Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Victoria's POV......

"Yes she's back!" Nessa shrieked from inside the house.

"How'd it go?" They both greeted me with wide eyes.

"Good morning too." I rolled my eyes, shoving them off.

"Sorry, Good morning. We just wanted to know what happened." Debby slapped my arm lightly.

"It went well." I shrugged landing on the couch.

I'm not tired, I just miss home. Even when I only spent just one day at Ayo's family house.

"Tell us every detailed information." They took positions beside me.

Every information?

I'm not really sure.

****

"Bye." I said

"See you later." Ayo replied as I cut the call.

God I need to sleep like mad.

My eyes feels heavy due to the books I've been consuming for the up coming exam....

It's past eight already and the girls are out. Something about going to the club.

Ola: Hey, you home?

God just one time to shut my eyes and I meet my friend on internet.

V.: Yeah, why?

O: I'm on my way.

I'm not exactly complaining but...

Why?

V.: Okay

*****

Ding dong.

"I'm coming." I shouted

I walked up to the door and opened the door to meet with Ola.

"Hey." I greeted him with a hug.

"How are you?" He asked as he walked into the house.

"I'm fine. What about you?" I returned the question.

Why does it feel so awkward. We've known for years and we act like we're just met.

"I'm fine. Is anyone home." He asked and I shook my head.

Silence

Stupid fucking awkward silence.

"Where have you been?" I took a seat a little too far from him than usual.

"Home."

"I haven't heard from you in weeks."

"I told you I wanted to give you space." He shrugged.

"Oh."

"I...I heard you met Ayo's family." He said

Of course he heard.

"Um...yeah. They were fun to be with." I gave a tight smile.

"Temmy you're really making life hard for me." He moved closer and I held my breath.

Please don't come any closer.

"You see? You don't even want me close to you." He sighed

"It's because..." I trailed off biting my tongue before I say something stupid.

"Because what..." he pressed on.

"Because I'm scared." I confessed.

"Of me?"

"No. I'm afraid for the both of you." I said

"I don't understand?"

"You and I have been really close to each other and I enjoyed every moment with you, and so goes to Ayo. And I don't want to ruin the relationship the three of us share."

"That's the thing, I don't want a love triangle. I want it to be just you and me...like it has always been." He inched closer and I replaced it by shifting back.

"What about Ayo?"

"He'll understand. He knows what I feel for you and ......" He trailed off.

Why did he stop talking.

I stared up to look at him and I saw his gaze was on my neck.

Was there an insect on my neck or did...

Oh shit.

"What's this?" He stretched his arm and dragged my shirt down to view my neck more.

"Um...."

I began to realize what he was referring to. Since I got back from Ayo's family's house, I've been trying to hide the hickey he gave me on my neck during the make out on his couch.

Now Ola has seen it.

Things are now more complicated.

"He did this didn't he?" He clenched his jaw.

"He has the right to. He's my boyfriend."

"I. Am your boyfriend." He corrected and anger and frustration flushed through my veins.

"You're not. Because we're best friends doesn't give you the right to order me around. You think you can just put a claim on me like I'm some property, but sorry to burst your bubble but I have a fucking boyfriend. And you are just a friend that comes only once in a blue moon to pay a visit on me just to know if I'm still single...But hey look. The little girl you once knew has finally grown up and she has a boyfriend now. So why don't you understand that and leave my life alone." I raised my voice at him and he glared

"I wish it was as easy as you said but I can't leave cos I fucking love you and I can't stop myself no matter how hard I try." He also raised his voice.

"Just leave." I said already realizing I was hurting my best friend.

"I'm not leaving Victoria."

Did he just call me by my name?

"Then fine. I'll leave." I began to head towards the door but he pulled me back.

"That's it? You're just gonna walk out on every situation you find uncomfortable for you...." He asked and I crossed my arm not daring to look at him.

"Please do tell. What is it that he has that I haven't given you? Trace your relationship with him to the very beginning. He insulted you a lot, but you just pretend like it's nothing. I was always there. I was there when you were about to write your common entrance examination, I was there during your junior WAEC, even your senior WAEC. I would have been there for your jamb so that no stupid bus idiot would think of talking to you. I swear I wish I was there with you. Just one day I missed and this is what happened. But still...I have been there for you, and I'll always be there for you. All you have to do is end whatever you have with him." His said to me and I could clearly hear the sadness in his voice.

"I can't just break up with him..." I said truthfully

"Why? Why not? Please tell me what it is that you see in him....."

Now he's really crossing the line.

He's getting me more frustrated by the second.

I don't want to hurt any of the people that cares about me.

"What is it that he did to you? You don't sound like you anymore, you don't sound like the girl I grew up with. I don't understand what's going on again, why are you always supporting him? Why do you always....."

"I love him!" I shouted.

What?!

Immediately after what I said I clasped my palm on my mouth.

Did I just say that?

Oh my Jesus.

I can't believe I just said that.

To Ola. Out of everyone in this world. I said that to Ola.

There was a perfect silence for a long while.

I, still wondering why in the world I said that, and Ola looking at me like I just murdered him.

"You....you love him." He said more to himself than to me.

"Ola...."

"That's alright. That's all I needed to hear from you." I saw tears form in his eyes.

Oh my God.

What have I done?

"That means...everything I had with you was...." He trailed off and you could tell he was fighting the tears back in.

I just made my best friend cry.

"Ola. No. I promise, you were the best guy I came across in life and I cherish every moment with you...." I trailed off already loosing my words.

"But.....you love someone else." He said as if helping me complete my sentence.

"Look...."

"Temmy, it's okay. I'll....go. Like you want me to. I'll just....leave." He said

No.

This is not how I want it.

I still need my best friend.

"Ola, no, please I'm sorry." I began to apologize.

"I should be the one sorry. I just let loving you cloud my thinking, I didn't even ask how you felt about me....come to think about everything, you never really said you loved me too." He let out a shaky breath.

I'm the worst person in life.

"Ola. I do love you...."

"Please, the worst that can happen now, is hearing you say you love me just like a brother, because right from day one. I never felt that way towards you." He said to me and I pursed my lips.

"I'm sorry." I whispered as tears also clouded my eyes.

And since I'm not as matured as he is, a tear managed to escape from my eyes, down to my cheek.

He took a step forward and scoffed before using his thumb to rub off the runaway tear.

"You've always been so beautiful...." He gave me a tight smile and my chest tightened.

Some seconds of silence passed and he finally sucked in breath.

"Tem...V. This isn't space anymore. You're a human being and you have all the right to love someone too. And I'm happy for you. Even if it hurts a lot and would be hard to get over it. I still have to be happy. Because like you said, I'm your best friend and as a best friend to you, I bless your relationship with Ayomide." He said sounding more like a priest than a friend but we both sha laughed at the tone of his voice.

God, I have one prayer to tell you. Please I'm begging you, help him find someone who would love him the way he loves me...and please let it be soon. Cos it kills me to see him in such a condition.

"Thank you." I whispered softly and he chuckled.

"But if he turns into a mumu boy, tell, I'll make sure to take him to Bingo." He said referring to the big German shepherd dog in his compound.

"You'll be the first to hear it." I said and he hugged me.

And this was the, be careful, I care about you, type of hug.

"I have to go." He let go and I nodded.

"Call you later?" I asked and he nodded.

"Sure. You can call me anytime." He smiled and this time with his eyes.

*******

"Guys am I a bad person?" I asked the twins.

It's been on my mind since Ola left the house.

"Yeah." They chorused still looking at the television.

"Guys I'm being serious." I insisted and they sighed, finally looking at me.

"What makes you say that?" Nessa asked

"You know something arose." I shrugged

"You're not a bad person if you want us to be honest. You're the one that keeps this Devil's Triangle together." She smiled.

Devil's Triangle?

Is that supposed to be a compliment?

"So are you gonna tell us who says you're a bad person?" Debby asked innocently.

I know what she's trying to do. She'll find who did so and do something bad to the victim.

"No one. Ola and I only had an argument." I admitted.

"Again?" Debby frowned.

"But this time, I think it's going to be the last." I lowered my voice.

"What happened?" Nessa asked with concern.

"All along He loved me, but I told him I loved Ayo." I tried not to cry so I wouldn't look weak.

"Um...do you? Like do you love him? Ayo?" Vanessa asked and I shrugged a reply.

"I think I do. And I'm scared that I'm making the wrong choice. The both of them has been really caring to me but every single time, I see myself thinking about Ayo more...and now I think I broke my best friend's heart and I feel bad about it."

"This is the time me I will tell you that I told you so. But you're hurting already. So I'll try my best to be nice." Debby said and I almost rolled my eyes.

"You don't need to feel bad. It was meant to come to this. It's either Ola or Ayo feels bad. You'd have to hurt one of them eventually, you know, like in the movies. You should just be glad that it isn't the both of them you hurt. I promise you that Ola would get over it. He'll find another girl. And in the future, you all would look at today and laugh about it in joy."

Wait am I hearing well or did Debby just say something good.

She was not even pessimistic. Not one bit.

Hallelujah.

"Thank you." I smiled

"So now can you stop being emotional like a teenager going through puberty and allow me watch my movie?"

Thank God, My Deborah is back.

At first I thought she had probably given her life to Christ.

Oh Lord,

Touch her heart. Let her come to you.

"Sorry." I whispered out as I also tried to focus on the movie.

Well....

Wait. How did I forget.

"Debby?" I called

"Oooo. Leave me alone na." She groaned.

"Please, I want to ask you something." I said

"What?" She frowned.

I brought out my phone and showed her a picture.

"Do you know him?" I asked her.

Instantly, she went pale. Staring at the picture, she looked like someone lost in thoughts.

Oh so she knows him.

Very well.

"Um...yeah, I've seen him in campus before." She stammered.

I looked at Nessa and she giving me the look that said, don't go there.

Which means she also knows Tunde.

What are they hiding from me?

Is Tunde related to them?

I don't get what's happening here.