"I-Its him, father," Chantel replied, pointing at Kevin who widened his eyes like a deer that had been caught up under a headlight of a truck.
"Him? You mean this boy here is the one who did this to you?" Mr Asare looked Kevin up and down, making him shake in fear.
"Young man. Are you the one who impregnated my daughter?"
"Erm, sir... I... "
"Are you the one? Yes or no?"
"I am sorry sir. But, I am not the one. I am sorry. I was only trying to save your daughter from the shame and embarrassment. Truly, I am not the one responsible for the pregnancy," Kevin replied. He looked he was about to cry.
Chantel opened her mouth wide in shock. She could not believe what she was hearing. Did Kevin just deny her in front of her father?
"What? My daughter has never lied to me before. I don't think she will start now. You better tell me the truth, young man," her father warned.
"I am telling you the truth. I am not responsible. I only felt sorry for her when I heard she was pregnant. Because, I was partly to blame for inviting her to come to the party with me. I don't know what happened but she became pregnant so I decided to help her out. I am sorry for lying to you, sir."
Mr Asare sighed and sat back in his chair. Mrs Asare was just totally speechless. She had not spoken a word ever since they were given the result. She was still in shock.
"Young man, so you are saying you are not the one who impregnated her? Is that what I am hearing?" Mr Danso asked again.
"I don't think we should be going through this all over again. The boy has already said he is not responsible. He was only trying to help the young lady out. So, I suggest we ask the young woman again. Maybe she is a bit confused about the whole thing," Kevin's teacher cut in.
"Are you trying to say my daughter is lying to us? Is that what you want to imply?" Mr Asare asked.
"I am not implying anything. I just want us to be clear about this whole thing. Just as much as you believe your daughter is not lying to you, that is how much I believe Kevin. He is also one one of our model students. He has never lied about anything before. I personally know him and I can vouch for him." Kevin's teacher said.
Chantel began to cry again. She could not believe her ears. Is this the same Kevin who promised to stay with her no matter what happened? Is he the same one who promised to love her forever? Why is he suddenly denying everything?
Chantel was so lost in thoughts that she did not hear her mother get close to her.
"Baby girl. Tell me the truth, who really is responsible for the pregnancy?" her mother asked her.
Chantel looked up at her mother, with tears in her eyes. "I am not lying. He is responsible for the pregnancy. He is."
"Why is he saying he is not the one?"
"I-I don't know, mother."
"You know what? I don't think we have anything else to talk about here. My student has a class back in our school. So we will have to go. Please find out from your daughter who impregnated her. Come Kevin, let's go."
Kevin and his teacher excused themselves and left the room. Chantel was left with the headmaster and her parents and the nurse. The nurse also excused herself and left the room too.
"Well, I guess we have all seen what has transpired here. I don't even know what to say," Mr Danso said.
He was even speechless. He did not know what else to say.
Chantel's parents were much more confused and speechless than anybody else. Mr Asare looked at his daughter, who had bowed her head and shook his head. He was very disappointed in his daughter. He felt so embarrassed. He just shook his head.
"Can I ask you for a favor?" Mr Asare asked.
"What is it, sir?" Mr Danso asked.
"Can we please take our daughter home with us? Just for the week. I promise she will be back in school next week."
"The term has not ended yet. But, since this is a special case, I will allow you take her home with you. Maybe that will be best for now," Mr Danso said.
"Thank you. And thank you for not making this public. I want it to remain between us. I don't want anyone to learn about this yet."
"Sure, sir. I will do just that. Thank you too," Mr Danso said and shook hands with Chantel's father. The parents and their child also left the room.
Chantel walked with her parents to the car park. They stood beside their car and Chantel stood in front of them.
"Roger will be coming to pick you up from school tomorrow. Prepare yourself and get yourself ready. Bye," her father said and sat in the car.
Her mother hugged her. "Take care of yourself princess, we will see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay," she nodded. Her mother smiled lightly at her and sat beside her husband in the car. They drove off, leaving Chantel alone at the car park.
"What!" Are you trying to say that Kevin denied the responsibility?" Cynthia exclaimed when they were seated on one of the benches around the dormitory.
"Yes. He said he agreed to take responsibility because he wanted to help me. He made me look like some wayward girl. He lied to me. He disappointed me. Is that how some guys are?" Chantel said as she cried.
"Wow. I don't know what to even say," Adiepena said.
"I knew it. I knew this will happen. I wish that guy was here like I would have slapped the hell out of him. How dare he? I thought he said he loved you. How could he do this to you?" Cynthia said angrily.
"I can't believe he actually did this to me. I don't think I will ever believe any man again. I don't want to have anything to do with Kevin or any other guy anymore. I am done."
"Aww, Chantel. I really wish I could help you in any way. But remember that, no matter what happens, I and Cynthia will be here for you," Adiepena said and Cynthia agreed with her.
"Thank you. Thank you girls so much."