Meet Roni

Chapter 4 - Letting loose

It was Friday, Sapphy’s best day of the week. It was a free lecture day in her department. Normally, she would wait till evening before she went home for the weekend but she let herself be persuaded by her friends and neighbors to hang out with them. It wasn’t a crime to let fun in occasionally.

Most people in her department did not want to hear that any lecturer had fixed a time on their supposed free day to assemble a class for any reason.

So yesterday, Thursday, immediately after class. Most students went home to their respective lodges to pack up for the three-day weekend. The majority traveled to see their lovers within or outside the state, few stayed back for outings and parties while the remaining all-gooders like her either went home or stayed back to read or attend church fellowship.

But today, Sapphy was dropping the all-gooders card. At least when she had kids, she should be able to tell them stories about her experience in school and life. She didn’t want to be a boring mom. No offense to her former comrades.

Regardless of that, she wasn’t going to let herself be too loose. She would have a limit to everything. Like her timing outside, the drinks she would have, and the number of glasses she’ll take, her dressing wasn’t going to be too slutty no matter the peer pressure. She was all for the fun but did not want too much of it.

Tonight, was a game night in her compound on the left-wing downstairs in room 18. The boys had already gone around to ask interested participants to collect some cash for hot drinks. 'No soft drinks' was a rule. If you didn’t have the stomach for it, you sit back in your room. And no funny business, or judgment. If the game becomes too much for you, you can leave whenever you want or after a round. But you can’t leave when it’s your turn to play a game, it is after you play that you can leave or excuse yourself. And if you’re interested in rejoining, you’ll have to wait for the next round or the next game to rejoin.

Sapphire knew these rules because her friends were active players whenever they were around. So, both Debbie and Mercy always tried to convince her with reinforcement from their neighbors to at least witness the game, at other times they tried to convince her to play just one if she didn’t like it, she could leave anytime after. Another guy offered to down her shots if she failed a game in case she was scared to drink.

Sapphire was very much excited for tonight’s experience. Some of her male neighbors heard she was coming and had begun to give her V.I.P. treatment from the stairs to the supposed game room 18. Inside the room, she was slightly uncomfortable with the way they tried to make her comfortable as she sat between her friends. 'As if she was signing off her soul in a contract' She threw the joke out half-nervously and everyone laughed and reduced the egg-like conduct towards her. She began to relax and noticed the faces in the room.

The owner had taken most of his things out of the room to provide more space but it was not still enough for the crowd, as residents and visitors stood in the kitchen, the entrance, and by the windows to play the game. Soon the air will become stuffy due to the exchange of breaths and sweat. Sapphire made a mental note to leave when it became that way.

The first game was a whot game; the highest number out. The first two people with the highest number would leave before the game would continue. Two packs of whot cards had to be used and after shuffling, only one card was shared with each player for the elimination to become faster. Later as players reduced the cards were shuffled and the sharing increased to two pieces per player and more. After most people had been eliminated and there was breathing space in the room. The door was closed and the Lights were dulled. Sapphire noticed that Mudia was among the last set of people to come in before the door was shut.

Two weeks after his arrival, he was already tagged amongst the hottest guys in the lodge. According to the gossip, he was friendly, funny, and bold and did she mention ... handsome, hot? Ugh! It was tiring and boring to hear.

Mudia adjusted himself on the floor and looked around, when he saw her already staring at him, he winked and she returned one. Most occupants noticed their exchange and began to perform immature catcalls, hails, and whistles. Sapphire noticed the girl beside him laughing along with them dishearteningly as she curled his arms with hers. Sapphire raised her brows and smiled at the stance before shaking her head and focusing on the next game.

“Hey! You’re cheating stop! You’re not supposed to show your card to him. You’re out!” Debbie was very drunk now and was screaming at the girl beside Mudia.

She, Mercy, and some other drunk players had been distracting and accusing anyone they labeled suspicious.

Later that night, she had to drag Mercy and Debbie to her room with a little help from Mudia because they both had left their keys in her room. They sang up and harassed almost anyone they met with their songs and noises.

Mudia had tried so hard to hide his drunken state from them but most especially from Debbie. Immediately they both dropped the pair on the bed, his body trembled and she had to help Mudia to his room. At least his keys were in his pocket. Sapphire had to escort herself back to her room, it took a while before she dosed off.