Ephraim packed his bag and squeezed a pink bag into it, he smiled as he thought of the content of the bag. It was a gift for Jemima, an expensive perfume his course mate who was into the business sold to him. The smile was plastered on his face as he thought about seeing Jemima again, he only hoped she would be as excited.

The relationship was only a few days old, but he had started worrying about how much she loved him. He hoped the younger him, who was naive and shy, the version of him when he first met with Jemima wasn't at work. And that the version of Jemima who seemed to care the same for everyone wasn't at work, he really could not stop worrying.

He sighed as he zipped up his bag, only to see Dunsin started closely behind him. He jerked as he was startled by the way Dunsin stood behind him.

Dunsin had been living with him for some days now, he had issues with his landlord, since he loved off-campus, so he was staying with Ephraim for the main time.

"How far guy, You startled me". Ephraim blurted

" I'm sorry, just wondering why a pink bag was in your bag," Dunsin said as he turned back and sat in the bed, wearing his shoes.

"It's none of your business", Ephraim said as carried the bag and wore them making them rest on his shoulders.

" Are you guys dating?" Dunsin asked.

His question startled Ephraim, who swallowed and turned to look at him.

" What are you saying?" Ephraim questioned him, as he combed his hair again.

"You and Jemima, you've been together most times lately, what's up?" Dunsin said as he stood up and took his bag, walking towards Ephraim so they can be on their way.

" Nothing is between us," Ephraim said nervously.

"I know you guys are dating," Dunsin said.
Ephraim watched him closely then burst into laughter, he laughed hard and turned to face him.

" That's not true bro!" Ephraim said dismissively.

"Okay then," Dunsin said as if accepting defeat. " But I just want you to be careful of any girl that tells you to keep a relationship a secret, okay?" Dunsin said as he walked out of the room.

Ephraim stood transfixed as he watched Dunsin leave. He had always wondered why Jemima would want them to keep the relationship a secret, but he didn't want to ask to respect her decisions. But Dunsin's words got him thinking.

"I'm waiting for" Dunsin hollered him from outside, causing him to jolt to reality from his deep thoughts.

"I'm coming".

••••••••••••••••••••••

I walked with the girls to Mo's car as we had finished lectures. We were giggling and laughing as we walked, the lecture was interesting and everyone loved it.

We were about opening the car's doors when Damilare came running towards us. He was quite a distance so Semiloore and I used the opportunity to tease Mo.

" Your sweetheart is coming here oo" Semiloore teased. Mo' blushed as she interjected her.

"Stop saying rubbish aunty" Mo' said.

"Where are you guys going told. I hope he buys you a kiss" I added mine as the girls burst into laughter.

" Omo pastor!!!" They screamed simultaneously, laughing boisterously.

Damilare reached us panting heavily as he bent down to catch his breath. He wore a long face which scared and dropped his head.

"Kilose eh (what is wrong with you)" Mo' said worriedly as she held his shoulders watching him closely.

He raised and stared at him, I shifted under his awkward and scary gaze.

"Toni is missing" he blurted out.

My heart flew to my mouth at his words, I stared at him for close to two minutes unable to process his words. I didn't know what to do but I weirdly burst Into laughter, surprising everyone.

"Stop joking," I said between laughs as I tapped his shoulders continuously.

" I'm not joking Jemima". He said very seriously as he was still panting, his eyes were wet as though he had cried.

" My phone got spoilt so I had to get a new one. When I did, I lost membership in many groups I belonged to, including my church's teens group. I just got added yesterday night, and when I read some of the things they were talking about. I found out Toni has been missing for over a month Jemima" he explained. I stood transfixed in that spot, it seemed like a dream but it was true. Tears flowed down my eyes as Semiloore and Mo'rushed to me as I started going down.

Just then we all sighted Ephraim walking towards us, looking intently at the scene, he walked slowly as if scared to hear what was happening.

Damilare walked up to him and pulled him to join us as I was already leaning on the door.

"Haven't you been on the church's teens group all this while?" Dare asked Ephraim.

" No, I'm not on the group. I told them I don't want to be on it, not like I'm friends with many people there", Ephraim explained, watching us all inquisitively " what's happening?" He asked.

"Toni is missing!" Dare announced, " for over a month bro," Dare said in a high-pitched voice. They continued talking, but I didn't hear a word of it, I was out of the world.

I opened my eyes to stare at a ceiling I wasn't familiar with, I rolled and saw I was also on a bed I didn't know about. I sat up and gazed around, then I started to hear my friends talking. I walked towards the direction of their voice and it turned out to be the sitting room. They were sitting with long faces as they talked about Toni's disappearance.

"I can't believe her family is not looking for her" Ephraim said utterly confused.

I walked up to them and sat beside Ephraim, they all talked softly with me as Ephraim wrapped his arms around my shoulders, the feeling was beautiful but I couldn't think much about it. After some seconds of silence, Dare spoke up.

"Er, I heard something more shocking. And I believe that's the reason why they aren't looking for her" Dare said as he bowed his head and stared at the floor tiles.

"What is it?" I blurted out, as I was getting impatient.

"Toni was pregnant". Dare announced.

"What!!!" I screamed in unbelief, this possibly couldn't be happening. I held my head as I was wondering why anyone will come up with that lie. " That's a lie. It's not possible" I argued.

"It's true Jemi," Dare said as he turned to face me, the rest watching us. " Toni's Aunt said it. Apparently, she has been pregnant many times and aborted the babies". Dare said. I couldn't believe my ears, something was wrong somewhere.

" Toni's Aunt can say anything to discredit Toni, it didn't start today. Dare that woman is mad!" I said.

"But her uncle isn't saying anything. Besides your Dad also seems to agree with this narrative cos he has been talking about chastity in the church for a while now. And also there is an alleged pregnancy test result, and some of the teens claim to have seen it". Dare explained completely confused himself.

I stared at my hands and started thinking hard.
Why was my Dad in the equation? And why was Pastor Dennis silent?
All the questions rushed to me but I tried my best to dismiss them as the answers my mind was giving were not to be heard.

He wouldn't do that! I thought to myself.

" But what her they doing about the disappearance now?" Masked.

"Nothing. Mrs. Olamide, Toni's Aunt said she left home the day they came back from the hospital. So they guess she had gone to the person responsible for the pregnancy. Surprisingly Pastor Dennis is too silent about all this!!!". Dare said frustrated.

"I always knew he was a bastard!" I blurted out unconsciously, attracting the gazes of my friends. I was not the type to use curse words, but I have used so many already. " I'm sorry. I'm just confused" I apologized, they shifted their gazes and we fell into another silence.

Dare was the one to speak again.
" There's one more thing Jemi". Dare said soberly, and I knew from the instant he was about to say something that would break me. Not like all he said earlier hadn't?

"They say you know something about it".