The Truth About Mariam

Chapter 11

★★★

Asake's POV

My external exams commences fully on Monday.  I spent all my weekend reading, and studying for the exams.

I wrote my JAMB exam and i passed in flying colours. I had a score of 275.

I just need to face my exams on Monday. I would be lying to say I wasn't scared or anxious. I've heard many stories about results being ceased. I don't want my own to be like that as well.

There was a slight tap on my door 'It's me Rotimi, can I come in?" 

I told him to come in and he did, he sat beside me on my bed, his eyes peering into mine.

"What happened" I ask him "Did you fail a test?" Because anytime he comes into my room with a sad face, it's  always about him failing a test or he broke something.

He nods his head slowly and he bits on his lower lip "When I was going to school with Mummy, a man stopped us and he told Mummy that our family is full of lies. I don't know him, but I think Mom does. Is it true Sis Asake?, Is our family really full of lies?"

"Of course not, don't ever believe that and you said Mum knows this man... Describe him"

" When he got down from the vehicle, she smiled at him at first but then he walked over to us but his face wasn't smiley as Mom's. He was a tall fair man and he had bald head, his eyes were red and he looked wicked, he was also wearing a black suit and holding a yellow paper."

Wow, for a six year old child, my brother is really good at descriptions.

"Okay, don't worry, I would ask Mom about it. Our family isn't filled up with lies, don't believe the words of that man, okay?" He nodded and I hugged him.
                                  

         

                              →←
 

I questioned my Mom about what Rotimi told me, she was angry i brought it up.  I wasn't stupid to detect that something wrong was happening and I am not going to push it aside.
For the past few months, strange things has been going on, especially between my parents. My dad is always on his system typing with a stern face while my Mom avoids him and sometimes us. I am the one taking Rotimi to and fro school.

Something wasn't right, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

I was in the hall, I was done with my last paper which was Biology. My hands were shaking, I looked around the hall, students were seated on their seats according to their examination number.

Our invigilator was a woman, she was in her mid 50s with round glasses propped on her face as she collected the papers.

At my right side, a boy was crying, his hands on his head.

As for me, the paper wasn't hard, the questions were straight forward, those that copied the answers online, I'm pretty sure it was wrong.

Totally.

A girl was coming to my desk, it was Precious. She smiled at me as she took a chair and sat beside me "How was the paper?" She propped her chin on the desk.

"The papers were okay, I don't know why some people make a big fuss about the exam, I read and what I read came out"

"That's for you, it was hard to me, I'm sure I'm going to fail. I don't even need Biology, never liked the subject nor the teacher."

"If you think you are going to fail, you might, don't think that.

"Tcch" she clicked her tongue. "Don't go all preachy and inspirational on me" she walked away from my desk.

I just scoffed and rolled my eyes as she walked away.

Finally. I was through with all my exams, all my papers, through.

Mariam isn't here. That thought kept ringing in my head. She isn't because she was killed, and her murderer is still at there and few months, I promised her I would find her killer.

But as every day pass by, that promise is a fantasy. I'm done with secondary school, just the graduation, the results to be released... What else?

I am back home.

I am out of mind completely, strange things has been happening. Parents quarreling and avoiding each other. I don't even have a close friend to talk to and confide in.

I tossed and turned around on my bed, careful not to crush my phone.

My phone screen lit up, it was an sms message, I unlocked it and tried to read the  message without tapping on it, but I couldn't, I just tapped it anyway.

It was from Hillary.

°We need to talk. I have some information about Mariam.° Saturday 6:51pm.

My face turned into a frown.

What does he want now? I thought he said i should leave the investigation to the police and professionals.

°Where should we meet?° I texted back

I knew i was being irrational, but I just didn't know what to. I promised to help Mariam and Hillary knows something that might help.

I wasn't a detective nor was i a professional. I don't even have an experience in all of this . I might as well give up.

Sigh.

My phone lit up again

° Danbury Cafe , East view street.°

I wanted to tell my parents all this, i was still a minor, I don't even know if I am getting my self involved in dangerous things or even people.

But my mother just said the same thing, I should just forget which I can't now.
And my Dad, just avoided the topic and told me not to bother him.

So I just listened to my inner mind, and it said I should go. Let's see what Hillary has to say.

Every day for the thief, one day for the owner Heh?