JEREMY
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Episode 1
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Jeremy was nearly everything I wanted in a man. He embodied a “Yoruba demon”. He was dark, very bearded, handsome, broad-chested, sweet, kind, caring, funny, but overly protective.
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Jeremy’s overprotectiveness soon developed into possessiveness.
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Jeremy would always want to be around me, choking the life out of me with his presence. He would never even want me to be friends with someone of my gender; talk more about that gender that betrayed Jesus.
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Everywhere I turned, there was Jeremy.
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Just to be sure I was where I said I was, Jeremy would ask to talk with anyone whose voice he overheard on our phone call.
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These were all initially sweet before becoming unpleasant.
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On more than one occasion, I’ve had to sit Jeremy down and let him know that “these acts” were not healthy for the kind of relationship we were trying to build.
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“It is not as though I have ever given you a reason to doubt my loyalty, baby. If you can’t fully trust me, then what in heaven’s name are we really doing? I love you, Jeer, but there is nothing desirable about your actions most of the time. They’ll only drive me away from you.”
One would have thought that after having this conversation with Jeremy, he’d change, but that didn’t even phase him.
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Then there was Samuel, who was skulking around the entire time.
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Samuel was one of my coworkers at the office. He was a friend who was always “there.” Communication between us didn’t take much work because we had a lot of common interests. Samuel frequently showed kindness to me, which was a clear indication that he thought highly of me and would consider dating me if he had his way.
Samuel was well acquainted with Jeremy and had even grown to like him at one point.
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Christmas was just around the corner. Preparations for the holiday season had already begun when I asked Jeremy if he had any plans to go home and see his folks. I had intended to buy them a few things, you know, as their upcoming daughter in-law wey I be na. Jeremy claimed, however, that he had no such plans. Hence, it was quite obvious to me at that point that Christmas would be spent with Jeremy, as I also had no travel plans and we hadn’t really had any time to ourselves in months due to our various jobs.
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To my utmost surprise, Jeremy stopped returning my calls a few days before Christmas. Up until and beyond Christmas, this continued. I was initially furious, then anxious and afraid, as my mind had run wild with possible reasons as to why he wasn’t picking up these calls. I wondered at one time if he could have suffered a dreadful thing. But his phone has been on the whole time. I sometimes see him online and have left tons of read and unreplied messages for him on WhatsApp. His friends weren’t taking my calls either, and I couldn’t call his mother, especially as we haven’t been officially introduced.
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After trying for days and receiving no response, I gave up. Even though my mind remained restless, I tried to keep it preoccupied with activities. It was during this quest for distraction that Samuel called me. We’d not spoken since the holiday break. I didn’t even reach out to wish him a Merry Christmas. I swear, my head been dey very full.
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Samuel inquired as to my availability and whether I would like to visit and hang out. I wasn’t doing anything; I certainly needed that distraction and didn’t see any need to have turned down his invitation.
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I was at Samuel’s house within the hour. It was my first time ever coming. The condition of his crib wasn’t too bad; he has a great sense of color. I had just accepted the refreshments that had been served when Samuel abruptly informed me that his girlfriend was at the door. He had just received a text message to that effect.
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While he welcomed her in the parlor, Samuel instructed me to remain in his room.
I merely nodded, but then I was livid.
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“What is the meaning of this? What kind of ruse is he trying to pull here? What does he take me for? I should remain in his room, as what na? A side chick? How could he have been so nice and kind to me, and now that my heart seems to be leaning towards him, he is informing me about a girlfriend—not just a girlfriend, but one who was free to drop by his place whenever she felt like it? Has he been leading me on just for amusement?” I found myself wondering.
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“This man has never once said anything that could have been interpreted as showing interest in you, babe. Don’t you think you’re making too many assumptions? Once that woman has left, calm down and let him explain. I think he wouldn’t have invited you over if he had known she would be here today.” Another voice in my head warned.
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Samuel was still attending to his “girlfriend” in the living room when my phone began to ring; Jeremy finally decided to call me.
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I was not supposed to make noise “in here” in order to avoid being detected.
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I was still upset with Jeremy for standing me up. Even though none of my persistently placed calls or texted messages received a response, I felt foolish for doing so. Then, however, I was eager to hear his justification. It had to be reasonable, I bet.
To be continued…
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Moshood Avidiime
Double game