I had spent about a week or so in the hospital and was glad the doctor was finally discharging me. The entire family had come for my discharge. Since Tejumola and Temilade arrived, they did nothing but make jokes. Instead of me to be mad at them, I ended up laughing at their jokes.

Temilade was about to make a silly joke when our parents walked in through the door. Doctor Okekunle smiled at me as he said, "You can go home now baby girl. But, promise me that you'll be a good girl from now on." I smiled and nodded to him, making him nod also. He sighed. "That will be all," he added as he shook my dad's hand and made his way out of the room.

We all immediately began to make our way home. The jokes had ended because no one dared make silly life jokes in my dad's presence. Tofunmi was walking by my side, like I was going to run, escape, or do something really silly. I chuckled to myself at her defense. Even when we got to the car, she sat next to me as she sat close to the door.

The ride home was almost boring since I wasn't with my phone and had to use Tofunmi's phone, to listen to music while she was chatting. I had to listen to her almost awful yet good music library.

I was about to shut my eyes as we got closer to our street when Science popped into my mind. I didn't get to think, before the word 'Science' popped out of my mouth, drawing everyone's attention, except for my dad's. When I realized I had drawn unnecessary attention to myself, I slowly pulled out Tofunmi's earphone - that was making me shout - and cleared my throat.

"What's wrong?" Tejumola asked out of plain curiosity.

Tofunmi and Temilade nodded as my mum said, "You better speak up young lady."

"I need to see Science," I started, but quickly continued before anyone could put sand into my garri. "Soma said he hasn't been himself since he heard about my news. And he keeps on blaming himself, saying he has a bad omen that makes all the people he cherishes in his life leave him. I need to see him and explain to him that he has nothing to do with all that's going on," I finally paused to look at their faces.

My mom had a smile on and my dad was also looking at me with a smile through the rearview mirror. "I'm so proud of you my dear. I've been seeing how you've been treating Science, you're a true friend," my dad commented as he pulled into Soma's street to drop me off.

Tofunmi smiled to me as my dad packed in front of the house and asked, "Are you sure you're okay? Like, can you do this alone?"

I smiled at her affirmatively and said, "Yes I am." I got down from the car and then waved them bye as I made my way into the house immediately. Immediately I turned my back to the car, my dad drove off.

I had to ring the doorbell only once before the door was opened for me by Soma. "How's Science?" I asked him with a concerned look as I stepped into the house and made my way to the sitting room.

And, before I could process all that was happening, Soma answered me, "Surprisingly fine." And, that was when my brain processed it all. Science was in the sitting room with a wide grin in his face and 'whot' cards in front of him. It seemed like himself and Soma were playing cards. He looked different and brighter from the last time I saw him. It was like someone had sprinkled sparkles on him, making him shine with a smile.

I couldn't deny the fact that I was so surprised by his look and behavior. I began to take slow steps to him as I asked, "Science. Are you okay? Like, are you fine?"

He nodded with a smile and said, "Never been better."

'Strange', I whisper to myself as I felt the urge to ask him again. "Science, it's me oh. Ella, you don't have to act or pretend. I totally understand," I tried to press.

Instead of answering, he began to tap the space beside him, making to walk to the space beside him and sat down. He dropped the 'whot' cards in his hands and he adjusted, so he was facing me. He cleared his throat as he stared me in my eyes and began to talk. "You know, after Art's suicide, I blamed myself a lot. I thought it was because I wasn't protective enough. And then, you walked into my life. You always had the words to say and told me whatever I wanted to hear, so that made you really special to me since I never wanted to stop hearing those awesome words of yours. And then, on one of those my awful days, I heard about your suicide attempt. It was torture for me. I felt so at fault. I felt so wrong and bad. I began to despise myself and see myself as the bad person, thinking I had a bad omen. I'll go days without food, and let myself starve in pain. I was punishing myself for an offense I wasn't guilty of. But then one day, I bumped into an IG page, titled 'The H. E. L. P'," he paused as he laughed at himself and shook his head, then continued, "I presumed they were prolly one of those pages that go around claiming they're helping depressed patients and wanted to ignore, but something about the page kept on calling me back. I decided to follow my instincts and check the page out. That was the very day I realized that all I was doing was wrong. That I wasn't the person to blame at all. I also learned that suicide victims aren't cowards who run away from reality, but they are people who have been strong for too long and can't handle the heat anymore. I also realized that the actual cowards are the people who push them to the edge and frustrate them into taking such actions. Ever since then, I promised myself to not let the people around me stay depressed and also not to be depressed myself. It wasn't like it was all gone in one day, I still get the sad feeling daily, but I strive. I keep on pushing and I hope from now on you'll do same. And for those classmates of yours that think they have a sharp mouth, their karma is on its way. So baby girl, keep fighting."

Until he finished talking, I didn't realize I was in tears. He smiled as he pulled me into a bear hug, and began to pat my back. I felt safe. "Thank you," I said in a shaky voice.

"No, thank you."

I smiled too as we separated. I turned to look at Soma, who already had a wide smile on his face.

"Okay then," I said as I stood up from the chair. "I'll be leaving now, see you guys in school on Monday huh?"

They both nodded as I made my way to the door. Soma also stood up and said to Science, "Let me see her off."

"Sure," Science said with a nod as he went back to his game, waiting for Soma.

I didn't wait for Soma to entirely step out of the house and close the door when I began to pour out my mind. "I can't deny the fact that I am still hurt with what they did, and plan on revenging."

"So, what's the plan," he asked concerned.

I smiled at him as I looked him straight in his eye and lied to him, "I don't have a plan yet, I'll figure something out. Because I want them to regret their actions. I want them to never try it to some else again."

He didn't press or argue at all. He smiled and said, "I have your back on whatever decision you make because, I'm sure they all deserve whatever you have in stock or figure out."

I smiled at him as we drew closer to my house. "So, when did Science say he's going back home?" I asked him as we arrived at the gate of my house.

He sighed as he opened the gate, replying, "He said even if he has forgiven his parents, he's not going home anytime soon. But, he'll resume school back. And if his parents come, he'll have a talk with them, that he still hasn't gotten over the shock of Art's death."

I nodded. "Fair enough."

Soma entered the house before me. "Good afternoon ma. Good afternoon sir," he greeted my mom and dad as be bent to touch his right toe with his right hand, as a sign of respect.

"Ah, how are you my dear?" my mom asked with a smile.

"Fine ma."

My parents nodded. "That's good, that's good," my dad replied him.

Soma nodded once more before he began to make his way the passage. I was about to follow suit when my mom called me back. "Have a seat," she said with a smile.

I groaned internally as I went to seat down, knowing they were about to download me with a very long sermon on why suicide is to good and while I should live on and not attempt suicide again. I smiled to myself when I saw my mom nudge me dad so that he would talk. She didn't want to be the person to say whatever they planned on telling me. I acted like I didn't see what she did, and kept on looking at them expectantly.

When my dad realized my mom wasn't going to talk, be decided to do it. "Toyosi, you know we love you right?" my dad asked me with a smile.

I nodded.

"That's right. And we care about you and your health very well. So, we decided with doctor Okekunle that it's best you start seeing a therapist. He directed us to one of his friends, would you go? Or, do you want to go or you want to think about it first?"

Without giving it a thought, I nodded to it. "I like the idea. And, I'll love to give it a try."

"Oh, good then. You'll start tomorrow?" my mum finally spoke dice we started the conversation.

I nodded with a smile, making them nod and smile also. "Okay then, you can go. Don't keep Soma waiting," my dad dismissed me, making me nod and stand up.

I felt so so relieved.

When I got to the passage, I met Soma and the twins gossiping, so I joined in.

___
HI,
You should truly go to IG and check out 'The H. E. L. P'.