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 active. I soon realized that I easily befriended and trusted the opposite sex more than the 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. There were a host of several others whose names I can’t remember. I saw all these female coursemates as my ‘sisters’ and friends. Subsequently, I couldn’t and did not develop any intimate feelings 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 would pass their fingers through my thick hair or kiss my cheeks at random. 

All this usually occurred when we were alone on the playground or our class teacher was absent from the class.

I made few acquaintances with law students at 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 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 coursemates that girls would only run to, flock around and even allow you to be intimate with them if you (the guy) had ‘sufficient’ money and were ready and willing to spend the 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 in 2010. 

Back to my adventures with Eka, I wouldn’t say that I regretted knowing him. He was dark like me 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 the 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 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. Eka and I simply sat near a corner and watched the dancing students on the ground surface. Green and red light bulbs were hung in a few places while the speakers boomed all around. Several male dancers 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 i******* 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 wear 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…”