me intently while a mischievous smile on her face.

“Come on Evelyn, I was only joking.......you don't have to cook me with questions”..…....I muttered.

“The fact that I had the strength to ride that heavy duty between your legs for three years, believe me there is nothing I can’t do”........She said boastfully.

That was the least line I expected her to use. I looked at the other girls with her, as all of them were giggling and stealing glances at me.

I felt like the earth should open and engulf me immediately. As if to make matters worse one of her friends asked.

“Wait a minute, don’t tell me you guys were once......”........she made a sign signalling intimacy.

I was mute, so as Evelyn. But the look on Evelyn's face, said it all, that we were once sêx mates.

“So Evelyn, you mean this handsome nigga here drilled your kitty while in school?”........Her friend asked again.

“Yes he did, and for three good years, I was taking in the gigantic machine in between his legs”.........Evelyn replied, and her friends started laughing.

“Three what? Omooorr”........the same girl asked again with mock seriousness.

“I rode this guy for three good years before he dumped me for a fresh K!tty, he say my own don too wide”.........she said sternly, making a sad face.

“Come on Evelyn…..”........I started, before she cut me off.

“Come on what? Am I lying? You were tired of the old meat, because it has lost its sweetness according to you, so you went for a fresh one”.........she blasted.

The other girls kept watching us and were giggling. They were enjoying the display between Evelyn and I. I needed some private time with Evelyn, so we could discuss like adults.

“Ladies, do you mind if I take her away for a while? She will be right back”.........I asked the girls.

“Sure, go on ahead, so long as you bring her back without getting her pregnant”........the one who seemed like their spokesperson said, and everyone laughed.

Dragging Evelyn by the hand gently, I led her away from her friends.

“Must you say all those things there? That wasn't necessary na”........I asked her as we walked down to the Pavilion.

“Did I tell lies?”.........she asked rudely.

“Typical Nigerian, answering question with question”.........I said sternly.

“Yes, no doubt, I am one”.........she replied, forcing a smile on her face.

We got to the Pavilion and settled down on two seats. At first we stared at each other before she asked, “This is about last night right?”

“Thought we settled this thing before now Evelyn?”........I asked.

“Settled what exactly? Pascal you played me for a fool........Okay, fine let me ask you again, did you ever give us a chance or you just got tired and used the single opportunity you had to get me off your back?”........She inquired.

“Come on, Precious , you know I tried developing feelings for you, I tried but it wasn’t just coming”........I replied.

“You tried when you already had another girl that followed you home and got introduced to your people......Is that the definition of trying? Is she the girl you told me you were trying to build something with?”..........she asked apprehensively.

“No it’s not her. I found out things couldn’t work between that person and I. I started with Sandra not long ago. We are not even up to two months into this relationship”..........I said sincerely.

“Oh this sounds more interesting and you want me to believe this hogwash? Ok fine, assuming I believe that you guys just started this thing recently, so what were you guys doing back then in school? Just making out?”.........she said sarcastically.

“Yea, it was something that happened just a couple of times. Why are you being like this?

Are you trying to tell me that back then in school you didn’t have other guys you were doing things with? Why am I the one being questioned here?”..........I inquired, trying to get to the bottom of something.

“Pascal let me tell you, you are the only guy I ever had something to do with sexually, in my entire life. Yes I know what will be going on in your mind but I just told you the gospel truth”..........She clarified, with a gloomy expression on her face.

It sounded funny to me, how could she say that? She wasn’t a virgin when I first had intercourse with her, though as I could still remember, she was very tight during our first time, but I know a virgin when I see one.

“I am the only guy you ever had something to do with sexually? How? What happened?”.........I inquired, in a state of confusion.

“Pascal, that will be a story for another day, but I feel used by you.....You are the only guy I ever had a bonding with......The only guy I ever came to truly love and adore is you. After I realized that you were trying to cut ties with me by avoiding me, I decided to let you be”

 “But when I got posted here, I saw a flicker of hope that maybe since you said you will be working your posting here that we could revive things in a new environment, but see how my hopes got shattered” 

“At some point, I do think that I am over you, but I always find out that I am not over you yet.......Maybe I need to work more on myself”........she lamented bitterly, as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry for acting like a kid with you. Believe me I treasured what we had, it meant a whole lot to me.......You feel I used you, but I also feel the same......I felt you were using me, and I was afraid of what the future will turn out to be”..........I explained to her.

She looked up at me after I said that, her eyes were very red. I tried to hold her hands but she took them away before I could get to her.

“I know you expect that I would have moved on, but it’s not as easy as you think. I understand the fact that moving on was so easy for you, yes because I was just not that girl for you, I was only that girl that was good for the bed......Pascal I disobeyed my parents thinking that we belong together”

 “Do you know that I am still not in good terms with my parents? I risked everything but what did I get in return? Nothing”.........She lamented again.

Another round of tears freely streamed down from her eyes. I pulled out my handkerchief and handed it over to her. I couldn’t understand why she was saying all those things.

From everything I recall, Evelyn and I had resolved our differences in a calm and understanding manner, and not once did she bring up any of these issues afterward.

So why is this coming up now? Could it have something to do with Sandra? After she managed to gather herself and regain her composure, I continued speaking.

To be continued...........

TIDES OF LUST (Episode 48)

 Following the evening parade, individuals are at liberty to engage in any activity of their choice, such as heading to Mami, enjoying games, or taking part in other camp events.

Starting from 8 pm until 10 pm, movies are screened at the Pavilion for those who wish to unwind and enjoy a cinematic experience.

This provides an opportunity for interested individuals to relax and immerse themselves in entertainment during their free time on camp.

A few minutes passed before Sandra arrived and took a seat beside me. I handed her one of the cups of ice cream, and together, we sat quietly, observing the flow of people bustling around.

We continued chatting about various topics until around 8 pm when the movie began.

As soon as it started, the lights surrounding the Pavilion were turned off to enhance the clarity and brightness of the projector screen.

The movie selected to be shown for the evening entertainment was SPARTACUS, a captivating film that promised to hold the audience's attention with its engaging storyline and dramatic scenes.

The majority of the audience watching the movie had settled in the front rows, leaving Sandra, me, two other guys, and a girl seated together in the back row.

Not long after the movie began, I leaned towards Sandra, subtly pulling her closer and asking her to adjust her shorts slightly.

With a sly grin spreading across her face, she glanced around cautiously before subtly adjusting her shorts, crafting a discreet opening that invited my hand to explore her kitty.

Dipping in my hand, while she kept her gaze at the screen like nothing was happening, I pushed her g-string aside and started teasing her clit.

I could feel her clit producing liquids while I kept teasing her clit which was protruded already.

I noticed how hard it was for her trying to stifle her moan with me, making it harder for her.

After a moment, she tightened her grip around my hand and leaned back, as I sensed a sudden rush of intensity, then the warm fluid on my fingers, and a smile crept across my face.

“If we keep up with this we might end up being decamped”.........she teased when she recovered herself.

“So long as we would get decamped together, then it’s no problem”.........I replied.

“You are not serious”.........she muttered, and kissed me.

After adjusting her shorts, she leaned against me, and we carried on watching the movie.

Before long, she began to drift off, resting her head on my shoulder.

I escorted her back to her hostel before heading to mine. After a quick shower, I relaxed on my bed, scrolling through my phone.

Yamani had already fallen into a deep sleep, along with the other guys near me. Some were still out, either at Mami, Pavilion, or tucked away in corners with girls.

I sent a couple of WhatsApp messages to Sandra, but she did not reply. I suspected that she must have slept off.

I clicked on Evelyn's profile and noticed she was still online. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to go ahead and message her, thinking it might be a good time to strike up a conversation.

“It’s past your bed time already, why are you still awake?”.......I inquired.

“Hello son, what are still up doing too?”........she replied, without answering my question.

“Waiting for mum to sleep”........I replied.

“So you can sneak out to meet your girlfriend, right?”........she sent, with a smiling emoji.

I quickly sent a shy emoji, feeling a bit nervous, before I gathered my thoughts and began writing a response to her message.

“No mommy, I don’t have a girlfriend”.......I replied.

“Shut up and go to bed. Mommy is not sleeping any time soon, so your hopes are dashed”.........she replied.

“Bully of a mother”........I sent, with a straight face emoji.

“That’s why you love me, loltz”......she replied, with a laughing emoji.

We joked and teased each other for a while, before I made the decision to change things up.

“How are you enjoying camp, miss celebrity?”.........I asked.

“Hmm!! Well what can I say, it has been a little fun sha. But why didn’t you tell me that you got Akwa- Ibom after I sent you a message?”.........she replied.

“I don’t know how I lost all my contacts, it was only few days back that I remembered that I backed up my contacts with MTN so I had to contact them to retrieve them”........I wrote back.

“You still don’t know how to lie sweetheart. Were you trying to cut ties with me?”.........she inquired.

“Why would you say that?”........I asked.

“Come on, that is what it seemed like. I called you several times after graduation but you never answered or replied to my missed calls......All the messages I kept sending to you all were delivered but I never got a reply. What does it look like to you?”..........she complained, via her chat.

“Evelyn come on, don't even start”........I replied, already regretting why I started chatting with her.

“What is come on? We are not kids, Pascal. Even if you didn’t want the friendship anymore you should have been mature enough to come out clean with me but instead you decided to do it the childish way by avoiding me........I didn’t expect that kind of act from you”..........she outlined.

“Evelyn it’s not like I was avoiding you. I don’t think you will understand”........I replied.

“Understand what Pascal? That the same girl you told me to the face that you had nothing with is the same girl you are now dating and also in the same state with, is that what you think I won’t understand?”...........She lamented.

“Evelyn……”.........I typed, but couldn’t continue.

It felt like she knocked the wind out of me. I tried to find the right words, but nothing came to mind. What made it worse was that I started feeling guilty.

“It’s alright. I’m over it now though, but seeing you seemed to have brought everything but it’s nothing that I can’t handle, goodnight Pascal”.........She replied, and went offline.

I closed the WhatsApp page, scrolled through my contacts, and dialed her number. After one missed call, she answered on the second ring.

“Evelyn, I’m sorry……..”.........I tried to apologize, but she interrupted me instantly.

“What precisely?”.........she said coldly.

“I don’t really know, let just say I'm sorry about everything”.........I replied remorsefully.

“Are you sorry about lying to me that you had nothing to do with someone you took home and introduced to your mum and siblings? Or the fact that instead of telling me that you didn’t need me again as a friend, you resorted to avoiding me?”..........she snapped.

“I had nothing with her then Evelyn, believe me?”........I muttered.

“I now know better than to believe you. Let me even ask you, did you try making any efforts towards us? Did you even try developing feelings for me?”..........She yelled, and her voice sounded like she was trying to prevent herself from crying.

I was at a loss for words with her. After waiting for me to speak, but receiving no response, she took the lead and continued.

“Yea right, your silence speaks volumes......I guess I was just that girl you needed around but wasn’t good enough for you to date”........she said soberly.

“Evelyn please can we see? I mean can you come out right now?”........I demanded.

“It’s already late Pascal, just go to bed. Good night......Just know that I hold nothing against you and still love you”........she muttered, and hung up.

I almost redialed her number but stopped myself just before hitting the button. I don’t like feeling emotionally unsettled, and now I found myself in that exact state.

She was right; I handled it like a child. She had tried calling me several times, but I neither answered nor replied.

I had believed that by ignoring her, she would eventually give up and stop trying to reach out. It’s like when you're ready to move on, but the past keeps resurfacing.

Even though she sounded calm, I couldn’t help but hear the pain in her voice. Evelyn is someone I never wanted to hurt, but I was just afraid that, at some point, she might interfere with what I wanted with Sandra.

I decided to meet Evelyn the next day to clear the air, even though a part of me wondered if reopening the conversation would only stir up past issues. Still, I felt it was necessary to ease her pain.

All through the night, I kept going over different ideas in my mind, trying to find the right words to say to her in order to make her feel better.

To be continued...........

TIDES OF LUST (Episode 47)

 

 Returning to my hostel after the meeting with Sandra, I decided to rest briefly to prepare for the evening parade. Before long, the sound of the clarion roused me from my nap, signaling it was time for the parade.

Due to the election scheduled to take place after the parade, I had already decided to skip the evening parade. After all, they wouldn’t vote for someone who wasn’t present.

While everyone else headed to the parade ground, I chose to make my way to the camp clinic. I have a friend in our platoon who is a doctor and works at the clinic.

Upon arriving at the clinic, I inquired about him and was informed that he was on the evening shift.

The lovely, fair skinned nurse at the clinic, kindly inquired if there was anything she could help me with. My intention was simply to request my friend to assign me a bed to stay in until the election period was over.

I made up my mind to be completely honest and transparent with the nurse, thinking that by laying everything out clearly, there was a chance she might understand my situation and offer some assistance.

“Actually I just want to rest here for a while till the parade is over”........I replied, in a calm tone.

“Are you tired already? when we still have two weeks and some days to spend here?”.........she muttered playfully.

“It’s not really like I’m tired already. Yes, tired a little, but I am also trying to avoid something”........I complained.

“What is that?”.........she asked worriedly.

“I am running away from the election in my platoon.....I don’t want to be elected into any post”.........I grumbled, with a frown on my face, and She looked me over.

“How sure are you that they are going to elect you?”..........she asked, with a tone of scepticism.

“You won’t understand my dear, if I am there, they will definitely elect me”........I retorted.

“Which platoon are you in?”.........she inquired.

“Platoon Five”........I replied politely.

“Wait, are you not the guy that leads your platoon during the parade?”..........She asked, her eyes widened in amazement.

“Now you know why I’m looking for a place to hide”.........I muttered, downcast with regret “It’s already like you are the platoon leader, so why running? You are running away from what others will gladly take with gratitude”..........she outlined.

“Please I don’t need that kind of responsibility.....Some other person should take it, I'm not interested thanks”........I retorted.

We were still deep in conversation when, without warning, a soldier marched into the clinic, his expression as harsh and menacing as ever, sending a sudden chill through the room.

“What are you doing there, when your mates are at the parade ground?”........He yelled at me.

I subtly dropped my gaze, feigning a sudden bout of illness, and maintained a stoic silence, intentionally shutting him out and declining to respond to his inquiries.

“He is not feeling fine sir”........the nurse said gently, referring to the soldier.

“Then he should lie down on bed......Hmmm, you haven't seen anything yet, just make sure you don't die for here, Moron”.........he said rudely, and left.

The nurse and I burst into laughter as soon as the soldier walked out. She then kindly assigned me a bed nearby, and we continued our conversation.

“Just know that you will take me to Mami market for this favor I did you”........she muttered, with a smile on her face.

“That one isn't a problem.......But as someone that is sick, you are supposed to give me even if it is vitamin C, so that the claim will be legit”.........I requested, in a joking manner.

“So I have given you bed now and you are still asking for vitamin C? It’s Chloroquine and flagyl that I will give you”........she teased.

“Thank you, I don’t need it anymore. By the way, I don't even know your name, I’m Pascal by name”..........I said politely, making a formal introduction.

“My name is Chiamaka”........she replied.

“Which platoon?”.......I asked.

“Platoon Six”........she replied.

“So we are even platoon neighbors?”........I said, with an impish expression on my face.

“How did you think I was able to easily know you?”.......she teased, and I chuckled.

“Which school did you graduate from?”........I probed further, even though I know that shouldn't be my business.

“UNEC”.......she replied.

“Wow, I graduated from UNN......Anyways, nice meeting you”........I said curtly, stretching out my hand for a handshake, which she accepted.

After the evening parade, I obtained Chiamaka's contact details and thanked her before departing the clinic for my hostel. As soon as I arrived at the hostel, Pascaline gave me a call.

“What’s up?”........I said into the phone.

As I listened attentively to her voice, I distinctly recognized the familiar sounds and murmurings in the background, which led me to make an educated guess that she was still situated on the parade ground, and more specifically, was likely in the midst of our platoon.

“Where are you?”........she asked.

“I just left the camp clinic, not feeling too fine”........I replied.

“What is wrong with you? Our commander is asking after you, let me give him the phone”........She said anxiously, without even waiting to hear why I went to the clinic.

“Where are you?”.........my commander roared through the phone.

“Sir I think I have malaria, just coming from the clinic and they said I should go and rest”.........I replied, with a feeble voice.

“We are about to start the election right now, so before I close my eyes and open am, make sure you are here this instance”.........he barked.

“Sir please, I’m feeling weak all over, I won't be able to come over”.......I pleaded, almost shedding tears.

“You want to try me abi, is like you want me to personally drill you........If I count three and you are not here you go smell your nyash, one!”........He thundered and dropped the call.

With a deep sigh, I retreated, trudging back to the parade ground, feeling utterly crestfallen, as though my heart had been shattered into a million pieces.

As soon as the commander caught sight of me approaching the parade ground, he bellowed an order for me to begin frog jumping. I hesitated, but my reluctance vanished when he started storming towards me, his anger palpable.

I begrudgingly dropped down and began frog jumping in his direction, my movements slow and labored, reflecting my evident reluctance.

Upon reaching him, he instructed me to frog jump back to my original position and then return to him again. The prospect of this grueling task was unbearable, and I began to plead with him, but he remained unmoved, ignoring my desperate appeals.

I started frog jumping back, but midway, I flopped onto my stomach, and the tension was instantly broken as the entire gathering, including the commander, burst into laughter.

After the laughter died down, he summoned me back, and the election proceedings commenced. I was nominated alongside another candidate for the platoon leader position, while Pascaline and Ijeoma were put forward for the vice leader role.

Following the voting process, I emerged victorious as the platoon leader, and Ijeoma narrowly edged out Pascaline by a single vote to secure the vice leader position.

However, in a surprising turn of events, I humbly appealed to my platoon commander, expressing my reluctance to assume the role of platoon leader.

After persistent entreaties, the platoon commander eventually relented and reassigned the leadership role to the other candidate, relieving me of the responsibility.

After the election proceedings concluded, Pascaline slipped away silently, as usual, whereas I joined our commander and the elected platoon representatives on a trip to the Mami market.

Our commander ordered drinks as soon as we arrived, and then, with a knowing glint in his eye, he told me that he had seen right through my earlier protests, and that I had been trying to dodge the election all along.

After finishing the first round of drinks, he moved to order another round, but I politely intervened, declining to let him continue.

I declared it was my turn to foot the bill, and promptly placed an order for two bottles of the popular drink, along with a steaming plate of pepper soup for each of us.

“You want to intimidate your father's age mate abi?”........he asked, staring at me intently while we all laughed.

“No oh, how I go wan intimidate you na, I dey craze?”.......I replied.

As the conversation and laughter continued, our commander suddenly received a call and excused himself. 

Meanwhile, Ijeoma and I found ourselves engaged in a discreet game of eye-catching, each of us sneaking glances at the other.

Before the election, Ijeoma was a virtual stranger to me, and I had no recollection of her being part of our platoon.

Ijeoma's facial features may not have been particularly striking, but her physique was undeniably impressive, boasting generous curves that commanded attention.

Her voluptuous figure was accentuated by her rich, chocolate-hued skin, which gleamed with a warm, velvety sheen reminiscent of perfectly polished mahogany.

Her smile was nothing short of radiant, illuminated by a gap-toothed charm and accentuated by adorable dimples that popped into view whenever she beamed, creating a truly breathtaking sight.

During our time together, Ijeoma spoke sparingly, uttering only a handful of words, but her silent participation was punctuated by warm, radiant smiles that spread from her lips to her sparkling eyes, conveying her engaged and lively presence.

With our commander gone and no indication of his return, we collectively decided to call it a night, bidding each other farewell as we dispersed to our respective hostels.

After grabbing two cups of ice cream from a nearby shop, I headed to the Pavilion and dialed Sandra's number, asking her to meet me there for a chilled treat.

To be continued..............

TIDES OF LUST (Episode 46)

After the skills lecture had concluded, we decided to head to Mami Market to grab some lunch and unwind a bit.

As we strolled along, chatting about the session and making plans for the rest of the day, Daisy suddenly interrupted our conversation.

With a slight nudge and a nod, she directed our attention to a girl nearby. According to her, it is the very same girl who had been the subject of countless conversations and whispers throughout the camp.

“Look at the girl that was called up to the stage by that famous artist last night”.........she announced.

As I lifted my gaze and looked ahead, my heart skipped a beat. There, right in front of me, stood the very person I had unconsciously been searching for all over the camp without even realizing it.

It felt almost surreal, like a scene from a dream materializing before my eyes. Of all the faces and names etched in my memory over the past weeks, it was hers that lingered the most. And now, here she was in the flesh it was no one else but Evelyn.

“That face looks familiar”........Sandra muttered, and then she turned to me, and she saw me gazing absentmindedly at Evelyn.

Sandra gently nudged me with her elbow, breaking through the haze of my thoughts and pulling me back to the present moment. I blinked, realizing I had been momentarily lost in my own world.

Turning to look at Sandra, I caught the knowing expression on her face, a mix of disappointment and curiosity. Gathering my composure, I shifted my attention back to Evelyn, who was standing just a short distance away.

After taking a deep breath, I took a step forward, feeling Sandra fall into step beside me, her quiet presence a steady reassurance as we walked toward Evelyn together.

“Who am I seeing here? Evelyn”........I said playfully, then she turned to look at me, and our gazes intertwined effortlessly.

Evelyn stood rooted to the spot, her expression frozen in shock, as if the world around her had stopped spinning. It was as though time itself had paused, leaving just the two of us in that still, surreal moment.

I could see the mix of disbelief and emotion flicker across her face as she tried to process what was happening. For a heartbeat, neither of us moved, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken emotion.

Then, suddenly, it was as if a switch flipped, and she came back to life. A bright, joyful energy lit up her face as she let out a loud, ecstatic shout.

Without a second thought, she ran toward me and jumped, throwing her arms around me in an embrace so full of warmth and excitement that it felt like the rest of the world had melted away.

Everyone was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. I quickly steadied myself, my arms holding her as she clung tightly to me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the look of clear disapproval on Sandra's face, her expression hardened with dissatisfaction.

“I must be dreaming, is this really you Pascal?”........she said happily, while disentangling herself from me.

“No you are not dreaming, this is me flesh and blood”........I replied to her, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“What are you doing here? Though it was Abuja you worked your posting to”.........she inquired.

“Yes, I wanted Abuja but it did not work, that’s how I got myself here”........I replied, I couldn't bring myself to tell her the main truth.

“Wow, I guess fate wanted us to meet again, and be together”.........she whispered, looking deep into my eyes.

“I sent a message to you about being redeployed to akwaibom, but it seems you never got my message”.........I replied, trying to change the topic.

Evelyn didn’t reply to my last remark; instead, she seemed to be gazing at me absentmindedly, her focus unshifting.

Her intense stare made me uneasy, and the longer it lingered, the more uncomfortable I became. In an attempt to break the tension, I subtly pulled Sandra closer to me and introduced her to Evelyn.

“Errrmmm Evelyn, meet my babe Sandra, Daisy our friend and Yamani my bunk mate.......And Sandra, this is my very good friend Evelyn”........I introduced.

“Nawa oh, just like that? Just a very good friend you said?”.........she asked sarcastically, with a mischievous smile on her face.

She made sure to greet Yamani and Daisy with a bright smile and a casual wave, the kind of greeting that suggested familiarity and comfort.

However, when it came to Sandra, there was no acknowledgement, she simply ignored her, as if Sandra wasn’t even there. It was an uncomfortable moment, the kind where the unspoken tension seemed to hang thick in the air.

After a brief pause, Evelyn turned her attention back to her group of friends. With a gleam in her eye and a tone that suggested she was eager to share some memory, she proceeded to introduce her friends to us.

When introducing me, Evelyn’s voice took on a playful, almost teasing quality as she stated, “This is him, my pet boy from school that I have been telling you all about, and also my......”.........letting the words hang in the air for a brief moment.

There was an unexpected and strange note of affection in the way she said it, but then, as if caught in a fleeting thought, her sentence trailed off abruptly.

She didn’t complete the rest of what she had started to say, leaving the unfinished thought hanging between us like an unfinished puzzle, with everyone around trying to piece together what she had meant but too unsure to ask.

The silence that followed was heavy, and for a moment, the conversation stumbled as all attention shifted to the gap left by her unfinished remark.

The entire situation clearly didn’t sit well with Sandra, but she managed to maintain a forced smile, concealing her discomfort.

Evelyn politely told her friends to go ahead without her, assuring them she would catch up with them later, and then she rejoined us on our way back to Mami.

We made our orders at the café and found an empty table to sit at. As we settled in and waited for our food to arrive, Evelyn couldn’t help but gravitate towards me, her attention fully on me the entire time.

“Look at how fresh you look, what have you been eating?”........she asked playfully.

“Same thing you have been eating. Heard you are now the reigning celebrity in this place”..........I teased.

“Celebrity kooor, don’t mind that artists jaaree”.......she mumbled, hissing loudly.

“Heard he gave you his necklace, let me see it na”........I requested, then she sighed.

“I gave it to one of my friends oh.......Do I look like a celebrity freak? Can you imagine when I left the stage, one of his guys accosted me and told me to drop my contact that they will need to contact me after camp”.........she expressed in dissatisfaction.

“Maybe they want to add you to one of their vixens”........I teased, laughing loudly.

“I nearly pushed him off my way. He thought I’m one of those little girls they entice with all those shitty stuffs, because they are celebrities”..........she grumbled.

I had heard rumors about how some celebrities would call girls onto the stage during their shows, offering them an accessory as a prize, only to take their contact information and later sleep with them. At the time, I didn’t buy into it, but now, Evelyn has just proven those rumors true.

“So you don’t want to have something to do with a celebrity? You don miss am oh”.........I said playfully.

She glanced at me and dramatically rolled her eyes, pretending to be upset. We continued chatting, laughing, and carrying on with our conversation until our food was finally brought to the table.

Once we finished our meal, I grabbed a takeaway for Pascaline and passed it to her sister, Daisy, before we headed out.

Sandra was clearly uncomfortable with what was unfolding between Evelyn and I, but she managed to keep her feelings hidden.

Eventually, we went our separate ways. I headed out with Yamani, while the girls made their way back to the hostel.

I had only just made it halfway with Yamani to our hostel when Sandra called, asking me to meet her at the Pavilion. I quickly excused myself and told Yamani to continue on without me.

By the time I reached the pavilion, Sandra was already there. The look on her face was far from welcoming, and her expression left me feeling uneasy and a bit anxious.

“Did you know she was coming to this place?”........she retorted.

“No, I didn’t. I’m surprised to see her here just like you”.........I replied, as I sat beside her.

“But I heard her saying that she sent you a message or something”.......she said coldly.

“Babe believe me, I didn’t know she was coming to Akwa-Ibom. Back in school, after we agreed to work our service to Lagos, I told her that I will be working mine to Akwa-Ibom because I didn’t want her to know where I intend going. She in turn told me that she will work hers to Abuja and that was it”

 “Seeing her here was something I never expected and for the so-called message she said she sent to me, believe me, I never got any message from her”........I explained calmly to her.

“Ok, I just hope nothing is going to start off between you guys again”.........she said soberly.

“Come on, didn’t I introduce you to her as my girlfriend?”.......I muttered, feeling frustrated.

“You know little about girls. When they want you, some of them don’t mind if you are married so introducing me to her as your girlfriend doesn’t stop her from trying to reignite what you guys had back then in school. I’m just telling you beforehand to be careful with her”........she admonished.

“Nothing is ever going to happen between Evelyn and I again, I promise you that”.........I assured her.

“Okay, that aside.......I don’t like the fact that you keep buying food for Pascaline even when her own twin sister doesn’t care. If she can’t come with us to eat, then let her stay. I know you are just trying to be nice, but Sunshine please it makes me feel somehow at times”.........she complained.

“Okay no problems, the thing is that I don’t really know what is wrong with her......Earlier today before the SAED lecture, I went to talk to her to know what is wrong but she ignored me and walked out on me”.........I replied.

“Don’t worry, I will talk to her sister. But just stop it with all those niceties, if she is being rude to you, just mind your own business”..........she concluded.

“Yes ma’am”........I surrendered with a salute.

She scanned the area around us, and in an instant, she kissed me quickly before standing up. We then left the pavilion and headed back to our respective hostels.

To be continued..........

TIDES OF LUST (Episode 45)

The camp welcome party had finally come and gone, but its impact still resonated deeply. As morning broke, the camp was abuzz with excitement, and a single topic dominated every conversation.

The topic on everyone's lips, was the astonishing moment when a music artist beckoned a lucky girl from the crowd onto the stage and, in a grand gesture, bestowed upon her his gleaming gold necklace.

The story was shared and re-shared, analyzed and dissected, leaving no corner of the camp untouched by the thrill of it all.

Although the girl's story was the hottest topic of conversation, I discovered that hardly anyone knew her personally. When I approached several people, asking them to show me who she was, they shook their heads, seemingly as clueless as I was.

That morning, our parade ground transformed into a rigorous training zone. Gone was our relaxed routine; instead, we were subjected to a grueling regimen of drills, with our instructors barking orders and pushing us to our limits, much like military recruits undergoing boot camp.

Our commander will always tell us that should war break out between Nigeria and another country, we were going to be the next to be recruited because we are now para-military.

Our commander stood tall, surveying the sea of youthful faces before him. His voice boomed across the parade ground, commanding attention, as he addressed us.

“Listen up, corps members!........I know some of you may think this training is rigorous, but trust me, it's necessary. You are no longer just ordinary citizens; you are paramilitary personnel, and you must conduct yourselves as such”........He said fiercely, then he paused, his eyes scanning the crowd.

“You never know when your services will be required. Should war break out between Nigeria and another country, you will be among the first to be called up for recruitment”........he concluded.

All of us being corps members exchanged nervous glances, the reality of our situation sinking in. One of us, a tall, lanky young man, spoke up.

“Sir, is that really possible? I mean, we're just youth corpers, not soldiers”........he mentioned, and the commander's expression turned stern.

“Well, like I said earlier, You are paramilitary personnel, and you will be treated as such.......You have undergone training, and you are expected to conduct yourselves in a manner befitting your status”........He paused, his voice taking on a slightly softer tone.

“But I must commend you all; you have shown great dedication and discipline during this training. Keep it up, and you will make your country proud”........he concluded, with a faint smile on his face.

As we continued with our training, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for us after youth service.

Would we be called upon to serve in a war zone? Only time would tell, but for now, I was focused on honing my skills and preparing myself for whatever lay ahead.

Forming bonds with my fellow platoon members came effortlessly. Unbeknownst to me, I had assumed a leadership role, earning the unofficial title of second-in-command.

As a result, whenever our commander was delayed, my comrades would instinctively turn to me, shouting out for direction, and I would seamlessly take charge.

It was exhilarating to be the one guiding my platoon, especially when the other platoons were being led by their respective commanders, making me feel like a true leader and an integral part of the team.

Ironically, my platoon members readily followed my instructions, which inadvertently solidified my authority and cemented my unofficial leadership status.

As our morning parade drew to a close, our commander announced that elections would be held after the evening parade to choose our platoon's leadership team, responsible for representing our interests and coordinating our activities.

My fellow platoon members were adamant, loudly proclaiming that I was destined for the platoon leader position, with Pascaline as my deputy. Despite my protests, insisting that I didn't want the role, they teasingly refused to accept my denial, jokingly saying that I had no say in the matter.

Following our orientation, the next phase began, where each platoon was tasked with electing its officials, including the platoon leader, vice leader, sports representative, and other key positions.

Concurrently, we embarked on skill acquisition training programs and attended lectures, marking the start of our immersive camp experience.

I observed a sudden change in Pascaline's behavior, as she began to maintain a noticeable distance from me, creating a palpable sense of detachment between us.

I was struck by Pascaline's unusual behavior that morning. Normally, she would stick close to me before and after the parade, standing by my side on the parade ground.

However, on this particular morning, she merely exchanged a brief greeting with me before drifting over to Mariam, another member of our platoon, leaving me wondering at the sudden change.

After the parade, Pascalin discreetly departed without a word, her expression eerily neutral, even as our fellow recruits buzzed with excitement, predicting that we would be elected as the platoon leaders. 

Her unusual aloofness only added to my growing puzzlement.

Following the parade, our usual routine was to head to Mami market for breakfast together, but Pascaline surprisingly broke away from the group, hurrying off to her hostel before the other girls could even gather, leaving me feeling perplexed by her sudden departure.

When Sandra and Daisy arrived, I invited Yamani to join us, but he declined, saying he wasn't feeling hungry and told us to go ahead without him.

I tried reaching Pascaline over the phone, but she ignored my call, and even her sister's attempts to reach her were met with silence. Undeterred, after we finished eating, I purchased two take-out meals, one for Pascaline and the other for Yamani.

I passed Pascaline's take-out meal to Daisy, and then headed out with Yamani's meal in hand. Upon arriving at the hostel, I found Yamani lounging on his bed, intently typing away on his phone.

I handed him the food and asked him point-blank why he had opted out of joining us, and he revealed that he had been deliberately avoiding Daisy.

It dawned on me immediately, with a clarity that left no room for doubt, why Yamani was deliberately steering clear of Daisy.

“But guy nawa for you oh, shey you know say you fûck up yesterday?

Why you go do that kind thing na?”.........I teased.

“Guy na highness oh, in fact conji na bastard I swear. Finally I know say I don cast”.........he lamented.

“Why did you try to dip your fingers in her shorts without her knowledge?

Don't you know that act can anger a woman?”..........I asked apprehensively.

“Bro it wasn't my fault Na I'm human and not stick, and besides, when I caught you and Sandra being intimate, the kind conji wey come hold me Ehhhnnn.......coupled with the fact that I was a bit drunk, the next thing on my mind at that moment, was to have sêx”.........he explained.

“See yourself now, you've spoiled every chance that you have with Daisy”.........I teased.

“Pasky please you will have to help me........Just make her understand that I was drunk........I did not mean to embarrass her, it wasn't intentional abeg”.........he said remorsefully.

“No problems my gee, you can always count on me.......I don't even understand Pascaline, She has been avoiding me today during the parade. She didn't even follow us to Mami this morning”.........I complained.

“If you can still recall, I have once told you before, that Pascaline is in love with you.......I caught her staring at you and Sandra in a displeasing manner, at the welcome party last night”........he mentioned.

“I don't want to believe she is in love with me, isn't she aware that I am in a serious relationship with Sandra?”.........I retorted.

“No wahala Na, E go soon clear for your eyes say that babe dey trip for you”........he teased, and let out a loud laughter.

“Craze person, why you come dey laugh na”........I said playfully, and joined him in laughing.

Just as our conversation was in full flow, the unmistakable sound of the clarion bell pierced the air, signaling that it was time for us to head to our scheduled SAED lecture on skill acquisition.

As Yamani and I arrived at the Pavilion, I caught sight of Pascaline, completely absorbed and oblivious to her surroundings, her eyes fixed intently on her phone.

I instructed Yamani to reserve seats for the other girls, and then I excused myself to investigate what was troubling Pascaline, whose unusual behavior had piqued my concern.

I sat down beside her and discreetly pulled out one of her earphones, interrupting her solitude. I then cut straight to the chase, forgoing any polite preliminaries.

“What is wrong with you?”.......I asked.

She turned to me, our eyes met briefly, and then she averted her gaze, her silence speaking volumes. The pause that followed felt interminable, prompting me to ask again, my concern growing more pronounced, “What's wrong, Pascaline?”.......I queried again.

This time, she rose from her seat, gathered her belongings, and walked off without a word, leaving me feeling mortified. I glanced around, expecting to catch the curious stares of onlookers, but to my surprise, no one seemed to have noticed our awkward exchange.

I rejoined Yamani and the girls, finding Sandra and Daisy engrossed in conversation, while Yamani sat distracted, his attention absorbed in the game unfolding on his phone screen.

I remained with the group for the remainder of the lecture, taking the opportunity to discreetly converse with Daisy about Yamani, urging her to put the previous night's events behind her.

Following our conversation, Yamani extended an apology to Daisy, and they were able to put the issue to rest. Daisy couldn't resist playfully jabbing at him, suggesting that his earlier breakfast absence was a result of his guilt, while Yamani struggled to come up with a convincing defense, ultimately failing to talk his way out of it.

To be continued..........

TIDES OF LUST (Episode 44)

 

 It was on the third day after our arrival at camp that we held the much-anticipated induction ceremony.

The event was made even more memorable and significant by the distinguished presence of the state Governor, who graced the occasion with his attendance.

His presence not only added an air of prestige and importance to the ceremony but also served as a testament to the value and impact of the program we were embarking on.

The induction, meticulously planned and conducted, marked an important milestone for us as we prepared to fully immerse ourselves in the experiences that awaited us in the weeks to come.

The induction ceremony turned out to be a physically challenging experience for many of us, as several corps members collapsed from exhaustion while standing under the relentless heat of the scorching sun.

We had been waiting patiently for the arrival of the dignitaries, whose presence was integral to the event. The lack of shade, combined with the intense temperature and prolonged standing, took a toll on many, leading to visible signs of discomfort among the participants.

Despite the organiser's efforts to maintain order and ensure everyone's well-being, the unforgiving weather proved overwhelming for some, underscoring the challenging conditions we had to endure that day.

The day proved to be extremely demanding and exhausting for the Red Cross and Emergency Response Team, as they tirelessly attended to numerous emergencies and worked relentlessly to ensure everyone’s safety.

The induction ceremony began promptly at 8 a.m. and stretched on until 2 p.m., testing our stamina and patience as we endured the long hours under the sun.

By the time the event finally came to an end, there was an undeniable sense of relief among everyone, as we eagerly dispersed and made our way back to the hostels.

The exhaustion from the day's activities was almost palpable, but it was overshadowed by the excitement of what lay ahead. That evening, the welcome party was set to take place, a much-talked-about event that promised to be full of music, dancing, and celebration.

Since the moment I set foot in the camp, I realized that, almost unconsciously, I had been keeping an eye out for any sign of Evelyn, unknown to Sandra.

Whether it was during morning drills, the induction ceremony, or even casual moments at the cafeteria, my gaze often wandered, hoping to spot her in the sea of unfamiliar faces.

It wasn’t something I planned or did intentionally, but the thought of running into her seemed to linger quietly in my mind. Yet, despite my subtle, almost instinctive efforts to find her, there had been no trace of her so far, leaving me to wonder whether she was even here at all or if fate had other plans.

A part of me couldn't shake the thought that maybe Evelyn had somehow pulled a few strings or leveraged some connections, successfully getting herself reassigned to Abuja.

It seemed like the kind of thing she might do, navigating the system with her usual resourcefulness.

I couldn't help but wonder if she had somehow pressed the right buttons, and secured a transfer to a place where things might be more to her liking.

It was just a theory, and of course, it lingered in my mind, almost as if I were trying to make sense of the situation and justify her absence.

After trying the camp food on the first day, I immediately decided that I wouldn’t be eating from the kitchen again. It didn’t take long for other corpers to come to the same conclusion, and soon we were all united in our resolve to avoid the camp meals in the future.

Sandra and I eventually turned to Mami Market for our meals, and after I paid for our food and drinks for the first two days, Sandra insisted I no longer needed to pay.

We decided to take turns covering the cost of our meals and drinks. I would take care of the bill for the day, while the responsibility would shift to Sandra the following day.

It became a normal routine for Sandra and I. Since we arrived at camp, she made sure to find every possible moment to let those around us know that we were a couple, often proudly sharing the news with anyone who showed the slightest interest.

It was no longer a secret to Pascaline and Daisy that Sandra and I were now officially in a committed relationship.

Sandra’s place beside me was unquestionably solid and non-negotiable. 

In the brief time we had been in camp, it was clear that her presence had caught the attention of many.

Within just a few days, half of the more influential and well-established guys in her platoon had started making moves to get closer to her, each one eager to make their acquaintance and win her attention.

Even her platoon commander wasn’t exempt, subtly finding ways to engage with her more frequently. Despite all of this, Sandra remained firmly by my side, and her position beside me was never in doubt, no matter how many attempts were made to get in her favor.

Initially, it was a matter of concern for me, especially seeing how much attention Sandra was receiving from others, both within her platoon and beyond.

However, Sandra noticed my discomfort and took the time to reassure me. She firmly convinced me that I had nothing to worry about, reminding me that I was the only person she had eyes for.

With a gentle smile and sincerity in her voice, she eased my concerns, making it clear that no matter how many people tried to get close to her, her attention and affection were solely directed towards me.

Her words, coupled with the certainty in her eyes, put my fears to rest, and I soon realized there was no need to be jealous or anxious.

Every evening, after we left Mami Market, Sandra and I would always find a way to excuse ourselves from the group of other corpers, carving out a bit of time just for the two of us.

One evening, during one of those quiet moments, Sandra confided in me that she felt somewhat uneasy about the growing closeness between Pascaline and I.

She mentioned that she had noticed the way Pascaline looked at me and how my name seemed to be constantly on her lips, even when they were back in their hostel.

I calmly assured her that there was no need to worry, as there was nothing between Pascaline and I, and nothing would ever develop between us.

I went on to explain to Sandra that the only connection I had with Pascaline was being in the same platoon, and the fact that our fellow platoon members had jokingly started calling us "twins" instead of using our actual names.

Sandra and I had made it a habit to openly discuss our imperfections with each other, and it was Sandra who had introduced this practice. She believed that being candid about our flaws was an important way to foster trust and maintain clear communication between us.

The spot we frequented for our late-night meetings was under a mango tree, nestled in a quiet corner, far from the harsh glare of the surrounding lights.

The mango tree was surrounded by a few weathered benches, where we would often sit and share quiet, intimate moments, indulging in romantic gestures before heading to bed.

Before entering camp, all Corps members were advised to bring plenty of cash, as we wouldn't be permitted to leave the camp to make withdrawals, most of us arrived with cash in hand, myself included.

Sandra entrusted all the money she brought to camp with me. Whenever she needed to purchase something, she would either call or message me, and we would meet. Either I would go to her or she would come to where I was, to collect cash for her use.

In my waist pouch, I carried over three hundred and fifty thousand naira, which was meant for both Sandra and I. 

However, the majority of the money belonged to Sandra, as her share was the largest.

I would be lying if I claimed not to have noticed Pascaline’s growing closeness to me. It was impossible to ignore, as it was clearly evident.

Every morning during the parade, she would lean on my shoulder, and whenever we were in our platoon, she was constantly by my side, always clinging to me.

Pascaline has an amazing personality, one that exudes a strong and authoritative vibe, making any guy who might consider approaching her think twice before doing so.

Beneath that tough exterior, there is a deeply emotional side to Pascaline. I've tried to figure out why she maintains such a dual personality, but I can't quite pinpoint the reason behind it.

She always carries this calm demeanor when she’s around me, but I didn’t make much of it. After all, we had met before coming to camp, so I assumed that was the reason for the closeness between us.

Daisy, on the other hand, is a free-spirited individual. She's cheerful and approachable with everyone, yet she knows where to draw the line.

She is a very outspoken person who easily engages in conversations, leaving no space for awkward silences when she's around.

One thing that caught my attention was that whenever her twin sister Pascaline started pestering me, Daisy would smile and often use some humorous phrases in a language I couldn’t quite make sense of.

By observing the lifestyle of Pascaline and Daisy, it was evident that they hailed from an affluent family.

It’s no surprise that one of the fellow corps members, named Yamani, once commented that Pascaline seemed to be well out of his league, because he couldn't approach her.

Yamani, on the other hand, comes from a prosperous and well established Muslim family. He embodies a free spirited nature, always full of energy and eager to enjoy life to the fullest.

While he is charming in many ways, one particular trait that tends to stand out is his tendency to talk excessively and boast about his accomplishments, sometimes to the point of annoyance.

His constant chatter often centers around his family’s wealth and his own achievements, which although may be true, can come across as overly proud and somewhat inconsiderate to those around him.

Despite this flaw, his outgoing and carefree personality still makes him an interesting and lively individual to hang around with.

I observed that Yamani was always eyeing Daisy with admiration, but whenever they were in each other's company, he seemed to lose his words, getting completely tongue tied. It made me curious as to why it was happening.

To be continued........

TIDES OF LUST (Episode 43)

 

 The morning calm was shattered by a knock at the door, rousing me from sleep at 6:30 am. As I stirred, I felt Sandra's gentle grip around my waist, her head nestled comfortably against my chest, seemingly oblivious to the interruption.

Carefully extracting myself from Sandra's embrace, I slid out of bed and made my way to the door, doing my best to discreetly navigate a rather inconvenient and awkward morning arousal.

I discreetly peered through the peephole, and the distorted image resolved into the outline of a woman standing patiently on the other side of the door.

“Who is there?”........I asked.

“It’s me, Daisy”.......she replied, and I instantly recognised the voice.

“Ooohh!”......I exclaimed, before opening the door, I totally forgot that I was still hard down there.

“Good morning ladies”........I greeted, as I saw the two girls already dressed ready to leave with their bags.

“Good morning”.......they both chorused.

“You are still sleeping?”.......Daisy asked.

“Yes, we retired late last night”........I replied.

“Did your girl come in with you too?”........Pascaline asked.

“Yeah”......I replied.

“Let’s say hi to her”........she requested.

“She is still sleeping, maybe some other time”........I replied, making way for them to see Sandra culled under the duvet, still sleeping.

“We are ready to leave, maybe we can beat the queue as everybody will try to come in today”.......Pascaline announced, and I nodded.

“Thats great, we will soon be ready too. Do you guys have someone that will drive you to the Camp?”........I inquired.

“Not really, we will try and see if we can get a cab outside, though it’s still too early”........Daisy replied.

“Okay, you guys should give me a minute, let me call my cab man, maybe he will come around and pick you guys up, and then come back for us here”.........I suggested, and they nodded in agreement.

I returned to the room, still awkwardly navigating my morning arousal, which persisted despite my attempts to subtly conceal it by pressing my legs together, all while trying to maintain a composed demeanor.

My efforts to hide my morning glory were futile, and as I turned back, I caught Pascaline and Daisy sharing a quirky, knowing smile, their eyes sparkling with amusement. At that point, I figured there was no use trying to hide it anymore.

I quickly grabbed my phone and called my cab driver, who assured me he'd arrive within 15 minutes. I instructed him to first pick up two girls waiting at the bar and drop them off, then return for me.

As I wrapped up my call with the cab driver, Sandra stirred awake, taking in her surroundings before spotting the girls at the door. A warm smile spread across her face as she locked eyes with them.

Before I even ended the call, the girls had already slipped inside, and the room was filled with the sound of cheerful greetings. 

Sandra warmly exchanged pleasantries with them, as Daisy took the opportunity to introduce herself and her twin sister, Pascaline.

After Sandra exchanged pleasantries with Pascaline and Daisy, I directed them to wait at the bar for the driver's arrival and kindly requested they secure a spot for us in case of a crowd at the camp. Thanking me, they took their leave.

After the girls left, I stood by the door, engrossed in my phone. But the sensation of being observed grew stronger. I looked up to find Sandra's intense gaze locked onto me, her eyes burning with an unreadable expression.

“What?”......I asked.

“What is this you are walking around with? Don't you have some shame?”........she sneered.

Sandra rose from the bed, her eyes locked on mine, and sauntered over to me. She pressed her lips to mine in a tender kiss, her hands roaming downward to caress me intimately through my briefs.

“It belongs to you, do what you want with it baby”........I replied, reciprocating her kiss.

“Then why are you showing off my property for all to see? It should be kept hidden you know.....I have missed you”........She whispered, slipping her hand into my brief and pulling out my rod.

Adjusting herself, she bent down and enveloped it into her mouth. I watched as she licked my precum before licking round the cap continuously.

She eventually placed her tongue on the tip of my Rod, and was flickering it with her tongue. My shaft wasn't left out, her hands walked Wonder's around it.

I shivered as waves of pleasure simmered through me to my brain.

She gobbled on for a while, before pulling my Rod out from her mouth.

Sandra sashayed towards the bed, her movements exuding confidence and allure.

Reaching the bed, she bent down, elegantly lifting her nightie, and positioned herself in a provocative pose, inviting me to join her with a subtle beckon of her finger.

Her dripping Kitty lips looked so tempting from that view. I walked slowly towards her and guided my rod into her Kitty.

She pushed back her waist to welcome my Rod while I adjusted before thrusting in and out slowly.

Her waist kept pushing back, meeting my thrust half way. It was fun and more arousing watching her from that angle pushing her waist back.

I kept on with the slow thrust for a long while before deciding to increase the tempo.

Her mõans were already resounding through the room while I increased the speed of my ramming into her.

When the pressure of my movements became too much for her to handle, she collapsed onto the bed, gripping the sheets tightly, her waist still lifted high.

I kept pushing into her with a steady increase in speed, noticing her reactions growing more intense.

After we both reached climax, we went to the bathroom together, with the intention of having our bath, and we had one more round inside the bathroom.

After bathing and dressing up, before we were done arranging our things, the cab man called me to inform me that he is back from dropping off Pascaline and Daisy. I told him to give us five minutes, and we would be out of the hotel room.

Sandra and I were done arranging our things, then we left the hotel room, and the cab man took us straight to the camp.

To be continued.........

TIDES OF LUST ( Episode 42)

 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........

TIDES OF LUST (Episode 41)

 I stood near the window of my room, my hands shoved deep into my pockets.The moon filtered through the thin curtains, casting uneven patterns on the floor.

I was deep in contemplation, struggling with a cloud of confusion, while Evelyn continued to plead with me, offering heartfelt reasons why our relationship deserved another chance.

In essence, she refused to accept that our relationship was ending, no matter how much I tried to explain it to her.

Evelyn sat at the edge of my bed, her hands clasped tightly on her lap. The air was heavy with unspoken words, tension building like an approaching storm.

“Pascal”........she called gently, and I turned to look at her.

“We've been together for years, and you want to throw all that away? Why now?”........She inquired, her large, expressive eyes brimmed with unshed tears as she searched my face for answers.

I avoided looking at her directly, afraid of what her pain might do to my resolve.

“Look Evelyn, by now you should understand that I don't love you. I don't think I can bring myself to fall in love with you......I can't”.........I said, almost in a whisper.

My words sounded rehearsed, hollow even to me, but I didn’t know how else to express the turmoil in my heart.

Evelyn's tears spilled freely now, and the room filled with the sound of her muffled sobs.

Her shoulders shook violently, and she buried her face in her hands, unable to hold back the torrent of emotions.

I stood frozen for a moment, guilt gnawing at my insides. I had rehearsed this conversation in my head countless times, but seeing Evelyn break down shattered my carefully built walls.

Slowly, I moved toward her and sank to my knees in front of her, so as to console her. I wasn't comfortable with her tears.

“Evelyn, Please don't cry.......I didn't want to hurt you”........I said softly, my voice cracking with emotion.

“Then why? Why end something so beautiful, Pascal? Was I not good for you enough?”........she demanded through her tears, her voice rising in anguish.

Her words were laced with vulnerability, and I felt a pang of regret I hadn't expected. I reached out tentatively, placing my hands on her trembling shoulders.

“You are more than enough, Evelyn, You deserve someone who truly love's you wholeheartedly, someone who won’t doubt what they want......Right now, I’m not that person”.........I said earnestly.

Evelyn’s crying slowed as she searched my eyes for sincerity. Her heartache mingled with an overwhelming yearning to hold onto me, to feel that the connection we once shared, wasn’t completely gone.

“You don't mean that right?”....…..she whispered, her voice soft but determined.

I didn’t respond immediately, my throat tightening as her tear streaked face loomed closer to mine.

Before I could think it through, I reached out, wiping the tears from her cheeks with the pad of my thumb. The simple gesture ignited a spark neither of us had expected.

Time seemed to stand still as Evelyn leaned into my touch, her lips brushing against my fingers. I hesitated, my heart pounding.

It was as though an invisible force was pulling us together, erasing all logic. 

Gently, I cupped her face, my thumb tracing the curve of her jaw.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the unspoken emotions between us, bridged the gap. I leaned in slowly, and when our lips met, it was tentative at first, then deepened into something urgent and raw.

The kiss ignited a wave of passion neither of us could control. I stood, pulling Evelyn up with myself, and our bodies pressed together as the intensity grew.

Hands roamed freely, exploring familiar yet electrifying territories as we surrendered to the moment.

My fingers worked to unbutton her blouse, while Evelyn tugged at my shirt, her desperation evident. The room grew warmer as our breaths intermingled, hearts racing in unison.

We found ourselves tangled on the bed, our movements both hurried and tender. My touch was deliberate, each caress eliciting a soft gasp from Evelyn.

She responded with equal fervor, her nails grazing my back as our bodies moved in perfect synchronization. Our intimacy was a mix of rediscovery and unbridled emotion, a moment suspended outside of time.

When it was over, we lay entwined, our breaths heavy but content. The room was quiet except for the hum of our steady breathing.

The following morning, we woke up feeling rejuvenated. The night before had been unforgettable, a time of deep connection and fiery passion that left us both utterly fulfilled.

Evelyn whipped up a hearty breakfast, and after we'd eaten our fill, we set out to collect her belongings, but what I encountered left me stunned, she'd been residing in a hotel the entire time, a revelation that caught me utterly off guard.

After settling back in at home, I reached out to Sandra with an update, letting her know that Evelyn and I had worked things out and were no longer together. Her response arrived promptly, and I opened the message to read.

“I’m happy you have made peace with her. I still want us to be apart from each other for a while” I was perplexed by Sandra's suggestion that we needed space, and my curiosity got the better of me. I dialed her number, and after two rings, she answered on the third, her voice filling the line.

“What is the problem? Are you fed up with us or something?”........I asked.

“Come to my house let’s talk”.......she replied and dropped the call.

I concocted a convincing excuse for Evelyn, claiming a school task required my attention, before making my way to Sandra's residence. Upon arrival, I found her seated at the table, savoring a bite to eat.

As we wrapped up our warm greetings, I patiently waited for her to finish eating before broaching the subject. But as I did, the atmosphere between us began to shift, taking on an awkwardness that was unfamiliar to our usual easy rapport.

She returned from clearing the table and settled in beside me on the bed, her presence marked by a comfortable silence.

“I have ended things with Evelyn peacefully. We aren't dating anymore, not like we were dating before sha”........I said nervously.

“Okay then, I’m happy to hear that”........she said coldly.

“Sandra, nothing should stop us from dating now, please I don’t want us to be apart”.......I pleaded.

“Pascal, listen to me. A lot of things have happened of which we both know. There is this part of me that wants to accept your proposal, but another part of me is telling me to be careful and I’m heeding to that part, I don’t want us to rush into this”.......she outlined.

“Common Sandra, you've given me enough excuses already, don't you love me anymore?”........I asked, feeling a bit angered.

“Yes I still love you, but if I want to start something with you, it’s not something that I want to just last for a couple of months. Now that you have sorted things out with Evelyn, I want you to use this remaining time for your academics while I focus on mine. We have a few months left to stay here, let’s use that for our studies”.........she advised.

“Sandra, I don’t want something that will last a few months with you, I also want something serious, not a fling”........I muttered.

“Pascal, I have thought about this, what if we don’t see each other again after graduation? I can’t do a phone relationship. I can’t have a distant relationship”.........she said worriedly.

“We can always find a way to see each other, after graduation. I know it’s going to be difficult but if we try our best we can pull it through”........I assured her.

“Okay then. This is the plan I have, after graduation, let us work our NYSC posting to the same state. That way we can be together and build a relationship, but until then, Pascal please let’s be apart”...........she demanded.

“And what if we don’t end up in the same state?”.........I asked curiously.

“Then we were never meant to be.......Pascal I’m sorry, but this was a hard decision for me to make. Please don’t push it any further. I don’t want you to make me change my mind which I know you can do if you press on. Just do this for me”.........she said politely.

I relented, accepting that she wouldn't budge, and surrendered to her wishes. She further proposed that we establish a temporary divide, abstaining from communication for the remainder of the semester and deliberately avoiding each other whenever possible.

We made plans to relocate to Lagos for our National Youth Service Corps assignment after graduation. As I prepared to leave her apartment, we shared one final, fervent intimacy, savoring the moment before our impending separation.

Two months following our graduation, the NYSC posting results were released. Prior to our departure from school, I informed Evelyn of my intention to re-deploy to Akwa-Ibom State for my service year, while she revealed her plans to re-deploy to Abuja.

I sought to maintain a deliberate distance between Evelyn and I, avoiding any chance encounters that might rekindle our past.

My desire was to initiate a new chapter with Sandra, untainted by remnants of my previous relationships, and free from the potential complications of a lingering connection.

I stepped into the cyber café, intent on printing my call-up letter, when my phone suddenly lit up with a message from Sandra.

“Pascal I’m very sorry, maybe we are not meant to be together. I am posted to Akwa-Ibom. Even if we never get to see again, just don’t forget that I love you”........she wrote.

As I finished reading the message, a cold sweat broke out all over me. My heart racing, I mechanically jotted down the necessary details on a scrap of paper and handed it to the cyber café attendant when my turn arrived, my mind still reeling from Sandra's text.

I shifted my gaze away as the attendant accessed the NYSC portal, my mind racing with a flurry of thoughts that left me momentarily distracted.

“What if I was posted to another state? Does it mean that this working of NYSC posting is a scam? What if I was posted to Borno or any of these distressed states? What will now happen to Sandra and I?”........I wondered.

I remained absorbed in my thoughts until the attendant's gentle tap broke the spell.

“Akwa-Ibom, ayaya oh” she said, to which I turned, slightly disoriented, and asked her to repeat herself.

“You are posted to Akwa-Ibom State”.........she announced, with a warm smile on her face.

Overwhelmed with excitement, I let out a triumphant shout, sweeping the attendant into a tight hug and kissing her cheek. The café's patrons swiveled to stare, while the girl's face turned bright red, her eyes cast downward in embarrassment.

As I regained my composure, I sheepishly collected the letter from the attendant, who now avoided eye contact with me. I settled the bill, then I discreetly pressed ₦5,000 Cash into her hand as a token of appreciation before making a quiet exit.

“Sorry for the kiss”........I whispered to her and left.

As soon as I stepped out of the café, I grabbed my phone and dialed Sandra's number.

The moment she answered, I let out a loud, excited shout.

“We are meant to be. I’m posted to Akwa-Ibom too oooohhh”.........I said excitedly.

Sandra's stunned silence greeted me on the other end of the line. I repeated "Hello?"

twice before she finally cleared her throat, her voice shaky. I detected the faint sound of sniffles, hinting that she was fighting back tears.

“What is the problem? Are you crying?”........I asked.

“No, no I’m not, I’m just so happy”........she said amidst sniffing.

“Now you see, I told you that we are meant to be, we are meant to be”........I yelled, punching the air and jumping around in front of the café.

“Yes, yes we are”........she replied, now laughing.

No sooner had I wrapped up my conversation with Sandra and I left the cyber cafè, heading to my house. When I got home I reached for my phone to dial Sandra's number again.

But before I could even unlock the screen, a text message from Evelyn suddenly popped up, catching my attention and temporarily putting my plans to call Sandra on hold.

As I opened the message, I was met with a revelation that left me breathless and reeling in shock.

“Hey Baby, good news! They posted me to Akwa-Ibom.

I have been trying to call you but your number has been busy. Please try and call me, hope you have checked your posting?”.........she wrote.

Life has a way of circling back, and just when you think you've escaped the shadows of your past, fate steps in and forces you to confront what you've been trying to leave behind.

To be continued..........