It was past closing period. Only the parents were in school with some teachers. Boma and Eric were still in their kneeling positions.  

“What did you do? Haven’t I told you to stop fighting with other kids? I can’t believe you brought this rough attitude to school!” Eric’s mum, Alicia, slapped him at the back of his head.

“I didn’t do anything, I swear.” He was brittle in crocodile tears. “I just bumped into Alex while going to the toilet, and he fell. I mean, it was just a coincidence that Alex fell at that exact time. He hit his head on the wall and we couldn’t save him.”

“Is it true?” The assistant head teacher questioned Boma, who was the only witness to the scene.

‘I ought to make a plan.’ A thought reckoned in Boma’s head. ‘For our good.’

“Yes.” He nodded in fear of being exposed. It would be such a shame if their parents and teachers knew what happened. Boma squeezed his eyes shut and wiped his face with his right hand. The situation was getting tough. “We didn’t even touch him.”

Bunmi hasn’t gone home because Mr. John usually picks her up and Alex from school. She awaited them outside the headteacher’s office.

“It’s a lie!” Bunmi interrupted once she stepped into the head teacher’s office.

“Eric punched Alex’s jaw. He fell and started bleeding through his ear.”

“What?” They turned to Bunmi with dropped jaws.

“Yes. Everyone in his class bullies him. They call him names like Parasite, and the driver’s son. They hate him so much.” Bunmi explained.

Alicia turned to her son, Eric. Her eyes pierced his soul like an arrow, his heart raced on his kneeling spot.

“So you lied?” Alicia fumed at her son with raised eyebrows. She sighed and placed a hand over her long, braided hair. “This is unbelievable! How do I deal with you? Your dad would definitely hear about this!”

“No mum, Bunmi is lying, I swear! She came after Alex fell. She didn’t witness the incident.” Eric begged and turned to Bunmi with a glare. “Stop lying!”

Unmoved, Bunmi scorned Eric and frowned at his pretence. He didn't frighten her a bit.

Watching them, Alicia's right hand tightened in a fist and she smacked cut against her other palm. Alicia's fit tapped the tiled ground lightly, while she though of a way to punish her son. Quitting his education would influence his future, else? She would have sent him to learn a vocational skill after his basic Education, instead of letting Eric study like his mates in a school.

“And why would I lie?” Bunmi threw at him and faced Mr. Bello.  “Ask anyone in his class and you’ll see.”

The parents and teachers had lopsided grimaces on their sweaty faces. Mr. Bello paced up and down, with deep thoughts on the issue.

Mrs. Alicia chewed on the inside of her cheek while deciding whether to report to Eric’s dad or not. Eric’s dad who was a diplomat, resides in the United States, and only visits and stays in Nigeria one week a month. “This is upsetting!” She grabbed her front hair again, in confusion. 

“They’re bullies. Ugh... I wonder how Alex is faring.” Bunmi mumbled to clear the air. She scrutinized, studying the expression on the adults' faces, to determine their opinion.

“Why did you lie?” Eric asked Boma with his eyes.

“To save our ass!” Eric gasped. “You better play along or take the blame.” 

Due to the intensity of the room, no one paid attention to the boys.

“Oh, they’re just kids.” Cynthia, Boma’s mum, whined, tired of the commotion. “And it’s getting late. I suggest we leave this for tomorrow?”

“No!” Mrs. Alicia urged. “We need to wait for Mr. And Mrs. John’s arrival so we can properly apologize.” 

“Why don’t we go to the hospital?”

“They will soon be here.” Mr. Bello assured and a car horn cut in from outside the room. “I guess they're here already.” he looked at the wall clock, and nodded his head in anticipation.

“There are two witnesses; Boma and Bunmi. Who do we believe?” Mrs. Cynthia emphasized. “I believe my son.”

The door suddenly opened at the headteacher, Mrs. Ola and Alex’s parents from the hospital. It was evidence that they were still in panic with their long faces and swollen eyes they had.

“Welcome.” Mr. Bello rose from his seat and she walked to her table.

“Sorry for the trouble and delay.” The head teacher apologized, looking the seated parents in the eyes.

“I apologize for the inconvenience caused my son. Children can be a pain in the neck, you see! I will definitely deal with Eric my way!” Alicia assured Mr. and Mrs. John, sneering at her son with disappointed eyes.

Eric’s heart swelled, with eyes fiery red, but no water came. Boma had no feeling of guilt because he didn’t attack Alex. He just wanted to break out of the web that Eric created. 

“No, there’s no need for that.” Mrs. John hoarsely rasped. “We don’t pay evil for evil, please.”

“How is your son faring? I wanted to visit you at the hospital, but Mr. Bello recommended waiting here.

“I understand. The situation put my son in a coma, but now he’s transferred to the male ward. The doctor said we should check again tomorrow.” Rebecca coughed and wheezed while talking. As if the panic suddenly made her sick. But she endured. She allowed her lingering tears to drop without wiping it off. “Alex is responding to treatment. We thank God.”

“Jesus Christ! That’s heartbreaking. Was it up to that?” Mrs. Cynthia clamoured.

“The case isn’t so critical. The doctor said Alex has AFM, but he passed out due to the shock.” She rumbled with tears in her eyes.

“I will settle Alex’s medical bills.” Mrs. Alicia promised, opening an enveloped purse on her lap.

She brought out a bundle of new one thousand naira notes and handed it over to Mr. John. He raised his right hand and calmly smiled.

“There is no need for this. Please, keep the money. Spending on the victim is of no use if we don't correct the guilty. With the swelling on Alex’s chin, your son indeed hit him. And that fear triggered muscle weakness. Speak to your son, Mrs. Alicia.” Mr. John advice in a low voice. His head hung down his neck as he tried hard not to shed a tear, unlike his wife.

“Thanks for the support, Mrs. Ola.” Mr. John referred to the head teacher, holding onto his wife’s arm. “It’s almost 5:00 p.m. and Bunmi is still here. We will take our leave now.”

With guilty faces, Mrs. Cynthia and Mrs. Alicia watched them walk out of the office. They got into the car and drove home. Rebecca silently wept in the car, but her husband persuaded her to be hopeful. Luckily, he was receiving treatment.

Once they got home, Bunmi changed into her home outfit and had lunch. Despite the heartache, Rebecca went to the kitchen to prepare dinner before Mr. and Mrs. Williams before they arrived from their workplace. Rebecca didn't inform them about the incident yet, not to disturb them at work.She knew that if she told Mrs. Williams or her husband, they would rush to meet them at once. The couple loved Alex equally, to Bunmi. And the medical bill's would be cleared once they know, but they didn't know.

Usually, Bunmi and Alex would run and welcome them back from work. But this time, it was different. The silent compound welcomed Mrs. Williams. She showed at the thought of what was amiss, not until her daughter ran up to her.

“Welcome, mummy!” Bunmi greeted with a tight-lipped smile.

“How are you, my love? Where is Mummy, Alex?” Mrs. Williams beamed a radiant smile at her daughter, fondling her woven hair.

“She preparing dinner in the kitchen.”

“Okay, let's go in.” She smiled and walked alongside her daughter. Without dropping her handbag, Mrs. William ventured into her kitchen. Rebecca was pilling a tuber of yam.

“Welcome, ma.” She created a fake smile, but her face was dull enough to be noticed.

“You look sad... How are you?” Mrs. Williams requested in a high-pitched tone.

“Fine, we thank God,” Rebecca replied, looking down. Flushed on how to bring up the talk.

Mrs. Williams looked around, and her smile dropped. “Where is Alex?”

Rebecca paused with confusion at how to reply her madam. With held breath, the knife slipped from her grip.

“Hope no problem?” She walked up to Rebecca and placed a hand on her shoulder, studying her red eyes turn glassy.

“Alex passed out at school today. They rushed him to the hospital, mum.” Bunmi briefed her mum.

“What?” Mrs. Williams gasped. Her eyes paused and darted to Rebecca. “Is that true?”

Rebecca’s lips folded as she nodded “Yes... I didn't want to tell you yet, I  wanted to keep it personal. My husband warned me not to inform you.” Her eyes filled up with water and her lips troubled. She held it together, to not cry out loud.

"God! And you're just telling me now? Why would you keep such away from me? Am I not Alex's mother as well?" Mrs. Williams hissed, already offended.

“I'm sorry." Rebecca's voice cracked. More tears poured down her heavy eyes. Her whole body suddenly went numb so that she covered her face with the yam-stained hands that shivered.

After a moment of silence and critical thinking, Mrs. William hugged Rebecca to calm her. They were like sisters.

Later that evening, the family went to the hospital. Rebecca was to spend the night with her son, so she took along some clothes, fruits, and food.

When they reached the hospital, Alex had already woken up. He just said, still on the bed.

“Oh, my son!” he Rebecca rushed to him, holding his warm hand into hers.

“Mum is... Is that you?” He stammered.

“Yes, my son. A tear of joy rolled down her eyes as she blushed. “Did you hear that? She turned to her husband in excitement. Our son is fine.”

Mr. John tapped her on the back and moved closer.

With excitement, they sat him up on the pillow, and she all sat around him, reading his face.

“How long have I been here?” he asked.

“Eight hours now. They admitted you from school in the morning.” Bunmi, who was there, replied to him. She smiled at Alex, knowing he was awake.

“Alex, were you bullied at school?” Rebecca questioned her son calmly. She still couldn’t believe the entire story Bunmi had told her.

Slowly, Alex shut his eyes and gently opened it. Then he nodded in agreement. His hand lifted to touch his jaw, and he flinched at the pain that came with it.

“Aw!” Alex cried painfully.

“No, dear. Just rest.” Rebecca advised him.

Witnessing this shattered her heart into pieces.

“My head hurts.” He croaked, holding onto his head. Then his entire face.

“Why am I here? Uh... My head.” Alex flatly gasped.

Suddenly, he remembered what had happened at school.