Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Jas:

This is the fifth time you're threatening to stop chatting with me... Make up your mind Isa.

Me:

I like Isa.

Jas:

I'm not sure you read the whole message.

Me:

Shut up and tell me, what's up with Kunle? Have the police gotten anything?

Jas:

Yes, I was gonna tell you. He's been arrested.

I heave a heavy sigh. That idiot has finally been apprehended. Another chat from Jasper comes in.

Jas:

Hey, I gotta go. I need to see that annoying shrink early cause he has a lot to do today.

I laugh.

Me:

Oh please, we all know you love that guy. Admit it.

Jas:

Fine, rub it in my face. It's not my fault he gave me his Wi-Fi password. Plus, he's quite jovial.

Me:

Finally! Mr. Grumpy admits it. I'll give it to you though, you're quite pretentious.

Jas:

And you're good at delaying people. I'm off.

Me:

Call me.

I turn of my phone and fall back into the heap of pillows on my bed. It's 8am on a cool July morning and I have been chatting with Jasper since 5am.

A smile tugs at my lips as I reminisce about the events of the past months. We’re finally done with external exams and the results for WAEC were great.

Lima, sadly, did not get to write. Her mum has finally found out about the pregnancy, not because she observed it but because Ibrahim had to call her to get some money for Lima's upkeep. Her father was transferred out of the country two months ago so he no longer stays with them and still does not know but her mum went on a business trip as usual so she got to find out over the phone. She's making preparations to return soon, though.

Jasper on the other hand, with connections his brother has, took his exams separately. He is getting better really fast since he started visiting the shrink, Mr. Tola whom he loves but won't admit it.

Right now, we can't wait for prom which is coming up in a week's time. Melody, Alice and I ordered our dresses online but they are yet to be delivered.

"Morning Smurfette!" Nes greets loudly as she barges into my room.

‘I blame no one other than my door! Why can't you just do your job? And why can't I just remember to lock it!’

I roll my eyes. "Go on, tell the world that you binge watched the smurfs yesterday." I jive and she giggles.

"Girl, I'm gonna steal this bedspread," Nes informs, earning a protective glare from me. She smirks as she goes to sit on my study chair.

"What do you want?" I ask, sitting up.

"Yeesh, angry much? Besides, can't I come to share my joy with my sister in the morning anymore?" She rolls her eyes dramatically.

"So what's the joy?" I ask with a catatonic expression.

"Chillax babe. Nothing much. I just woke up with a good feeling. And..." she draws out, eyeing me.

I huff. "Just spill!" She has successfully woken up the gossip part of my brain.

"Don't be faster than your shadow. So, Fletcher and I were chatting yesterday and he kinda asked me out," she finishes with a wide grin and my eyes widen.

"Really?!"

She bobs her head repeatedly and I smile.

"So what did you say?" I ask and she gives me a 'duh' look.

"What else? I said yes!"

I know Nes has been dying for the day Fletcher will ask her out and now that it has happened, I'm happy for her.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Nes asks excitedly. I scrunch my nose in confusion.

"I thought today's your big date?"

Swivelling on the chair, she shakes her head. "It's this weekend."

"Oh," I mutter. "Well, nothing much planned for today. Just be normal humans," I shrug and she passes me a blank stare.

"I need to get some bottles of water from the kitchen," I announce, stepping off the bed.

"I'll be here in case Jasper calls." Nes winks. I glower at her before walking out.

"Geez," I hiss as a bottle of water slips out of my hand. I place the other four on the table and bend to pick it up.

The scent of mum's lemon cake wafts into my nostrils and I smile.

‘Please Alex, get back soon. This cake is calling my name.’

As if on cue, the door opens and I run out to see mum come in with a broad smile. Dad follows next and after I exchange hugs with him, I face Lex.

A broad smile spreads over my face as I engulf him in a bear hug.

"If I choke, I'll have to travel out of the country again," Alex jokes, making me laugh.

"I've missed your mouth," I say, casually slapping his arm. He grins before looking around.

It's obvious who he's looking for. We hid his arrival from Nes just to surprise her.

"Nes!" I yell before signalling him to hide somewhere. He does as instructed as we hear her yell gibberish from my room.

Her slippers make loud sounds against the ground as she drags her feet on the floor just to annoy me.

‘Geez.’

"Stop dragging your feet on the floor for Pete’s sake!" I complain.

"This is my house." she returns as she begins to hop down the stairs. "Now what on earth would make you call my name like that? Hey I haven't seen mum yet. Is she drunk with sleep?" she giggles, covering her mouth with her palm. I crack up at this.

"That's not why I called you. I just want to say: you're annoying, you know that?" Honey brown eyes narrow into slits as Nes prepares to throw a comeback. She is distracted when someone clears their throat behind her and she turns.

The scream that leaves her lips makes me jump.

‘Oh my God.’

She jumps on him, knocking him off balance but he manages to stabilize them and spins around.

"So much for choking you, Lex," I comment, amidst laughter.

"Agnes, don't strangle your brother," dad warns, coming downstairs with mum on his trail.

"Why didn't you guys tell me?!" Nes yells, looking squarely at me.

"I baked a cake!" mum chirps, going into the kitchen. "And you've got presents to open."

"Yes! Wait, where's my one and only brother?" Lex asks, looking upstairs.

"Oh, I'll go wake him. He wasn't feeling very well last night," Nes tells us as she moves towards the stairs.

"Really? What was wrong with him?" mum asks, concern laced in her tone.

Nes shakes her head. "He was just having a slight fever. He took some drugs and I'm sure he's okay," she assures as she and Alex climb up to wake their brother.

"I'll get the knife," I offer, walking into the kitchen.

***

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were coming," Melody whines for the umpteenth time. She came about an hour ago and was over the top when she saw Alex. Now she won't stop bugging him.

‘Meh, I'm sure he's been dying to be bugged by her again.’

"I told you already, Mels, it was a surprise," Alex says with a tone of plea. I snigger from my position on the edge of the stairs before typing into my phone.

"Why do I feel like you actually forgot to call tell me?" Melody grumbles again, making him turn to look at her. She faces the TV with folded arms and a pout. A weird frown registers on Alex's face as he stares at her.

"Come on, you know I don't wanna die. So I'll never do that to you," he coaxes and the laughter that has been threatening to spill finally escapes her lips.

"You look really weird right now," she cackles and he just sits there, defeated.

"Jason, I need those sandwiches here in two seconds!" Alex calls out.

"I support!" Melody yells as they both settle down to start playing a game. I hear Nes whining about something in the kitchen, making me shake my head.

‘I'm glad all my siblings are here now.’

One hour of bantering later...

Melody and I are conversing alone in the sitting room. The triplets have gone upstairs to ransack Lex's bag.

I look at Melody tentatively and she notices.

"What?" she asks.

"Has Lex worked up the nerves to tell you that he likes you?" I ask bluntly and she cringes.

‘Oh please, sue me for not knowing any other way to put it!’

I raise both brows at her. "Well, kinda," she admits and I grin.

"What'd you say?" I ask.

"He hasn't really come out clean with his intentions."

I nod. "I promise to make Jason threaten you, Lex," I sneer.

"What?" A shocked expression is playing on Mel's face, making me laugh.

"Don't―"

A harsh knock on the door cuts me off. I frown.

‘Who would want to break my innocent door for Pete’s sake?’

Before I get to the door, the knock comes again, harsher this time.

"I'm coming!" I say, almost yelling. Pulling open the door, my eyes almost fall out when I come face to face with Lima.

"Li―lima?" I sputter. It's weird enough that she's here because she hardly steps out of her compound but what's frightening is the look of fear on her face.

"Come in," I hurriedly usher her in. She's wearing a loose ankle-length gown―jellabiya, as she calls it―that makes her tummy much less visible. She's had so many of them but never wore them much until the pregnancy. Her long silky hair is packed in a messy bun.

Melody jumps off the couch the moment she sees her.

"Lima? What's going on?" she asks, moving closer.

Instead of replying, Lima bursts into sobs.

‘This is horrifying.’

"Lim, please tell us what's going on," I coax as we lead her up to my room.

Once she's seated on my bed, she finally speaks. "I was so stupid," she sniffles while we wait patiently for her to continue.

"I told him. I told N.C, but he insisted I go for an abortion. I refused and he threatened me not to tell anyone he's the father."

I unconsciously ball my hands into fists.

This guy deserves to hang. How can she commit an abortion now? She's six months gone for crying out loud!

"How could I possibly not tell them who the father is?! I think he figured it out and came with his friend to drag me out of the house to have an abortion." She takes in a deep breath, closing her eyes. Melody engulfs her in a hug, assuring her that she's safe while the only thing on my mind is how to kill that stupid guy.

An idea pops into my head and I get up to get my phone.

"Where are you going?" Melody asks but I ignore her.

"Hello there! I see someone can't go a few hours without hearing my voice."

I roll my eyes. "You're too cocky for your own good, Jasper. But, before you kill me with your mouth, there's a situation."

There's brief silence on his end before he asks, "what's going on?"

"Lima is here. I think you should come."

"On my way." He hangs up. I know Jasper still cares a lot about Lima even though he hasn't really been talking to her much.

Fifteen minutes later, I open the door to see Jasper, Kevin and Ayo.

"Ayo!" I exclaim. I wasn't expecting to see him. He broke up with Lima when he found out but I guess he doesn't hate her.

"Hey Bella," he greets smiling a little. Jasper walks in first.

"What's going on?" The concern is evident in his voice.

I lead them to my room where Lima is lying on my bed with Melody by her side.

Lima jolts up immediately she sees the three boys, shock and shame mixing. She holds gazes with Ayo for some time, the remorse evident.

"N.C wants to force her to have an abortion." I finally state the reason I called them. For some reason, I just feel they can help.

The three boys snap their heads in my direction.

"What?" Ayo seethes. "How dare that fool?"

"They went to her house to drag her. Wait, what about your brothers, Lima?" I ask realizing we forgot about them.

Realization seems to hit her too. "Oh gosh, I left my phone. I'm not sure they'll be home by now cause they weren't around when they came."

"Until something is done, maybe she should stay here." Kevin suggests and we all nod.

"But, my brothers," Lima says.

"We'll tell your brothers everything. But I think you should stay away from home. I don't trust that guy. I've seen him hanging around ruffians," Ayo says.

"I think she should stay at my house. Or at Alice's. It's the farthest. I mean, they may have trailed her and seen this place, who knows?" Melody chips in and her theory actually makes a lot of sense.

"That makes sense," Jasper affirms. He turns to me. "Call Alice."

The boys step out of the room and I hear my siblings asking questions. My door opens to reveal the triplets.

"Uh, what's going on?" Nes asks.

"I'll call Alice," Melody offers as I walk my siblings to the sitting room to explain.

***

"I hope she'll be fine," I mutter, my eyes trailing a child running to meet her mum.

"She will be fine," Jasper assures. Melody went with Lima to Alice's house two hours ago and Ayo went to inform her brothers. He called not long ago, informing us that they decided to warn N.C and his friend first and if they don't cooperate, they'll take action.

I knew they didn't have any intentions of informing the police so I convinced Jasper to talk to them before they take matters into their own hands. He was reluctant at first, saying he doesn't like Lima's brothers but I told him to do it for her sake.

Right now, we're walking down the street to nowhere in particular. I'm reminded of the days Luke and I walked down here. I smile when I remember the day we met Jasper.

"Are you daydreaming? Am I the main character in it?" Jasper asks, passing me his cockiest smile.

"When will you ever get off your high horse?" I ask in astonishment.

He chuckles. "Never. So tell me, why were you smiling?"

I stare ahead. "Well, I just recalled the day Luke and I met you around here. You were being super annoying." I look up at him with a smile and he returns it with a grin.

‘And he's about to tease me.’

"I remember how you screamed out of fear."

‘Here we go.’

"But I'm sure you wish it'll happen all over again. Even that day, I knew you loved it but wouldn't admit it," he teases and I roll my eyes.

"Oh please. I agree, I was scared but that's because I felt like I would fall. But loving it? Don't try to insinuate things that aren't true," I sneer, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Explains why you didn't negate it directly," he shrugs. I try to narrow my eyes more than they already are.

"I love your eyes. Did I ever tell you that?" he smiles.

I feel my cheeks heat up immediately. "No, you were too busy being proud," I reply, looking away.

We remain quiet for a bit before he breaks it. "I'm sorry. For being so stuck up."

I look at him. "Um, I talked to Luke. We talked about you and..." I pause. He just stares at me, waiting for me to go on. I look away. "I know about Audrey and I kinda know why your dad is so hard on you. I'm sorry I went behind your back," I apologize sincerely.

"Luke told me everything. It's fine. I've hardly ever given you any reason to trust me or believe me when I say I'll tell you all you need to know," he says sombrely. I bite my lip.

"Still―"

He cuts me off. "It's okay, Isa."

‘Shoot, I love that name.’

I grin. "I really love that name." He laughs.

"There's this great restaurant. They make great dishes and serve the best drinks. And the eatery overlooks a beautiful scenery. I'd love to check it out," he tells me.

I look at him, wide eyed.

‘Is he being serious right now?’

"Are you asking me out?" I gasp, intentionally adding a little drama.

He passes me a shocked look. "I didn't even mention anything about you."

"Oh please, I know you. Too egotistical to simply say 'Isa, would you do me the honour of going on a date with me?'"

He bends over in laughter. "You look funny talking like that. But hey, where's the fun in asking directly huh?"

"At least I'll get to be the one laughing at how weird you'll look," I gripe with a pout. He swings an arm over my shoulders.

"Don't worry, you'll get to laugh at me one day. Maybe."

I smile, leaning in to him.