The Day Before Yesterday

Chapter 2: Tears

Chapter 2: Tears

It was night time.

Rhythmic heartbeats, hushed whispers, dimmed lamps, lights out. It was 'lights out' in the Girls' hostel.

This was the time of rest. The time for the boarders of IIA to sleep their stress away in hope to never wake up to unfinished assignments and projects. The rest that Mofe had unable to acquire for the past four days since Ibukun's announcement.

After turning restlessly in her bed and finally deciding to just look up at the ceiling until sleep decided to come, Mmesoma(one of her four roommates) saw this opportunity to ask Mofe a question.

"Mofe?"

She hummed a reply, closing her eyes.

"Are you awake?"

"If I wasn't awake, would I have replied?"

Mmesoma ignored Mofe's harsh tone."Are you dating Ibukun now?"

Mofe burrowed further into her huge duvet, praying for sleep to come.

"Mofe? Did you hear me?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Makes me think what?"

"Are you slow?" she asked sitting up to look at Mmesoma. She was in the other side of the room, also top bunk like Mofe."What makes you think I'm dating one of my closest friends after his younger-might I add- very young brother just died? What. Makes. You. Think. That?"

"I-I just assumed since-"

"Since his brother just died I'll take advantage of his vulnerable state and behave like we're in a movie and somehow I'll make him forget his brother and we'll run away together into the sunset? Is that what you assumed?" she asked laying back down on her side."You people in this school are funny," she mumbled into her pillow.

"Mmesoma I think now you will sleep quietly, ba?", came the quiet laugh of Ife, Mofe's other roommate. She was on the floor hunched over a drawing board with a dying lamp by her side.

"Ife, better mind your business. I'm warning you."

"Mmesoma, better mind your own business. Me, I no go warn because I know say I no sabi fight. But you see that girl-" she pointed at Mofe without looking up from her drawing board"-that girl over there na Warri pikin and she dey quiet. In my life, I have never met a Warri girl that will react the way Mofe is reacting to your stupidity. If I were you, I would quietly go to bed and stop reaping what I know I cannot sow."

Mmesoma huffed then left the room to God knows where, her feet slightly shaking the ground with her heavy steps.

Once again, the room was silent. Well almost silent minus the subtle snore of the last of the roommates-Blessing.

Ife chuckled lightly to herself then redirected her attention from her drawing to the Warri girl that she knew was still awake.

"Mofe?"

No reply.

"Mofe, I know you're awake. Just one question and I promise it's not as stupid as Mmesoma's own."

"What?", Mofe replied harshly. She didn't feel like she had to thank Ife for anything. After all, she didn't beg Ife to speak. She was doing just fine by ignoring Mmesoma until she lost interest in her.

She hesitated."Mofe, are you okay? Because I know you and Yetunde were close-"

"Good night, Ife. If you're looking for a thank you-"