This is for Fayth_ReadsAlot 💜

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My life was going fine.
Apart from the stress of attending classes, Rona's continuous pestering on me to go to church, Aisha's mood swings, Debra's occasional tantrums... Life was good.

Timi had gone back home and it's been a month I last saw him. I thought I would die but Rona's pestering would be enough to bring me back to life.

"can you girls come with me to church? "

" Debra, you have a nice voice, why don't you join the choir "

" come, let's have a minute of prayer "

" Do you know God is a great God! "

" I believe you know Jesus is the way, the truth and the life "

" can you speak in tongues? "

Aisha would always scream at Rona.

One day, when Rona started her usual bugging.
Debra who was having this severe headache turned to her and asked "would you mind going to club with us tonight?"

Rona's eyes widened in shock "no, God forbid"

"then stop frustrating us " I begged.
Going to the club sounded nice, it's been long I went to one.

" what exactly do they do in a club? " Anu innocently asked Deb.

" awwn, well in a club, you can have as many bottles of whichever high drink you want and also you can choose to fuck with any guy you like " Debra answered with a smile.

Without looking at Rona, I knew her face would be boiling in disgust with what Deb said.

" don't mind Debbie, a club is just where you go to catch some fun " I quickly explained.

" let's go to one this night" Deb suggested.

"nope, I have a date... I'll be out with Josh this night " Aisha started.
We all turned to her, different jokes on our tongues to tease her with.

" strictly for a project we have together " she says without looking at any of us.

" but you guys are not studying the same thing " Rona reasoned.

Aisha frowned " yeah, so? "

Rona shrugged and let the matter die.

" remember one time we went to the club and Olivia drank alcohol for the first time, remember how her glasses mistakenly got broken and she threw up all over the place " Debra smiled sitting up.

Aisha and I chuckled as we both remembered the incident.

"I miss her.... Not really but somehow" Debra says tightly holding Aisha's teddy.

"me too " I smiled.

" I sometimes wish everything would turn to normal, me you, Benny n Olivia... Where our lives doesn't involve a church girl frustrating our lives " Aisha growled before dragging off her teddy from Debra.

That was a bit harsh, Aisha was probably having one of her mood swings.

Well, we all missed Olivia , it wasn't easy trying to forget her, she used to be our friend.

*********

AISHA'S POV

Debra suggested going to the club, so much as I would have loved to go, I couldn't, I had to meet Josh tonight, besides, I was so sure Rona wouldn't let them go anywhere.

Rona, Rona, Rona!

The world's most annoying being. I don't think I'll be able to tolerate her, like who does she think she is, why would she try to come into a person's life and then decide to change their view about life.
Debra and Benny were gradually falling into her 'trap' and I definitely wouldn't let that happen to me.
I appreciate that she was there for me after Hakeem left me but now that I've passed through my heart broken period, I'll be fine without her.

"alright girls, I'll be back by tomorrow " I announced as I grabbed my bag.
They kept on looking at me without a word. And as expected, Rona broke the silence.

" please can you stay safe for me "

I turned to look at her, what exactly is her problem, I wasn't going for some sort of adventure or something, I was just going to spend a night out and it's something I do almost all the time.
Considering that Rona and Anu just became our roommates not too long ago, this was new to her.. To Benny and Deb, it was a regular thing.

"You'll spend a whole night without us and I'll get worried so please stay safe for me " she added with a soft tone.
Debra and Benny were holding themselves from laughing, it was a bit funny and it was nice of her at the same time.
She cared for me a lot and she never tried tried to hide it.

" yeah, fine. " I answer.

" kill that Josh this night " Debra teased, Benny laughed.

I hissed as I shook my head before quickly leaving the room.

Driving to Josh place, I smiled... I loved my friends so much.

It wouldn't be a long drive as Josh's place was just somewhere close to the school's gate.

About Josh, I just didn't understand how I was able to like his company. He wasn't even up to the standards of guys I actually fancied.

He's cute, of course he is, I would never be caught with an ugly guy, rich or not.

He had this different ways of viewing things which was quite fascinating.
Yes, he's broke and for once in my life, I didn't care about that.
For a girl of my age, I had to admit, I have a lot of money and with Rona's continuous talking, I got to realise.

I didn't mind getting new shirts, jean and shoes for Josh.. I enjoyed shopping a lot and there were new clothing in the car that I just got for him.

I finally got to his place, parked my car and called him to come and get me. I didn't like the look of the compound one bit and neither did I like the people living there.
The last time I came here, I didn't waste time telling him my mind.

"fine girl " Josh smiles as he opened my car's door.

" Hey " I smiled back.
He held my hand and led me out, I could see other guys smirking at us, some cat whistled.

I liked the way Josh held my waist showing how territorial he was, showing the other guys that I'm off reach.
I smiled and wrapped my hand around him as he led me into the building.

My hatred for Josh's friend Ademola, who was also staying in the same flat with him knew no bound.
When I told Josh I didn't like his friend, he laughed and asked me if there was anybody on Earth that I like.

Ademola grinned on sighting us. I wished I could tell him that his name should be Ademola 'Foolish' but Rona's frowning face popped in my head and again, Josh wouldn't like it so I just kept my cool.

"what's up b? " Ade asked. I silently prayed he wouldn't try to shake me because God knows where that hand has been to.
Fortunately for me, he didn't make any attempt to.

" I'm fine, thank you " I nodded faking a smile and as my mom taught me on being prim and proper, I asked him "how are you?"

"I'm fine b, thanks for asking " he smiled and then told
Josh he would be going for a party meaning he would be away all night. Fine by me.

Josh and I talked about lots of things and I loved the way he had this confidence not minding the fact he was broke. I never one day imagined I would be seated with someone of his class and freely talking to him in this manner without studying his typical faded jean, in fact because of him, I had grown to love faded jean and I went as far as getting myself this light blue type of jean.
I know the reason he jeans wears faded was because he couldn't afford to get himself new ones and because he kept on wearing them all the time. But now, I sort of considered them as fashionable.

"I got you something, it's in the car " I was smiling to myself feeling proud of what I had done , whoever said I wasn't nice should think again, I am the nicest girl in town even though nobody has said so before.

I introduced Josh to an online business, at least he had to be financially stable if we were to be friends or more than friends!

He offered to make noodles for me but I disagreed. I wasn't the type to eat the typical boiled noodles with the stale spices and probably a boiled egg. No.
I prefer my noodles fried with lots of green pepper, tomatoes, some baked beans, hot dog with a turkey lap or something but Josh here wouldn't have what I need for a perfect meal.

"let's go to KFC instead, ham burger would be okay. "
I quickly suggest.
He smiled and agreed.

To be very honest, Josh taught me humility, I was starting to see life from another perspective and not just mine.

He didn't condemn me like others did, he didn't call me the spoilt rich bratty brat that everybody calls me... And besides, I am not a rich bratty brat, I am just a girl who happens to be richer than many of these inferior low class people. Aargh!

We had kissed and made out several times and I didn't regret anything.
I liked and cherished every moment spent with him and everything all falls back to Benny, she brought me this strange happiness I felt, she took away my stupid heart break which Hakeem caused, she brought Josh to me and she made me fall in love for the first time.

***********

BENNY'S POV

I had this school work I was working on and after successfully get through the typing on my laptop, I had to go and print it out in the school's cafe.
I walked to the cafe since it wasn't that far from our hostel.

"yeah, so I'll like to print out something" I say to the cafe guy.
I gave him my flash and showed him the file I wanted him to help me print.

As he worked on it, I sat down on a chair and then brought out my phone to keep myself busy.
Timi hadn't sent a text or even called, he told me he would so busy this particular day.

I turned my attention from my phone to the little gathering that formed at the cafe's door.
What was happening?

I was tempted to stand up and check but I was engrossed one of Timi Dakolo's video, his voice is just so amazing.
I smiled remembering how Timi said I was a fan of Timi Dakolo because they share the same name, it wasn't even true.
Timi Dakolo is awesome.

"pour some water on her na " A guy called out.

Again, I turned my attention to the growing scene, I just didn't want to stand up even when every other person stood up to check.

The last time something like this happened, when I saw this growing scene and I went on to check what was happening, I was made a laughing stock, the lesbian thing. I'll pass.

"are you okay? " A voice asked. I frowned as a man helped somebody to his feet.

Everybody in the cafe had worry written on their face.
If they think I would care, they must be mistaken.
I scrolled down the page to watch another video.

" I'm fine, thank you. "

That voice! I turned to look, it was Olivia.
What happened to her? Did she fall? Is she sick?

I put my phone aside and slowly stood up. Some people were walking behind her like they were not sure if she'd be able to walk on her own.
With the look of things, she just fell down or something.

"are you sure? " another girl asked.

" yeah, I just felt dizzy, I'm fine " Olivia says quietly as she walked towards the cafe guy.
I walked over to her.

" Olivia, are you okay? " I asked pulling her arm. She looked pale.
She looked me from up to down " yes" she pulled herself away.

"you just passed out some seconds ago, that doesn't sound okay. " I pushed.

" I said I'm okay, leave me alone " she screamed. She looked like she was going to cry.

I sigh in defeat and when the cafe guy told me he was done with my work, I collected it, paid and didn't bother to spare a glance at Olivia.
As worried as I was for her, I wouldn't tolerate somebody screaming at me in public.

That night, when the girls and I walked out to get 'suya', I decided to tell them what had happened.

"ehn, she asked you to leave her alone, that was the best thing to do " Debra says as she took more than the amount of suya offered by the suya guy for tasting .

" kai madam, no take am again " the suya guy complained.

" if I were you, I would have acted like I didn't see her " Aisha chirped in.
Anu collected the packaged suya for us and we all went to sit on the bench, we would bribe our way back to the hostel because it was late and past time.

" do you think we should go and see her "Rona reasoned.

" I can choose to learn to speak in tongues, pray all night and do any other thing but going to see her, babe, you're on your own " I spat.

" the bible didn't ask us to do 'over sabi" Debra says as she packed most of the suya in her mouth.

Anu shrugged "Rona, I think they are right, there are some things that are meant to be left the way they are"

"aww, Anu is soo cute " Debra squealed, I nodded in agreement , Anu is always adorable with this her innocence . Rona kept on frowning at us and it was fun to watch.

Some seconds later, Debra dragged Aisha's phone from her hand, it was the reason she wasn't concerned with our conversation. " I love you Josh " Debra reads from Aisha's phone.

Deb and I squealed loudly annoying Aisha. Even Rona smiled but quickly replaced it with her usual frown.

**************

Timi was back and I was just so glad.

"you're not leaving me again " I frowned at him.

"until you tell me you're ready to be my girlfriend" he smirks.

I hit him on the arm.
"I'm serious, I've pushed away many ladies because of you " he shrugged.

" my younger sister just back from the US, I should go and see her... Would you want to come with me? " he asked.

" what no, I can't leave school. "

" what do you need school for, your dad has the money, you're his daughter.. You have it too, school's useless in this case " he frowned.

" you're crazy! When do you intend seeing her? "

" next week, we'll spend two or three days there pumpkin.. You and I. " he smiles.

" you say 'we' like I already agreed to go with you ".
We were at cold stone and he got me my banana caramel crunch.

" I want you to see my mom.... "

" what, no? I can't, you said it was only your sister " I was confused.

" is it a bad thing that I choose to introduce my fiance to my mom? " he asked playing with his beards.

" Timiii, you are insane! "

" yeah, I love you more my darling " he says loudly earning the attention of others.

Darling is way too common, call me the usual 'pumpkin', please.

I bent my head to avoid the stares while he laughed at me, telling the people that cared to listen, that I was always too shy. Kill me!

" you know what? " he started.

" what again? " I cried raising my head.

" you're beautiful " he grinned. I hit my head in frustration.

" you know what again? " he asked

I frowned, I didn't have the strength to play.

" fine, if you won't ask me what... I'll just tell you. I need to get to know your friends better, you know, like getting to know the friends of my wife to be " he explained.

"you're frustrating me! "

"yeah, I agree with you, Sunday would be a good day" he says as he picked up his car keys.

I shake my head at his silliness and yeah, Sunday would be actually nice to do whatever he has in mind.
While taking me back to hostel, he made me know he would like to take us swimming.

*********

We went to the pool in Aisha's car.
Aisha had to give Rona one of her numerous swim suit since Rona claimed to have none.
She refused it saying it was too revealing and Debra asked her to perhaps wear a long church gown to swim.

I ended up giving her a short of mine to wear with the swimsuit Aisha gave her.

Timi was in the pool already. Emeka was even with him.

"full house! What's up ladies? " He smiled.

He was only on a short revealing his bare chest and when he came out of the pool, he looked sexily hot as water dripped down from his body.
He opened his arm for me to walk in but I refused because he was dripping wet but since Timi was Timi, he walked over to rub himself on me.

Debra coughed and that sent him laughing.

"why don't you girls get changed " he suggested.

We all went to change into our swimsuit, I wasn't really hyping the swimming matter being the bad swimmer I am.

Debra was the first to jump into the water to meet Timi and Emeka and when none of bothered to join her, she changed her mind and came out.

"are you not swimming again? "Anu asked.

" no, I'm not... My friends are not swimming, why should I? She smiled.

"aww " Aisha smiled back .

Before we could say something else, Debra pushed Aisha to the pool, Anu wasn't fast enough so she went in next.
Rona backed away, I was already at the far end knowing how stubborn Debra can be.

" hope you know Jesus won't save you from me.. My friend go down there " she laughed as she roughly pushed Rona.

Aisha and the others were upset, cursing Debra.. Aisha particularly.
Emeka was trying to keep them company.

" don't run away from me, I won't touch you " Debra smiled at me.

" Deborah, behave yourself " I begged.

" who is Deborah? " she laughed and then jumped into the pool and I could see her laughing with Timi.
I didn't want to enter the pool because the water was awfully cold.

I sat down on one of the chairs, I'll be fine this way.

Aisha and Rona were surprisingly splashing water on each other while Anu, Emeka and Debra were swim racing.
Timi came out of the pool to sit beside me.

"can't you swim? " he asked softly.

" nope "

" I would teach you " he smiled softly.

What? I turned to look at him. That was a sweet thing, why does he so much love to teach me how to do things?

" no, thank you " as much as it sounded nice, I didn't want to get into the water.

" you're scared " he teased as stood up. Within a second, he carried me bridal style in his arms, I tried protesting but it was of no use.

He walked down the stairs leading to the water and gradually, I could feel the cold water touch my skin, he placed me down gently and I stood on my feet, holding him close, I felt I would drown because the water was at my shoulder side.

"trust me " he says looking down at me holding my waist.
My body was so close to his and it was.... Tempting.

" my beautiful angel " he muttered.

I was totally buried in the eyes of this beautiful man. Everything about him was just.......
The way he held me close made me feel like I was the safest in the whole world.
With him, life was at its best.

I realised I was still buried in his eyes without saying a word.
I instantly found my voice "I love it when you call me pumpkin instead"

"oh really, pumpkin? " he added softly as he brought his lips to my ears making his warm breath gives me chills.

That little gesture released a low moan from my throat.

Somebody coughed beside us, I didn't turn back because I knew it was Debra with her fake coughing.

" Benita " Rona tapped me.

I reluctantly tore my face away from Timi to face this sweet moment destroyer.
She cupped her hands in my ears "you're standing too close to him" she whispered.

"what did she say " Timi asked laughing as he pulled me to face him.

" she said I'm being so shameless standing close to you " I laughed.

He turned to look at Rona and then he started laughing his 'intimidating laughter' .

" I didn't call her shameless " Rona called out but I was long gone in Timi's arms, as he scooped me up and walked towards the pool edge, placed me to sit on it and immediately crashed his lips on mine.

" Lord forgive them for they know not what they are doing " Rona cried.

I didn't know exactly what was going on as I wrapped my hands around Timi's neck drowning in his lips.
I made up my mind that very instant that Timi was all I needed, no one else.. Not even Fisayo.

" Rona, don't shout... Even God told humans to go into the world and multiply.. That's what they are trying to do " I heard Debra say laughing.

" burst that ass Timi... Go Benny " I could hear Aisha.

After what felt like the world's amazing kiss, Timi cut off then turned to Rona
"now that's called shameless " he smiled.

We all laughed over it as Timi brought me back into the water.

We kept on playing around until my phone rang.

It was ringing loudly from my bag which was placed on the chair.
"I need to get that " I say, thankful I had a chance to leave the pool.

" I'll get that for you " Timi says as he stopped me and went over to get my phone for me.
I thanked him and turned to look at my phone.

" why is Jenny calling me?" I asked loudly.

The girls all turned to face me.

"don't pick it " Debra hissed.

" pick it, you don't know what she has to say " Rona frowned.

" if you pick it, I'll pull you inside the water " Debra smirked.
I sighed and decided to pick it.

" Hello " I say into the phone.

" what? " I yelled. Debra stopped smiling and as they all came closer to me.

" what happened? " Anu asked obviously frightened.

" just hold her, do anything to stop her... I'll be there soon " I say before hanging up.

What happened?" Debra asked forcefully.

My phone almost dropped in the water as I hurried to leave the pool.
I just heard a terrible news.

"you're scaring us, what is it? " Aisha cried.

As the words left my mouth, my heart sank "Jenny was crying, she said Olivia just found out she's some weeks pregnant and..... She tried to kill herself!"