CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: VANESSA'S SECRET
"Okay Vanessa, say your mind. Tell us what you wants to tell us about" I said this time as I became very curious to know
"And Morayo, don't disturb or else you will get away from here" Victoria said as she looked at Morayo with a serious face
"Whatever" Morayo said as she looked away
"Okay, let's me start" Vanessa said as she looked at the three of us "I came from a poor home in the family of seven. We are five children and parent" she said as she swallowed her saliva
I said it or maybe Victoria predicted that she came from a poor family, I looked towards Victoria direction, she wasn't even looking at me but at Vanessa. She seems to be more interested as she listened quietly
I am glad Morayo didn't barge in this time.
"I failed my last common entrance that was why I had to do the lesson with others who failed or didn't do the exam or were poor to afford the money that year" she explained
Well, she just said out two things Victoria and I predicted. Lol!
"There was a time, my mom was very sick and my dad couldn't afford the money for her drugs. I became so devastated until I thought of stealing to save my mother and, that was when I met Benita" she said she looked at us, does she mean she stole from Benita? That is very huge, I just pity the way Benita will take her as "Benita friend was talking about ten thousand naira her mom gave her to spend, when I heard. I decided to beg them for two thousand naira and they shouted at me for eaves dropping that, if any money misses, I will responsible for it" she said
Oh, there is no difference between Benita and her friend. They are so stingy and doesn't even care about any body at all
"I even begged her telling her that, I wanted to buy some drugs with the money that, even if she can just lend me and I will pay back when I am buoyant then, I will do it" she said as she looked away "But, they still said no. I felt like crying so, I stole the money when no one was in the class. I used it to buy drugs and food for the family that lasted us for two days. I became glad that my mom became healthy in the next five days"
"So, you mean that day, they weren't looking for the money at all?" Victoria asked as she became confused at what she just heard
Her question is what I even wanted to ask. Like, they didn't notice. Does that mean they also stole the money from somewhere else?
"They planned on using it the next day, they indeed asked around if anyone found their money until, Benita stopped and asked me. I said, no" she said as she hesitated "Benita pestered me even more as if she knew I was lying, she even went to the teacher of our class and told her that I was also a witness when her friend talked about the money. The teacher asked me even my parents asked where I got the money but, I told them that it was a friend that gave me the money and they believed. My dad later got a job and they stopped asking me, my dad came to the school with the ten thousand naira" she said as she turned to look at us
"Wow, I am glad your dad got the job but, I am sure you got exposed" Morayo said with a smile as she looked at Vanessa
"Yeah, when my dad came asking for the friend that have me the money. The teacher said I don't have friends that maybe, I stole the money. So, they called me. I began stammering until I said the truth, my dad became furious and I was kicked out of the lesson" she said as she looked at her feet "my dad forgave me and gave me an advise that I shouldn't do that again. When I got admission into this school, the first person I met was Benita" she said as she looked towards the laundry direction
Benita? That must be so uncomfortable for her because Benita is so annoying
"She began telling off the friends I made about the incident in the lesson and it became heard for me to get friends yesterday. I met you guys talking and smiling and saw the way Morayo stood up for Floral when that short girl talked and I thought maybe, I can become friends you and it became a coincidence when we met in the dinning hall" she said as she looked at us with a smile "I hope my past won't make you guys leave me alone?" She asked as she looked at us
"That is if you don't steal again because, I hate thieves" Morayo said as she looked at her
"Me two" I said as I looked at her hoping she won't steal what I have
"Me three, I don't even have much and I don't want you to steal the little I have" Victoria said as she looked at Vanessa with a serious face
"I have stopped that habit besides, that was my first time doing that" she said as she looked away
"You can ask instead of stealing. We can help if we have the money or provision to give you" Victoria said as she looked at Vanessa with a concern face
"Thanks, I am glad to hear that" she said as she looked at us with a smile
"How is that your class?" I asked as I changed the subject because I felt it was uncomfortable for Vanessa
"Well, my class is quite manageable and annoying at the same time" she said as she looked interested as I changed the subject
"Oh, same goes here" I said as I smiled "but, I have friends and a good seat partner that made me less bored" I said as I looked at both Victoria and Morayo
"Don't make me blush" Morayo said laughing