Saturday night dinner had been nothing but tense, and with loud outbursts and growls sounding from the study where the men discussed ways to deal with the matter amicably, Gina had forced herself to look remorseful while eating a sumptuous meal of Jellof rice with Monica and Anthony. Lilah, she overheard, was taking a break from joining the family for dinner, probably dying from shame, she had mused while destroying a fat piece of chicken.

They had obviously expected her to be heartbroken by the incident, -and in a way, she was-, but since Gabriel had given her no room to act on her feelings for him, pulling off a hurtful expression had been a teensy bit difficult.

When Gabriel marched upstairs without coming for her, the siblings had urged her to go talk to him. She had grumbled while standing from her chair, not before secretly asking a maid to send up a second helping of the meal to their room.

Upstairs, Gabriel was no where to be found, and her concern only lasted as soon as the food appeared. Satisfied with a full tummy, she had drifted off into slumber-land. If she wasn't worried about how Gabriel would retaliate with her obvious lack of solidarity, she might have had a good night sleep. Apparently, 'no peace for the villanous wicked' was referring to a considerable lack of sleep, with Gabriel's absence from bed adding to the haze.

After waking up three times in the night due to hallucinations of being strangled for betraying him, Gina had stayed awake throughout, fighting every sleep in her as a chilling stillness enveloped the house sometime early morning.

The glare on her face when she was roused Sunday morning by a maid after finally managing to grasp unto the elusive hands of sleep was enough to get the poor girl whimpering in fright, and then making a mad dash out of the room, after delivering the message she was sent for.

Now two hours later, and Gina couldn't decide on which emotion to feel. Sad that Raphael must have sided with Malcolm if the grin on his face was to be believed, thus dismissing Gabriel's input as irrelevant, which in turn rendered her blackmail worthless; or angry that the manipulating woman, who had her arm linked with her boyfriend's, was sitting directly behind her on the pew. She knew her lack of sleep was not helping her judgement when she itched to scratch out Lilah's eyeball after their jab at each other this morning. 

"God's love is different from the human kind of love." The priest's voice vibrated through the speakers discussing 'love' on a morning no one in the Asika family was feeling particularly enthusiastic to hear the word, most especially her, the drool on her face an obvious sign.

"Many a times, we confuse the two. Jesus commanded us to 'love thy neighbour as ye love thyself' but he was referring to the Agape kind of love, not the Eros kind of love."

Loud it, Sir, so the people at the back can hear you.

"Because of greed and lust, we have perverted love. Nowadays, men lust after their wife's sisters all in the name of love; while some ladies lust after their husband's brother in the name of 'I love you'."

As if the man was on a spiritual realm, he was hitting the hammer on the head, and Gina felt a sense of righteous indignation. Lilah kept her gaze on the pulpit at all times as if her sin weighed heavily on her slender shoulders, and Gina snickered maliciously that at least Gabriel was unavoidably absent and hence, wouldn't help her carry her cross.

The thought had her darting her eyes around to catch a glimpse in the hope to see him, but even she knew this was the last place he'd go following the heated discussion last night. She wasn't sure the points deliberated on, but she knew Gabriel wasn't favoured by it judging by his reaction after.

Despite what she had told Gabriel yesterday, she'd always stick by his side no matter the situation. Her apparent act of distrust was to give Lilah the benefit of the doubt, but when the woman showed up this morning making rude remarks about men who had no self-control, her loyalty was shaken. The presence of her guest at that moment was the reins that held her home training in check.

Adjusting slightly on her chair, a hollow feeling ricocheted in her belly, reminding her the oatmeal she ate quickly before leaving must have been devoured by the baby. Before she could stop herself, a loud, irresponsible yawn escaped her lips, and she was useless to stop nature from running its course.

"Why are you yawning and drooling like a mannerless girl, eh?" Lilah hissed from behind her, forcing her to place a hand over her mouth subconsciously. "Stop betraying your village girl here and disgracing everybody."

All hunger evaporated from her body at that. In its place was the proverbial sibling. Her head turned sharply to glare at her. "Who is the one acting like a village girl and disgracing everybody between you and me? After behaving like a shameless she-goat on heat when you saw my boyfriend naked yesterday, I'm surprised your sin allowed you to enter this place today."

"It's your boyfriend you should ask that question. He was the one who came after me shamelessly. I told you he couldn't resist this body and he didn't."

A ferocious blinking match was engaged in, with none of the fiesty women willing to back down. Lilah broke off first, hissed before turning away. Not one to cower in the face of challenge, Gina pursed her lips and let out a long, whistling sound that had heads turning to source the sound of the noise.

"Wonders shall never cease. Just because I did not put you in your place yesterday, that's why you still have mouth to talk. It's not your fault, it's his fault for touching a scallywag like you."

"Who are you calling a scallywag?"

"Who else?" It was rhetorical and definitely meant to rile up Lilah who took the offensive word to heart.

"It is you that is that thing. It's you, your whole, entire family and your generation that is a scallywag."

"Thunder will fire your mouth for mentioning my family. Let me get my hands on you, and you'll see if I won't tear you to pieces. Nonsense! Onye ara!"

"You can't do anything to me. I dare you, Gina. All you have is mouth. You can't do more than a dead rat!"

Perhaps the comparison to being inferior to a dead rat in terms of strength was the prompt Gina needed to vent the pent-up emotions that started accumulating after yesterday's foolery. In a blink of an eye, she raised a palm and smacked the blubbering girl across the face, snapping her into muteness and shock. Without giving her time to recover or retaliate, she was up on her feet and delivering blows to Lilah who was undefeated in her own right, both oblivious to the support -and the cacophony- they had acquired.

+++++++

It must have been the chime of the wall clock, or the beep of his phone, or even the streaks of hot light filtering in through the thick white curtains that broke through his haze of sleep, but once he spied the brightness, he couldn't drift back into sleep again.

He made to adjust into a comfortable position only to be met with a crunching sound as his joints attempted to regain their natural state. Eyeing the large room, memory blessed him with the drunken stupor he had engaged in yesterday which would explain why he had woken up late. The jolt of the intoxication brought with it the reason for doing it.

Betrayal.

He didn't understand the dark feelings that coursed through his veins, but he had felt like these a long time ago, and he had not liked it one bit. For everytime he felt betrayed, he had retaliated in kind, expertly and efficiently, too. Every. Single. Time.

He winced when he tried to sit up on the sofa, feeling like his skull was about to crack open, which was a rare phenomenom for him as responsibility was his watchword. But last night was a much needed exception.

The hurt he felt had prompted the drinking, which invariably prompted his rash decision to spill his guts in return. Even remembering his blunder had him chastising himself.

With Gina's blackmail nipping at his mind, and his father's betrayal tying a noose round his neck, he had stepped into his car and zoomed out of the mansion without a destination in mind, anger navigating the traffic effortlessly. 

He was at an intersection, awaiting traffic when Christian called to offer him cold beer for dumping his relationship problems on him earlier in the day. Without hesitation, he had swerved his car in that direction.

The welcome was warm, contrary to the beer, and by the time they got to the liquor, Gabriel was doing the dumping. His saving grace was the simple fact that Christian was intoxicated as well, and he hoped the guy didn't remember half of his ramblings. He still preferred them unravelled.

Sighing heavily, he wondered if he should go check on Gina. His phone was switched off after letting her calls go straight to voicemail, preferring his solitude to her worrisome vibe, but it was way past noon now and he suspected she might be worried, especially since he was inadvertently taking out his anger on her.

Adjusting himself on the sofa, he tilted his head to watch the man snoring a few metres ahead. Lying haphazardly on a red sofa and dressed in a black polo and grey shorts, Christian looked every bit the handsome groom. His rugged features got him the ladies but he had the track record of amateur when keeping them, erroneously labelling him as a playboy.

Gabriel mused, and rejoiced in the fact that he was not the only one horrible at maintaining relationships.

"Idiot, wake up," he croaked, wincing at how hoarse his voice sounded. Drinking and shouting at the top of your lungs on a cold June night was probably not the best of ideas, but they both felt incredibly unhappy last night, and foolish behaviours had seemed logical at the time.

The body stirred, before adjusting to burrow his face into the sofa, the yellow throw pillow placed on top his head.

Deciding on a less sophisticated approach, he picked his loafer and flung it at him, narrowly missing his head as it landed on his shoulder before falling down.

Like a jack-in-the-box, Christian sprung up, his red-rimmed eyes darting around the room before settling on the grinning figure lying cosily on the black sofa perpendicular to his. His anger spiked momentarily.

"He-goat," he hissed, massaging his shoulder while sitting upright. "Why are you disturbing my sleep? If you have insomnia, go back to your house."

Gabriel sighed, sitting up as well. "First, I don't have insomnia, and it's almost noon. Second, why would I do that when your house is super comfortable?"

Eyeing the wall clock directly ahead, he yawned loudly before flopping back on the sofa. "Either I was too drunk yesterday or I was dreaming, but I think I remember you confessing that you might be leaving your father's company. Is that true?"

Typical of him to nitpick on the irrelevant points.

"I said I might leave the company, but I wasn't thinking clearly last night, so I won't." He fibbed, pulling up a blank face.

They both knew he was trying to steer the conversation away from that topic as he had been irate when he arrived, and gulping down bottle after bottle of beer while spewing random things probably was a careless mistake he would never repeat.

Nodding in compliance, Christian eased off the sofa and sauntered towards the open kitchen, yawning loudly again.

"Bia, guy, don't swallow me. What's your problem?"

Ignoring the supposed banter, he yanked open his refrigerator and pulled out a fruit salad. Popping a piece of watermelon into his mouth, he faced his friend who grimaced at his lack of personal hygiene.

"Forget washing of hands, did you even brush your teeth?"

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Gabriel, I think you should start going to your house. The beer has finished," he paused when a memory from last night filtered across his brain. "Or wait, did your father kick you out? Is that why you're hogging my sofa?"

Gabriel muttered a few curse words while throwing his hands up in defeat. "Now it's clear that you have a loose screw."

"That one concern you." He threw over his shoulder before moving to the sink to observe proper hygiene.

"You can deny this as well," he called as he shook water from his hands, "but I clearly remember you bemoaning a girl who suddenly became your enemy when she caught you pants down with your brother's naked girlfriend." His lips lifted up in a knowing smile as he made his way back to the room. "Or was it butt naked?"

"You are undoubtedly having fun at my expense."

"It is a rare opportunity. I wish the guys could view this glorious moment."

Gabriel smirked, flipping him off as he berated himself yet again for letting his mouth run loose last night. "Nothing happened. It was an unfortunate incident and she capitalised on it."

"So you say." His voice sounded disbelieving even as he lifted an apple slice to his lips.

"So, let me get this right," he began, sounding curious as a crunching motion filled the silence permeated in the room, "your girlfriend said it was okay to sleep around?"

Gabriel eyed him, wishing he could throw something at his head. Except for his shoe, nothing else was handy. "She didn't say it was okay. She was more of the opinion that I had been too stupid for letting my guard down."

"But you never let your guard down," he pointed out, pushing another fruit slice into his mouth, crunching away. "You are the only person I know that plans every thing in his life to the smallest detail, even the day he dies."

Gabriel shrugged, adjusting on the sofa as he fiddled with his phone.

"What is she like?"

His gaze snapped up to meet the inquisitive stare his friend was throwing his way. "Who?"

"Your girlfriend," he demanded, looking exasperated with the non-committal attitude. "And that is the problem. I didn't even know you had a girlfriend! Like, how and when?" He claimed, sounding offended.

Gabriel shrugged again, smirking at the dour look he had. "Get this, she's pregnant, too."

His jaw hit the floor instantly.

Recovering from the shock, he fired instantly. "You swore off women last year when you called off your engagement. You said you were going into priesthood right after you inherit the company, which I strongly doubt, but that's not the point." His mind was racing with possibilities but he knew his friend, and that was where the 'weird and untrue' entered the story. "How is it that you have a pregnant girlfriend?"

Chuckling at his perplexed stare, Gabriel placed his ankle on his left knee. "You know your biology, so why are you disturbing me?"

"Don't give me that cock-and-bull story, abeg. You are circumspect about birth control, so explain yourself."

"I'm circumspect about everything, but sometimes nature gets smarter than even me, so I humbly accept my loses." Looking away from his phone, he winked, "I swear whenever I'm inside her, I'm just like 'Oga carry dey go. No shaking'."

Despite his curiosity, Christian found himself slipping off the sofa as a chortle rumbled through him, especially with the comical look Gabriel passed off.

"Still, I know you," Christian interjected when he had achieved a semblance of decorum, "I've been your friend for virtually all your life, and I can tell when you're lying. You don't fool me with this 'sex was too sweet' façade. Is the baby even yours?"

"No doubt about it." The unwavering response said it all.

He knew where Christian's mind was going, heck, all the guys would be thinking that as well if they were here. He had been accused of impregnating a girl before, a girl he swore meant nothing to him. And although his friends didn't outright ask him for they assumed it was a hurtful memory for him, they still wanted to know whatever happened to his love-child.

"I'm happy for you."

His fingers paused in the action of tapping on the keyboard on his screen to cast a glance at his friend who had a benign smile on his face. Confusion was proving to be his constant companion, he thought idly. "What?"

Christian rolled his eyes before explaining. "I said I'm happy for you. And even though my gut tells me this is an illusion, it's still good to know you're seeing someone who is carrying your child, a child you obviously care about if you're cool with her being pregnant. So, to me, it's like a breath of fresh air."

He didn't verify nor refute that statement, seeming it better to let everyone think whatever they would. "Thank you."

Christian waved him off as he strolled to the fridge to pick up two bottles of mineral water before sauntering back into the room. Throwing one at Gabriel who caught it before scowling at him, he went and plopped into the sofa, gulping the liquid.

"How did you guys meet?" He asked abruptly, dropping the water to pick up the remote. "I'm thinking through your father's social circle but I know you detest anything associated with your father, so she's from a different status, then. I'd also ask if you plan to marry her, but I'm assuming you'll say 'no'."

Gabriel eyed him as he tinkered with the remote, flipping through channels until he stopped at an ongoing football match. "Get to the point of this inquiry, already. Your curiosity into my private life is stinking."

"That's because I know nothing about your private life. And that's a real shame cause we've been best of friends for two decades now. Imagine, since we were ten."

"Correction, we're frenemies, Christian. And do your maths accurately cause it's nineteen years. You were eleven when we met. "

"And you are still the same egotistical grouch I met back then." At Gabriel's knowing smirk, he amended, "no, you aren't. You seem to perfect the act as you grow cause you were much nicer when we were in school. In fact, that carefree boy I met in J.S.S. one has no resemblance to this breathing statue in front of me."

Literally, he was standing, the reference to their younger years not settling well with his relaxed state earlier. "Are you going sentimental on me again? Wasn't yesterday enough?"

"Don't change the topic, Gabriel. I've had it with you pushing this matter under the carpet whenever I bring it up. You know, I remember clearly the day we met, how carefree and stubborn you were, how clever and mischievous you can be, and I was your number one sidekick edging you on." He grinned as he recalled fond memories.

"You should have stopped me."

"Eh, well. I loved our little rebellious phase. Then S.S. one came and you changed. It was like a complete turnaround. I kept wondering if it had anything to do with that time you got really sick and had to go home, or was it the long holidays after that?" He trailed off, fiddling with the remote, oblivious to the stilled figure standing near the window.

Twice in the past Twenty-four hours? Was he never to be rid of that memory?

As the silence stretched, so did his pose. He knew he would snap if Christian probed further into that period in his life. He was already wound tightly as it was.

Luckily, his best friend had other ideas.

"Gabriel, tell me what happened to that boy with chipped tooth and scraped knees I met on my first day in St. Augustine's. What did you do to him?"

Of course he didn't do anything to that boy despite what his friends seemed to believe over the years. They knew he had changed when they became seniors, they just didn't know how or when or even the reason why. But his explanation was more than enough to assuage their concerns.

When I was a child, I did childish things. Now that I'm grown, I've set childish things aside...

No, he didn't do anything to that little boy with a chipped tooth, and scraped knees, who ran around the school with a playful disposition. He had simply put him away.

Turning to flash his friend a wide smile that concealed his thoughts perfectly, he replied evenly.

"I did nothing to that boy. He simply grew up."

~~~~~~~~

I love these memories that keep popping up out of nowhere. Maybe, they'll start to make sense soon.

What did you guys think about the altercation in the church? I smell revenge.

Vote, comment and share.

Thank you.