1

She was warned about certain kinds of guys that frequented the Dazzle Bar. She was told of their strong will and recklessness. In a nutshell, they were dangerous. They were trouble.

For any decent girl, the Dazzle Bar was a no-go area. She took the warning to heart and made a mental decision never to go there. And she stuck to her decision, until an unprecedented event caused a break in her silent promise, bringing a change in her mellow campus life.

It was the night of Valentine's Day, and the subject of romance was the last thing on Boma's mind. But her roommate wasn't having it.

"Get up, let's go out. Everyone is out connecting." Her roommate Hilda told her impatiently. She was dressed in a pretty decent party dress, her face well-made up. She was ready to leave but would not leave without her.

Boma, a first-year student of arts, had just turned eighteen, and she had spent her first month in the University, settling down. She had no clear goals in life now, apart from passing her exams and enjoying the freedom of living on her own for the first time.

She was an average student and was fine with that. Her middle-class parents expected average results because they knew her capabilities in that regard, so everything was fine.

Stretching herself on the bed, she covered her head with the pillow. "I just want to sleep." She complained. "I'm tired."

Hilda yanked off the pillow, making her sit up with indignation. She glared at Hilda but said nothing.

"Please," Hilda begged. "Let's go. You can't let the university pass through you. You have to pass through the university. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy."

"Hilda, I don't feel like going out."

"You always don't feel like going out. For heaven's sake, it's just to relax at one of the cafeterias around and have a drink. That's all."

"I don't want a drink."

"Fine. Stay here and be boring." Hilda said resignedly. "You like being average. You want to avoid being seen or noticed. You keep to yourself. Furthermore, you don't socialize. If there was a way, I'm sure you would go invisible. Keep being that way. I'm out. See you when I get back." Hilda walked out of the room.

After she was gone, Boma lay back on the bed. The time was 7:00 pm. It was quiet. She was starting to miss Hilda. She wasn't feeling tired anymore. And she was tired of being called boring.

Sitting up on the bed, she decided to go out. Putting on jeans and a blouse, she grabbed a cross-body bag, wore flat sandals, put on lip gloss, poured her hair, and checked the mirror.

Her brown hair framed her oval face perfectly while matching her light-brown eyes.

She called Hilda's number as she left the room, but Hilda didn't pick up. She met several female students who lived in the hostel, all trooping out in small groups.

Some left with different guys. It was Valentine's Day and the campus was alive with activities.

Boma had no idea where to go. Standing outside the hostel, she called Hilda again and got no response. Finding a flier that announced a musical show, she entered a campus shuttle headed to the show's venue.

Upon reaching there, tickets had sold out. Frustrated, she decided to call her friend again, but there was no response.

Anger set in, and she decided to go off campus to a bar. Hilda called her boring, right? She would show her boredom.

Wearing a determined look, she took another shuttle to the campus gate, from where she took a taxi and headed for the popular bar that students and the locals frequented. The very bar she was warned about.

Getting there, she was happy to find a table at one end of the room. The place was packed but large enough to accommodate people. The lights were colorful and low. The ambiance was festive. Boma was happy she had decided to go out after all.

People occupying the surrounding tables were mostly couples, and groups of friends. They were mostly young people. She could recognize faces from school. It was easy because the university was located on an Island in the local, thriving Village of Norwood.

Sitting there, she ordered a vodka and watched the live band perform some love songs.

A waiter brought her order and that's when Hilda's call buzzed her phone. She ignored it and took her drink.

Across the room, at the VIP section of the bar, a dauntingly

attractive, athletic-looking Donovan watched the girl alone at her table. He was intrigued. Was she one of the freshmen? In his third year already, he usually didn't have an interest in freshmen. They were too confused and naive for his taste.

If at all he was interested in any girl, she had to be in year two at least. Besides, he didn't do romance. Flings were okay by him. If he wanted a girl, she became his.

Sitting among a couple of his guys who had their girls with them at the table, drinking, he found himself always staring at her as he drank beer from a glass cup. He was with a beautiful girl in a classy dress, his arm wrapped around her, but he could not stop staring at the girl across the room. He was interested in her.

The girl in his arms smiled at him, and he fed her beer from his glass, even as his eyes focused on the girl alone at the table.

---

Boma finally decided to pick up her friend's call.

"Hello." She said grudgingly.

"Where are you? I have been calling. You had me worried." Hilda's voice was frantic.

"I called you. You didn't pick as well."

"I was in the music show since you won't join me for a drink. A fight broke out, and the show got canceled. So, I decided to go back to the room, and you're not here."

"I am at Dazzle Bar."

"What?"

"Dazzle Bar."

"I heard you. Why would you go there? That is where all the bad guys frequent."

"You're the one who called me boring."

"That doesn't mean you should go crazy."

"Chill, Hilda. I'm fine out here."

"Please, pray that no school fraternity guy notices you because that's their joint. Those guys are dangerous. And if they want a girl, they don't need her permission. Please leave that place now, I beg you."

Donovan watched the girl talk on the phone. He wondered who she was talking to. His interest increased. He hoped it wasn't a guy. As soon as the thought hit him, his mind became decisive. He wanted to know who she was. But most importantly, he wanted her.

He took his arm off the girl beside him and beckoned the guy standing by his armchair.

The guy leaned over, lending him his ear.

"The girl in the yellow blouse across the room. Ever seen her?"

"No, Don. Maybe she's one of the new students in our school."

"Find out."

Boma listened to her friend's advice, but she didn't follow.

"I will be back when I am done." She said. "Thanks for your care. I will be careful."

"Hmm. I am not comfortable with that, so I am coming over."

"Suit yourself," Boma responded and shrugged as Hilda ended the call. Then she ordered a fresh bottle of vodka.

The waiter brought her drink along with a note.

"Who is it from?" She asked, surprised.

"Someone in the bar." The waiter answered before leaving.

Curious, she opened it and set her eyes on the content. A neat handwriting in the cursive style presented the words-

'Welcome to Wilberforce Island University. I am Donovan. Leave the question of who I am for now and meet me in the VIP Section. Now.'