DANIELLA✔

Chapter twenty-one

Dedicated to Jquinee and Odunmide. You're awesome!

***

"Looks like I've found the thief." Ayo said as he took his wristwatch out of my bag. A rumbling sound ensued in the class as people started to whisper to their seat partners. Believe me, I was just dumbfounded. I didn't know how his wristwatch got in my bag.

"Daniella get up now!" Mr Nnamdi ordered sternly. He had a frown on his face.

I got up immediately, putting on an innocent face and my mouth was left in agape. I was so scared that I could hear my heart drumming in my ear.

"You might want to explain how Ayo's wristwatch got in your bag." Mr Nnamdi folded his arm around his chest.

"I... I..." I stuttered, words failing me completely. The class was dead silent, everyone waiting for me to say something. "Mr Nnamdi, I swear I don't know how the wristwatch got in my bag. I didn't put it there." I managed to say. Tears was beginning to well up in my eyes.

"Stop this Daniella." He shut his eyes and put his hands in front of his face. "Just stop this! You're only going to provoke me the more if you try to lie."

I blinked tightly and the tears in my eyes dropped down to my cheeks. How was I going to prove my innocence to them when all evidence clearly pointed at me? God please vindicate me! I prayed inwardly. But how did Ayo's wristwatch get in my bag?

"Sir, I'm not lying. Someone must have dropped the wristwatch in my bag when I wasn't in class. I swear, I didn't put it there. Believe me." My voice quivered as I spoke.

"Who then put it in your bag?" Mr Nnamdi asked.

"I don't know. I wasn't in class." I shook my head as I shrugged.

"Sir!" Gbemi raised her hands. "I don't think Daniella was the one who put Ayo's wristwatch in her bag." She stood up to defend me. I could only hope she was able to prove my innocence.

"And what are your evidence to back that up madam?" Mr Nnamdi asked.

"Sir I don't have any evidence o. But Daniella, Adam and I were not in the class during the break hours and according to Ayo, the wristwatch was kept in his locker during that hour, so I don't see how Daniella would have stolen his wristwatch when we didn't even come to the class till break was over." Gbemi said with her bold voice. "Someone must have kept it there to frame her. Someone in this class."

"If you can point out the person, with proof, Daniella would be vindicated but if you can't, then I would have to punish you Daniella, because it's in your bag we found the wristwatch."

Gbemi had her seat and my eyes scanned the whole class looking for the possible person that could have done this. Then my eyes locked with Prudence's. She was twirling her front plait with her index finger and when we met eyeball to eyeball, she rolled her eyes and looked away. Prudence! That was my number one suspect. She was the only one I knew that hated my gut in the class. She must have been the one who kept the wristwatch in my bag when I wasn't in class. But I had no proof, so I couldn't possibly accuse her.

"Sir I don't know who did it." I said in a low voice, shaking my head.

Just then, Mr Afolabi, the maths teacher walked in. It was actually maths period. He and Mr Nnamdi shook hands with each other and exchanged greetings.

"Daniella, follow me to my staffroom now!" Mr Nnamdi ordered as he walked out of the class.

"Where are you taking my student to?" Mr Afolabi asked and Mr Nnamdi stopped to answer.