"Okay. This is what we're doing now Abi? Keeping secrets. It's okay. Alright. Fine! "Kumbi ranted as she stared at her best friend.
Tope just stared at the soft waves of the lagoon form and crash into each other. Her mind was miles away, and her heart was broken bloody.
"Tope! "Kumbi ranted when she didn't get an answer from her friend.
"It's not like that, Kumbi. I'm just... How do I say something bigger than my mouth? And he asked me not to tell anyone. "Tope cried, and Kumbi became more worried.
"So, now I'm "anyone". "Kumbi replied crossing her arms, and Tope sighed.
"Does someone have your nudes? Did someone rape you? Did Tunde do something? "Kumbi questioned further as she squatted in front of her friend and took her hands.
"Talk to me... "Kumbi pressed, and her persistence pulled tears out of Tope's eyes. Allowing Tope to crumble in her best friend's hands.
"Tunde. He's... He's leaving... "She cried, and Kumbi's forehead creased.
"Leaving. As how? To where? Do you me Japa? "Kumbi questioned, and Tope shook her head vigorously in negation.
"No. He's leaving. He's dropping out. "Tope cried and Kumbi froze. Just for a second before erupting in laughter that stunned Tope.
"See this girl! And you had me worried over nothing. 'He's dropping out' in 300L. How now? Are his village people personally sponsored by Tinubu? After all the shege we've seen in this school. One child will now pack his things and say that he's leaving. And you believed him. "Kumbi started laughing, and Tope just started on at her friend in confusion.
"I'm not joking. It's not a joke. He's really dropping out, Kumbi. He told me today. And he wasn't joking. I know Tunde. If he was trying to prank me, I would know. He's really dropping out, Kumbi! "Tope cried harder, and Kumbi froze as the seriousness and reality of the situation began to settle down on her.
"What!? Why?? Why would he... ?" Kumbi began, but Tope cut her off.
"Because a lecturer has failed him a year straight and will do it again this semester. "
"Ahan! Why? Why would a lecturer do that? "
"For sex! The bastard fagot man has been harassing Tunde for sex. He's trapped and has no way out. The man will not let Tunde graduate. He... Dropping out is not the best solution but... "Tope began to cry afresh, and Kumbi pulled her into a hug.
"C... Can't we write a letter to the VC? Or report to his faculty dean or something.... "Kumbi began to think, and Tope shook her head as her tears intensified.
"The lecturers... Their roots run deep. You never know who knows who and who is doing the exact same thing. If we write a letter, it may never reach the VC. He... We could get implicated and create a better mess so it's... "Tope beg to cry again.
"It's better to leave peacefully. "Kumbi replied, and Tope shook with tears in her arms.
Just as Kumbi was about to say something, one of the security guards came towards them.
"Time to leave. It's getting dark. "He informed and then he walked off to pursue the other students who were scattered around the serene lagoon front.
The two girls stood up and solemnly made their way back to their hostel.
"I only read of things like this in novels and see them in movies. I never once thought that it would hit so close to home. "Kumbi muttered as the girls walked, and Tope closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had a very similar thought running through her mind...
**********
On getting back to their hostel, there was a massive crowd gathered in the compound. Three boys were kneeling in the middle of the chaos, and one in particular was getting slaps from the Dean of student affairs.
Just in the corner, Victoria was standing with her hands crossed across her chest and one of her legs continuously beating against the ground. She looked excited. Happy for some reason, and this made Tope and Kumbi share a look before looking back at the scene.
"What's happening? "Kumbi whispered to a random girl in the crowd, and the girl turned to give Kumbi and Tope a look.
"Do you know that girl? "The girl questioned while discreetly pointing at Victoria, and Tope and Kumbi nodded.
"Yes. The babe that's always shouting that guys are watching her bathe when she has her bath where they can clearly see her... "Kumbi replied without filter, and Tope gently nudged her.
"Sorry... "Kumbi quickly added and the girl chuckled.
"Why are you apologizing? We all know it's true. At least most of us....
Anyway, she wrote a letter to the VC, and the VC saw it and sent the DSA to attend to it. That's why she's here now. "The girl explained, and Kumbi and Tope turned back to the scene.
"And the boys? "Kumbi questioned, and the girl sighed.
"The two at the back didn't know the DSA was in the hostel, and she heard them catcalling girls. The guy in front is a guy from the room Victoria claims constantly harassed her. Victoria kept claiming that she remembered his voice and didn't like how he looked at her. One thing led to the other, and they decided to search his phone.
They found pictures of Victoria on different days when she was bathing. And get this. He has just Victoria's pictures. No other girls. "The girl narrates, and Kumbi and Tope share yet another look.
"Which kind of obsessive psycho dark romance is that? "Kumbi whispered, and Tope rolled her eyes.
"Dark romance in Nigeria na madness. "She replied, and Kumbi laughed.
"What's going to happen to him now? "Tope asked the girl and the girl shrugged.
"I don't know. But it's looking like expulsion. "The girl replied, and Tope turned back to look at the boy. Wondering if it was worth it. To lose whatever amount of time he invested in school for something as silly as this.
YOU ARE READING
BABALOLA UNIVERSITY
Teen FictionUni life was supposed to be a simple mission with an outlined goal. Graduating with a first-class. Tope was struggling to stick to this plan, but things took a drastic turn that changed the course of her life in 200 Level. Follow a female Nigerian...
