08 CYNTHIA'S LOVE

I knew depression was bad but I never knew how bad it was until I laid eyes on Patricia's corpse. I couldn't tell how aunt Thelma and Uncle Harry were holding themselves together. Watching two of their daughters die in only a course of two weeks was heartbreaking.

I couldn't sleep. I couldn't even blink without seeing Patricia standing on the balcony railings. Eye bags had formed under my eyes and my eyes were bloodshot. I hadn't slept in days.

Now Patricia was dead, there was no day that didn't go by without Uncle Harry and aunt Thelma arguing about little things. It got to the point where Uncle Harry didn't come home some nights.  

People didn't visit as often as they did when Cynthia had died. Most people were under the impression that there was seriously something wrong with the family. Rumours had even began to spread that uncle Harry had used his daughters for ritual.
Every now and then, aunt Thelma would unleash her anger and sorrow on Sebastian and I as though we were the cause of her miseries.

Nevertheless, I still had to go to school. As usual, everyone had something to say, but this time, they weren't speculating and they didn't have a reason to do so since the neighbors had come over to see for themselves want happened after they heard my deafening scream.

I watched as posters were put up on the hallways, most of them having quotes like; SUICIDE IS NOT AN OPTION and many more. It only made me angry and disappointed.

"Do you like them?" Tunde asked, walking up to where I stood watching a student hang a poster made with cardboard.

"There... Nice" I said "But too late" I added before walking to class.

"Look, I'm sorry for what happened to your cousin... again" said Tunde who was trying to catch up with my pace. "The posters were my idea and Mr. Francis thought is was an excellent idea"

"So I'm supposed to give you a round of applause or something?" I asked with sarcasm.

"Are you angry with me or something?" Tunde stopped me. Now, we were facing each other. "Is this because I tried to kiss you?"

"No," I denied "Putting up posters won't prevent suicides. I mean, why is it after one student commits suicide, everyone is suddenly aware of it. This is just medicine after death"

"Like I said, I'm sorry for your loss... I mean, your losses" he mumbled, "and I'm also sorry for trying to —"

"Just forget it," I cut him off, "the more we talk about it, the more weird it sounds and besides, I don't want anyone finding out"

I walked into the classroom without letting Tunde say anything. I wished I could erase the past month from my life and forget everything.

"Settle down, let's continue with our debates" the English teacher said, "The last debate is between Rachael and Tunde versus Peter and China"

We matched out and stood opposite each other. Peter had a devilish smirk on his face like he was so sure they were going to win. I couldn't wait to wipe that smirk off his face with my points.
"...And lastly, let me remind you that teenage relationships also lead to teenage pregnancy and that's why many girls have their babies aborted" said Tune, "with these points of mine, I hope I've been able to convince you that teenage relationships should not and never be encouraged"

The class applauded Tunde as he stepped back and China stepped forward to counter Tunde's points. She looked shy and stage frightened but she was able to say something meaningful.

It was my turn after China had stepped back. I stepped forward with all boldness and confidence. I knew I was going to nail it.

"...First of all, teenage relationships lead to all kinds of sin and stupid things teenagers engage themselves in such as premarital and unprotected sex, peer pressure and unwanted pregnancy," I said feeling good about myself.

"Secondly,..." it was as if I had been using a Wi-Fi network all this while and I'd suddenly lost connection. I couldn't remember anything. "Secondly...."

"NEPA don take light" a boy at the back shouted and everyone laughed. It wasn't funny to me at all. I then realized that trying to memorize everything that morning hadn't helped at all. With everything happening at home I didn't have time for school work anymore. It was then I realized was definitely going to fail this term.

"SP wetin de happen na?" (SP what is happening?) another boy shouted from wherever he was seated.

"Rachael, just conclude" Tunde, who was standing next to me, whispered.

"With these few points of mine—"

"Or you mean, with this one point of mine," someone interrupted and the class burst into laughter once more. I was so abashed.

I stepped back and no one clapped. The class was so quiet that if a pin had dropped, it would echo.

Peter stepped forward with the same boldness and confidence I did and the class applauded him when he hadn't even started talking. He grinned at the audience like he was some kind of celebrity.

"Good day Mr. Moderator, panel of judges, accurate time keeper, my co–debaters and my gorgeous looking audience" I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Hell, even the English teacher was blushing.

Whatever charm Peter was using on everyone, it was working because everyone would clap whenever he presents a point.

"...Now, my opponents..." he motioned to Tunde and I with one hand leaving the other one in his pocket, "...stand here and tell me teenage relationships should not be encouraged when they are in a relationship themselves"

For a second, I thought I didn't hear him right but when everyone began shouting and whispering to their friends, I wanted to strangle Peter.

"Yes, you heard me right" he continued, "Rachael and Tunde, your SP and DSP are in a relationship"

"That is not true!" I said with anger displayed in my expression.

"So, you didn't go to Tunde's house and he kissed you? Or is that not also true" he smirked knowing he was lying and he had already won.

"Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I know I've been able to convince you that teenage relationships should be encouraged" he bowed, in the process, finally withdrawing his hand from his pocket. He was wearing that red bracelet. He was one of them.

"Hypocrites"

"Pretenders"

"Holy sinners"

Those were the names (amongst many others) our classmates had called Tunde and I.

The English teacher had congratulated China and Peter for doing an excellent job after they were declared the winners. I glared at Peter as he gave me that devilish smirk before walking back to his seat.

"He must've overhead us talking about it earlier" Tunde said to me but I didn't know to say to him so I just kept quiet because I was too furious and I didn't want to say something I'd regret.

"It is true?" was the first thing Aisha asked me during lunch break. Tunde didn't join us and it was for the best.

"Of course it's not true" I said before filling my mouth with popcorn to avoid saying anything else.

"They say, every rumor has a truth to it" Aisha said while giving me a knowing look.

"Look, he only tried to... you know... But it didn't happen" I explained to Aisha in order to ease her curiosity.

"I always knew Tunde liked you" Aisha said and I didn't say anything else.

"Why is your brother always around that Enoch boy?" Aisha asked out of the blue.

I shrugged and said, "They're friends"

"Friends? That boy is a rascal. He might influence Sebastian negatively" Aisha had a worried look on her face which made me realize how much danger Sebastian might be walking into.

"I think he's in a cult" I whispered "That bracelet he was wearing, senior Henry was also wearing it and with the way Henry was defending Enoch in the principal's office, there's something between them"

Aisha kept quiet. I was surprised because she always had something to say.

"Aisha, do you already know what I'm telling you?"

"No" she lied. Whenever Aisha was lying, her eyes would be staring at any other thing except you.

"Aisha, Peter was also wearing that bracelet. If there's anything you know, you better tell me" I demanded but Aisha was unwilling.

"Look, tomorrow, I'll take you to someone I know. She'll explain everything for you. Okay?" before I could even process what she'd just said, she got up and left.

I wanted to know who Aisha was talking about. My curiosity was getting the best of me but I also didn't want to pressure her. Whoever had information about this cult, I needed to speak with the person as soon as possible because as SP, I might be the only person who can stop the bloodbath I felt coming.

Even Mr. Francis wouldn't be able to do anything if he happens to be under the influence of The Brothers as I suspect. I just hoped that no one had been a victim of the cult activities already.

I went home with a lot on my mind. I wondered if I could ever trust anyone around me anymore. Everyone close to had done something to lose my trust in them.

"Rachael, I'll be going to my friends house tomorrow. There's this project we're working on" Sebastian said after walking into my room like he owned it.

"And does that friend happen to be Enoch?" I asked so sure I would be correct.

"No. It's Daniel but Enoch will be there" he smiled at me knowing I'd assumed wrongly.

"Do all your friends bear a name from the Bible?" I asked

"No, just most of them" Sebastian chuckled, "I'll be going around five"

"You're not going anywhere" I said with a firm tone to show how serious I was.

"What do you mean?" Sebastian asked starting to raise his voice. I closed the Biology textbook I'd been reading and got out of my bed.

"Those boys are not good friends" I said

"Are you really serious right now? Why should you of all people be coming down on me for choosing friends?" now it was a heated argument.

"And what exactly are you insinuating?"

"I heard how you literally licked Rebecca's butt last year just because you wanted to join her clique" I was dumbfounded and I kept shut for a few minutes.

"Aunt Thelma won't allow you. And I know you aren't doing any project so keep the lies to yourself" I said

"Oh please. Were you not the one that snuck out to go and see your boyfriend?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You went to see Tunde all in the name of project. And besides, everyone knows the SP and DSP are dating secretly. So quit being a hypocrite"

"You know what Sebastian, I will not stand here and let you insult me. You can suit yourself!" I barked "Now, get out of my room!"

"I don't want to be here anyway" Sebastian stormed out of my room and slammed the door really hard that sound would be enough to wake the dead.

Sebastian could do whatever he wanted. I didn't care anymore. I didn't even care if he got himself killed.

I went back to my bed. I was fuming. I picked up my Biology textbook to continue studying but I couldn't find the page I'd been reading.

I flipped through the pages and a white piece of paper fell out in the process. I couldn't remember putting any paper in my textbook. It was a written note with a writing I couldn't recognize.

Hi, I have an important message to pass. I know that this might not concern you but I was someone close to Cynthia. I know who got her pregnant. I couldn't meet you in person because I'd only be putting you in danger. After I tell you this, please don't bother looking for me because you won't find me and you'd only be putting yourself in danger.
Cynthia loved Tunde Rotimi with all her heart and when she'd found out that she was pregnant for him, she told him and he threatened to kill her if she didn't abort the baby.
By telling you this, I'm putting you in danger because The Brothers are ready to kill anyone who knows Tunde was the father of Cynthia's baby and Tunde Rotimi, Cynthia's Love, is one of The Brothers.