Before Sixteen

29 Secrets Are Out

29 SECRETS ARE OUT

I knocked on Tunde's gate for the fourth time and no one was yet to answer. I was about to call him on the phone when I heard footsteps on the other side of the gate and soon, it swung open revealing an older version of Tunde.

Tunde never mentioned having a twin brother. In fact, I knew for sure that Tunde was an only child so I couldn't wrap my head around the familiar figure looking at me.

"Can I help you?" he sounded a lot like Tunde too.

"Tunde..." was all I'd managed to say. The man standing in front of me looked exactly like Tunde; thick and well outlined eyebrows, light skin, chiseled jaw, pink lips. But this version looked a little older.

"Oh, you're his friend from school." he said like he had been expecting me. "Come in."

I followed him into the compound and into the house which was quiet. From the living room, I could hear footsteps and sounds coming from the kitchen. I remembered the first time I'd been here and my very unpleasant first impression of Mrs. Rotimi.

"Tunde! Tunde!!" the man called, "Your visitor is here." he added but we heard nothing from upstairs.

Mrs. Rotimi walked out of the kitchen with a rag in her hand. She gave me that threatening look I knew so well while I greeted her. "Rachael, is it?"

"Yes, ma."

"Long time. Welcome." she said without any sign of a smile before going back into the kitchen.

We heard slow footsteps coming down the stairs making us turn our heads to a zombie-like Tunde.

"You kept your visitor waiting." the man said.

"Thanks, dad." Tunde said as he approached us. I couldn't believe Tunde's dad was standing in front of me. Now I knew the reason behind the striking resemblance. "We just want to study for tomorrow's exam."

"Okay, you can go up to your room then." Mr. Rotimi said. "But leave the door open."

"Let's go." Tunde whispered and I followed him.

"Are you okay?" I asked as soon as we were inside his room. "You look like a real life zombie."

"Thanks." he said. "And no, I'm not fine." he added.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't sleep, I have no appetite and I feel so depressed." he replied with so much ease.

"But your dad is here. At least that should make you feel a little happy." I said.

"My dad is only here because my mom called him and said I was dying. They're divorced, they really don't want anything to do with each other." Tunde explained. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. No wonder he never mentioned his father.

I couldn't help but wonder if he got along with his dad before his parents' divorce.

"I want you to stay." he said all of a sudden making me confused as to what he was referring to. "I wish you won't go. I feel like I'm in hell."

"God. Tunde, I don't know what to say."

"This place is driving me crazy," Tunde rested his head on his palms while I sat across the room feeling uncomfortable.

"Emm... I need to use the toilet. I'll be right back." I said before rushing out the door like I even knew where the toilet was.

I stood in the hallway and took in a deep breath before a crazy idea popped into my head. Before I realized it, I was on Google searching for "Abuse of cocaine".