… by Ruth Aluko
She sat quietly on her bed, deep in thought. Her worried expression and unusual posture would lead one to believe she was grappling with a significant issue. Sarah was concerned. It had been a week since Emerald had last called or messaged her after their conversation at his apartment, where he had asked her for sex. She had immediately declined, as she had sworn to her parents to remain chaste until her wedding night. But since arriving at the University, no man had asked her out. Her roommates had criticised her for her modest dressing and behaviour, so she had considered shedding that part of herself. Now, in the second semester, she was dating a wealthy guy who lived off-campus and was in his third year of school. He had taken her shopping and to the cinema, and after just a month, he was already asking for sex.
Changing her mind about having sex with Emerald seemed as challenging as changing her dressing and behaviour. She sighed, feeling lost and unsure of what to do. On one hand, there was Emerald, whom she was starting to have feelings for, and on the other hand, there were her beliefs and her parents’ trust in her.
Her roommate, Joy, walked over and tapped her on the shoulder. “Sarah,” Joy called, tapping Sarah until she responded. “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been absent-minded for a while now.”
Sarah sighed. Joy was still her closest roommate and friend among the ten ladies in the room. “Joy, I have a small problem,” Sarah explained, looking nervous.
Joy moved closer to Sarah and leaned in, giving her undivided attention. “Tell me, maybe I can help.”
Sarah bit her lip, nodded, and said, “Emerald hasn’t called me or answered my calls since a week ago.”
Joy frowned, asking, “Why?”
“He asked… Emerald asked me for sex,” Sarah said, her voice trailing off into a whisper.
Joy looked speechless and asked in surprise, “Are you… are you a virgin?”
Sarah nodded, looking scared.
…to be continued next week