LOVE AFFAIRS

Part I

When you have everything, what could you possibly desire?

His Royal Majesty, Pierre Paul Abutu Ph.D (Honoris Causa), JP, the current Attah of Igala and a native of Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria, is my name. This is my story, and these are my love affairs.

I was born more than thirty years ago to the immediate past Attah of Igala, and my late father, Dr Peter Ilemonan Abutu. I was his only son among eight children. Being the only son of a billonaire international businessman, shipping magnate, agro-exporter, solid mineral exporter and realtor, had its perks. As early as I can remember, I was sent off with my mother, Lady Grace Ojochide Abutu (my father's second wife), to live in Switzerland.

I grew up living in a milk-coloured seven bedroom mansion, with a gum-cum-dojo, mini-cinema, suspended vegetable garden and swimming pool. When I became a teenager I later understood that that my mother had some marital issues with my father, before opting to live in Switzerland. She handled some of my father's business activities and called him thrice a week.

Many might think I sound weird for telling these love stories / affairs of mine. Even though my father was a polygamist with three wives and eight children ended up with only one wife, not because

I love her deeply, wanted to obey the Holy Bible or loved women a lot, but because it was the right thing to do. I won't deny the fact that there had been immense pressure from countless subjects of mine, including my elder sisters to outdo my late father.

While in Berne, Switzerland, I never lacked for anything, and I could describe my mother as one over-protective lady. Apart from ensuring that that I had the best of everything, and was raised 'in the way of the Lord', my mother went to great lengths to make sure I had little or no association, friendship or acquaintance with the opposite sex while I was in Switzerland.

Few weeks to my eighteenth birthday, there was a global summit of world leaders somewhere in Davos. My father was in the entourage of the Nigerian President, as the representative of traditional rulers in Nigeria. The entire summit went on smoothly until I went to the convenience to urinate. A young married Swiss lady, who I believed was not up to thirty five years old entered and locked the main door to the convenience,. She was five feet, nine inches tall with blonde hair she packed in a bun atop her head. She wore a pretty knee-length navy blue gown with platinum encrusted necklaces, ear rings and bangles. Her body was curved like a Coca Cola bottle, while her well-shaped breasts protruded slightly from the upper part of her gown. Her nails were beautifully done, while her entire skin was spotless. She had dark eyes and her from her physique, I knew she would have been visiting a gym at least twice a week.

According to her, she had been watching me all evening and could not take her eyes of me while attending to the world leaders. Before I could respond, she placed her writing pad and pen beside the granite holding several wash hand basins and undid her zip. My countenance remained unchanged as her gown fell on her pair of black suede shoes and around her heels.

"What's your name, Madam", I whispered, while looking away from her white brassiere and panties.

"Marilyn", she responded.

"Tell you what Marilyn, you're beautiful, sexy and fit for a woman, but I don't do married ladies, okay?"

"But, I like you, your charm, your physique, please... just a quickie, I beg of you..."

"Please put on your dress Madam Marilyn, I've heard enough", I looked away as she reluctantly pulled up her gown and dressed up as if nothing happened.

"When you get home this night, sit with your husband, tell him what you need, tell him what you want and tell him where he is lacking towards you, okay?"

"Okay Pierre Abut, I'll do that... I'm grateful".

I made for the door, and gripped the door knob with my right hand when she picked up her writing pad and pen and walked towards me. She embraced me before I could refuse, kissed my left cheek and dropped her complimentary card in the chest pocket of my suit.

"Call me", Marilyn whispered and was gone.

I never called her, but I kept the card nonetheless. That was the first time I'd beheld a naked woman. Funny, enough, I felt nothing, and the memory still amuses me. I believed she had the talk with her husband as I recommended. The only time I remembered the colour and design of Marilyn's brassiere and panties was when I followed my mother to several fancy shops to buy underwear.

The years went by and I finished my elementary school and high school education in Berne and Zurich. Though I spent most of my holidays assisting my mum in attending to my father's business concerns, the thoughts of love, emotions, female companionship and erotic desires always crept into my brain. Several weeks after the completion of my high school education my mother informed me that I would be returning to Nigeria for my tertiary education. Although I had mixed feelings, I knew I had no choice in the matter. Be that as it may, it would definitely be fun to see my fatherland again.

Two months later, while driving towards the Zurich airport, my mum made me realize that it was necessary I familiarize with my roots and country since I was the first (and only) son of my father, and future heir to the Igala throne.

The thought of being a traditional ruler bored me, and I always reminded myself thereafter, of how bad my French was. The language was dull and commanded no excitement as far as I was concerned. I smiled whenever I think of the countless sex education lessons my mum gave me while in High School. She always had this crazy mortal fear of how horrible my life and future would be if I had a child out of wedlock.

Few weeks later, I arrived at the Namdi Azikiwe International Airport, in Abuja. Before going to see my father at his palace in Idah, Kogi State, I paid the Swiss Ambassador a visit at the Swiss Embassy, situate at Maitama, in Abuja.

The weeks that followed saw me visiting my seven sisters (most of whom were married). They all inquired whether I had a girlfriend in the course of my respective chit-chats with them. After giving a negative answer, each of them would smile and subsequently inquire about how my mum was faring back in Switzerland. Later, I purchased a form and registered for my external examinations. I subsequently sat for these external examinations and passed them in flying colours.

Thereafter, my father insisted that it was best for me to broaden my 'social horizons'. In doing this, he had me purchase a form from Igbinedion University Okada, for the 2008/2009 academic session. I didn't oppose my father's decision, and I felt good about his choice in that regard. Later, I sat for and passed the entrance examinations, and was subsequently admitted to study law at the Igbinedion University Okada, in September, 2008.

My mum was ecstatic about the news of my admission when I informed her about it. I still remember how she screamed happily, sang and danced for almost five minutes before we resumed our conversation.

She giggled and later informed me that her first love was the current Vice Chancellor of the institution (Igbinedion University Okada).

So, why did you leave him, hope it wasn't because he wasn't an Igala man?" I inquired.

"You won't understand,, my beloved Pierre", she replied with a sigh.

"Come on, tell me... I promise I won't tell Dad". I imagined her pouting and frowning at the other end, due to my last statement answer.

"Well, his mum was a tribalist... and I was royalty. Though I love him, his mother would never allow us be together. He was a mummy's boy, so we had to go our separate ways".

"Till you met dad..."

"Yes, till I met your father..."

She giggled for several seconds and later instructed me to inform her whenever I'll be resuming school at the university. After the call ended, I suddenly remembered how much I missed the chocolates in Berne and Zurich. Although she never told me how much she spent, I knew my mother had spent a fortune in getting a Wing Chun Master from China, down to Switzerland, to teach me Wing Chun while I was nine years old.

I tried not to imagine my father's reaction to such expense, even though he hated the thought of his only son becoming or behaving like a 'pussy'. Thereafter I was fit, hardened and fearless by the skills and techniques the old Chinese man taught me while I was in Switzerland. T

Currently, I knew the spacious gym-cum-dojo back in the Berne mansion would be covered in dust. I still remember how my mum's maids covered the Wing Chun dummy, weapons, training objects and fitness instruments with dust covers.

After I left my father (the Attah of Igala's) palace, I soon realised one thing: FREEDOM. Freedom from my mum, freedom from my father, freedom from my mum's workers, maids and bodyguards, freedom from my father's aides, counsellors and bodyguards. 'I was finally free, I told myself silently and repeatedly. My father had no idea how happy I was that fateful morning as he blessed and prayed for me in Igala dialect, in his palace, before my departure.

The first and third wives were present with some of my sisters. There were several chiefs, aides, guards and countless assistants present during the entire 'ceremony'. The night before then, I had made it clear that I wanted to, and would live a simple life on the school campus for the next five years.

"But you're royalty... or have you forgotten?" my father questioned, looking amused.

"I haven't forgotten, but I also remember that it is knowledge I am going to acquire".

My father stared at me with suspicion as he waved his horsetail before his face.

"Is it your mum that advised you to do this?"

"Mum? No... why, no, no, no. It's just my personal decisions. The less people over there know about my identity, the better for me".

My father saw some sense in my 'position', and eventually concurred with me. On the day of my departure, I was ferried in my father's black luxury Mercedes Benz van to Edo State, en route to Okada town. I was amused when a black Toyota Hilux truck followed the van closely from behind. The Toyota Hilux truck contained ex-military personnel in plain clothes. The men were armed, and had their faces shielded with dark sunshades. That fateful day in September, 2008, I journeyed to Igbinedion University Okada, to become an undergraduate student at the Oba Erediauwa College of Law.

It was safe to say that everything went smoothly in the University from the onset. The registration, hostel allocation and orientation process all went smoothly. I made sure my father's aides and goons did not accompany me around like a typical political office holder in Nigeria.

Anyway, Igbinedion University is made up of three parts / campuses. The first part / campus is described as the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate contains the hostels , the staff and living quarters, an open museum, the fish pond, the theatre, the guest houses, the football field, volleyball court, the eateries, sporting facilities, the religious buildings, recreational and non-academic offices, buildings and edifices.

The second part / campus is known as the Permanent Site (a.k.a. 'P.S.'). Most of the University's academic offices and buildings are located in the Permanent Site (including the Oba Erediuawa College of Law). Two banks (Zenith bank and Intercontinental bank) had their branches here too. Intercontinental bank was later acquired by Access Bank Plc., but that is by the way.

The Permanent Site also contained the convocation hall, the central library, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) funded library, the Senate building and most of the Colleges / Faculties.

The third part / campus is known as the Temporary Site (a.k.a. 'T.S.'). It contained the College of Health Sciences, the teaching hospital, several academic buildings and a bank – Sterling bank.

My party soon departed for the Attah of Igala's palace after I'd completed my registration and settled down in the school. They were boys, girls, men and women from diverse backgrounds in my college. My mum's warning and counsel kept ringing in my ears whenever I thought of talking to or approaching a girl. Sometimes, I felt my dopamine levels were low or were not yet alive / active. I soon realized that I easily befriended and trusted the opposite sex more the boys (guys).

Although I'd been a lone wolf from childhood, I knew I couldn't afford to enter adulthood without acquainting myself with 'certain things'. I can still remember the names of some girls back then in my Year One (100 level) – Linda, Seghosime, Doyin, Precious, Timi, Emem, Aanu, Paula, Maryam, Halimat, Ore, and Timi. They were a host of several others whose names I can't remember. I saw all these girls (female course mates), as my 'sisters' and friends. Subsequently, I couldn't and did not develop any (intimate) feeling for any of them. Weird, you'd say. The months dragged on like an overfed snail, and I soon proceeded to Year 2 (200 level).

My 'adventure' began in my second year at the Oba Erediauwa College of Law, Igbinedion University Okada. I still remember with a smile how those Swiss girls always referred to me as 'Shiny Chocolate', in my nursery and elementary classes, back in Switzerland. I can also recollect how some of the blonde haired girls who would pass their fingers through my thick hair, or kiss my cheeks at random. All these usually occurred when we were alone on the playground, our class teacher was absent from the class.

I made few acquaintances with law students in higher levels when I was in Year 2 (200 Level). One of them was a male student called Eka. Eka was in Year 5 (500 Level) at that time, and was from the South-South part of Nigeria. Although I spoke with my mum frequently, I noticed that she no longer mentioned anything prohibiting my association with the opposite sex. My dad had had taught me to listen more and talk less, when I was preparing to resume at the University.

In the spirit of my father's counsel, I mastered the art of listening to people's speeches, comments and utterances and recalling them verbatim, even if I was talking to or with them. It wasn't long before I had learned from my male course mates that girls would only run to, flock around and even allow you to be intimate with them if you (the boy / man), had 'sufficient' money and was ready and willing to spend same on them.

I also remembered with amusement, how my mum accused my dad of not allowing me to take one of his cars with me to the University. This was because they were several students who owned and drove cars in my school. I maintained my simple lifestyle and warned my mum against her plan to ship an Alfa Romeo car to me during Easter of 2010. Back to my adventures with Eka; I wouldn't say that I regretted knowing him. He was dark like myself and was of average height. He possessed an amiable personality and a sort of happy-go-lucky attitude. It was after acquainting myself with Eka, that a new batch of First Year (100 Level) students were admitted into Igbinedion University Okada.

The new students arrived in all shapes, sizes, complexions and behaviours. In my College (Oba EREDIAUWA College of Law), they were also admitted in their hundreds, registered and given orientation like I was earlier given. I didn't pay any special attention to them. Also includes were the new students who joined us in Year 2 (200 Level). These new students were known as Direct Entry students, because they had a previous academic degree, before joining being admitted, hence they were not admitted through the JAMB/UTME process.

I never paid both sets any attention, until the end of their weeklong orientation programme. Eka reminded me of the party on a certain Friday evening which would finalize the orientation programme for the Year One (100 Level) students. I was made to understand that the said party would be held inside an open air theatre. Since I had nothing to lose and had ample free time on my hands, I agreed to follow Eka to the Freshers' party.

The DJ that night knew his onions and played the latest local and international dancehall and RnB songs when it was time for dancing. For me and Eka, we simply sat near a corner and watched the dancing students on the ground surface. Green and red light bulbs were hung in few places while the speakers boomed all around. Several male dances tried to grope some of the female students in the dim light, and were highly successful. Some girls preferred dancing alone, while many wriggled and twirled under the influence of the alcohol they'd been consuming.

The major thing that captured my interest was the tight, skimpy and colourful dresses many of the dancing girls wore. I was stretching my neck on my six foot frame to get a better view of the array of skimpy wears when Eka nudged me towards an angular section of the spectator seats.

"Go and talk to her..." Eka whispered to me with a mischievous smile.

"Talk to whom, that girl over there?" I pointed.

"Don't be shy now Pierre Paul, opportunity comes but once-" Eka giggled.

"What should I do when I meet her?"

"Just go and talk to her, Pierre Abutu, be a man, I'll wait here for you..."

"Okay, sure, I will". Saying this, I slowly rose to my feet and began to walk towards the lone damsel.

I could feel Eka smiling at me as he crossed his legs. I took a deep breath and stretched both hands before heading towards the lone girl. Step by step, I walked through the rows of spectator seats, while avoiding the food and snack wrappers, empty cans, red and white disposable cups, and empty bottles of alcoholic drinks.

"Hi, I'm Pierre Paul Abutu..."

"Hello", the young lady whispered, I'm Bussy "

"Why aren't you down there partying and dancing", I inquired while seating close to her.

"I'm not the dancing type", she replied with a smile.

I heard her giggle while I pulled out my GSM mobile phone out of my left trouser pocket. Bussy was not too tall, but what she lacked in height, she made up for it on her chest. She later informed me that one of her room mates had convinced her to come for the party, but was currently mingling with some boys elsewhere. God had given Bussy well-suited backside and flexible hips and waists.

"Can I have your phone number, please?"

"Sure. 080364...."

"So, uhm congrats on your admission once again. Six years to go I guess?"

"Yes, six years to become a medical doctor..."

"Although the lights weren't bright, I tried to picture Bussy's smooth chocolate-skinned face, and couldn't help recalling the sound of her soft voice and giggle.

"Alright, I'll keep in touch, Bussy".

I saved her contact and rose to my feet. Her body language informed me that she didn't want a male company to escort her back to her hostel that was nearby. Even though I knew I wasn't in Switzerland, I could swear that I almost took her right hand tenderly to kiss the top of it.

"Okay, Pierre Abutu, take care of you, bye". Bussy giggled again and adjusted her jacket. I could still recollect the wine-coloured gown she wore that fateful evening, while her hair had a weaves in it – deep brown in colour. The scent of her perfume was still hovering around my senses when I returned to sit beside Eka.

"So, how did it go?" Eka inquired with a wide grin.

"It went well. I was able to get her number, and she said she was not the dancing type".

Eka laughed for a while, and I still wondered why he never had a female companion till he graduated. Half an hour later, the crowd thinned and the 'dance floor' was gradually becoming scanty. I and Eka rose and headed for the exit. We literally had to force our way through several First Year (100 Level) students. Most of them were drunk, excited and spoke almost at the same time. One thing was apparent: they all possessed an unquantifiable amount of happiness.

I and Eka later stood in front of a shop which was built near the theatre. We continued staring at the female students that walked back and forth.

"Are you returning back to the Old Boys' Hostel right now? I asked Eka.

"Old Boys... yeah, soon". Eka's teeth held a cigarette between them and I shook my head at his smoking habit. His gaze was on the buttocks of a naïve-looking female student, who wore a leopard skin print gown. One look at her and I soon realized that she woe only a G-string, or no panties at all.

"How's your final year project going?" I asked Eka while he puffed on his cigarette.

"Project? Don't mind that lecturer... I mean supervisor. She just loves stressing me. Pray to get a good supervisor when you reach final year, my brother".

I smiled and turned to stare at the exit of the open air theatre, and the students milling around it. I was unable to locate Bussy among them. I made up my mind to call her the next day, and get to know her better. Eka finished his cigarette, and I soon remembered that the security personnel (Sheriff Deputies®) at my hostel locked the gates by 10 in the night. I and Eka walked away from the partying 1st year students and towards the tarred road. The sky was a bit bright, even though the moon wasn't a full one.

"October rush has started", Eka mumbled while looking at me with a large grin.

"What is October Rush?"

"You know, after the new students get admitted in September, the older students in 200 Level and upwards start 'grabbing' them in October. Since they're mostly novices, Daddies' girls and newly independent, they're easy to woo and seduce".

I marvelled at Eka's explanation, and began to possess some feelings of guilt due to Bussy's number I had collected some minutes ago..

"I guess you'd be working on your final year project tomorrow?"

"Yeah... project and sleeping I guess", Eka replied with a yawn.

"Try and go to church on Sunday".

"Church", Eka scoffed. "These are all students' fellowships, Pierre Abutu".

"Just make plans to go, all the same", I insisted. Eka smiled at me before placing his right hand in his right pocket.

"Remember to call your new catch".

"Sure, I will... good night".

Eka mumbled something and waved at me without looking back. The next day, I did call my new 'catch'. I t was some minutes past ten in the morning when I called Bussy. Her sweet south-western voice rang in my ears and head for several days afterwards.

"Hello Bussy, its Pierre Abutu speaking. You gave me your number on Friday evening at the 100 Level students welcome party".

"Oh yes, I remember, Pierre A-b-u-t-u..."

She giggled again.

"So, what's happening with you, Bussy?"

"I'm okay. I'm getting used to the new environment, new roommates, surroundings and atmosphere".

I remember that feeling too... last year.

Bussy paused a bit. I believed she was reclining on the chair or bed she had been on.

"You're in 200 Level, Pierre Paul?"

"Yes, at the Oba Erediauwa College of Law... hope there's no problem?"

"No, not all. It's just that I felt that you were in final year, 500 Level, you know".

"Do I look older than my age, Bussy?"

"No- "

"Ok, but can we meet this evening, f it would be convenient for you?"

"Hmm, okay Barrister".

I heard her giggling again, before we bade each other farewell. The time was almost six in the evening, when I walked out of my room and out of my hostel. Students were walking to and fro, and I was walking to meet Bussy.

I continued walking until I arrived at the entrance of the Old Girls Hostel. They were several huts adjacent to the entrance of the Old Girls Hostel. They were called huts even though were made of concrete, corrugated iron sheets and wood. They were circular in design, and had two passages. Each hut could comfortably sit up to twenty adults and contain twenty-five more standing.

I sat in an empty hut and waited for Bussy to arrive. I was wearing a blue casual cotton long-sleeved shirt and a pair of black trousers. I didn't fancy wearing wristwatches for any particular reason, even though my mum had purchased several Rado, Rolex and Omega wristwatches for me. The weather was cool, and the tree branches danced in the evening breeze. My feet felt free in the pair of black leather slippers I was wearing. It felt better than wearing black leather boots and cover shoes from Monday to Friday.

.I remember fumbling with my GSM Mobile phone for a couple of minutes before Bussy appeared in the distance. She wore a plain navy blue gown on a pair of white high-heeled flip-flops. Bussy's hair was tied behind her, and the faint mark of an old scar above her left eyebrow was visible.

Bussy had a unique style of walking. I had never seen another lady walk the way Bussy did. Her choice of perfumes and deodorants were simply out of this world.

"How are you, Bussy?" I rose to welcome her with a hug.

"I'm okay. Sorry, to have kept you waiting, Pierre".

We both sat down and I took my eyes off her breasts.

"No problem, it's okay. I was enjoying the evening breeze anyway".

She giggled and placed her small white bag beside her. Bussy looked into my eyes while she spoke. I was certain she did the same thing while we were in the open theatre, when I requested for her phone number.

"How're you enjoying the weekend?"

"Weekend is great. My roommates are relaxing, but one of them just went to RCF some minutes ago.

"What is RCF?"

"It stands for the Redeemed Christian Church of God, in the Igbinedion University Okada".

"That's great. Do you attend RCF too?"

"Well, I'm hoping to... but I won't be a worker. I don't think I will have time for that".

"Okay. I'm Pierre Paul Abutu. I'm a 200 Level law student and from Igala land in Kogi State".

Bussy giggled before talking.

"My name's Bussy... I'm I'm a 100Level medicine and surgery student. I'm from the South-western part of Nigeria and the first child of my parents... and...."

"And what?"

"Never mind".

"No, please tell me".

"Well, I've never had a boyfriend before".

"Come on, that shouldn't make you feel bad".

Bussy smiled and looked at a couple of vehicles that drove through the tarred road, which separated the huts from Bussy's hostel.

"I'm not feeling bad Pierre, it's just some personal things.

Did I forget to mention Bussy's perfect dentition? It blended perfectly with her chocolate skin. I noticed the slight air of sadness in Bussy's last statement, and wondered what the 'personal things' could be.

"I'm sorry, don't mind my mood change", Bussy said all of a sudden.

"Please tell me more about yourself. Your accent... there's something different about it. Is your mum a foreigner or a half caste?"

"No, both parents are Nigerians, but I spent the better part of my life in Switzerland".

"Oh, that's interesting".

We talked about several things and I soon discovered that Bussy was a year older than me. As a South westerner, I knew it would definitely bother her, but I said nothing more about it. She told me that her mother was a trader and fashion designer, while her father was a businessman. She had two younger brothers and a younger sister, and wasn't the eatery / restaurant-going type.

"So, do you have a girlfriend since you arrived in Nigeria, or since you gained admission into this University?"

"Girlfriend?"

"No, not at all".

"That's strange... a tall, dark, handsome guy like yourself does not have a girlfriend?"

"No, I don't, but do you have a boyfriend?"

Bussy giggled and adjusted her gown. She seemed a little coy at the last question I asked her.

"I don't have", she whispered. Thereafter, we joked and laughed, while I tried to look away from her chesty endowments.

"Do they sell refreshments around here?" I suddenly asked while looking around. It was getting dark, but I could still see her facial outline, with the aid of the hanging bulbs inside the hut.

"No, I don't think so".

"In that case, let's take a stroll towards the shop near the open theatre". I rose to my feet and picked up Bussy's small white bag. I watched her as she dusted her behind and adjusted her hair. I waited for her to walk out of the hut before following her behind. The scent of her perfume was taking over my senses, and it made me remember the fancy perfume stores and shops in Zurich.

I and Bussy noticed several male and female students who dotted the huts, volleyball and lawn tennis pitches. They were several more at the extreme end of the field, and I soon remembered what Eka had told me about 'October Rush'.

"Do you take alcohol?" Bussy whispered as she tried to keep up with my walking pace.

"No, I don't... I don't like the taste of beer, whiskey and spirits".

We both giggled as Bussy balanced the sling of her small white bag on her left shoulder. My eyes were on her lips intermittently. And I felt an urge to kiss her at that moment. We arrived at the shop close to the open theatre where I bought her a can of Sprite soda. There were white lights around the shop and Bussy's lips seemed shinier, more appealing and tempting than they were when viewed with the natural evening light.

"Okay, wait... please give him a can of Mountain Dew", Bussy instructed the shop attendant. I was shocked at that moment, because it was only my mum who knew I loved Mountain Dew.

"How did you know that I loved Mountain Dew?"

"I didn't. Since you detest alcohol, and did not ask for two cans of Sprite, I guessed Mountain Dew would be your choice".

A gentle breeze blew around us. The next second, I silently appreciated God's creativity on Bussy's body, as her natural frame and physique became more visible. The breeze moved swiftly all around us and I could clearly see the curves on Bussy's body. She looked so cute and portable at that moment.

"It's getting late, Pierre". Bussy's voice snapped me out of my reverie, as we walked towards the hut.

"You want to return to your hostel?" I asked Bussy while taking a small amount of the canned Mountain Dew I was holding.

"No, I want to go to your own hostel", she responded with a mischievous wink. I finished my drink and flung the empty can into a steel waste disposal container. I held Bussy's left hand with my right hand and looked into her eyes.

"I want to be more than a friend to you Bussy, because I know and feel you are special..."

"You want me to be your girlfriend?" Bussy whispered before finishing her can of Sprite.

"Yes, if you see it that way".

"I'm not perfect for you, Pierre, in fact I feel you should have someone better as a girlfriend or lover".

Is this connected in any way to the 'personal things' you earlier mentioned?" I could feel the sadness returning to Bussy's voice, as she clutched her small white bag.

"Please come this way". Bussy whispered and led me to to the trunk of a large tree, away from earshot. They were more male and female students all over the whole place. Some of them sat and talked, some cuddled in the dark places, while some strolled in slow, lazy steps.

"Pierre... I was molested when I was much younger. A man whose name and face I've been unable to forget, forced himself on me when I was barely thirteen".

Bussy's face became wet while I heard her voice crack. I pulled her close and embraced her while several vehicles sped on the tarred road which separated us from the Old Girls Hostel. The scent from the oil Bussy applied to her hair, coupled with her perfume, sent me to another planet. I released myself from her grip and wiped her tears with my handkerchief.

"It's okay Bussy. That won't change the way I feel about you, okay?"

"Okay Pierre". Bussy sniffled and adjusted her plain navy blue gown. We crossed the tarred road and walked towards the gate of Bussy's hostel. We were about twenty metres to the hostel gate when Bussy abruptly stopped.

"Thank you so much, Pierre. Those words you spoke really meant a lot to me".

"It does alright... see you in fellowship tomorrow".

"You're the first person I've ever told about it".

"RCF right... I'll be there by 8am tomorrow, because of you".

"That'd be nice Pierre".

"I'll see you at the exit after closure".

Suddenly, Bussy kissed my left cheek, squeezed my right hand before turning around.

"Bye", she whispered and continued briskly towards her hostel.

Her scent hovered around me for a minute while I felt the spot where she'd kissed me on my left cheek. Five minutes later, I was walking back to my hostel and thinking of Bussy's physique and lips.

"Bussy", I whispered her name an hour later in my room, before falling asleep.

* * *

A few weeks later, I surprised Bussy just as she was coming out of her lecture hall. She and her course mates had just finished their last lecture for the day and I guessed she was tired, exhausted and hungry. I stared at her in the distance while dialling my GSM mobile phone. I saw a flicker of excitement on her face as she stared at the screen of her mobile phone. She held her bag and started walking towards the end of the block which housed her lecture hall.

"How are you dear?"

"I'm cool baby", I embraced her and inhaled the sweetness of her skin.

"I got something for you, B".

"What is it, Pierre?"

"Do me a favour... open it when you get to your room".

"Aww, Pierre, please give me a clue", she pleaded.

"One hundred..." I said with a smile.

Bussy came closer and flung her arms around me. She looked into my eyes and inhaled deeply while pouting.

"I love you", we said at the same time. We broke into a bout of laughter before she buried her face on my chest. She kissed my lips tenderly and whispered, 'I love you'.

"Will I see you again this evening?"

"Pierre, shouldn't we go slow and steady?"

"Is that what you want B?" I handed over the wrapped cellophane to her while staring at her lips.

"I wanna kiss you under the moonlight, Pierre".

"Hmm, are you serious?"

Bussy nodded slowly with a smile on her face. For a moment, imagined my um's reaction if she were to be present.

"Hope you're hearing from your mum?" Bussy asked while returning her mobile phone into her handbag.

"Yeah, I do. But since the time zones are different, we both agree on when would be convenient for us to chat".

"She must be very fond of you then... "

"Fond of? She's one hell of a mama".

"Come closer", Bussy whispered.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling a little alarmed.

"n the lecture hall, in the café, on the road, inside the bus and while returning to the hostel... you gotta look cute and sharp".

"Well, that's true..." I mumbled.

Bussy fumbled with my necktie, adjusted the knot, before smoothening the lapels of my suit.

"The makers of James Bond should really consider a six foot, chocolate skinned cutie with athletic physique like yours for the next James Bond". Bussy said with a wink.