The following morning, Boma stayed seated on her bed, ready for class but unable to find the courage to leave. The fear from the previous day's events weighed heavily on her, paralyzing her with anxiety.Hilda had already left for her class, their different timetables separating them as they pursued different degrees.The memories of the threats and bullying she endured on the bush path made her heart race wildly. Each time it happened, her courage to move forward would falter, starting with the simple act of leaving the hostel.Opting to skip class, she lay back on her bunk bed, arms folded, staring at the ceiling, longing to be anywhere but here. She wished she could afford to leave the campus, but her financial situation made it an impossible dream.Boma's heavy thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She saw it was Fidelis, her study buddy, who had been absent for a while due to a bout of malaria that sent him home."Hi, Fidelis," she greeted."I don't see y
Boma spent a restless evening, overwhelmed with anxiety in her hostel. Lying on her bed, her thoughts were consumed with worry.Since being forced to separate from Fidelis, she hadn't heard a word from him. Her numerous calls went unanswered, and he never returned them. The messages she left on his phone also remained without a response.Her concern for Fidelis's safety fueled her relentless attempts to reach him. She was desperate to know if he was alright, especially given how dangerous Donovan was.Regretting that she didn't know enough about Fidelis to find out where he lived, she decided to check the library, but he wasn't there. She had hoped to see him during their evening class, but he was absent.Anger surged through her as she imagined Donovan doing something bad to Fidelis. She hoped it wasn't true. Surely, he wouldn't hurt his cousin. Yet, the possibility that Donovan might not care about harming Fidelis infuriated her.In frustration, she called Hilda, who was staying with
After crying her eyes out, she managed to get control of herself as her phone rang with a call from Hilda."Hi." She responded, fighting to make her voice steady."I'm back at the hostel. Where are you?""Do...Donovan..." She sniffled, unable to continue."Are you okay? You sound troubled." Hilda's voice was laced with panic. "What about Donovan?""I'm- I went to his place and now he-" she began with a rush.Hilda urged her to take a deep breath, and try to calm down before explaining.Boma managed to follow her advice and explained her current plight.“Why would you go there?” Hilda was angry. “You know how he is. Gosh. That was reckless of you.”“I was worried about Fidelis.”“The guy is his cousin. Donovan is unlikely to kill him. What were you thinking?”“I just didn’t like not knowing where he was.” She whined.“Oh God.”Boma cried softly. Hilda softened up, feeling sorry for her."I'm sorry, but you need to be strong and stop crying or you will break down completely. Keep your co
Boma successfully reached the main gate and exited without encountering Phillip. Outside, she quickly took a cab headed for the campus. On her way, she noticed Phillip driving toward the direction of the estate. She turned her face away to avoid him getting a glimpse of her. Once she reached the campus and entered a shuttle inside, her phone started ringing with a number she could not recognize. She wanted to receive the call but the shuttle began to move and she could not receive the call because it became quite noisy with the noise coming from the engine. The phone stopped ringing but then the caller was calling again. She waited until the shuttle dropped her outside the library. Then she received the call. "Hello." She said, moving to a corner and hiding behind a pillar. She was afraid of being sighted by anyone that might tell Donovan about her whereabouts. "This is Phillip. Where are you?" "I'm- I'm-" she searched for what to say. "I went for a walk." "But you know I was o
Phillip immediately recognized him. Both guys stared at each other for a few seconds. Then Phillip looked her way and she took the phone away from her ear.He looked back at Fidelis, who maintained the phone at his ear, and walked towards his car.Phillip immediately turned and returned to the car, slipping into the driver's seat."What is it?" She asked, her heart pounding with anxiety, because she already knew the reason for his actions. And that reason did not bode well for her."I have to tell Donovan I just saw his cousin."She could not hide her panic, especially after hearing his intentions."You don't have to, please." She pleaded, hoping to dissuade him."Why were you lying? Wasn't he the person you came to see?""What are you talking about?" she still tried to feign ignorance."Donovan's cousin. Stop playing." Phillip wasn’t buying it."Please, don't tell Donovan.” She begged. “Fidelis just wanted to say goodbye. Please? I don't want any trouble."He took a deep breath and si
Days passed, and along with them, Boma's routine as Donovan's girlfriend for the time being. She spent the next three days in the hostel with Donovan picking and dropping her off at times. She attended classes regularly and had no trouble with the bullies in her class. She sat on her hostel bed on a lecture-free day, reading a novel but she was distracted by memories of her immediate past. She recalled her encounter with the three girls. Upon accosting her in the restroom one afternoon where they prepared to cut her hair, one of them accidentally saw her ring and called her friends' attention to it. Shocked, they backed off and she could not remember them bothering her again. Afterward, she often caught them staring at her in class as they whispered among themselves. Sometimes she felt like they were planning something bad against her. But since they didn't bother her, she told herself it was just paranoia. She had found peace and wished she could get her peace without Donovan bein
Threatened by Donovan's message, Boma buried her head in her book for about ten minutes.A Christian student rose and apologized to everyone for interrupting their reading. He urged them to bow their heads in prayer after quoting scripture that said -it is not by might or by power but by the spirit says the Lord. Then he urged everyone to depend on God to pass their tests and exams.Some students told him to shut up while others listened to him. Hilda bluntly told him that without reading, one would fail whether they prayed or not. She said God did not work that way. He would help but you had to be willing to do the work.The student agreed that she was correct. He also told her that he didn't want any trouble. He just needed to conduct a collective prayer. She shrugged and ignored him.The student began to pray for God's help on behalf of everyone there.Boma found herself bowing her head to his prayer and when he was done, she said amen with the rest of the others who had joined in t
Boma briefly considered telling Donovan the truth but she was sorely afraid of what he would do to her.Her words came out in a rush as from a distance, she spotted the building that housed her lecture room."I was outside with- with Hilda and we were we went for dinner and- and- "She paused, lost for words as his eyes left the road and glanced at her."Are you lying to me?""No." she denied, shaking her head as he returned his gaze to the road.“I'm not lying," she said.The fear already gripping her slightly tremulous body was heightening with every passing second. Her lips were starting to waver. She was not used to lying but the fear of him was forcing her to try and learn."I'm not lying," she repeated."Then stop stuttering and speak clearly."Boma managed to comport herself. The car was fast approaching her stop."I was- we were out to dinner and the phone was with me. It was in my pocket. I don't know how it happened. Maybe it fell out of the shuttle we entered. I don't know b
IntimacyDonovan spoke to Boma in the morning about moving in again, stating his concerns. She considered it and said she would think about it. They were both in bed, her hand on her waist.“Great.” He said, smiling.“You did this to me.” She whined. “I’m so round.”He laughed. “You’re the one who won’t stop eating.”“I can’t help it.”“I know. It will pass, Sweetheart.” He planted a kiss on her cheek.She smiled, then frowned. “D, please rub my feet.”Donovan obliged her. But she pointed to her knee. “No, there.”He laughed and indulged her. “Hope you won’t be the death of me.”She glared at him. “Are you complaining?”He lifted his hands in mock surrender, shaking his head. “Me? Complain? How dare I complain about taking care of the Queen of my heart?”She started to smile then frowned. “My feet, D, please massage.”He didn’t oblige her this time. He kissed her lips and murmured in her ear. “I know what you need, Sweetheart. You want me. Don’t worry, I will be gentle and come in fro
The Dark MeetingAmong the attendees were representatives from the minor cults on campus, including an all-female cult that had often operated in the background, carefully observing the landscape of power. Their leader, a sharp-eyed girl with an air of authority, stood to address the group.She recalled her altercation with the girl Donovan married. She had thought maybe Donovan would grow tired of her, but it was not happening. Also, she thought she had moved on, but the more she saw Donovan’s success, the angrier she got. She wanted his downfall over this and had orchestrated everything by getting all the rival cult groups together.“Look at him,” she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. “Donovan thinks he’s some kind of hero, but we all know better. He’s just a fraternity member like the rest of us, and it’s time we remind him of his place.”As she turned off the video, the room fell silent. The atmosphere shifted, igniting the simmering animosity rising within the members. “W
Donovan’s LeadershipAs Donovan dove back into his responsibilities as SUG President, his passion for improving campus life grew stronger. He focused on the promises he made the school during his manifesto.One of his first initiatives upon resuming his role was addressing the issue of inadequate transportation on campus.The student body had long complained about the lack of school buses, leading to overcrowded rides and long waits. Donovan, refusing to let this linger any longer, called for a meeting with the university's management. Armed with facts, surveys, and the frustrations of his fellow students, he laid out his proposal: the school needed more buses, and the government had the resources to help.After hours of discussions, Donovan sent a formal proposal to the state government, making a strong case for why they needed to invest in the transportation system for the students.His tenacity paid off when his proposal was received positively, and a few weeks later, several new b
Back to School – One Month After the HoneymoonThe late afternoon sun filtered through the windows of the sleek SUV as it made its way back to campus.Boma leaned against the plush seat, her hand resting gently on her small but noticeable bump, a tender reminder of the new life growing inside her.Beside her, Donovan sat silently, his fingers interlaced with hers, his protective presence a constant source of strength.Phillip, Donovan’s right-hand man, was focused on the road, driving them back to the reality of school life after their whirlwind honeymoon.It had only been a month of travelling the world as newlyweds. Now, they were returning to their roles as students, but life had changed dramatically. Boma wasn’t just a student anymore; she was Mrs. Donovan. She was also carrying his child, and while her heart was full of joy, she found herself longing for some semblance of the independence she once cherished.As the car rolled through the gates of the university, Boma’s thoughts l
AFTER BOMA’S FULL RECOVERY The trauma from Boma’s ordeal with Harry was fading, thanks to Donovan’s gentle care and devotion. The school holiday was in full swing, and as promised, Donovan decided it was time for their honeymoon abroad. THE HONEYMOON Boma felt a mix of excitement and nerves as she sat beside Donovan on their flight. It was her first time flying, and though Donovan had wanted to book first class, she insisted on experiencing it in economy for her first time. Donovan agreed on the condition that their return flight would be first class. This way, she would experience both options. Boma accepted. Meeting each other halfway was becoming their norm, and Boma was beginning to enjoy the equality she had longed for. Donovan, always wanting to see her happy, indulged her wishes, adjusting to this new dynamic of negotiation in their relationship. His palm rested gently on her stomach as the plane began to take off. She breathed deeply, her eyes wide with a mix of fear
In the depth of his grief, Donovan clung tightly to Boma."No, you can't leave. Come back to me. Please, come back to me. I know you can hear me. I choose to believe you can hear me. Boma!"The family doctor gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "She's gone, Son. I'm sorry.""No!" Donovan shook off the doctor's hand and looked at Boma's face, growing cold in his arms. "Boma, hear me! Come back to me. It's D. Don't go, please!"Boma, floating towards the light, heard a distant voice calling her. The light beckoned her, but so did the voice. She heard her name, then the words, "Don't go- Come back to me- It's D- I love you- Please-"The voice grew louder, pulling her back. The light faded as she heard, "It's Papa- please don't leave me. Live again!"She gasped, her eyes shooting open. Seizures wracked her body, and she became aware of herself in Donovan's familiar arms. A beeping sound filled the air.People in white coats surrounded her, and she realized she was on a hospital bed in Do
Ken stood before a pacing Harry in the living room of the cabin. As a frat house it was simple, rustic with minimal furniture."Calm down, bro." Ken said, causing him to pause."That bastard is not taking me seriously." He shouted. "Does he think I'm joking?" "No. But it's just his way to assert his power. You are still the one in power. You have the leverage, so calm down."Hearing that, Harry sank down on a chair. Ken followed suit as Harry called Donovan who picked up after the second ring. This delay also infuriated Harry. Donovan should be desperate, calling him all the time. "I will kill your wife by tomorrow if you've not resigned by 12:00pm." He declared and ended the call.He sat back, satisfied that this time, it was he who had ended the call."Good one, bro." Ken praised."Thanks for having my back.""Anytime bro."They were silent for a while, anticipating their victory."Look at this place. It's a mess." Harry said. "Once we get the money by any means necessary, we'll pu
After what felt like an hour, the car finally slowed down, bumping along a rough road.Boma sensed they were far from the island, possibly near the city outskirts. God, where were they taking her?The car stopped, and her captors dragged her out. She heard nothing but forest sounds. Maybe they were at a cabin in the woods, she thought. Barely able to struggle, she was carried into a house. The creaking of boots on wood told her it was a wooden structure. A door lock clicked open, and she was carried inside. The air was stale, as if the place hadn't been aired out in ages. She heard a window opening, letting in some much-needed ventilation. Inwardly, she was grateful; she could have suffocated otherwise.Finally, they dropped her to the floor and removed her blindfold. She faced Harry. His gaze was cold, devoid of the compassion she once saw in him. He was a man consumed by envy and a thirst for power. She wanted to speak, to appeal to his better nature, but her lips were sealed.Fear
Donovan called Hilda, his fingers tapping impatiently against the phone as it rang."Hello, Hilda," he said as soon as she picked up. "I need to talk to you. It’s about Boma."Hilda's voice, already laced with worry, deepened. "What’s going on, Presido?""I’ve been trying to piece together where she might be. The security guard saw her leave with someone in a black car. Do you remember anything unusual about her recently?"Hilda paused, thinking hard. "The last time we saw her was at the faculty block, and she was alone but was later joined by Harry. They went to check his exam results together."Donovan’s grip tightened on the phone. He remembered encountering her that day as well. He had even seen Harry's car as he left. "Harry? Are you sure?""Yes," Hilda replied. "We didn't like it and didn't think much of it at the time, but now- it worries me.""Thanks, Hilda. I’ll do all I can to handle it from here," Donovan said, ending the call abruptly.His mind raced, fury bubbling to the s