Your secrets are safe with me.

"Hey kachi, when it is time for your post-UTME exams, you will stay with your cousin sister Stella when you get there instead of hanging around since we already have a family member there you will just stay with her." My dad said to me after our morning prayer

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"She might have a roommate, dad; how will I live with two ladies, both of whom I am not even close to?" I asked already, thinking about how awkward it will be for me.

"You are not going to live with them forever; this is a journey of two days, nothing more than two days. You just have to endure this one, as there is nothing else I can think of." My dad responded with a harsh tone, forcing me to keep shut and not ask questions again.

After staying at home for a year, I finally took my UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exams, a mandatory exam you must take when applying for college or university). I did well, and it was time to write Post-UTME (an exam set by the university you are applying for). Those days gaining admission to college used to be very stressful, as you can do well in UTME and fail post-UTME, and failing any of the two means no admission for you, so doing well in both becomes a priority that must not be joked with. Time flies, and it was time to travel for my post-UTME. It was time to follow my dad's instructions despite not liking the idea, and I had to call my cousin sister to tell her I was coming.

"Kachi, here is my phone. Search for Stella's number. Call and let her know you are coming." My dad said as he handed me his phone.

"What is it saved as because I can see three numbers with the name Stella?" I asked

"Check for Stella Chukwuma." Dad responded as he headed to his room, leaving me to deal with my problem.

I got the number from his phone, but having a problem calling her, I kept asking myself questions like how she would react. "Someone I have not been in touch with; all of a sudden I am calling to tell her I am coming over." I said to myself as I dialed her number.

Grrrrrgrrrrr Her phone rang as I prayed for her not to pick up, but the next thing I heard was, "Hello, please, who am I unto?" Stella asked over the phone

"Hey Stella, it me, kachi; we have not talked in a while. How have you been?" I asked, still thinking about how to tell her I would be coming to stay at her place for a few days.

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"Hey kachi, you remembered me today? I am good. just been stressed here. School aside, I am okay. How about you?" She asked with excitement, and I felt it was the best time to let her know my main purpose of calling her.

"I am okay; I am in need of a little assistance from you, and I don't know how it will sound, but do you have a roommate?" I asked, trying to know if it is really something I can handle.

"Yes, I have a roommate, and why do you ask?" Stella asked

"Well, I applied for admission in your school, and it is time for post-UTME. I need a place to lay my head, and I don't know if you can be of any help." I responded and making a face and waiting to hear if she would turn me down because she went silent for some time before she responded.

"Errrmmmm, no problem, but when you come there is something you will see, but you have to promise to keep it between us as my parents will be embarrassed if they hear such a thing." Stella pleaded.

"No problem; your secrets are safe with me." I responded as I hung up the call.

Two days later I embarked on my journey and heard to be calling Stella from time to time for directions and so I don't lose my way. "Hello, Stella, I am at the bus stop now. What do I do next?" I asked over the phone on reaching her school's bus stop, which is one of the popular landmarks she could use to pass her message.

"Okay, now you will take a bike and tell the bike guy to take you to an apartment called 3 in 1 and I will meet you at the gate." Stella responded as she hung up.

A few minutes ride through the bad and dusty road, we arrived at the apartment, and my cousin sister was by the gate waiting for me like she promised. "Hey kachi, let me help you with your bag." Stella said as she collected my bag while I paid the bike guy.

"So how have you been? Sorry for not informing you about this way ahead of time." I pleaded with her and was thinking about how I was going to inconvenience her for two days.

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"It is nothing, but I have a skeleton in my cupboard, and I will like to tell you before you find out yourself, and you will have to promise that you will keep it between us." Stella pleaded the moment we entered her apartment.

"No problem, I repeat your secrets are safe with me. So where is your roommate? I want to meet her at least." I asked wanting to see the roommate to know if she can be accommodating or not.

"Well, about that, I don't actually have a roommate. I live with my boyfriend, and that is what I was trying to tell you." Stella said, making a face, but this indeed came with a relief on my side because, at least, I don't have to live with two girls I am not really familiar with.

"Wow, but you know your mom and dad won't like that; there will be chaos back home if they hear such a thing? Anyway, your secrets are safe with me." I responded as she rushed to the balcony to tell her boyfriend it was safe for him to come inside.