One semester

GENRE: ROMANCE

Mercy’s voice highlighted in red

The movie begins with a group of teenagers (3 couples) laughing and drinking, cuddling and kissing and Mercy’s voice over……

The setting is a pool but like public holidays with a huge crowd

What comes to your mind when you hear ‘first love’. Well it’s exactly what you think. Every lady once imagined a life of a lifetime with their first love. I heard guys do too. But most times they never get together. Why is it that only one in five first time school sweethearts eventually tie the knots together? Well it’s not really a bad stat in comparison to other issues. But why don’t they all get married? First love is the best feeling ever, it’s that first taste of romance, that first kiss, intimate cuddle and sometimes that (clears throat) the thing that happens alone. What goes wrong? Maybe….yes, I get it now. Most times, a first time lover could be with a fifth time or sixth time or a player. They just get hurt. No experience, vulnerability, no caution. Just careless love. Just imagine a first time lover been a rebound of someone from a bad relationship. You just gonna be a victim.

My name is Mercy, like every lady I hope for an everlasting blissful romantic life with my man, my first love. But…….just but. He was a fourth time lover. I fought that fight and did what most first lover do to keep their heart from that impending shatter. (a glass of whisky drops). This is my story.

Mercy was in her second year in school when she met Akin, a third level student. They were the polar opposite of each other that it became an instant attraction. Mercy was a quiet, nerdy student that didn’t give her social life a thought. Nursing students normally don’t but Akin was a real party rider, the ladies’ man, rich and famous. The beautiful eye glassed Mercy never clubbed since she got to school as she was hell bent on been first class. After their last exam paper on the first semester, her best friend, Shally drags her into a school party. It was there she met Akin, the guy the ladies came to see. He was tall, built and handsome. Mercy instantly like other girls crushed on him but just sat at a corner on her drink.

It startled her when Akin walked up to her. She was a face he hadn’t seen and her body didn’t seem to fit to the amplifying sounds from the large speakers. He was attracted to her opposite attracts and as usual was trying to flirt her but Mercy was smart and as usual he was more determined to get her as she wouldn’t agree to a drink, a dance, take off her nerdy glasses because ‘she couldn’t see in the dark with it’ or exchange numbers when she wanted to go as it was too late to be out. At that moment she left and said goodnight, his whole life was on fire. He felt like slapping her but he couldn’t, he just met a waterloo, he just met someone that would make him think all night. His party was ruined.

Mercy herself was scared, she just blew it. At least she could have been matured and given him her number but she wasn’t sure what he wanted too. He could be a player. She saw and felt his charms, it was only God’s grace she wasn’t consumed. He was pure lust. She could rip him apart.

One evening, she got a call from Akin. How he got it; she didn’t know but tried to be nicer to him. She finally agreed to a lunch in an opened eatery if only she could come with her younger sister.  He was gentle at the date but a little touchy, which caused a lot of ‘sorry’ when she gave him that look when his hands were on her arms or shoulders. Though, she liked it when he touched her hair. They became friends and she trusted him more and he found she was a lady for keep, something he friends mocked him for. Got into a fight with Mike for calling her a ‘regular bitch’ and his bruised face after telling Mercy the story was emotionally touching that she had her first intimate kiss. He was quick to pull back and told her she was special and he valued her more than he liked her. Eventually they started a relationship before the new semester.

Everything changed the next semester. Akin was less outgoing and Mercy went out more. It affected her grades, she dropped from a first class to a second upper, she made wilder friends, drank alcohol, partied more, made more enemies in her department and amongst her friends, was called names, became more attractive and famous. She was in the moon with Akin. She wanted this to last forever. But time flies and she just couldn’t handle the distractions and attractions he got. It was almost unhealthy now that the guy’s phone rings more often. She felt less attractive. He would never let her touch his phone. He was domineering. At times, she felt she was forcing herself on him and feared he cheated but he vowed he never did.

There are always good friends, bad ones and the ones that care. Shally, her good friend, tells her she’s outta her depth with Akin. He’s a chronic player, even if he tries not to; ladies would hover, he’s experienced in relationships; she’s not and she fears Mercy wouldn’t be able to handle a heartbreak if it happens. Well, every first timer thinks others say bullshit. There ain’t gonna be any problem.

Wale, a friend who cares, a secret admirer and departmental colleague advices her to spend more time with her books as her grades her dropping. As usual, Akin is heaven.

Why do the bad advices always sound the best? Bunmi, that big yansh’d brat tells Mercy to spend more into her guy’s purse. Tells her some trending things she needs like the new blackberry bold 5, change in wardrope. A guy is a woman’s ATM. I know how much he spent on his last girlfriend. Blah blah. This looks a good idea to Mercy. Forgetting subconsciously in the human mind is the batter system. Nothing goes for nothing.

The demands started and soon Akin, been a student had spent almost a million on his girl and all he’s gotten is a kiss. It begins to play in his head and his friends mockery of him fuels that fire. He asks Mercy for sex. She been a virgin won’t give in. He uses the ‘if you love me line; you will want me’ and she uses the ‘if you want me line; you will wait’. The argument escalates and he complains of her demands. ‘A woman that wants to be respected don’t demand so much’ she replies that every man should know what his girl wants and fix it. ‘Yes. Likewise ladies too. I’m a guy. I have hormones. Been celebate since I met you. You don’t respect that’. The heated argument results in her slapping him, telling him it’s over and never to call her again then storm out of his house.

His friends mock him on his vulnerability and he should move on. A girl that can slap her man? You that can have your pick of ladies. Get over it. Be a man and leave her.

A week gone and no call from Akin, Mercy confides in Shally that she hurt her man in which her good friend confirms. After the slap, he didn’t respond or try a rape. That’s a guy that value you. You don’t get guys that spend so much these days and want nothing in return. If you don’t want a guy to think he has a claim to your pants; you will not stake a claim to his cash. Because to guys is the doe and to ladies is the sex. He is a changed person from who I know. You owe him an apology.

Still having the key to Akin’s apartment, she barges in unannounced and catches the big yansh’d Bunmi on top of her man in a passionate kiss. She screams heartbroken and runs out. Akin pushes Bunmi off him and breaks down.

The heartbreak is tough for a first timer and Mercy suffered some carry overs. Wale, her secret admirer was her support. He helped her along Shally through the tough time. The holiday did too. Mercy was miserable. Wale, a very handsome and nice guy, promises to feel the void and cherish her more than ‘the pervy’ Akin did. Though, she liked him and respected him for his help, she knew she didn’t love him but everyone needs a rebound. She needed him to get better. She might grow to love him.

There is always a difference in a break up between men and women. In the short term, the men are quick to get over and the woman suffers heartbreak but it flips in the long run. Now Akin misses that special rare breed in Mercy but she’s having fun with Wale and he’s hearing about it. He calls Shally who messes him up and he broke into tears in hearing her carry over’s.

LAST SCENE

In a lecture room, Mercy sits with her new boyfriend, Wale listening to Professor Nwosu lecture. Suddenly, two hefty guys enter the class and picks up the lecturer and Akin enters in tears and pleads with the class to help him beg his girl to forgive him.

There is never an excuse to cheat and I admit I offended you and betrayed the love and trust you had for me. I know I have never been a nice guy but I’m the perfect guy for you. Give me that chance and I’d put back that real smile. You are my life, my joy, my everything. I’d pass a hundred nude girls just to kiss your lips again. Please forgive me sweetheart. I’m sorry about your carry overs; I caused it and I know I’m in trouble for what I did this prof here but I’m willing to take that suspension and do that extra year with you just to keep you company.

Professor please forgive me. I’m her first love and she’s my future wife.

It was now that the professor started shouting. You will get rusticated for this and as he makes his way to the entrance, he is blocked by Nwosu’s wife who Akin had made known the plan to. She begs just a semester and the whole class echoes ‘one semester’. Tears of joy rolls down Mercy’s eyes and her hand leaves the grasp of Wale as Akin makes way to her. she rises up and they meet in a strong embrace and intimate kiss to the disappointment of Wale who walks away sorrowfully and to the applause of the whole semester.

‘One semester’ professor Nwosu reminds.

‘One semester biko’ his wife begs.

Movie returns to first scene at the pool

First loves are difficult to get over. I know I hurt Wale. He didn’t deserve it. He was a good guy but what will I do. Here I had the love of my life sacrificing his entire life for me. Few ladies would have said no. Thankfully, I’m still friends with Wale’s family and he’s doing well. Mr Desire, will you make a movie outta my story?

Then I replied ‘I will’. She was telling me the story the whole time…….lol……I acted too. #bigsmile. Even though it’s a scene and just two words.

Gotta go, here comes Akin and my daughter

THE END