Eriola Idowu

"Temi?" I more like asked as I saw her sitting in our sitting room watching TV, I wondered why she was here.

Don't misunderstand, I like her a lot, she is my favorite cousin but why was she here? It wasn't holiday or anything, it was exam period in fact, exam started today.

"Eri" She screamed and came to hug me, she must have missed me so much. I missed her too sha, all her ijogbon.

T: Naughtiness

"Why are you here now? It's not holiday". I asked her and she went quiet. Her silence scared me ooo, I thought maybe something happened, maybe to her daddy or mummy or even sister or brother, wait....

"Talk na". I almost shouted.

"She won't be able to talk, when she knew what she did. Ki lo ma n she eyin omo yiii gan na? Can't you just always stay out of trouble?" Mummy Tayo said as she came to the sitting room from her room.

T: What is even always wrong with you kids?

She wasn't looking pleased with Temi like something happened. Which trouble did she get into? My hand quickly went over my mouth at the thought of it.

"You stole?" I asked whispering but mummy Tayo still managed to hear. That her hear that is long ehn.

"Stolen keh, with all that money her father has? She got in trouble because her father had too much money". Mummy Tayo replied me instead of Temi who was now feeling somehow.

I don't know what's he did but this woman was being too much, kilode na. Can't someone get into trouble again? We all know Temi has ijogbon, she had been so naughty since we were kids but then, ah!

She just quietly went into my room that means Ini was sharing, looked like she would be here for a while.

"Do quick and come and wash those plates". Mummy Tayo said reminding me of my doom. I grumbled as I went into my room.

Every time plate plate plate, must they use plates? Must they eat? Can't they just eat on their palms? Even though it's impossible and the use of plate is inevitable but kilode gan? I just want this punishment to be done and over with.

T: Why exactly

Temi just sat down on the bed pressing her phone but her bad mood was very obvious. Something must have really happened.

"What?" I asked her and she sighed.

"Those SS3 boys, they said because their parents were going out we should come for a small party. I now sneaked out". She said making me shout.

"Ah..... you sef! Why would you sneak out of her house and you think uncle Segun will not pursue you from the house?" I asked her, kind of worried.

"That's not all, the boy that did the party did not know his parents would return. We were caught smoking and drinking, there was cocaine, I just wanted to try......

"Jesus! Temi! What in the world happened to you? Drugs?" I shouted, just couldn't hold back. My mind went back to Benson, he drinks and smokes already, what if he started doing drugs when he travel out?

"I just wanted to try, to have fun". She was crying now. I'm very sure she regretted her decision.

I hugged her patting her back, letting her know everything would be fine. She did not need to cry, even though her family doesn't want her, we are her, we are her family too.

"Your mom is really angry even your dad". She said softly.

"They are not angry, they are disappointed and even me sef but it is fine. You are my sister, Shey there is anywhere we can push you ni?". I replied her making her smile finally before Mummy Tayo started shouting from the sitting room again. That woman can shout ehn!

"Eri Shey you will not come and wash.... no! Temi! Come outside and wash plates". Omg! It would be Temi's punishment not mine.

Temiloluwa Idowu, my favorite and very fine cousin, and a very rich one too.

NEXT DAY
For some reasons that I did not understand, I haven't been feeling quite comfortable since I woke up. Something kept feeling weird. Was it because I didn't really sleep well? Like maybe because we were theee on our bed and it was kind of uncomfortable.

The school bus was weird too, certain people were missing, Inioluwa, Benson, Dayo, bro Tayo, bro Jason and some people whose faces I only used to see but never cared abou their names.

It was exam period, let's say Benson would not be coming, after all, he was traveling out and bro Tayo and bro Jason already wrote their mock exam. Dayo and Ini nko? What about them? Shey they want to miss exam ni?

When we got to school, I only read until assembly time like few of my classmates, Ini was still not there. Assembly came and ended, I even used style to check on Dayo, no where.

Our teacher was still taking attendance, calling us one by one when she called Ini. Everywhere was quiet, I wondered what was going on, abi I was dreaming ni.

That was when these two people entered, a boy and a girl. The boy, I had no idea but the girl.... was Temi joining my school?

"Pick an empty seat". The principal that brought them said and they just nodded and found a seat, why was Temi acting like she didn't know me?

"So Afolayan Inioluwa has left the school, she reported herself to me for bully and spread of fake gossip, she decided to leave honorably rather than getting suspended. She wanted to apologize to her classmates and a particular person for her wrongdoings. As of today, she said, she would be flying to England, and she would miss you all". The principal told the whole class.

I couldn't believe it, was that guilt written all over her actions? She could have told me, at least said something. I haven't forgiven her or given her right to leave. She was supposed to stay here and suffer for her crimes while seeing me everyday.

"While she made the reports, several students were called to question, it is time we put an end to bullies. As you may notice, a number of students are not around and that is either due to suspension or expulsion. Their names would be pasted on the notice board later today after the emergency assembly after exam for the day. Your class is opportune to learn this first because I had to deliver Inioluwa's farewell and because your class had most bullies in the school's history. With that being said, be nice you your new classmates". She added before leaving.

This still felt weird, like a dream. I looked at Ini's old seat which was now occupied by my cousin, Temi who was currently ignoring me.

After school, the new prefects were announced and the old ones were there to hand over their position, that was the last time I saw Benson. As for Temi, she was just being a fool because she later came to talk to me. Dayo was the new head boy and had been with the proprietor, principal and Benson since early morning, so he had to leave before the bus.

There goes my teenage life. Losing my best friend, having my crush leave the country, living with my junkie cousin, hating my older brother. Still, the years flew by like it was all nothing.

It was replaced by so many more pain, joy, Surprises and happy moments. Oh, one more thing, someone became a father.

The book did not end yet. There are still more chapters coming. Please leave comments, and vote.
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