Gone Bad (Nigerian Novel) -Editing

Chapter 29 : The Bitter Truth

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Inside she's smiling at something Demilade said, but from the looks of it even that was a lot of energy for her.

Nothing about the room is more welcoming than the next.

In signature hospital style the walls were white, bed even planer, a simple china walllock hovered over the door, and the air smelled like antiseptic and omo detergent.

"Hi Vickster." I say try my best to be calming.

If ever she would be ready to open up, I wanted to be a welcome doormat for that day.

Demilade pats the seat next to him but I shake my head, I wanted to be by her side.

Even then I tried to respect her privacy and sad at the corner most edge of her bed.

At this she shakes her head.

"Why are you guys treating me like I'm some egg."

None of us know what to say and she continues.

"Y'all are too sensitive it's just sex." she says, staring at the ceiling.

"No it's not." Demilade says, his tone softer than a pillow.

"He's right. None of it was consensual." I chip in.

"What difference does a few wandering hands make. My body count is already astronomical." she says, her head shaking againsts the bed rest.

"So tonight really wasn't the first time?" I say, letting my words hang in the air.

I hated to ask, but justice was more important than any misconceived fear of her lashing out at me or Demilade hearing what he shouldn't.

Vic had welcomed him anyways, I was the one that kept him out of the loop though he had proven to be more than an outsider.

Nothing happens for a while, till I notice the first movement.

Her shoulders tremble till they start shaking more violently, and her head droops down to reveal cherrylined eyes and tears gushing down her face.

As she opens her mouth to speak all that comes out is the sob she had swallowed and the little shards left of my heart break.

I reach for her head, but hold onto the bedsheet when her words start to form. "I wanted so bad to act like it didn't matter, like sex was just that. But Uncle Tola broke me, it was more than just my v-virginity, everything was emptier after that. Everytime he said he was here to see my mother, she wouldn't be around and he would force me."

All the months of missing clues since last summer fit like a jigsaw puzzle in that moment.

My friend had been drowning but I was too consumed in my rebellion to see that every drop of our so called fun had been her special poison.

Instead of the words of comfort I that would break free from my mouth the tears burned behind my eyes and I was sure I could hear an alarm ringing.

"Nothing can fix everything in instant, but if you're comfortable with it would you like us to hug you?" Demilade asks, looking like a broken heart held together by a loose bandage.

To my surprise there was nothing but assurance in her eyes as she looked at Demilade, and in a few seconds she opened her arms a fraction.

Minutes pass and I'm still inhaling the scent of Demilade's hoodie, while listening to soothing sound of Victoria's even breathing.

"We'll handle the checkout, nap some more if you like." is the last thing Demilade says before we leave Vic to surrender to the battle between her eyelids.