STEPH!

       Steph is a very brilliant student of Theatre Arts department of The University of Benin. Some of the students would usually stage plays independently at other universities.        Steph and her group of friends in the department loved that, because they could raise money for themselves to pay bills. This they did at the end of every semester. In the second semester of her second year, Steph and her friends decided to go stage a play in the city of Jos, Nigeria.       She was the protagonist. The ovation? Loud! She was the center of attraction.  At the university restaurant later that evening, a tall, handsome stranger (obviously a student) pulled the extra seat beside Steph. She couldn't help but notice the crispness of his shirt, his neatly cut hair, and the way his pair of glasses elegantly sat on his nose.       Edmond. He loved Sandra's performance, stage confidence and everything in between. He was a law student in that university. Phone numbers changed hands, to the admiration and jealousy of other crew members.      For the following two weeks, long stretched phone calls were constant, he eventually came to Benin to meet Steph's mum and family. His "brilliance" dazzled them. Steph needed no more conviction that this was the man of her dreams. She wouldn't want to lose him, and as such would move over to visit him in Jos at the slightest invitation. This she did throughout the 1st semester of her third year; back and forth between Benin and Jos.       On one of such trips, Edmond appealed to her to stay longer and perhaps start school there, Since they were so much in love. As she wouldn't let her prince charming go, she decided to relocate to Jos and live with him in a rented apartment off campus.  No sooner had she moved in with him, that she realized he was violent. He would beat her with any and everything in sight. He's left permanent scars on her body, and wouldn't allow her to go see a doctor after being beaten up,for the fear of reprimand.        Readmission  into the University of Jos wasn't easy for Steph. Edmond decides she works as a cleaner in a dry leaning firm, while he goes to school, and whatever came in from her job fed them both.        A couple of years later, Edmond graduates and had to relocate to Lagos for his compulsory national youth service scheme. Steph followed. And of course this time, it was battering all night.        Steph is confused. she's lost her place in school. she's constantly physically and emotionally abused. she can't muster up enough courage to call her mum, as she had painted a picture of a perfect relationship to her.        Steph needs counsel.