●DEMILADE●

"Wale pick up your phone,"

"Wale..."

I stop dialling, fed up, and slump back on the wooden seat. I tuck the strands of hair behind my ear and turn to Amaka who looks engrossed in her phone.

"Did he pick your calls?" I ask, my voice tensed and rising in pitch from the pressure. She slowly shakes her head and I sigh, dialling his number again.

"Demi calm down. You and I know very well he's with Fisayo. He'd rather be in her house than any one else's in this world. Only God knows the kanyamata that girl is using on your brother," Amaka rolls her bulgy eyes three sixty and hisses typically.

"That Fisayo girl again... Are they having a party? Does she throw parties? I thought she's never thrown a party before," I say, thinking. My tone is getting more tensed by the minute and I can't seem to rest.

"If she were throwing a party, I would know. Fisayo doesn't need to be throwing a party for Wale Adedeji to be at her house. That guy is perpetually looking for ways to please that Fisayo or whatever her name is. I mean, didn't you see what happened in Physics class today, when he - "

"Took Fisayo's lashes for her?" I raise a brow in disappointment, hoping my speculation was wrong and I just imagined it.

"Thank God you said it yourself. Let it not be like Amaka is just throwing gossip around," she hisses.

"Amaka what do I do? You know how mad my Dad is gonna get if he comes here and Wale is not around. Amaka, he will literally kill me," I say in anxiety, pacing from one end of the class to the next.

"You should have gone to Fisayo's place and dragged that your useless brother by the ear," she says unapologetically and I settle beside her once again.

"And if my Dad returns here? What do I tell him? That I went to a friend's house to look for my brother? Amaka I'm scared," I throw my hands up in the air and breathe heavily.

"You know it really baffles me how tensed up you get everytime this happens," she blurts and I sit up, interested in what she's saying.

"And what do you mean?" I ask, tears forming in my eyes now.

"This is not the first time Wale is doing this and you and I know that. And it's funny how every single time he pulls this stunt, you act like it's the first," she hisses.

"Amaka don't say that. Please. I'm in enough pressure already," I sigh to myself and she shrugs.

"Sorry oh," she blows a bubble with her gum and just watches me pace in anxiety. Dad will be so furious if he gets here and Wale is nowhere to be found.

"Unfortunately, your Dad is here," Amaka says as she looks out the window. "And my Mum is here too. Finally," she heaves a deep breath and the tears threaten their way down my eyes. I grab my bag fearfully and follow Amaka down the stairs.

School closes by four but Dad is here by six. We're the last ones to go home and it's not the first time. My palms become sweaty and I feel beads of sweat dissolve at the collar of my shirt. My legs shake in my flats and my knees feel wobbly in the black hose. I stare at Dad a few feets away and Amaka rubs my back gently before we both stand before Dad.

"Good evening father," I greet, my head bent to my chest.

"Ibo ni Adelomo?"
(Where is Adelomo?)

He's talking about Wale. Dad calls him Adelomo, despite his tribal name which is Oluwale, shortened as Wale. Adelomo means A child is a crown. Little to wonder why Dad prefers calling him that.

"He isn't here," I reply with my head bent and he rages immediately.

"Where is he?" he asks once more and I tense up, my feet literally shaking and I stare at Amaka for a second.

"He - he went to a friend's house," I reply, tears now forming in my eyes. The look on Dad's face is vicious. He can do whatever to whomever right now. I clean my sweaty palms in my skirt and look up at him.

"Why does he always have to behave this way? I'm going to kill that boy when he returns home. Se asiwere ni? (Is he mad?) That boy will see my true colours today," Dad says, raining curses, and we get into the car.

I'm too frightened to even wave Amaka goodbye. I'm pretty sure she understands even.

I don't say anything as I sit like a numb person at the back seat of the range rover. Dad is furious and I don't want to add to that, else I won't be reaching home in one piece.

I hop down the car and get inside, straight to my room. I freshen up, still very worried about Wale and what Dad may do to him. I put on my night gown and head downstairs for dinner. Dad comes down the stairs with three whips in his hand and a long rope.

I don't talk. I could easily get involved in the punishment. He keeps the items on the table of the sitting room and walks to the dining table. Nanny brings our dinner - Semo with Gbegiri. It's Dad's favourite, at least. We both eat in silence.

One mould of amala and a scoop of gbegiri after the other, and I'm done eating. Even if I have Nanny to help me with my plate, Dad would throw a fit if I leave the table without clearing my dishes myself. I respect myself and do the needful.

I'm about to go upstairs to sleep when the door opens. It's Wale. My heart drops. I just stand there, waiting to see what Dad's gonna do with Wale.

All of a sudden, the gatmeman, Timo, walks into the house. I look, confused, and Dad stands up from the dining, now facing Wale.

"And where are you coming from?" Dad interrogates and I stare keenly.

"A friend's house," Wale replies silently and Dad walks closer to him. My jaw drops as Dad lands a resounding slap right at the face of Wale. He looks down.

"Lade, go to your room!" Dad yells and I don't fail to obey. I sit on my bed, swaying my legs in anxiety, wondering what's going to happen to Wale. Dad might kill him.

The next thing i hear is "Hold him!" "Hold him steady!" And then hard lashes. Sharp, painful whips and then a loud scream from Wale.

I swear to God if I see that Fisayo girl tomorrow, she will regret ever being Wale's friend.

●●●
What do you think about this chapter? Please vote and comment.