Savannah, a 25-year-old pharmacy worker in Nigeria, hasn't had sex for two years and can only orgasm by thinking about her ex-boyfriend. She shares her week-long journey navigating dating, religious guilt, and sexual frustration in Metro's "How I Do It" series.
Wednesday: Ex's Birthday Triggers Memories
On July 1, Savannah feels mixed emotions because it's her ex's birthday. They broke up due to long-distance issues, but she still misses him. She recalls a memorable visit to his mother's house two years ago, where they had "mind-blowing sex" for over 45 minutes after his mother left. "Remembering it makes me wet, but at work, while attending to patients, I tried to smile through it," she says.
Thursday: A Date with Luca
Savannah goes on a lunch date with Luca, a coworker who lives part-time in France. Despite not finding him her type, she enjoys the outing, which includes wine and arcade games. He gives her a kiss on the cheek, but she feels weird because she hasn't kissed anyone in over a year. She realizes she wants a relationship but questions if she's ready for the sexual aspect.
Friday: Horniness and Masturbation Attempts
Savannah feels horny, a rare occurrence triggered by memories of her ex. She tried masturbating months ago but found it "terrible" and "dry," partly due to her religious upbringing. Instead, she turns to free sex stories online, particularly the older male/female genre, to get in the mood. However, her best friend's call interrupts her attempt.
Saturday: Reading and Touching
Savannah struggles to concentrate at work, thinking about the stories. At home, she reads an older teacher and student fantasy, touching her sensitive breasts and reminiscing about her ex's techniques. "Sex with him was really unpredictable, especially when he made me use my vibrator on myself while he watched. That always made me climax," she recalls. She spends an hour reading and touching herself before relaxing.
Sunday: Church and Rejection
At church, Savannah tries not to think about sex but remembers her ex during the sermon. She prays for sexual purity until she's ready to commit. Luca calls and invites her to his place, which she sees as a red flag. "This is why I'm single: everyone wants to have sex before getting serious," she says. She declines, often using a "mean b**ch" face to deter men.
Monday: No Sexual Urges
Savannah feels no need for sex for the first time that week. She reflects on past situationships, where men fell in love with her despite her clear boundaries. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm the problem. Why don't I like them?" she asks.
Tuesday: Dinner and Cinema
After rejecting Luca's invitation, Savannah agrees to dinner and a movie. They see "Alakija" at the cinema, but she's too scared to enjoy it properly. Luca reveals he's traveling home over the weekend, and Savannah avoids discussing a long-distance relationship. He gives her another kiss on the cheek, and she expects the connection to fizzle out.
