"No no pumpkin, you're not.. You're not filthy, dirty or used. You're beautiful.. " he says.
"I am? " wanting to cry again
He nodded and surprised me by bringing my head close to his chest. I let him.
"I know it was so hard, all what you went through at such age but I want you to know one thing, it's okay to cry." he said as he helped straighten my hair.
I cried my eyes out, I cried out all the pains, Jude left me, Derrick hurt me, wilfred did worse.
Crying made me feel like I had released all my burdens.
Timi, didn't say anything but just gently pat my back.
After what seemed like hours, he said softly.
"You'll have to move on"
"this wilfred guy is probably enjoying life with his family while you're here crying your eyes out "
"Forget about everything, you were young then, you were 10 then,
"Ohh, okay, I'll be waiting, I love you.""I love you babe " my brother mumbled ... If only I can tell her there was another girl here yesterday whom he told he loved.She smiled at him and gave me a small smile before going upstairs.My brother's eyes were fixed on Derrick who stood uneasy."Benita, come here " my brother ordered. I did as he said because I had no strength for trouble.He held my arm and moved towards the dinning then roughly shoved me to a corner where Derrick couldn't see us."Ouch""Sorry" he grumbled."can you stop acting this way. I'm not a baby "I begged.He had to stop, guys his age were dying for me but here he was being an annoying elder brother."Cora, you know I can beat 100 guys for you, I'll rather fight for you anytime than to fight for my girlfriends" he
"Um, I need prayers.""Are you not supposed to see the pastor instead? " he asked thoughtfully."Yes,... Yeah, can I call you later, there's a trailer blocking my car""But the phone's on speaker Beni..."I cut it before he could say more. I didn't want to feel guilty for going to a guy's house but a little fun wouldn't hurt, would it?Timi's gateman recognised me from the other day and he let me drive into the compound.I got down from the car, pulling my hand bag behind me.Walking in, I felt goosebumps all over as I remembered how Timi pulled me onto his laps."My secondary school student " he teased. He was sitting on the couch, a drink in his hand."hey" I replied shyly.Stop being shy!This is Timi, the mannerless goat!
"Yeah, he is."She smiled at my response then asked"How did you meet my Timi?"Yen! yen! yen! my Timi!I met your yen yen yen Timi on facebook, would you mind me telling you how we just kissed some days ago, would you like to hear how I grinded on him, I'll tell you now."Ohh, I can't really remember, we've been friends for long " I answered instead."How long have you known him? "I asked surprising myself."I've known my Timi for a very long time, more than two years" she revealed smiling."I love him so much and I really don't know why he hasn't popped the question yet.. And I know quite well I'm the only one in his life " she added.Sorry, what was that?He has Esther and Eunice too.I didn't know what to say to her. I was so sure she had no idea that I was just 18 and
"Nothing, just enter."When we were all seated, we were silent, what did we have to say? Aisha was giving me this look to warn me to keep cool, I was trying hard, my fists were clenched, my nails were tearing my skin but I didn't care."Hey Aisha." Olivia said."Hmm." Aisha nodded as she started the car to drive, we drove in silence and within minutes we arrived there, we successfully parked the car and we got into the place with our tickets.Other artistes were performing on stage when we got in. It was past 11 already, almost midnight.I got down from the car grabbed my bag and angrily marched away.Why did they have to bring her here?The girls caught up with me."Girl, cool down." Debra yelled over the loud music."Why did you bring her here?" I yelled back.
I looked in the direction of where my name was called.It was a friend of my brother.Daniel's friend, Kento.Uh oh!"I didn't know you were the one fighting.. I mean I heard two girls were fighting, I didn't expect it to be you, I didn't even know you'd be here." he said.I rolled my eyes, he'll definitely tell my brother he saw me here."My guy let me speak with you " he said to the bouncer. The bouncer shook his head, he refused to be talked out of letting Olivia and I stay."There's nothing to tell me, they are not staying "he spat harshly."Guy, no dey speak English, if you don't know, this is Benita not just an ordinary Benita but Benita Modupe." Kento explained.The bouncer didn't listen as he still pulled me by the arm.Kento quickly excused himself, he typed something on
So we were back to school.Olivia was able to convince her mom she wasn't interested in staying in the same room with us and as expected, Jenny left with her.We had new roomies, two church girls!Anu and Rona.It wasn't bad that we had these type of girls as roomies but it felt uncomfortable in a way.The second week in school, I decided to make a twerk video, so I placed my phone on the mirror stand and played Cardi B's Money.Just while I started dancing and my friends were cheering, Rona played the popular gospel 'Ekueme' and both Anu and Rona sang the song along.I didn't mind at first but some minutes later, I started feeling guilty and my friends felt the same awkward feeling I had as they stopped cheering me and stole glances at these new girls.I stopped my dance, saved the short video and went to sit in my bed watching these girls read their hand
Hold on a sec.Michael was happy to see her as he opened his arms to receive her, he didn't look a bit surprised to see me, Emeka obviously told him I was here.Why was life being so cruel?Why does the dramas all revolve around me?"meet my friend Benita, Benita this is Michael " Nk introduced. What was the point?" Hello Cora... Benita " Michael smiled at me." Hey " I managed to say for Nk's sake.Why does he have to act cool about this? It isn't fair! Besides, when did he name himself Michael!!!He left to get us water and Nk asked me how cute I thought he was.I couldn't think straight, this shit isn't funny.Ifeoma, Eunice, Esther and my supposed new friend Nk.I shook my head in disgust, it shouldn't be my business whatsoever, I had Derrick to think of not Timi.
"Do you think we look good together, do you think we'll last ? " she asked. A message popped in to my phone, I quickly picked it with one hand to check it, it was from Timi.you looked beautiful as always pumpkin.I smirked devilishly at her "you both look perfect together, he doesn't look like an heart breaker at all.... He doesn't"Later on.Going to Rona and Anu's church was quite cool. Not like we had not gone there before, we had but it's either we go late or leave the church service earlier than expected.Rona especially, prevented us from putting on short gowns or dresses that didn't cover up properly. We didn't have any that she liked so she ended up giving us some of her gowns that she felt were proper enough.I didn't like the whole idea, I had never worn something belonging to an outsider apart from my friend's.Aisha temper
Anu and Rona had long done their convocation.Timi and I were no longer together, he cheated on me.It seemed his play boy nature came crawling back.I thought I could manage, I mean, some years ago, I always told myself that if my boyfriend cheats on me, I wouldn't break up with him but please, it's easier said than done.I focused on school's work, this was my final year, I wouldn't let a man make me mess up in school.I continued my going to club, hanging out with different guys.....dating different guys actually.It was like my old self had come back.Though it wasn't entirely as before when I was always being mean to people, I just resumed being my old social self.Life was better without Timi.-Convocation without Timi.He's just
"Olivia, Jennifer" I called out.We walked into the room, nobody was there, Aisha entered the bathroom."oh my......" She screamed.Debra and I rushed into the bathroom"Jesus""oh my God" .Timi came towards us"what happened?"We didn't need to answer because he could see Olivia on the floor, blood all over."this is what I was talking about. This was what I meant by a dangerous game....... Is she dead?"Aisha cried.Debra bent to feel her pulse and all" I don't know... I c-can't tell" it looked like she was terribly scared.Her expression seemed blank and the last time Debra had a face like this, she awfully cried her eyes out that day , that was like years ago, the last time I saw her cry: the first time her mom disowned her.But I doubted if she would actually
"I didn't expect you'd come" I tell Timi."I'll assume Cora told her boyfriend about today and you people na decided to come and why on Earth would you guys wear an agbada to an orphanage"Aisha sighed.Yeah, they were both on this blue 'agbadas' looking as fresh as ever.Timi explained"no we didn't wear it to go with you guys, we are actually going to a colleague's wedding, we just came to drop some few things""you both look silly" Aisha rolled her eyes. It seems she had her monthly visitor because she was always with the attitude whenever she's on it."what things?" Debra asked Timi. Before he could answer, she walked over to their car, looked in it."A fine big bag, a carton of indomie, some other fine bags and ohh, a bag of rice" She called out.We turned to the guys to give an explanati
"Yeah" I buried myself in his arms."Hey Rona" She smiled at me."Guy, I hope you both had fun?" Timi asked as he placed his hand on Jude's shoulder. His Eternite
"If anything happens, blame it on yourself and besides you said you'd go drop me off?" I asked."yeah, we'll go back to our place now, get dressed and I'll take you to whatever cinema and when you’re done, I'll come with Rona to pick you off and then take you back to hostel" he smiled."you are creepy" I say to him.He and Emeka gave themselves slapping handshakes laughing.We got back to Emeka's place, I went to wear something simple, no need to stress it, I had no intention of impressing Jude.Coming out, Emeka nodded at me in admiration but Timi frowned and asked me to go change the dress."the clothe is okay na, it's a fine dress" Emeka said."yeah, that's the problem, it's too fine and she's a fine girl... You suppose understand guy.... Sweetie, please wear something longer or anything"Chapter 152
" Dude, have you forgotten? I d-don't smoke " Timi instantly say to him."Ohh, true... yeah yeah, I forgot, my bad " his friend quickly answered.I had seen Timi smoke some couple of times.Well, many of my friends did smoke.The girls and I have all tried it several times, my elder brother Daniel once caught us and was really mad at us. He made us wash all the cars in our compound.We decided it wasn't good for us and we vowed never to do it again.I remember the time I saw Timi smoking and I gave him serious warning to stop it.Rona came into the living room, beret on her head."You all are still up? I just came here to get water from the fridge "She got her water and came to sit with us.We all become awkwardly quiet."Wow Timi, you can really make hair " sh
" because shouting is all you need to get sense into that head of yours " she fired." you're sick Deb, you need to see a doctor or something! "" no, you are the mentally deranged person here " she pushed her plate away making it break into pieces." What if Olivia has been right all these while, life isn't all about insults and aggression, can't you just take a chill pill and grow up ..... Besides, I don't even know what I did here "" she took Jude, she took Derrick and she's probably aiming at Timi and when she gets him, if you come crying to me, your own don done " she barked." and don't you ever in your life tell me to grow up because you are the one person that really needs to grow up "" whatever " I waved her off. I didn't like fighting with her but she's being stupid." whatever fire you there! " she gave me her five fingers 'waka'
" it's fine Olivia, I have forgiven you " I tell her.I could see Rona's face lit up at the word 'forgiven'." honestly Olivia, I've also missed you and the way things used to be "" me too and that's the reason I came here, I came to put things in order... You've always had a nice heart right from time and I know it wouldn't be hard for you to welcome me back but you see Aisha... Not even Aisha, Deborah in particular ehn " she laughed" calling her Deborah is even a crime " I joined her laughing." I know right " even Anu and Rona giggled.We were quiet for a while." remember that time your mom gave you custard to school? " she smirked.She didn't even need to say much, I almost fell down laughing." what happened to your custard? " Rona asked unamused.<
" oga chill, don't transfer aggression on me, we all know you are pained because Benita dumped you for Timi.... You sef, it's because you are not trying hard for her " she munched." please and please, it would be nice if you'll shut up"no honestly, it's obvious you still love her and as you're seeing me, I'm badly in love with Timi " she smirked" what exactly is your problem, look at you pregnant but still talking about loving another guy... Are you like psycho or something? " I yelled" so falling in love makes one psycho? Check again! " she still smirkedI stood up to leave "I'll leave you to your issues, I just came to check on you, bye."Wait " she called outFrowning I turned to look back, she was on her feet alread" I can help you " she said softly" why would I need your help?" I can help you get C