CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN: TRUTH?!
So, she started "John, John and I were friends since primary school. I saw Vanessa in my house one day with my elder sister. When she left, I asked my sister who she was and, my sister said, Vanessa is her friend... I didn't say anything or do anything because, it was even the first time meeting her until, I started seeing her almost every time and suddenly, my sister stopped having her around. She told me, she was a bad influence. I took what my sister said to heart" She explained "There was a time, I started seeing her with John when he got to primary five (grade five). I first of all thought, they were siblings or friends until, I heard some strange words from them. When she left, I told John that she was a bad influence. John just answered that, they like eachother. I wasn't really shocked because, John likes girls older than him that, he even told me that girls younger than him are so baby- ish, but, hearing sexual words from their mouth scared me the most" She added
"Are you sure John is a Virgin sha?" Morayo asked as she looked at Victoria curiously
"Morayo, shut up! I don't even know either" Victoria said and Morayo burst into laughter
"Victoria, continue! Don't mind whatever Morayo is saying!" I said to Victoria as she nodded her head and continued
"Okay so, the next thing I knew was Vanessa got pregnant and her parents sent her to her grandmother's house. It was the subject of our street. Like, how would a parent not take care of their child very well? Whereas, Vanessa parents cared for her but when Vanessa got to school, she started following bad influence. Girls and boys that corrupted her mind. When John heard it, he suddenly distanced himself from Vanessa as he was annoyed and disappointed at the same time" Victoria explained as she looked at our faces one after the other "it was as if that wasn't enough, she successfully gave birth. Some thought she would die but, well... she didn't. After, she started doing hook up, she used her grandma not providing for her as an excuse and all that happened when she was 14 to 16 years old. She entered this school at 16. I think she wants to turn a new leaf maybe, that is why she lied. I somewhat was first of all against her not being her friend because, I thought she had changed. Her mates are in senior secondary school two (grade eleven) and some final year of secondary school (grade tweleve). So, why isn't that enough excuse for her to change?" Victoria asked as she looked at us
"I feel bad as well but, her lying is becoming too much" I said as I nodded my head
"Victoria, I have a lot of questions to ask you" Morayo said ignoring what we were saying
"Urgh... Don't you want you want to reconsider having Vanessa as your friend?" Victoria asked Morayo as she looked at Morayo curiously
"Oh my goodness, didn't you hear what she said to me? If you accept her, I am going to be an outsider." Morayo answered showing not remorseful face "The same goes to you Floral, she doesn't like you" She added as she turned to look at me
"Yeah, it is true" I shook my head agreeing with what Morayo is saying
"Then, we will give her some time" Victoria suggested
"I don't even want her back" Morayo responded as she looked at Victoria with an expressionless face
"Let's just see how she will be, if we give her some time and space" Victoria suggested
"I have questions. Should I ask now?" Morayo asked looking at Victoria in the eyes
"Just go on with your questions one after the other" Victoria said as if already giving up in bringing Morayo along with her suggestion
"You talked on John liking older girls, why do you still have crush on him?" Morayo asked in a whisper to avoid other girls from hearing even Victoria's ofofo corner mate
Ofofo and amebo are Yoruba words mostly used by some Nigerians (note, not all Nigerians used those words). They mean, someone who eavesdrop and can't keep secret.
"He has changed and I know he will soon look my side" Victoria answered briefly blushing
"Does it still mean that, John still likes Vanessa?" Morayo asked
"I don't know, it depends on what John still feels" Victoria answered shrugging
"Vanessa's baby, what about it?" Morayo asked curiously
"With her grandma"
"Why didn't you tell me all these before she came?" Morayo asked looking disappointed
"It didn't actually occur to me" Victoria answered sincerely "Maybe because, I wanted to forget some past memories"
"What about knowing John before?" Morayo asked again
"You already know, I told you that when I told you about my crush. Have you already forgotten?" Victoria looked at Morayo with a raised eyebrow
"Maybe I have forgotten that" Morayo shrugged as she looked away "I remember you saying that, John told you all this. I am confused" Morayo said looking at Victoria
"Yeah I did, I said that. I just thought using that will make you guys understand until, you guys said I should say the real deal about it. And yes, John told me, she was his first crush" Victoria explained
"Oh...ok. Now I understand"
"I want to sleep, till tomorrow guys" Victoria said as she put her box under her bed and set her pillow well before lying down
Morayo left as well
----
Days passed,
I started looking at John in a different way like, I can't believe this
You know, remembering what Victoria said
Also about Vanessa,
Victoria talking about giving Vanessa space is not even working at all because, she just entered my class
I am sure she is here to see John or who else is she here to see?
"Hi!" She said as she sat down on the vacant chair next to John, precisely on the other row
John didn't respond
"What are you looking at? I came to meet John, not you" She said to me as she glared at me
Gosh! Why me all of a sudden?
"What is your problem now? Did I talk to you or did I even mention your name?" I asked annoyingly
"Can you excuse John and me? We want to talk"