Ebuka POV
To say I was angry was an understatement. I was belligerent to my family most especially my friends. It was the weekend again and usually we hangout at Kelvin's place or we go and chill at Emmanuella's place either to study for an upcoming test or an exam. We had two WAEC exams left which were Mathematics and English and since we were branicas we didn't need the whole weekend to study like that. A couple hours would do but guess what my friends were suggesting - they were thinking of coming over to my house for study session on our last to papers.
Like are these people crazy because, what the heck! Even though we were to study, I knew we have to check out the location of the hospital — where Tomiwa was to be treated. Still, shouldn't that ring a bell in their head "abi kedu ihe but mkpofu a". What is all this rubbish? Now we all were siting in the living room because my stepdad and mom were not around. We were arguing like children for Godsake on which subject we should study first - English or Mathematics?
Our friend is in the hospital she needs us to be there for her and here they were, arguing on which note to read first. Not like the exam was tomorrow or next tomorrow — the exam was still one weeks away, one bloody week away but no. As per the scholars that we are, we were reading for the exams now.
"Mtcheew" I hissed but i didn't know it was loud enough for them to hear. They all stopped what they were doing and as everywhere went quiet, they all looked at me.
"Hey Ebuka. Is everything okay?" Emmanuella asked. Before she could open her month to ask another question or someone else could say anything else, I responded vehemently.
"No, it's not. Lets all go and pay a visit to Tomiwa." I said with all tone of finality in my voice. I left no room for objection. Even Faruq that wasn't always on my side gave a small smile in agreement. I smiled back in satisfaction that at least someone understood my plight. He cleared his throat to speak gaining everyone's attention as he said exactly what was on my mind.
"Are you not ashamed of yourselves? If you are not then you really should be. Tomwia was our friend for goodness sake. I mean we all liked her - well apart from me sha. I had my reservation about her but that is not the point. Yes she has been unreasonably out of shape the past few days before the whole running away things but at least, lets give her benefit of a doubt. For once I am on Ebuka's side here."
Everyone was quiet. Too quiet for my comfort as I watched their different facial expressions. I knew they were deep in thoughts. Lydia had her back turned to me as she faced Faruq so it was hard to tell her facial expression. Emmanuella had a lips quavering like she was trying not to cry as I could see how teary her eyes were. Kelvin pulled her up and took her to the hallway trying to pacify her and I looked away. I looked at Mercy, expecting her to say something but she just looked away playing with her finger. Seconds later Kelvin and Emmanuella came back and in that moment Mercy stood up packing her things.
"Where are you going?" Emma inquired from her friend but she didn't respond. She just continued packing her things and it was then it dawned on me what she was doing. Lydia and Faruq stood up as well packing the few things they brought. In that moment Mercy looked at me with a smile on her face before saying.
"We are ready when you are —"
"Lover boy." Lydia said interjecting a smirk on her lips and I chuckled shining my teeth at her. She wasn't wrong but saying it right now just made it weird. I picked up my grey hoodie with the emoji of black heart on it and wore it. Grabbing my wallet and phone putting it in the pockets of my hoodie, I turned off all appliance and shut down as we all made our way out.
"I'll drive, you direct." Kelvin said to me once we got to the car. I just nodded siting in front with him while the rest occupied the back seats.
The drive to the hospital was a quiet one. I could feel the tension emitting from everyone's body. It was obvious on Kelvin's face that he was scared especially with the way he was holding so tight to the steering wheel. Even I was scared as well, I was just really good at hiding it as I gave Kelvin the directions to the hospital.
"Oh good we are here." Lydia said, her voice dry and husky. I guess she must have been crying or she was about to cry.
After about an hour of driving we got to the hospital and Kelvin found a space to park at the parking lot. We all made our way in and according to the instructions of the receptionist we were all able to get to Tomiwa's room without getting lost.
The minute we entered, we were immediately mortified. Right there laid our best friend, Tomiwa. An oxygen mask covering her nose, her whole face drained of colour. A drip was attached to her hand and she was clothed in the johnny gown of the hospital.
Yes I was happy that I and the gang came to visit Tomiwa but the condition in which she was in wasn't something I was happy about. She looked like someone who has been to the great beyond and back.
"Is that her brother?"
I hear Lydia ask but I was to heart broken by the sight in front of me to even notice that her brother was sitting there. I walked forward and moved closer to where Tomiwa was lying almost lifeless. She still hasn't woken up but the thought of losing her was driving me crazy. I stared at her longing to touch her but I restrained myself because I could feel her brother's gaze on me. I blinked several times, trying to blink away the tears but then tears were too heavy as they were streaming down my face silently.
"She had been like that for days now. Not moving, barely breathing."
"Its just so hard to watch from the side line, knowing you can only hope and pray." I responded to the sound of the voice not knowing it was her brother. I stretch my hands to touch her but her brother was quick enough to grab my hand, stoping me from touching her. I looked at him with my tears stained cheeks and his eyes widened in shock. He let go of my hands immediately and it fell to my side.
"You...you are that guy from the photograph. The one where you and Tomiwa were —"
"No, that picture, it was photoshopped."
I managed to say in between my tears that just won't stop falling. I left him there and I stepped out of Tomiwa's ward. I just hope Tomiwa's brother could see it clearly now that Tomiwa was innocent. I know the pictures he was talking about, Lydia showed it to me and immediately I wanted to talk to Tomiwa about it but she was avoiding me. I went to sit on a bench to regain my composure and they all stood round me trying to pacify me but I was too hurt.
"Look guys, if we don't make it known that Tomiwa is innocent then I will turn myself in." I said the minute I stood up to look back at them. My eyes were blood shot from crying too much but at least the tears had stoped. They were all shocked. They looked at one another not knowing what to do, but Emmanuella after wiping her tears as well said.
"No Ebuka, we already talked about this. We can't let you do that. "
"Yea you are both innocent we just have to find a way to convince the whole school." Kelvin spoke in support of his girlfriend. I don't blame him. It's because his girlfriend isn't bed ridden so of course he won't understand. I glared at him, my nose flaring as I did, but before I could say anything Mercy interjected saying....
"How are we going to convince them when we have no prove, no evidence."
"Hmmmm evident eiii" Kelvin responded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Before he could open his mouth to speak again Lydia interjected. A frown itching on her face.
"Umm... no offense greek god, but why are you smirking with a mischievous glint on your eye?"
"Well I'm glad you asked Lydia because If it is prove they want then it is prove they shall get. To the crime scene people!"
Kelvin said with mischief, a smile evident on his face and that only angered me but I chose to control it as I said to him.
" Kelvin will you be sensitive. Now is not the play Dr detective."
"No I'm serious. The only way we can find evidence to prove Tomiwa is innocent, is to go back to the crime scene."
He defended with all tone of seriousness and I began to see his point. He was proposing we throw a search party to look for the culprit, to look for the real villain who framed Tomiwa. There was no way in hell that Tomiwa would really perform exam malpractice bringing in a micro chip to the exam hall. I refuse to believe it, but how do we look for evidence. Even the crime scene is locked.
"Well today is Sunday, and the school is not going to be open so we'll do that on Monday."
Emmanuella said with a tone of finality and I smiled. She caught me smiling at her and she returned it with one of her own before giving me a hug. I accepted it gratefully and before I knew it the others began hugging me too as well, turning it to one big group hug right there at the reception of the hospital.
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hi guys sorry for the delay in update. I was down and Ill for a while, but I an getting better now. I am sorry if you experienced any typos I haven't properly looked through it yet, I just wanted to get it out here.
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