"you bastard!" I yelled at Fisayo.
"why did you have to kiss me?" I was glad we were outside.

"are you trying to break up with me? " he asked.

" yes... Initially, I was trying to put this in the nicest way possible but now you just changed my mind, we are done, like done! " I hissed.

I had to go after Timi, it felt odd because he was the one always running after me.
I was confused and crying at the same time." leave me alone " I screamed at Fisayo as he came to pull my hand.

" so it's this Timi guy now? " he smirked.
" do you even know what you're doing? You barely know him, how can you just decide to date a random guy you met on Facebook? "

" he's not a random guy, he understands me better than you do... I don't even know why I'm explaining myself to you, leave me alone ".
I stopped a bike and rushed to get on.

" at least, let me drop you off " he offered.
I didn't expect everything to turn to this, I came with Timi but now I'm going on my own.

" take me to my school " I quickly say to the bike man as I cleaned my tears.

" na wa ohh, how I suppose know your school aunty.?" the bike man frowned.
I apologised and told him the exact location before getting on.

"Benny don't leave me, please.... I love you babe....... " he was running after the bike, I felt a bit guilty but please. I was glad the bike guy rode on faster.

Immediately I got to the hostel, I started crying again.

" what's wrong? " Aisha asked looking worried.

" Timiiii " I cried in her arms.

" oh my God, did he hit cheat on you? I said so.. I said it, you can never trust him " she frowned as she led me to sit on the bed.

" he didn't cheat on me " I answer softly.

Anu handed me a cup of water, I smiled at her as I collected it.

" then what happened? How did it go with Fisayo? " Aisha pushed.

" Fisayo kissed me and Timi saw it.. He misunderstood the whole scene, I wouldn't blame him because I didn't even push Fisayo away from me " I cried.

" aww " Aisha pat my back.

" look at the bright side of it " Rona started.

" ssh, Rona don't say anything " Anu frowned.

" I'll say my mind, I don't even know what's wrong with you sef Anu, you're turning like them already " she fired.
" anyways Benny dear, I guess things are messed up between you and Timi already and also things aren't too fine with Fisayo.... This is God's way of reminding you that dating isn't meant for a young girl like you ".

" if you don't date, you won't die.... Am I dead? " she frowned.

" oh please, shut up Rona " Aisha hissed.
" Benny, I think you should call Timi "

I nodded and picked up my phone, I quickly dialed Timi's. He picked at first ring, I was seriously not expecting him to pick it..... I didn't!
I didn't even know what to say.

" Timi, listen.... I'm really sorry.. Not like what you saw was exactly what happened, I mean it wasn't... It was just that.......

"breathe slowly and compose yourself " Aisha mouthed.
I placed the phone on speaker.

" it's fine Benita, it's fine " he answered calmly.

That wasn't the type of response I expected.
" are you for real? "

" yes, I guess... I should have just given you enough time to think it through...and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I need you to know where you stand, you need space "

" please Timi, I don't need any space, it's you I want " I cried

" I used to think the same too that you wanted me but it's clear you don't know what you want here, I still love you but you know me, I don't like being pushy.. I need you to be fully sure of where you stand and when that's done, I'll be here waiting"

"please, don't do this to me! "

" stay safe Benny, see you some other time... Maybe " that was the end.

" Aishaaaaaa! " I cried again.
She wrapped her arms around me "it's okay boo, it's okay"

He didn't even call me pumpkin!

"Benita " Rona called.

I looked up at her as I couldn't find my voice.

" I think Timileyin has a point " she nodded.

Aisha eyed her" what's the point? "

" you've heard of this saying 'you can't eat your cake and have it?' " Rona asked .
" you claim you love Timileyin, yet, it still look like you love Fisayo. You're attached to Timileyin but your previous bond with Fisayo wouldn't make you think properly and that's the issue here "

" so you're saying she cannot think again? " Aisha looked confused. Rona sighed in annoyance.

Anu came towards us laughing.
" what Rona mean is Benita has to make up her mind.. Emotionally that she's done with Fisayo "

" but it's over already " I sighed.

" remember you said when Fisayo kissed you, you didn't immediately push him away... You see, you're still tied to him emotionally " she smiled.

She had a point. When we kissed, for some seconds I thought we were still how we used to be, lovey dovey and stuff. But we weren't anymore.

" what should I do now? " I cried.

" give your life to Christ and forget about boys " Rona smiled showing everything in her mouth.

" find a life " Aisha pushed her away.

Anu smiled "I would have said the same too, forget about guys for now, focus on God... But since it's likely you girls would eat me, I'll just say what I think is best.... You need space, Timileyin said it. Develop yourself mentally and emotionally, with that you can now decide on what you want "

She had a point, Anu and Rona are actually very sensible after all.

" Anu, you forgot to add spiritually " Rona queried.

Aisha rubbed my hands giving me a reassuring smile." You'll be okay "

I wondered where Debra was. These days she hardly stayed in a place.

So taking Anu's advice, I'll have to emotionally make up my mind. What was there to decide on? It was Timi I wanted, no much talk but what if I choose Timi, would I regret my action and then long after Fisayo!

I looked around for help, what should I do?

"Aisha please can you help me with my hair? " Rona asked.

" I don't want to talk to you today, I'll transfer some money to your account, go to an hairdresser ... Don't stress my life! "

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

I had just gotten back from class and I was terribly tired.

" I'm hungry " I growled. I didn't want to go to the cafeteria to eat, one, the queue would scare me away and two, I just did not like school's food.

" I swear, in my second year, I'm so not going to stay in hostel, I hate that we are not able to cook in hostel " I say to Anu.

" I have a friend that stays off campus, we can go and cook at her place " she offered.

" not like I can even cook, the only food I can make is egusi and pancake, did I tell you it was Timi who taught me how to make them. " my mood changed at the mention of Timi.
Since I last called him, he didn't bother calling me back, I sent him some texts but he only answered with few short replies. Then later on, he stopped replying.
Debra made me stop because she also emphasized on the 'space' thing.

Fisayo on the other hand wouldn't let me be, he kept calling me, I even blocked his number but he kept on using different numbers to call me.
One time, he came to the hostel with lots of gifts and the likes, begging me to give him one more chance.
Debra asked me to collect the gifts and then slam the door on his face. Of course I didn't do that.

He dropped the things he got beside the door and left the hostel since I refused to let him in. Debra took them all anyways.

" come, let's go and buy rice from iya Sikirat " Anu smiled at me .

" eww no " I laughed.

" I have a friend's birthday party to go for, I need to get new clothes " she says as she brought out all her clothes from her box.
I lay down on my bed, arranging my books.

" there's a blue bag down there, I have some new clothes you might like... Don't worry, they are mostly gowns not trousers " I smiled.

She offered me her famous warmest smile before picking up the blue bag to search for a dress.
I watched her as she studied each dress, just then, the door was flung open.

" you lack manners Deborah! "

" I miss you too Benita " she smirked.
I could tell she wasn't the only one as I could hear voices behind.

Aisha walked in with Jenny and Olivia.
Good, if Rona should come in, the room would be more like an event center!

" look who we met downstairs, queen Olivia and servant Jenny " Aisha dryly says

" wow, Olivia... You are here " what was I supposed to say.

" yes" she smiled sheepishly.

"hiii " Jenny smiled. " Hey " I answer shortly.

Olivia and Jenny both looked around, this used to be their room.

" so why exactly did you girls come here? " Aisha asked with a stern face.

" we came to say hello " Olivia answered. She looked stressed out, oh well, being pregnant is stressful.

" oh okay, hello... Now goodbye " Aisha smiled.

" look Aisha, I thought we were past that already, yes, I offended you girls in the past and I regret it, I just want things to be right with us... You girls are my best friends "

" what did you say? " Debra laughed. " we are your best friends or used to be your best friends? Better rephrase your sentence "

Anu took down some things from the chair and motioned for Olivia to sit.

" yeah sit down, as a pregnant woman, you shouldn't be standing " Aisha laughed.

" can you girls stop being mean " Jenny growled.

" aunty, hold your ears, Olivia is the pregnant one, she can say what she wants but you, if you talk and pass your boundary, the backhand slap I would give you would bring you back to Default's settings " Debra threatened.

" do you want anything, are you okay? " I asked Olivia.

" I'm fine" she nodded.

"honestly, I missed you girls, I missed being with you all " she muttered.

" madddd ohhh! " Debra laughed again.

" I swear, apart from you guys and Jenny, no other person has cared for me "

"na dem!! "

" I just want us to forget what happened in the past and start all over again "

" mad ohhhh! "

" Debra.... " Olivia frowned.

"mad ohh"

"Debra I swear, I'm serious and you're not helping matters " she cried.
Debra didn't say anything again as she jumped on her bed.

" my boyfriend has finally accepted to take care of my baby and I " she revealed.

" oh, that's cool... But Olivia, I don't know how you intend staying away from your mom for 9 whole months, you have to let her know about this " I sighed.

" and that's the reason I came to meet you guys, I need your help "

" honestly, I've considered going for an abortion but it's just so risky, I had to change my mind. So like I said, this is the reason I came to see you girls " she added.

" but you said you came to say Hello... Abi Aisha " Debra smiled.

" can you just go straight to the point, why exactly do you need our help? " Aisha rolled her eyes.

" I want you girls to help me keep this pregnancy from my family.... You know how we've always worked as a team back in those......

"shut up! Just shut it " Debra cut her short.

" I am so not playing this game with you, if you want to hide this from your mom, fine but just count me out.... I wouldn't be a part of this, I can't " she added.

" please, we used to work together as a team remember... I can't do this on my own please " Olivia begged.

" ohh You can't do this on your own uh? When you were on bed with your boyfriend, didn't you do it on your own? When he was releasing in you, didn't you enjoy the pleasure on your own.! Face it Olivia, you are on your own! " Debra practically yelled.

Olivia started crying and Jenny was right beside her, calming her and at the same time shooting daggers at Debra with her eyes.

"Debra has a point, this is a dangerous game. I don't pray for something bad to happen to you but what if something bad happens along the line...... Your mom would be left out on the whole thing, it's a bad idea, I don't think I want to be part of it " Aisha shrugged

" Benita please, you've always had the kindest heart right from time, help me... I can't do this on my own, I can't tell this to my mom. I wish I could get rid of this baby but I'm scared, I'm really scared " Her face was messed up with her cries and all, her make up was ruined.
I didn't know if I should feel bad for her or not but it was a really sorry scene.

" honestly, Olivia, I don't know "

Olivia immediately fell to her knees "look, nine months isn't that long, I swear before you know it, I would have put to bed already, it'll just be our little secret"

"then what would you do with baby? " Anu asked.

" I would get a nanny or something to help me raise the child, I have lots of money in my account, I can just buy an house in the child's name and get everything the child would need and when I'm ready, I'll come clean, I'll tell my mom " she answered, still on her knees.

" that's insane! " Debra hissed.
Anu helped Olivia to her feet and at the same time help her clean her face.

This pregnancy changed Olivia, it really did.

We had our mind set already, we wouldn't be able to help her, like Aisha said, it really is a dangerous game.

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

Days passed, there was no Timi in my life, it was painful but I had to stay strong. I didn't know how long he wanted to stay away from me, all I knew was that, it was taking too long.

I once drove to Emeka's place, I couldn't stop myself. Emeka only told me Timi hadn't come there for weeks.
I was the reason Timi goes to Emeka's place and now that I've fucked up, there was no reason for him to go there anymore.

I was always tempted to call him and the few times I did, we had this awkward one minute conversation. He was always sounding formal like I was one of his business associate.

I cried myself to sleep several nights.

I had even unblocked Fisayo's number, he also did his share of calling me some times. After I unblocked him, I made up my mind not to ever pick his calls but he wouldn't stop calling, he kept on calling almost all the time and I had no choice, I started picking.
Anu was right, I wasn't done with Fisayo, in my head, I was but in my heart, I wasn't.

I admired Josh and Aisha's relationship, I felt a bit proud that I was the one who brought them together.
Aisha was truly in love and it was a good thing because Aisha had never been in love.

These days, I was always spending time with Rona, I'd listen to her bible talks and when she decides to gist me with something entertaining, it would end up being a disaster.

Like how sister Tope left choir to become an usher.

How the keyboardist claimed that many people in church do not devote their time to God.

How the pastor decided to replace the altar with a colorful one.

Like Rona, these are not gossips, they are just boring talks!

***********

Olivia wanted us to all her see her boyfriend, Osaze.

We drove over to her place, the Osaze guy was already there, a tall huge guy.

"this guy is too biggg for Olivia, her eyes are too big " Rona whispered to me.

" sssh " I hit her on the waist.

" hi, Osaze right? " I smiled at him.

" yeah, I'm Osaze and you must be Benita I guess, Olivia has said a lot about you " he smiled back offering his hand to shake me.

" aww " I smiled at Olivia.

"so, I know there's a Deborah here and there's also Aisha...." he looked friendly, alright.

Debra stepped out smirking at him "yeah, you can call me Debra.. And I believe you are the one who got Olivia pregnant"

"Deborah! That's not polite " Rona grumbled.

" what na, he was the one who got her pregnant, I wanted to be sure like very sure " Debra shrugged.

Osaze cleared his throat" it's actually fine, yes I got her pregnant and I'm not going to run away from that, I am ready to accept the responsibilities attached "

" Good because none of us here is ready to help her with that " Debra shrugged again.

" you've been going to the hospital for check up right? " Aisha asked Olivia.
" you don't look too well! "

" yeah that's true, anti natal or uncle natal, whatever it's called " Debra rolled her eyes.

" yeah, she'll start that very soon" Osaze answered as he held her waist.

Things weren't fine with me but I was glad things were at least alright with my friends. We stayed for a little while even though Debra and Aisha didn't want to. They still didn't want to believe Olivia had changed. Debra still kept on saying Olivia should face her problems alone without adding us to it.

DEBRA'S POV

Seeing Benny and Aisha act like everything was okay just irritated me..... Things were not okay!
Olivia was pregnant and she was trying to get us play this hide - the-pregnancy-from - mom game.
She even had the guts to call us to come see her Goliath like baby daddy.

"we have to leave oh " I announced to them.

" can't you girls stay a little longer" Olivia begged.

"longer to do what? Help you baff your baby or paint your nails ... " I wanted to be sure.

" Debbie " Anu squealed.

" I just asked what was bothering me na " it was the truth, I said what was in my mind.

" alright then, I guess you girls would come some other time " Olivia asked.

" nobody's promising " I quickly answer.
We all stood to leave, finally.

" Debra why don't you like keeping your bad mouth shut " Rona asked me. Has this girl never seen me slap someone before?

" pastor Rona, leave me alone "

" you're mean " she pouted.

" you're a pest " I replied.
Benny and Aisha didn't even have my time as they hurriedly entered the car.
I was about getting in when I realised ." I think I left my phone there "

" leave it, I'll buy you a new one " Aisha laughed.

Shaking my head, I laughed and ran upstairs, Jenny has the face of a thief, who knows, she might steal my phone.

" at least just do this for me, I swear it won't be much of a burden to you " I could hear Olivia pleading.

" those girls are rude, especially the tall one on short hair " Osaze's voice boomed

Excuse me, I am the one on short hair, he better not insult me.

" I promise you, just nine month, please " Olivia begged again. I didn't know what they were talking about but it sounded suspicious.

I walked into the room "I don't know what y'all are talking about, I just came to pick my phone"
I turned to leave.

"if I eventually find out, I'll kill you both, forget his height, I can kill him "
After stating my point, I headed back to the car.

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RIP Kobe and Gigi 😪😪🏉⚾🏀🏀🏀🏀