Jeff woke up with a start. He rubbed his hand across his eyes and instinctively groped for his phone. It was right there, by his bedside. He picked it up and powered it on and the time on the screen displayed 6:10 am. He opened the call log and scrolled through until he found Maya’s number. He hit the dial button, but it was switched off. Sighing, he dropped the phone unceremoniously and ran into the toilet.
Maya’s silence was bothering him. He had tried her line several times last night without any success before falling asleep. It was unusual. She usually returns his call whenever she sees his missed calls. Sighing loudly, he went into the kitchen and prepared his breakfast. By the time the food was ready, it was 9 am. There was no big rush. He graduated a few weeks ago but stayed at school to await his NYSC call-up letter. After breakfast, he took a leisurely bath, and as he was dressing, his phone rang. It must be Maya, he thought and picked up the phone, but frowned when he saw the caller ID. “Hello, Laz,” he grumbled.
“Where are you?”
“In my lodge. Anything?”
“Yes. NYSC has released the first list. Have you seen it?”  
He caught his breath. “No.”
“I’m on my way to school. Hope you’re coming?”
“Yeah, just give me a sec.”
“Good. Let me know when you do.”
He put final touches to his preparation and hurried off. Even as he trekked down the ever-busy path to the admin block to check the notice board, his mind was on Maya. He was tempted to go to her hostel first and see her, but changed his mind; instead, he pulled out his phone and dialed her number again. To his surprise, the phone rang, but there was no answer. Sighing, he stuck the phone into his pocket.
***
How she got back to the hostel from Tony’s house remained a mystery to her. For several hours, she lay in her bed, too numb dumb to think. She couldn’t understand any of it; felt nothing,did nothing but moaned and grieved. She cursed the day she met Cynthia and Tony, and blamed God for letting her fall prey to their gimmicks. She thought she did her best to keep God’s commandments and serve Him with her mind and soul. Thought she gave all to God? Why did God choose to repay her faithfulness with this? She felt so bitter and regretted putting her trust in God.
***
By the time Jeff got to the notice board in front of the admin block, the whole place was crowded. Laz and a few of his mates were already there. He shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with a few before turning to Laz. “How far? Have you seen it?”
“No.”
Jeff scratched his hair. “I thought you said it’s out?”
“Yes. It was pasted yesterday but because of the rush, they took it down.”
After waiting for a few hours, the list was pasted and Jeff was lucky to make it, but Laz was not lucky. He was over-joyed. Throughout the rest of the day, he was busy running around for his clearance and had no time to think of Maya.The moment he got the chance, he ran to her hostel. He could not wait to share the good news with her. 
“Thank God you are here,” he said breathlessly as he stormed into her room. He did not even bother to knock. “I’ve been trying to reach you. What happened to your phone? Why didn’t you answer my call?”
She turned away.
“Baby, guess what?” he was so excited hedid not notice her mood. “I made the first list.”
She gave him a cold, expressionless look.
He frowned and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Say something. Are you not happy for me?”
She turned her back on him.
The frown deepened and turned into a puzzled. What could be going on, he wondered? “Maya, what is it?”
She could not face him.
He rolled her over. “What’s the problem? Did something happen?” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, my God! What is it, Maya? Talk to me. Did anyone hurt you?”
She shook her head and suppressed sobs.
He wiped the tears. “What happened? Talk to me.”
She took a deep breath. She could not bring herself to tell him. He would be disappointed.
“Is it your dad’s health?”
She shook her head.
“Your school fees?”
She shook her head again.
“Look, I have gotten my call-up letter. I will soon be earning money and we won’t lack anything again.”
She shifted away.
He stamped his foot on the ground. “You know I hate to see you this way. What is it?”
“Nothing,” she forced a smile. She hates to lie to him, but how could she tell him she was raped?
He squeezed her hand. “Okay, smile for me.”
She tried to smile, but it could not come off.
“That’s better,” he brought out the call-up letter and tossed it at her. “That’s my call-up, baby. Am I not lucky?”
She scanned it uninterestingly. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’ll be travelling home tomorrow to inform my parents.”
She looked at him, but could not meet his eyes. She dreaded the day his call-up letter will come, knowing she will miss him, but now she doesn’t even know if she ever wants to see him again. She felt so guilty and horrible deceiving him. She wished she could find the courage to confide in him. “I’m happy for you.”
“Come, we are eating out. I want to celebrate this.”
She hedged. “I… I don’t want to go anywhere.”
“Please, if you are happy for me.”
“Okay, but I’ll come back immediately.”
“No problem.”