The Unjust Misrepresentation of Tara

Written by Obi Difu @Obiokoroa4

Tale 1: AWAKENING

Tara was never the romantic type. She spent her life trying to understand the concept of romance and why other girls made so much fuss about it. Especially since her best friend Eka promised her that whenever she met the 'right guy' she would know the true meaning of romance.

To Tara, the right guy was a myth, like unicorns, dragons and tantric (tantrum) orgasm. She was not sure she would ever see any of those in her life and it isn't for lack of trying. She tried, tried and tried hard to find out if her perception of things were wrong. And in return she got branded.

Her first shot ever at a relationship was Gbenga. Nice guy but Eka forced him on her. He said all the right things, well according to Eka- she wouldn't know the right thing if it was a bed and pillow and she laid on it.

"Hello beautiful"

He said to her trying to be a sly twenty year old. She was seventeen at the time. They attended the same University, and he was a 'senior'. He told her sweet words which she couldn't recall but repeating them to Eka, she could hear Eka moan unintentionally at the words. She looked at Eka like she was crazy, shrugged and continued her studies.

Gbenga will continue on her case for a year.  After a year and continuous pestering from Eka, Tara decided to give him a chance. She agreed to meet him at night under the school 'hook up' area - a garden behind the school library a little farther from the teacher's offices and the house master's quarters.

It was valentine; she forgot, but she could care less. Some minutes ago she was arguing about how pointless it was to invest your life into watching soap operas like "Secrets of the waters". And now here she was, in some garden, a guy with a box of chocolate and some flowers, telling her he wants her to be his girlfriend.

"I have been on you for a year now. I cannot tell you how badly I want you to be mine"

"But what is the point Gbenga? We won't end up together. You would end up with some Yoruba girl and I would resent you and her for it"

"But babe, I am different. I would never allow stuff like traditions take you away from me. You are the only one for me"

Tara could swear Eka was hiding by the bushes, because her voice was as clear as a whisper in her ears to give Gbenga a chance. She almost said "Shut it" when she realized it was all in her head. Eka had found a way to imbibe her thoughts in Tara's mind. Such that even when she wasn't there, she could tell Eka's reaction.

"You know what, yes, let’s give this a try" She said with a failed attempt at a seductive smile.

Gbenga was ecstatic; he rushed and hugged her like he had won the noble peace price. She accepted the gift and allowed Gbenga give her a peck on her cheek, after much appeal. She held hands with him as he acted like a gentleman, walking her back to her hostel. She slept with a smile that night; she could almost feel something different. That was probably the last gentlemanly thing she recalled Gbenga doing.

"O my! You this Tara, so you are just a pretender?"

Tara woke up uncertain what was biting Eka this morning. She was a bit used to Eka's little drama sessions, but this one today, was different. It was almost like Eka felt betrayed, she could see it in Eka's face. It wasn't the cute kind of betrayal like when Eka envied Tara's result, this was worse.

"Good morning to you too Eka"

"What is good about the morning Tara? See I thought we were best friends, I thought you tell me everything?"

Eka was panting uncontrollably. Tara felt it was probably the chocolates. Eka was a fan, she even kept the box for her, but when she got back Eka was out with her boyfriend Phil, who was Gbenga's best friend. Tara slowly moved to the box by the side of her top bunk bed and slipped out the chocolate from the box, gesturing to Eka to come get it. Eka smacked it off her hands.

"What the hell Eka?!"

"What have you done Tara?! How could you do this to me?!"

"Eka you have to tell me the problem before I can give you an honest answer as to what is going on?"

"How could you trade your virginity for a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates?!"

To be continued…