"Could you believe?" Bolade say, so aggressive, she felt her heart burning with anger, immediately she sees Kaima walks out from the class, eyes fix on her.
"I don't believe this" Alisha, folds her hands her face displays disappointed, as kaima walks close. kaima knew it was all about her, but they are still her friends, is a must she has to meet up with them. she couldn't look at their face, her stomach twist, the stigma kept her look for a direction, she couldn't look at them, all in her heard was to get her mind up, but words together, as she rehashes words.
"Halo girls, what's up" their greeting word. no one retort, it was like she was circle by press, everyone ready and waiting to throw question on her, their face all wrapped up.
"what lie do you want to tell us?" Bolade yell furiously,
"I don't know what you're talking about" she says defensively, throw her two hands on the air
"I saw you two, yesterday after school, I knew there was something up, but you keep pretending" Bolade yell, she burned in heart, so furious and aggressive, she was ever ready for what will be the out come
"We're just hanging out" she says, trying to calm the situation, Erima and Alisha was just for the show, only wanted to watch the drama
Bolade smirk "And you want me to believe that, who don't know you got feeling for Justin. Wow such an opportunity" fold her hands, shakes her head, it comes like a mock. She posts like one who was prepared for a fight. "And you have to grab it. my dear, now you're messing with my brother. you want to play games, ha… tell me!!" she yelled. she would murder her with just a look
"Bolade you need to stay calm, chill girl. Let's hear from her" Erima said. Kaima felt a little bit safe, at list finally one speaks. with the look on Bolade eye, it was going to pour out her anger.
"what, hear what from her, look. Is in their blood" Bolade say, it wasn't going the way it should. to Kaima, she was getting her message, she felt like some sort of fire pick up in her body, eyes so deep and deadly
"What do you say, Bolade what do you just say?" walks closer to her, she sounded like she was going to hit her
"Yes, you heard me right. you are just like your sister. Slut!!" she said. she has gotten her word right, that was her peace. Bolade is someone who doesn't look for something to say, it's always at the edge of her mouth, the only thing left is for her to spit it out, she felt some sort of victory, not minding who got the message
This was Bolade in nature, she says words to get to you, it was her only weapon for fight, it has cost her a lot in school, she gets into trouble with most of her classmates, as well as her seniors. She can break you with just a word, she can tell you something that will make you spend all the days of your life thinking, she wasn't a fighter but she can win a fight.
Her replied comes like a hot slap from a lefty well trained soldier
"tia, tia" It was like a white star crowned was crown on her, the sound was well heard.
"Don't you ever, call my elder sister a slut" she grunts.
the word came like a knife stab on her chest, the slap she gave her was nothing to compare with what she felt at that moment, a hot tear founds it way down her cheeks, without her knowledge. she wipes the tears, hush out of the crowd that has circle them, she forces her way out. Bolade found herself on the ground, for fifteen seconds she was not herself, before she starts hearing voice
"Bolade, stand up but you shouldn't have said that" that was Alisha
"where is she, where is that idiot, so she has run, where is she?" she roars. twist her waist like she was to murder her, her hand on her waist. "oh, she's lucky, Kaima you're so lucky, if I had got you". she bit her finger "Kaima you're very lucky, you and your sister, are slut" she roared
"Hey, Bolade why are you saying this, please stop" Erima say, Bolade go on ranting, spitting all abusive word on the invisible Kaima, as their friends try to calm her down.
Kaima left because she felt a shame, for the fact she knew there was some truth in what Bolade said, it's wasn't something you should say to a friend, for something that doesn't matter "yes Bolade went too far" not everyone knows about Chinas a's way ward life, so many students will say she drop out from school, that was it. for students who knew she was a student in the school, but the message as being delivered and the news went very quick, it went viral within a second, it has gotten to the hears of every teacher and students. It was the school number One, in the school Chart, it trends for weeks.
*********
The next day the we're into the principal's office
"Why would you say that to her since you have no evidence, of your accusations" Mr Cameron said, very understanding and discipline.
"But sir, …" Bolade say,
"Shut up" he said with authority, he cut her, raising his hand like he was about to flog her. "I taught she was your friend, I heard it was a fight for a man, without knowing it was so immature attitude, childish behaviour of yours. Fighting for a man is also childish and immature" he speaks with a side lip. drags his lips to his left cheek "And you". Kaima, try as much as possible to avoid having an eye contact, with him. Mr Cameron. so much believe in her, it came as a shock to him when he heard the gist, Kaima knew how disappoint and displease he felt.
After her father's death, he gave her a scholarship for the left two years, to finish her secondary school, while her family relative takes care of the other ones. Mr Cameron. has so much believe in Kaima and has taken responsibility in part of her life. She taught that was the end of her education, because he was going to withdraw the scholarship. her heart also hit fast, like a bomb about to explore, she prays it never occur in his mind, she clutches her hands so tight it sweat. He wanted to say another word, but it got choke by a sneeze, he wipes his face with a tissue.
"You two will have to choose, two weeks' suspension or two weeks' punishment. You have to wash the toilets, all for two weeks" he trashed the tissue in a trash bin under his table, Bolade frown glares at Kaima
"this is your fault" Bolade said, pointing at her, Kaima didn't even raise an eye brown towards her. Mr Cameron. glare at her "I'm sorry sir" she said witty,
Her mother was never going to take it from her, it's better a month washing the toilet than a day at home, her mother can nag the whole day without having a feeling to shut for a second. it will be better she received beat from her, than her nagging, it was Bolade heritage from her mother. as well as the hot slap she received, each time she misbehaves, sometimes school is more peaceful than home
"sir, let me serve the punishment" she didn't want to think twice
"And you kaima?" he asked. Kaima saw the disappoint on her mother's face and the sleepless night she will have. If she doesn't spend this two weeks in class, because she felt it was the last time she was going to be in the school to her. she thought Mr Cameron. has withdrawn the sponsorship.
"I…, m…, I will take the punishment" she exclaimed
"Now you can go Bolade" he brutal, his eye fixed on Kaima, she was trying as much as possible, to avoid his stare. "look here, my friend" there a sentiment on his voice as he roared, his eye was as deadly as the devil's, she trembling, her feet felt cold "I still can't believe you, Kaima what happened? was this I'm hearing about you? you fought because of a man" he grunts with so much description
She swallows saliva, as she forces herself to speak "I'm so.r.. ry sir, bu…t., that's not true, we…are ju…st friends" word keep breaking, each time she tries to compose herself, she found herself breaking down
"I believe you, I don't want this to repeat itself. You have to avoid all this, be careful with friends you have". fumbling books scattered on his table. as he placed each on top of others. "They said. you were fighting for a man, now she was fighting you because of his brother, I didn't say being in a relationship is bad". he didn't even stare, all his focus was on his table, it came as a shock of her life. Mr Cameron. has always kick against premature sex, he has never been in support of being in a relationship in the school, he makes sure every Friday student are educated, more in sex education, so many students have been suspended from school because of date. "It came as a shocking to you, but he must be responsible, so get the message". he glances at her, she felt not just relive but safe and happy "now you can go to your class". Kaima wandering what made Mr Cameron. change his mind, why he would not let her mom know about it. She remembers Bolade, she knew that was the end of her friendship with her, the whole term in school Bolade avoid every connection and activities that will bring them together. Kaima as well avoid both Alisha and Erima, she decides to be alone and focus on her study, but they still spent time together. she made sure it was only a greeting and school work, nothing else. Each time Kaima is with Friends Bolade never show up till there conversation is over, even when she tries as much as possible to reconnect with her. Each time she tries to, Bolade gives her attitude.
It was Saturday evening, the sun hit hard on nature, Kaima has to drop by the market to see madam Chips. After sales she has to give account to Madam Chip. She owns a mini manufacturing company where snack all kind are made, some of the girls comes to buy from her on credit, after sales the pay her, and goes with the profit. even at the end of the day they didn't make much, they return the left over to the supplier, the next day the still go for sales, at list Kaima was able to assist her mother with the profit she made. On her way home, she meets Bisi. She sees Bisi struggling with a sack bag, it slows her movement, as the sun show no mercy on mankind. It can turn a white man skin to red and even swallow. Bisi is a fair lady, the effect of the sun was showing on her skin as it burns her skin, she stands beside the road side waiting to get a bike. Looking into her eyes, a sign of dizzy and furious capture, she so wishes she could disappear and appear in the house, and have a cold bath, and rest her head.
"This sun is too much, why today. Where all this bike man, why is today like this"
She murmured, drop the sack bag beside her kneel
"Good afternoon, let me help you carry it" Kaima, came from the back, lifting the baggage, the weight almost hit her down.
She turns to face her "Ah…ah, Kama, what are you doing here" she says, she took a handkerchief from her hand bag, wipes her sweat
"I came to make a sale, but I'm heading home now, let me give a hand?" She said smiling
"Ah… no, you have had enough stress, just go home and rest, I'm waiting for a bike" she exclaimed
"you won't see a bike easily here, let me" she said, lift it on her head
"Since you insist" she walked after her. It was an opportunity to meet up with, Adex after the break of her friendship with Bolade, she dares not come to her house. it also affects her friendship with Adex. After he caught her and Justin together, Adex distance himself from her. He hardly come to the school to pick Bolade, an indoor person, if his not reading his chatting with his phone, this keep him busy.
Now his preparation to school, University of Lagos, of course he made it in his JAMB. When Kaima heard about his admission, she wasn't happy, she was so bothered. Adex is a good-looking guy, tall and ebony, he had a dimple on his left cheek and a reddish lip, and most of it all his brilliant, who would reject such a charming prince. she imagines how he might found another girl, who is more beautiful than her and also brilliant, who will love and respect him. She regrets bitterly and grief over it, she wanted to see Adex badly, to explained why he saw her with Justin, she thought the lie Bolade might have feed him up with. now he has gotten admission, she won't have the chance, sometimes she comes to visit some of her classmate who leave besides their home, unlucky for her his always indoor. This unlike her but she can't fight her feelings for Adex for the rest of her life, he has taken a huge space in her heart. She hopes she never see Bolade at the front of the compound. wish Adex will be right there, sitting as if he was expecting her. The weight of the bag rest on her neck, as some she lifts it up for some second. Bisi takes her steps, it was like she was the one carrying the heavy bag, her foot steps can be count, she walks as slow as a snail. Kaima do not mind the weight of the bag, she just wants to see Adex and express herself and how she feels about him, she doesn't care what he will say or his reaction, she's no longer ashamed of it.
Bolade was seen spreading wears on a rub, immediately she sees kaima she frowned, place the sack bag on the wall beside the entrance. Bolade hush to her mother, she grabs her hand bag
"welcome Ma" she greeted, she zoomed into the house
"Ma, I will be on my way" she turns to her.
Bisi sits on the bench in front of the house "why, please go inside, let Bolade give you something to eat, not everyone will do this..., you're such a very good girl" she insists
"Ma, I'm ok, I still have a lot to do at home, next time." she resists
"All the way from agba market, you carry this hefty bag, to my house" she narrates, as she demonstrates with hands
"Ma, I'm fine, anybody can do that" she felt so fond, of herself at list, Adex knows she's here, and this is a good reason for him to know she's not as bad as he thinks
"Look since you insist, but I won't let you go empty handed" she persist, leaving
"No ma, I'm ok, just don't bother" she pleads,
Bisi ignore her "I will be right back" she went in, it's very hard decline Bisi. Kaima felt like all her efforts to be picture as a good person will be in vain, she also wanted to impress Bolade not just Adex, if she took anything from Bisi it will all be a waste, she didn't know if she should wait, she just wants to see Adex at list for the last time, she fights within herself, she finally come to a conclusion to leave
before Bisi comes back.
"My mom said, I should give you this" she heard the voice as she's about leaving, she felt her heart, as fast as never expect, some sort of feeling took over her, like a butterfly in her belly. She turns, Adex stretch his hand, to give her. She didn't like the look in his face, he always wears a smile which makes him cuter and charming. Besides she didn't expect that
"No, I'm ok" she tact smiling
"she insists you take it" he brutal, she has to give up her pride
"Thanks" she tact, it's five hundred naira. She pockets it, at once Adex turns to leave "Adex, please wait" he turns to face her "Justin is not my boyfriend, we're just friends, whatever you heard about me isn't true" she didn't know what gives her the confidence to say dose things, she knew she has to say something, to keep him from leaving, he stares at her with a smile. Bits his lip
"Ok, so happy to hear but no one told me anything about you" he tact, still smiling, he deep his hands in his pocket.
"you have been avoiding me, ever since then, I'm sure you might have heard about. The misunderstanding between me and your sister" she allowed her heart all out
"I'm not avoiding you" he stretches his body, some sound heard, it was like he commands life into his body
"you hardly come to my school to pick Bolade" she says, as if he owned her apology for that
He giggles "I have very busy days, preparing for my admission, and about the relationship stuff, is your personal decision, no one can impel you, to be with any one. Ok..." he advised, holds her shoulder "I have something I was doing before, mom send me" he added
"Look Adex, I like you, I really like you a lot, I said yes" emotion took over her, poured her heart. It came as a shock to her but him but he acted like he didn't heard her
"what did you just say?" He asked with so much curiosity
"I said I like you, I said yes, I will be your girlfriend" she felt embarrass but she has already said that, he giggling place his two hands on his face, he hugs her.
***************