"Hold it this way..."

"Okay, done "

" not just about it being done, I need you to get a good grip "

This is just ridiculous, Debra asked Dotun to teach her how to use a gun.

" can you give me one? " she asked him.

" no, it's too dangerous " he frowned.

" but you have two na " she argued.

" yes and that's because I am responsible " he shrugged.

Responsible?

" if with time I get to see how mature you are, I'll give you one for your birthday " he added as he pointed his gun at the door.

Just then, the worst happened.

Mr Modupe walked in, hand in hand with his wife.

" Jesus! " Debra cried

" Dotun! " the tall man in a tailored suit barked.

" what is going on here? " he asked in confusion as there was silence.

" I've always said it, I have a nut case for a son, Dotun, tell me, where'd you get that gun from. Where? " Mrs Modupe screamed.

It was only Debra, Dotun and I that were home. Well Ben and Benita were inside too.

Mrs Modupe walked over to Dotun, slapped him hard on the cheek.
" why do you have a gun in my house, answer me young man! "

Dotun dropped his eyes as he tucked the gun in his back pocket.

" I'm calling the cops on you, where's my phone? I'm going to have to call 911...... " she cried

" Tamara darling, 911 doesn't work here, I thought you knew " Mr Modupe frowned as he held her arm.
" I'll take care of this, don't worry " he added.

I wanted the ground to open and swallow me in. Looking at Debra, she was also not comfortable.
None of us expected the man would come today. Williams told us he was out of the country but would be this back this week, no one expected it to be this day.

"and you girls, you find it interesting to stand here and watch him use a gun uhn? " she asked us.

We shook our heads nervously.
I personally was against the whole thing but since Debra and Dotun are like naturally senseless, I can't stop them from being natural then.

" give me the gun, now! " she growled at her son.

" ma? No oh " he disagreed.

" you have to do away with that thing " Her husband supported

" I know sir but I can't give it to her " he stated.

" you can't give what to me? Excuse me, I had you in my womb for a whole nine months, I endured the pains because I love you and now, I'm asking my son to do something and he says no?....he says no!" she screamed.

"sweet heart, it's okay " the man begged his wife.

" hand it over, now! "she ordered.

" no " Dotun stubbornly answered.

" dad tell her na, I can't give her, it's too dangerous " he added. I could still see his mother's five fingers on his cheek.

" I just have to call the cops on you " she shrugged as she brought out her phone.
" I won't let a criminal disguised as my son stay under the same roof with me "

" fine, I'll leave " he grumbled.

" leave then, I don't want you teaching all these to Tife " she screamed back.

I wanted to excuse myself, this is so uncomfortable.

" Debra and I would be outside ma " I quickly announce.

" no, you both should get that ass down on that chair " she yelled.

Debra and I quickly sat down in fear.

"Dotun, hand it over" she ordered.

"mom, I'm sorry I can't " he answered in a softer voice.

" sweetie let him be "

" no no, this is the thing, you've always been soft on these children and that's why he turned out to be the way he is... Give me the gun !" she screamed.

"no! "

" sometimes, I wonder if you're my son .... I'm tired of you " she cried.

" I'm sorry mom, I've never been your best son right from time and I hate it but I won't give this to you "

" Dotun" she raised her voice.

"mom, I'm sorry but it would be too dangerous to give this to you... I'm sorry "he answered before walking away.

Can't I just leave here in peace?

Awkward silence.....

Mrs Modupe stomped away angrily.

More awkward silence.....

" how are you girls by the way? " Mr Modupe asked with a smile.

Thank God!

" we're fine, thank you sir " I answered for us.

"my wife here told me you have been here watching over your friend, how kind of you..... Where's Olivia?" he asked looking around.

"school work really got her occupied sir " I answered for us again, Debra should better not say anything..

" ohh, I see... "
" be good girls okay " he smiled.

We smiled back and nodded at him as he left.

" you see what you've caused! " I scowled at Deb.

" what did I cause? " she spat.

" why did you ask Dotun to teach you how to use a gun, you've put him in trouble already "

" so if I ask you to put your hand inside hot water, would you do it? " she laughed.

We could hear a fierce raised voice and a cool voice in an heated argument.
Mother and son.

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

BENNY'S POV

Things had not really been fine with me.
I wasn't myself at all, words spoken around me seemed far off, faces seemed blurry but at least it's an improvement compared to before when my mind and thinking were as blank as blank.

I noticed my friends were always around me and were always arguing on every little thing. One would call the other senseless and the other would laugh it away, I couldn't point out who exactly.

I had been on drips since I came back. I didn't exactly tell anyone I was sick but I was glad I got these drips because they strengthened me to an extent.

With time, my senses seemed to be coming back. I wasn't as weak as I was before.
Everything used to look frightening and really scary that I always found myself screaming almost all the time.
There were times when I wasn't able to move my hands or legs and worse, I couldn't even speak.

I would want to tell whoever is with me in the room that I feel really pressed but I'll end up looking long at something that wasn't even worth my attention.

My heart felt shattered. My best friend got impregnated by Fisayo. There was nothing to be done.
When she gives birth to the child, the face would be a reminder that I am just a weakling whose properties are meant to be taken. I couldn't keep Fisayo so Olivia took him.

Again, my twin brother was in a coma. It looked like nobody took it as a big deal but to me, it was.
It felt like a part of me had paralysis because I felt incomplete, I couldn't think properly.
It had always been like that while growing up, whenever Ben got sick, strangely I would get affected, it was annoying and strange.

I was glad that Timi was there for me all these while, I wasn't sure I would have handled it alone.
My friends are darlings but not forgetting demons too.

Aisha had just told me how my mom and dad caught Dotun with a gun. She blamed it on Debra and I wanted to ask to stop, the blame should be on Dotun and Debra together and not just Debra.

But I just didn't have the strength to tell her.

That evening, after my friends had left for their respective homes, daddy came to see me, well us.

"Benita dear " his deep voice filled the air.

" I don't like what's happening but it happened anyway, I just want you to get well soon... You and Ben, please "

I smiled weakly at him. I also did not like what was happening. I didn't like being in a spot for long, I wanted to go clubbing, trouble making or just doing something lively and fun.... More importantly, being with Timi.

But I just had no strength.

If only Ben can get his stupid self up, if only his eyes would just open.. Maybe that would give me the strength I need.

I wanted to tell daddy I had missed him so much, I wanted to tell him that since he left, mom had been a bit harsh on us compared to the way he was always soft and kind to us, I wanted to complain about lots of things but all I could do was just smile weakly.

Where is Timi when you need him, he seemed to be the only one that gave me this mysterious strength.

"I'll just leave you to rest, you look tired... Ben needs rest too " he smiled as he stood up to leave.

I didn't want him to go.....

Daddy wait.....

He was gone.

I hate Ben, I love him at the same time.
I hate him for making me go through this, I love him because he is my other half.
Timi is my other half too if you look at it from another angle.

It feels like my world is empty without him.
I missed his tease
His jokes
His rudeness and all. I wanted him to touch me, I wanted to feel his breath against my skin.

It felt like he had not even come to see me because the time he was seated close to my bed chanting "get well soon" seemed like a dream. It was blurry and didn't seem real.

The only thing that felt real was the time I heard a loud noise from outside. I remembered I had earlier heard Timi's voice and as usual, it gave me the strength I lacked and that was what made me leave my bed and try to find out what exactly was happening.

It seemed strange but I had to find out what was happening outside and when I got there, there were strange faces, my brother was with a gun and I didn't even understand the whole situation. Timi had to gather me in his arms before setting me on a chair.

I miss Timi so bad.

Why was Ben treating me this way, stand up you motherfucker!

"Ben, you - you are m-mad "

I didn't know how I was able to say that out.
It was probably the thought of Timi, thinking of Timi gave me strength.

******************
DEBRA'S POV

" take this bullshit out of here! " Aisha screamed.

" I can't " Fisayo answered.

" this is just an ordinary Toyota Camry " Aisha spat with disgust.
" if you want to give my friend a gift, you should give her something of great quality and not this trash "

Explanation.
Fisayo came to the house with a friend of his. Not Ayuba this time. They came in two different cars.
The white Toyota Camry 'belonged' to Benita, he got it for her as a gift.

" you're lucky her parents and brothers are not home if not you would have gotten the greatest embarrassment of all time" she added.

"can you just stop being stubborn and at least let me go in to see her " he frowned.

" Her parents left her in my care, so my no is no " Aisha barked.

" look, I've had enough with you Aisha. Debra, I feel like you would be reasonable enough... Say something " he begged.

He called me reasonable!
I feel honoured at the same time I feel insulted.

" what do you mean by reasonable? " I asked him. I chose to be quiet all these while but this guy just insulted me.

" I'm only asking for you to......

"why are you trying to explain yourself.... These girls are clowns " his friend laughed.

Are you serious?

"bros chill, I know this fucked up nigga here but you see you, only God knows where you came from... If Fisayo decides to say anything, I use God name and beg you, please don't talk" I warned him.

"Aisha, tell him I know how to use a gun " I yelled.

" she knows how to use a gun " Aisha growled.

" and I fit kill person, nothing go sup "

" and she'd kill you nothing would happen " there was no need for her to say that but okay.

" Now Aisha tell them this car is trashy "

" your car is trashy! " she barked.
I so love this girl.

Fisayo's friend was laughing hard but this wasn't even funny, Aisha and I were as serious as serious.

" Fisayo, these girls are dramatically funny " the guy laughed, his face was red.

" Okay fine, the car is trashy but at least, let me just see Benny " Fisayo smiled.

" Do we look like a joke to you, you are smiling? This is a stand up comedy, right. " Aisha was terribly upset.

AISHA'S POV

On behalf of Benny, I feel insulted. If that even made any sense.

Like, WTF!

Toyota Camry! I can decide to buy two of this car this very instant.
How dare he get something this cheap for my best friend.

And stupid Fisayo had to come with his friend and were both laughing at us calling us dramatic.
I don't even think we are that dramatic, we are just natural.

Debra had been quiet the whole time but now she was seated on the ground, talking to herself. Weird!

"If it were me of before, Deborah Oghenerukevwe Akpenvwoghene Odjirigho, I would have beaten you blue and black. Ask Aisha, ask her... God, I don suffer, imagine, I've been turned to a laughing stock.. Oghene! "

I found it interesting any time Debra turned this way but Fisayo's friend found it extremely funny as he was still laughing.

" Aisha "
That was Benita's voice. What was she doing outside and finally, she has been talking gradually these days.

" Benita, thank goodness, you are out, how are you? I've been so worried...

"ahhh! Oghene.... Life! "

" are you okay? " he was moving towards her and his non stop questions would scare her away.

" Fisayo please, just shut up " I said this as soft as I could, Benny looked mad and his questions might turn her completely mad.
I quickly went ahead of him and placed my arm around her.
" I'll take you inside now "

" Wait, wait Aisha, hold on " he begged me.

" Benny, look at the car I got you, it's a a way of saying I'm sorry, please forgive me " he dropped to his knees.

Wow! He was actually trying so hard....

I turned to Benny, her face loosened, the confusion left her face.
" Benny "

" you got me a car? " she slowly asked.

Fisayo nodded and took her hands in his. Debra immediately sprang up and cut his hand away from hers.

" guyyyy " she kept on shaking her head disapprovingly.

" you got me a car? " she asked again.

" yes and I'll get you more if you need it " he answered as he stood up and magically pulled her in his arms.
She didn't struggle as she let him wrap his arms around her.

I would assume she didn't struggle because she was weak..not because of any other thing.

"I don't like what's going on" Debra whispered to me.

I also didn't like what was going on. This is bad. She was softly crying in his arms and he was calming her with soft words. This is crazy.

"I have an idea... Let's go in, take a knife and stab him " Debra whispered.

This Debra girl had been acting strangely dumb these days.

He was patting her hair now, it just wasn't a good thing to watch.

Biting my lips, I brought out my phone and quickly sent a message.

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

TIMI'S POV

I thought I would be able to avoid office these period but I clearly couldn't. Ella couldn't manage it by herself so I had to go back to settle some things.

Benny had always been on my mind, like she can never leave my mind.
I was glad that she was recovering, progress.

At least, these days, she smiled, nodded, eat without help and so on... She had started saying few words.

But Aisha sent me a message yesterday, she informed me she would come to my office to see me.
I called her and asked what the matter was but she insisted that she would have to see me in person before she would explain.

Today, I had to call Ella to inform her that she had to cancel any appointment I had for the day until Aisha comes.
As expected, Ella didn't like it.

Around 1pm, Aisha showed up. This time, she didn't come with her bouncer and she didn't really give attitudes to Ella. Wow!

"so tell me, what's up? " I asked as she sat down.

" you are a big fuck up " she frowned at me. Her earrings were big, like why would girls wear car tyres on their ears?
Her lips were just too glossy like how Benny's lips used to be. I missed teasing Benny about how glossy her lips used to be.

And why was she calling me 'a big fuck up?'

"Aisha, I don't have time for this " I quickly remind her.

" You need to get Benny a car " she explained.

Okay?

" why does she need a car? " I slowly asked in confusion . A car isn't something important at the moment.

" because she needs one " she answered.

" she has one already " I reminded.

" actually, she has two " she frowned.

" that's a good thing. "

" no stupid, that's a terrible thing " she faced palm.

" if you call me stupid again, I would hit this stapler on your nose " I warned.

" you wouldn't even dare " Her face turned in disgust.

" then go straight to the point " I hit my fists on the table.

" Fisayo bought Benny a car yesterday "

Wow.

" wow "

" is that what you have to say? " she rolled her eyes.

" can you just keep quiet and let me take this in " I frowned.

She didn't say anything as she loudly smacked her gum.

Silence....

" Good, I gave you ten second to let you take this in, time's up... Say something! " she frowned.

" why did he get her a car? "

" he's trying to make her forgive him and he also wants to win her back " she loudly smacked her gum again.

" that's stupid, you don't win a girl over with a car "

She looked at me wide eyed.
" I have a good mind to call you stupid " why were her eye lashes this long, why did she keep winking them so fast?.
It couldn't be real. Girls are so artificial.

" are you listening to me at all? " she snapped her fingers.
" look, you have to fight for her love! "

" no, I wouldn't... If she loves me, she'd have to pick between Fisayo and I! "

She hit her head "this is one reason why people miss the opportunity to have good things because you don't fight for it, you expect it to come straight to you"

That made sense to an extent.

She picked a pen on my table, poked my nose non stop "you have to man up and show Fisayo that you can get her something better than a Toyota Camry"

"I don't know.... "

" are you broke? If that's it, I can give you some money to buy her a car once and for all " she answered.

Rich brat!
I can buy the car myself but the reason sounded foolish.
Fighting for a girl was something I wouldn't even consider doing.
But Aisha had a point! She was reasonable after all.
Why did she even choose to help me? I thought she hated me just like I hated her.

"why are you helping me? "

" I'm doing this for Benny, don't give yourself high hopes " she frowned.

To be very honest, Aisha really loved Benny, she had been there for her all through. It was so nice.

" this isn't a good idea " I couldn't believe I was actually listening to a young girl like this.

" you're insane but just trust me on this " she rolled her eyes.

I knew I was in for some girls dramatic 'wahala'.
What would be the exact point I would be trying to prove by getting another car for Benny.

I dropped my hands surrendering.
" so what exactly do you want me to do? "

She smiled as she took off her gum and stick it to my laptop.
" we'll go car shopping"