Fred was the love of my life. And I was the apple of his eyes. At least, so I thought. Our relationship began in late 2019 but it blossomed during the lockdown in 2020. Both of us just finished our university education, waiting to be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corp, NYSC. Our story of love or lust started from our last semester in the university, being undergraduates in the same ivory tower.
Everything about Fred was interesting. Extremely witty and wordy, he weaves words together to win attentions. I’m not ashamed to admit that he actually got me through this attribute. For instance, one day I woke up in the morning and his message popped up on my phone
“Using herbs, drugs and drinks to enhance an Erection is also rigging. Women deserve a free and fair Erection” Such is Fred’s awesome sense of humour.
He was also a notorious womaniser on campus. He was rumoured to have dated two friends in the Faculty of Arts and this later resulted in an open fracas in the terrace of our lecture theatre when the two ladies fought and stripped each other. I had such a revulsion for the persona of Fred but strangely, I found myself doing a revision of my opinions about him. I didn’t know what came over me.
As if Fred was reading my mind, he too, was inching closer with regular messages. Then,
One afternoon, precisely November 18, he sent me an invite: “Clara, what about dinner tonight @ Real Taste Kitchen?”
It was an irresistible offer, an opportunity to unwind and refresh after the drudgery of our final degree examinations. I accepted the offer. While I stayed on the campus, he lived in a rented one room self-contained apartment in town. I took a cab to Real Taste Kitchen popularly known as RTK. I met Fred lounging at the well varnished foyer of the high brow restaurant. It was my first time ever. I had always thought that RTK was meant for the rich. The prosperous atmosphere said it all. A waitress took our order. And we both settled for barbecue fish and potato chips. For his drink, Fred gulped two bottles of stout and I, two 33CL of Smirnoff ice. While he was stable and wanted more beer, I was woozy and needed sleep. He led me out of the eatery and we took a cab to his house. I was too tipsy to remember that I needed to return to the campus.
I knew that I had fallen prey to Fred’s pranks and plans. I was not only tipsy but I was also horny. He read my mood and moved into action. He undressed me and began to fondle my breasts while kissing me passionately. I was embarrassingly wet. He didn’t need much foreplay before diving into my pussy. His thrusts were slow and steady but I wanted it fast and frenetic. ” Faster please ” I whimpered, holding firmly to his twitchy waist. I woke up the following morning, feeling sapped and shy. Fred cheered me up with more kisses and another round of sex.
We left the campus four weeks later, after perfecting our clearance certificates.
Our relationship continued with a renewed vigour. Especially since we live in the same town. He dotted on me so much. Though I suspected that he was seeing other ladies. There was a day I stumbled on nude pictures of a lady in his phone. I shrugged it off. I love him.
The lockdown was a boost for our budding love affairs. I visited him every other day. No visit without sex. He has an incredible appetite for it. I can’t deny the pleasure as well.
Two months into the lockdown I missed my period. I was bewildered. How did it happen? When it comes to contraceptives, I don’t let down my guard. I didn’t know what happened. I informed Fred. He promised to get back to me on what to do.
The next day, his phone was switched off. And he was unreachable. I went to his house, I was told that he travelled. He was actually staying with his maternal grandmother, a very old woman. His parents were in the city. I had never met them before. Neither did I have their contacts. One of his neighbours told me that Fred had temporarily moved into another lady’s apartment in the outskirts of the town. She didn’t know the exact location.
I waited for three weeks, confused, befuddled and totally wrecked. My mum and dad got to know about the pregnancy. I was ashamed to let them know that Fred had absconded. But I told them everything.
My parents were unusually sympathetic and very supportive. Abortion was ruled out.
I wept every night especially when I remembered how gullible I was. I should have known that Fred was a Playboy.
Exactly six weeks after Fred’s disappearance, I sent him a message through Facebook messenger.
My dear Fred,
I hope all is well with you. I have been worried, very worried about my inability to reach you.
In case you get this message, I want you to know that the pregnancy has been terminated. I’m now free and relieved, looking forward to my NYSC call up.
Please darling, it will be nice if you can come over to our place and apologise to my parents. They love you. I actually told them you travelled to Ghana.
I have missed you so much. I miss your touch. I miss the real thing. I want to feel you again.
Your sweetheart
Clara
It was a magic mail or call it a masterstroke. Two hours after I sent the message, Fred called me on the phone. With his same number that had been unreachable for five weeks. Hmmmm. He apologised for his misbehaviour and promised to see me the next day.
I suggested that he should call my dad and apologise too. He agreed.
I quickly ran to dad. I briefed him. We rehearsed the line of questions to ask in case Fred calls. Also, we set his phone in record mode.
Fred called dad and their conversation was intriguing.
Fred: Hello sir. I’m Fred, Clara’s fiancé. Good afternoon sir.
Dad: You are who?
Fred: I’m Fred sir, your daughters friend
Dad: Oh you are the one who impregnated her and ran away
Fred: Yes sir, hmm No sir. I did not run sir. I was afraid. I’m sorry sir
Dad: So, why are you calling me now?
Fred: To apologise sir and to thank you for the support you gave her. She told me that the pregnancy has been aborted. Thank you sir
Dad: I hope you won’t come around tomorrow and be making troubles that we aborted your baby?
Fred: No sir. I can’t. It was my idea to carry out the abortion. I support it fully sir.
Dad: You agree that abortion is your idea and that you won’t turn around to make troubles that someone aborted your child?
Fred: Yes sir. It’s my idea. We will have children when we are ready sir. Thank you sir.
Dad: OK. Have a nice day.
Fred. Thank you sir
Dad took the recorded conversation to the police station. Fred was arrested at home the following morning and was charged for attempted murder! Face to face with incriminating evidence, he broke down and wept. He sent for his parents. Fred’s dad, a complete gentleman, begged my parents and promised to take care of the pregnancy.
Fred interjected his dad “But I was told that the pregnancy has been aborted”
My Dad replied him ” We didn’t abort the pregnancy, Fred. Clara is fine, your baby is kicking “
The police advised that we go home and settle the matter amicably.
Fred and his parents followed my parents to our house. They met me in the living room. Fred stared at me intensely, looking at my belly. At the end of the day, the two families resolved to formalise the relationship. We fixed a date for the introduction ceremony already. Despite everything that happened I’m convinced that I still love Fred. But does he really love me?
