"Can we see her now?" I ask.
My head is spinning as I attempt to make sense of the whole matter. I know
without any doubt that the truth would be known if the tests are carried out,
But I can't voice out any resistance for fear of arousing suspicion.
"No, not yet, she's stable now and resting. You'll be able to see her
when she wakes up."
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
"Hello stranger, how are you feeling now?
You gave us quite a scare."
You gave us quite a scare."
Dani is awake and Toba and I are with her now.
"I'm fine, sorry I scared you guys."
"Has your blood sample been taken?" Toba asks.
"Yes, though I don't find it necessary."
"Better safe than sorry, or don't you think so Ify?"
The mention of my name snaps me out of my thoughts.
You see, Daniella is two years older than me, but we've always been good
friends since primary school.
The difference in our age meant nothing but today, it's becoming a problem.
I am seventeen for Christ's sake!
How do I handle this?
How do I answer all these questions?
"Yes, No, sorry, I'm a bit distracted. What did you say?"
"Hello, the results of the tests are out, there's nothing to worry
about, But I'd like to discuss with Miss Okafor in private."
The Doctor walks in with her file and she ends the awkward conversation.
Thank goodness.
That's my cue.
"Toba, let's excuse them, in fact,I'd better get going before a search
party is sent out on my account." I needed to get out of that hospital
ward fast and quick.
"Don't worry Doc, Ify here is my best friend and Toba is my boyfriend,
you can say whatever you want to say in their presence."
What the ......
What's this silly girl saying?
I am eyeing her from a distance but I had to be discreet.
Is she mad?
Does she want Toba to know she's pregnant?
"Ok then, you're six weeks pregnant." Responds the doctor.
"Wow! I didn't see that coming, seriously?" Toba seems excited or
at least not sad. He seems surprised too, but his reaction doesn't look bad.
I'm relieved. The secret is out.
It's her funeral.
I can breath now.
I can go home now.
This is not any of my business.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
"I've always known you to be crazy, but not this crazy. You shouldn't
have agreed to the test!" I screamed at Dani.
It's been two days since the fainting episode and Dani and I just got a
chance to talk under "our mango tree."
"Calm dan na. You know say I be sharp geh. I've got this. What you
should be asking is why I did what I did, and what my plans are." Dani
answered in a sarcastic voice.
"O.K. o, madam sharp geh, what's the plan?"
"Ehn ehn, na now you dey talk." She says all this with a grin on
her face, like one without any worry in the world.
"You see, the moment I landed on that hospital bed, I knew sooner than
later, the truth would come out, I might as well take charge of how and when.
So, I already knew I was pregnant, yes, the tests would show that, I just made
up my mind to pin the pregnancy on Toba. "
"Haaaa. D-a-n-i-e-l-l-a! You are evil!"
I was stunned, I was beaten hands down. How does she do these things?
Without a second thought. Like it's natural. The normal order of life.
I really should stay away from this girl.
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
I remember my mother's stern warning when they were moving to Okwu, our
village in Ideato north local government.
She's always known Dani was too forward and unnecessarily exposed. She
wasn't sure of her promiscuous ways but knew she wasn't someone I should be
close to.
But I loved her, I love her.
She saved me from bullies in both primary and secondary schools.
She exposed me to fashion.
Though we disagreed lots of times, she never forced her opinions on me.
The bond we share is so strong. Especially after I stood as witness in her
favour when she was caught in a compromising manner with one of our teachers.
At the risk of being expelled from school, I stood by her and insisted
nothing of the sort happened. I claimed
I was right behind the window when the
teacher called her in. I claimed the teacher was the one who tried to
force
himself on her.
Should I have lied?
No.
But the teacher was the adult.
He should have known better.
Either ways, he would be dismissed but I didn't want my friend to be expelled for her youthful foolishness.
#fiction
#friendship
#girlchild
All rights reserved
Written By Tolulope Fakayode-Faniran
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