Chapter 13: Chapter 13

The next day at school was nice, Tayo was attentive all day and he also switched seats so he could sit beside me.

I was playing questions with Tayo and Goriola during long break when I felt a very sharp pain in my stomach. I gasped lightly and tried to go on with my conversations.

"What's wrong with you?" Tayo asked me, he noticed.

"Nothing, I am fine." I said not wanting to be fussed over when I felt the pain hit again but, the second wave was very intense.

It didn't take more than a few minutes to figure out it was my time of the month but because I rarely took note of it, I didn't know I was due. Thankfully, I had a sanitary pad in my bag so I excused myself and went to the toilet.

I returned to the classroom just as the bell indicating long break was over was rang but, something was wrong. I didn't feel okay and as our chemistry teacher walked in, my stomach starts to hurt terribly. I tried not to show my pain as I groan silently, in pain.

"Are you alright?" Tayo asked again while I just nodded but it was obvious by then that I wasn't okay since I was sweating profusely and holding my tummy.

"Excuse me, sir." Tayo said all of a sudden. The teacher halt as he turned to our direction.

"Yes, what do you want." He asked him.

"My seatmate is sick sir and she keeps holding her tummy. I feel she needs medical attention sir." He said in his usual confident way, not faltering even with the teacher’s hard gaze as he walked over to us.

He asked me if I had been sick before and when I nodded yes. He muttered about why I had come to school if I knew I was sick before instructing Tayo to accompany me to the sick bay.

I tried my best not to embarrass myself as we walked out of the class but, it was an effort, it wasn’t successful. He supported me to the sickbay and on our arrival, sat me down and went to look for the nurse who wasn't on sit as usual. She loved to gossip and hence, was always in the staff room.

He arrived some minutes later with her and she asked him to sit on the plastic chair as she turned to me.

"Do you know what is wrong with you, young lady." She asked me as I glance at Tayo who was staring at me, eyes unmoving.

"Yes ma." I replied

"What is it." She asked.

"It's that's time of the month ma." I said, quietly so Tayo won’t hear.

"Ooh, so you have menstrual pain." She said loudly to confirm as I nod my head. I wondered if I would be arrested if I hit her on the head with a chair. I was not normally a violent person but her loud mouth had always annoyed me.

I blushed as I realized that Tayo was still looking at me and thanks to the basket mouth nurse, he also knows that I am on my period.

She got me a pain relief drug from one of the cabinets and produced water from the tap as she gave me a tablet and told me to keep the rest of the sachet. I was asked to lie down after she ensured that I have used it before she walked out again. Probably going back to gossip.

The drug soon kicked in and I fell asleep. I didn't go back to class for the rest of the day and although I felt a bit guilty about Tayo not going back to class too, a part of me was giddy about him staying and watching over me. I felt it was romantic.

Bode and Goriola came over by closing hours to check on me and they brought along I and Tayo's bag. I used to opportunity to invite them both to my birthday and extended the invite to Tayo too.

We all left the school together with I, threatening them not to come without gifts and they promising that they would. We soon parted ways and I walked home alone but, with a smile on my face.

My smile dropped as I walked past Faith home and I made a mental note to ask Kemi for help. I removed my school uniform and went to shower as I got home. I slipped into comfortable house wear after shower and walked into the kitchen to get something to eat. Opening the top cabinet, I heard a sound as I looked around but saw nothing out of ordinary so, I Ignored it.

I brought down the corn flakes and was about to get myself a cup when, I heard the sounds again. The sound was audible and as I moved closer to the staircase, I realized it was coming from my dad's room.

"Is dad at home? But the door was locked with a key when I got in." I thought as I took a knife, walking slowly to his room as I heard more sounds and came to the conclusion that it was a thief.

My heart pounded as I got closer and, the sound grew louder. I looked around, taking one steps quietly after the other as I tried to imitate the movies when I heard moans? I couldn’t tell what it was but it sounded like a moan and I was confused as I walked faster.

I got to the door, silently opening it halfway as I peeped in and saw a scene that shocked me and one that would forever be engraved in my head.

My dad was on the bed with a very slim lady whom I had seen regularly at a bar around but didn't know her name. They were kissing and he was fondling her breast.

I looked away, grossed out as I contemplated shouting and confronting him but decided against it, quietly closing the door.

I marched rather than walked down to the kitchen in anger, rolling the knife around in my hand as a thousand way of killing him and the lady ran through my head.

"I couldn't believe my own father would be stupid enough to bring a lady into the house, what if it was mom that saw them." I muttered to myself as I realized that my suspicion has finally been confirmed.

"My father is a cheat." I wondered how I could have been cursed enough to be bonded to a useless, irresponsible, opportunist and a cheating bastard as a father but, what could I do. “He is still my father.” I said to myself as a tear drip from my eye.

"But wait, how am I going to tell mummy about this." I thought as I realized that I had no idea if I should.

I abandoned the cornflakes and quietly returned it as I went to my room, got some cash, my phone and left the house. I closed the door with the key and made my way to Faith’s house.

I was thinking of what to do with this new piece of information when I decided to call sister Ife. She was the only one I knew I could trust with the information and also the only one I could talk to about stuffs like that. She was mature and I knew she would know what to do if she was in my situation.

"Baby sis, how are you?" She asked, picked up the call.

"I am fine sis, how is school?"

"School is fine, what about yours." She asked.

"It's going well. Sis Ife, I found out something today." I said, reducing my voice as I walked pass two elderly women on our street.

"What is that?" She asked. I heard a rustle of books in the background.

"Daddy has a girlfriend." I said, blandly. I did not know how else to say it.

"Hmmm... I always knew he wasn't loyal but how did you know?" She asked.

I explained everything to her as she listened quietly. After listening to my explanation, she said to me.

"Itan, I know how you feel but he is still our father. I am just sad that he does not have enough respect for our mother to shy away from bringing a woman into their matrimonial home. What if it was mom that came home at that moment."

"I can't imagine how she would feel at all.” I said. “Do you think I should tell mummy." I asked her.

"No, don't tell her. At least, not now, she is still sad about her job that she lost and the last time she called me, she complained that she wasn't making enough sales. Don't add to it, we will tell her when the time is right and I will also call sister Ibukun to let her know." She said

"Okay, no problem. Thanks." I said, sighing deeply.

"You are welcome love. By the way, happy birthday in advance. Your gift will be delivered to mummy's shop so she will give you." She said, as a smile graced my face.

"Awwn, thanks." I said.

"Don't mention. Also don't confront dad, I will do that when I get back and remember not to tell mom anything okay. I have to go now, love you." She said, as she ended the call and I sighed again as I stopped in front of Faith’s house.

“It is now or never.” I thought as I rang the gate bell.

Adamu opened the gate for me and ushered me in. “Good afternoon.” I said as I entered through the front door.

Kemi was sitting in front of the Tv watching her favorite show with Faith who as she saw me, hissed and left the room and I sighed again.

“This is going to be hard.” I muttered as Kemi laughed. “I take it that you are here for the favor you asked from me.” She said and I nodded, she had gotten my text.

“Alright, let’s go to my room.” She said to me. “Faith, come to my room now!” She yelled as I followed her to her room.

Faith refused to spare me even a glance as we both sat across Kemi, her arms were crossed and she had a defiant and nonchalant look on her face.

“Now, what is the problem with the both of you?” Kemi asked, a strict look on her face.

Faith launched into a tale of how I had stolen her boyfriend and broken the trust between the both of us as I kept mute. I didn’t come all the way to her house to argue, we could do that at school, I came to make amends.

“Faith, what did I tell you when you first came to meet me about this?” Kemi asked her.

“You told me that if we were going to fight over something then we should at least have a health competition.” She said.

“Exactly! Competition, let’s say for truth to be told sake, you guys didn’t have a healthy competition, all you did was have an unhealthy competition but, it is competition nevertheless and Faith, Itan has won this competition. Don’t be a sore loser.” Kemi said, giving her an apologetic look.

“But why? Why can’t I have Tayo, why can he like her and not like me. I am beautiful than her and I am richer than she is.” She complains and I felt sorry for her.

“First, that’s a very wrong thing to say and also, you can’t have everything Faith. That is life and you will only grow up when you accept it, you can’t have everything and complaining about it rather than moving on just shows how childish you really are.” Kemi said, sternly. “Also, the heart wants what it wants, even when we don’t like it. Tayo has chosen Itan not because he wants to but because he can’t fight his heart.” She added as Faith stared at her interlocked hands. She no longer had on a defiant look, she looked sorry and sad.

“I am sorry Enitan.” She muttered, turning to me.

“I knew I was wrong but I just didn’t want to apologize first and I also didn’t want to admit to myself that I had lost to you. I’m very sorry Itan.” She said as I pulled her into a hug.

“I am sorry too Faith. I never meant to like Tayo, I just couldn’t stop it from happening.” I said, releasing her as I watch tears fall from her eyes.

“I know. I watched you try not to like him, I watched you suffer but yet I didn’t do anything about it. I know I am the worst best friend ever but, I am sorry and I hope you can forgive me.

“Only on one condition.” I said.

“What is it?” She asked, eagerly. I looked into her eyes which were still wet and I knew if I asked her to do anything for me at that moment, she would. Even if it included taking a bullet for me, because that what best friends do. It is a ride or die.

“Buy me a present and package it when you are coming to my birthday party on Saturday.” I said to her as she nodded eagerly and promise to.

“Both of you, listen. I am glad you guys made up but remember true friendship is rare. You can never let anything come between you two, especially not boys. Do you understand?” She asked as we nodded that we did.

The scene that happened was long forgotten and I chatted with Faith about anything and everything for the next two hours before going home. When mom got home that night, I smiled at her- it wasn’t hard to, I had just gotten back with my best friend and I was happy. I pretended to had forgotten about the scene and I didn't even remember to tell her I fell sick at school.

After dinner, she retired to bed early but not before serving my dad’s food so that he would eat no matter when he gets back. My dad on the other hand didn't come home until 2.00am in the middle of the night and when he got home he was drunk. Not just a little tipsy but drunk to stupor.

I woke up early the next morning to prepare for school, listening to my dad deep snores as I got ready for school. I couldn't help but wonder if my mom knows as I prepared to leave.

"Good morning ma." I said as I entered her room.

"Good morning my dear." She said, handing me my pocket money.

"Thank you, ma." I said as I left her room, got my bag from the sitting room and left home.

The assembly bell was rung an hour after I got to school as the students rushed outside. After devotion, the principal graced us with his presence.

"Good morning student, how are you all doing?"

"Fine sir." We chorused.

"That's good to hear, I am here to announce to you that your examinations start in the next two weeks. Next week is your revision week so ensure you read well because he who fails to read is preparing to…” He trailed off, expecting us to supply the remaining word and we didn’t fail him as we chorused.

“…fail." He nodded in agreement and went on.

"Also, your seating arrangement list and timetable will be released next week. Good luck." he said as he left the podium.

"Hey Enitan." I heard someone say as I walked to the classroom. I turned around to see John beside me.

"Ooh John, how are you?" I said, I had almost forgotten that I knew him with all the trouble’s I had been going through.

"I am fine, you? Being a while, since I last saw you." He said.

"Yeah, you have been the busy one. I have been around." I said, nodding and making hand gestures.

"I haven't really been busy like that, you just disappeared into thin air." He said, accusing me as he laughed while I just smiled.

"Okay, I have to go now. I will try to come to your class later, don’t disappear ooh." He said as he turned around a corner. I shook my head, amused as I walked into the class with a smile on my face.

I didn't know what it was about John but ever since I met him, he had always radiated some kind of warm and brotherly aura that I love. It was nice because it made me comfortable around him.

"Good morning old bestie." I said to Bode who was standing up and shouting about something in front of the class.

“Huh, because you are now on good terms with your best friend. We won’t hear word again.” He teased. I laughed, apologizing but he just waved my apology away and told me he was glad we were fine.

“Good morning.” I said to Faith who was copying a note, Tayo who was seated on his table, talking to some guys in front of him and Bimpe, the girl that seats beside me as I got to my seat.

"Good morning." They replied. Somehow, I felt happy and fulfilled. I felt myself swell with pride as I thought about how lucky I was to have the best set of people as friends.

"Good morning aunty, why are you blushing this early morning." Faith asked me, finally turning her attention to me.

"Nothing ooh." I said.

"Haa, or you are thinking of Tayo this early morning.” She accused. I denied vehemently, “No ooh.”

She laughed before saying, “Whatever you say. Anyways, I have got a gist for you." She said as I nod my head in approval.

"My best friend is finally back." I thought.

"So, what is the gist." I asked.

"Are you interested or not? Even if you are not interested, I will still tell you." She said as I inwardly rolled my eyes at her. “Drama queen.”

"Christian asked me out on a date." She said. I stared at her in surprise.

"How in the world!? Do you guys still talk, how come?" I asked in a jumble. Don’t blame me, I am overly confused

"Calm down girl, trust me to give you the full gist." She said.

"So, a few weeks after we resumed. We got very close and we were always chatting and although I like him, I was so caught up in being the bad witch and getting Tayo." She said while we both burst into laughter.

"Bad witch... Where the hell did you get that from." I said laughing.

"I dunno. Anyways, when I started misbehaving, he tried to keep being friends but after a while, he stopped when I kept ignoring him. After I found out I was just being selfish, I felt bad so I chatted him up to apologize to him yesterday and he forgave me. Finally, one thing led to another and he asked me out on a date!" She said smiling happily.

"I am so happy for you but..." I stuttered.

"Don't worry Itan, I can assure this is not another stupid challenge to get the guy with another girl." She said while we both smiled.

"Okay, make sure you enjoy the date and be sure to give me full gist when you get back." I asked.

"Sure, you will be the first to hear." She said, as our Mathematics teacher came in.

"Good morning class, you don't have to stand to greet me. I am sorry I am late." She said, rushing to drop her bag as she got started on the day's topic.

The day sped by and soon it was long break. John kept his word and came over at break. I, Faith and Goriola gathered around him as we talked about random things and had fun. We all exchanged phone numbers before he left after the break. The rest of the day was a blur and the bell for closing was rang.

I left school as usual with Faith, Goriola, Tayo and Bode as we chit chatted on our way home. Goriola parted ways first and we said our bye’s.