We needed someone to see our monsters and take away our pain. We needed someone to be our lighthouse in the dark. Some of us wanted to hide in that darkness and never come out. Never be found.

But some of us were brave enough to take a step out of the darkness. We needed a chance to see the light even in the darkest of nights.

And while we yearned for someone to make it all okay, to be that lighthouse, we ended up falling into the hands of the wrong people.

Why would you play with someone's trust? Why would you see someone who was broken and decide to shatter their remains?

We were the cause of each other's problems quite alright. These were all part of the things we did.

◈ ━━━━━━━ ⸙ - ⸙ ━━━━━━━ ◈

Tari never closed her eyes to sleep that night not because she was prepping for the debate or because she was having nightmares again, but because she just couldn't get Ahmed Yusuf out of her head. After what he'd told her, she wasn't sure she would ever see him the way again.

How could he live with that?

Suddenly, her own problems felt so irrelevant and unworthy to be called problems. She wanted to spend every minute of the day with him and make sure he was okay but then she had to remind herself that what happened to him had happened two years ago and he'd been surviving without her since then.

She wasn't sure she should be feeling the way she was feeling. Especially since it was her best friend's brother they were talking about.

And the fact that Amira didn't know... It wasn't like she could do anything about that. Ahmed had trusted her to not say anything to anyone even if he didn't out rightly mention it, the same way he'd kept her abortion a secret.

Tari walked into the SS 2 floor looking like the Walking Dead. But as soon she'd seen Ahmed, her eyes lighted up. The only problem was that he was with his clique and Annika was eagerly demonstrating something to them. Their eyes met but Ahmed looked away almost immediately.

"Good morning." Amira suddenly appeared in front of her, stealing her attention immediately. Apparently, it was one of those rare days that the girl had decided to wear her Hijab. The white Hijab went well with her grey blazer and white inner shirt.

"Hey," Tari breathed out, a smile gracing her lips almost immediately. She adjusted the straps on her bag and began walking with Amira.

"Ready for today?" Amira asked. She was obviously talking about the debate.

Tari shrugged. "We'll see how it goes."

Tari turned around to steal a glance at Ahmed as he still stood and laughed with his friends before she walked into the classroom.

• • •

Tari walked to the seat she shared with Amira when the Art students came over to the science class for a combined English class that morning. Before she could reach her destination, someone grabbed her hand and made her turn around.

The fact that Charles had been chasing after her made things very awkward.

"What?" Tari nearly yelled.

"I called you like two hundred times," Charles said before releasing a sigh. "Why weren't you picking my calls?"

"It's not by force to pick calls," Tari deadpanned. "Besides, why were you calling me? I was starting to strongly consider blacklisting your number."

"I just wanted to talk with you," he replied, "after what you told me the other day-"

"Forget what I told you and stop...making things awkward," Tari was almost whispering now. The classroom was packed and they stood in the middle of it, anyone could overhear them.

"Wait-"

She released herself from his grip and turned around before he could finish what he was saying.

But then she bumped into CJ who was going in the opposite direction.

"Watch where you're going!" she snapped at him and he only glared at her without saying anything back. She shoved him aside and headed for her seat.

Not many people knew it but CJ Ikem irritated Tari Disemi for some reason. Everything about his tattered, snobbish and I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude got under her skin. Maybe it was because she didn't know what he thought of her and that made her very uncomfortable. She always preferred knowing what everyone thought of her.

Tari rolled her eyes when they met Zehan's glare from where he sat next to Adam. She wished her cousin would just vanish and never return.

Ms. Isong waited for the class to settle down as usual before she cleared her throat and commenced. "Good morning, everybody. How are you? How was your weekend?"

"My weekend was fantabulous!" Enock Sakala exclaimed, standing to feet and spreading his hands wide. The rest of the class chuckled.

"There's no such word, but okay, I get you." Ms. Isong also looked very amused. She clapped her hands once. "I don't want to waste too much of our time so at this juncture, I'll leave the floor to our debaters who will speak on the motion, 'Abortion should not be a crime.' Let's give them a round of applause as they step out."

Amira and Tari smiled wearily at each other before they stood up and headed to the front and center of the classroom. Ms. Isong had written the topic very boldly in capital letters on the white board and their classmates were really generous with the clapping and whistling. Maybe it wouldn't be that bad?

Well, Tari held onto that thought until they were all in front of the class and she realized Timi and Amira stood on one side while she stood alone opposite them.

Things were starting to get ugly.

Where the flying fuck was Ahmed?

"He's not even in the class," Enock said as if to answer the question on Tari's mind. Apparently, the English teacher had just asked of him as well.

Ms. Isong looked to Tari for some explanation as to where her partner was. Tari moped back at her.

Ms. Isong sighed and shook her head. "Fine, go on without him," she said, "first speaker from the proposing side, let's hear you."

Tari stepped forward and breathed out. She wasn't stage frightened, not even close. Hell, she was the Social Prefect, being in the spotlight was her thing. But why was it starting to feel like she couldn't do this without Ahmed?

"Good morning, everybody. My name is Tari Victory Disemi and I'm standing here to propose the motion...to propose the motion...'Abortion should not be a crime'" she mumbled the last part and breathed out again as she tried to remember the few things she had written down and tried to memorize. "We all know what abortion is, the definition is not up for a debate but what I and my co-debaters are here to argue today is whether it should be a crime or not. And you should know that I strongly believe that it should not and never be a crime!" She seemed to have found her voice.

"First of all, we all do things that we aren't proud of, we all make mistakes. And if a becoming a mother when you're not ready for it is what comes of a stupid one night stand, then I believe that you should have the right to terminate the pregnancy. It is your body and no one else's. No one should have the right to put you behind bars because you decided to stop yourself from making another mistake.

"No female should be forced to become a mother when she's not ready to. Do not say abortion is a crime because secondly, she might not be in the right state mentally, financially and emotionally to nurse a baby! So why should she bring a child into the world if she's only going to make he or she suffer and regret coming to this world?

"And finally, it is very archaic and wrong to think that a woman should suffer for making decisions for the betterment of herself and her future. Let me remind you that it takes both male and female to make a baby but at the end of the day, it's the girl who ends up carrying that child for nine months and still ends up nursing that baby to health, even without the father's help!

"And when that girl decides that she can't bare that, when she decides that she isn't ready to become a mother, when she decides that she isn't up for the job, you tell her that it's a crime? You should be ashamed of yourselves! You should be ashamed for calling a woman making decisions for herself a criminal. You are not her and you might never be in her shoes. So, hell yeah, abortion should not and never be a crime!"

The class couldn't help it. A standing ovation was witnessed. The crowd went wild and the applause was deafening.

It wasn't what Tari had said but the way she had said it. With so much passion and emotion.

If only they knew how personal the topic was to her.

Ms. Isong nodded in approval.

Even Annika Malan couldn't hold back her smile.

Charles only stared at Tari blankly.

Amira was having mixed feelings. She knew what it took her friend to do the debate and she was afraid she might just be stepping up to hurt her feelings. But she needed to win.

While the applause didn't seem to be dying down any second, Ms. Isong signaled for Amira to take the stage. Tari stepped back.

"Good morning, my co-debaters, the audience. My name is Amira Maryam Yusuf and I stand here, without doubt, to oppose the motion 'Abortion should not be a crime.' Now, my opponent-" she motioned towards where Tari stood behind her, "-failed to give you a definition of abortion because irrespective of what the topic says, the truth is plain and simple; abortion is murder!"

Tari's blood ran cold.

Amira continued, "how else do you explain taking a life that God had created? Foetus or not, that baby was bound to grow into a person, that baby was destined for greatness but you stopped that from happening and you tell me that it should be a crime?" she looked at Tari who had frozen on the spot.

"Secondly, my opponent also said something about making a mistake? Now, can you all help me ask her if God makes mistakes? Are you telling me that God made a mistake by giving you a child? A child that many seek but can't find? God does not make mistakes and for anyone to say otherwise, it is outrightly barbaric!

"I get the fact that we humans make mistakes by engaging in premarital sex and one night stands, but let's face the fact, if the result of that one night stand is a baby, then the almighty who is all-knowing is definitely not stupid. Abortion is murder and last time I checked, murder was a crime before God and man!"

Tari felt like a thousand missiles had been shot at her. She was just weak. The topic almost seemed too personal to Amira and everything was driving her crazy. Tari felt so numb that she almost hadn't realized that Ahmed had walked into the class and was now standing next to her.

She sighed.

"Lastly, I don't think this topic should even be up for a debate because babies are not mistakes like my opponent had called them. If they were mistakes then many of us wouldn't be here today. Don't be deceived, there is everything wrong with taking an innocent child's life and for my opponents to say otherwise, shouldn't they be the ones ashamed of themselves?"

The fact that Amira turned to look Tari in the eye as she asked that question sent chills down Tari's spine and made her head swell. It was starting to become unbearable.

Ahmed grabbed her hand for a second and squeezed it. That simple, short-lived action made her remember the last minute before the abortion. Tari wanted to scream.

An equally deafening applause was rendered as Amira took a step back.

It was Ahmed's turn.

Tari hadn't even noticed when he'd left her side to step forward.

His classmates seemed particularly excited to see him doing a debate. So they began clapping and yelling his name even before he said a word. But none of that seemed to ease him. He looked tensed. He was tensed.

His friends moped at him. They were sure he would never do the debate and they hadn't been surprised when he was initially missing from class. So seeing him standing there and suddenly looking very serious, it was definitely a rare sight.

Tari smiled when Ahmed pulled out the yellow note cards she had given him the previous day. She had no idea that he had even kept them. He was going to read from it and that was fine. No one said the debate had to be done offhand.

"Good day, ladies and gentlemen..." murmurs and chuckles filled the classroom instantly. That was why Ahmed did not speak English. He had an accent that had been difficult to get rid off. It was a Northerner's accent and it wasn't rare but it still sounded funny to some. Some people said he spoke just like the president.

Ahmed had to remind himself that he was doing this because he didn't want Tari doing it alone.

And he had to remind himself that there was nothing wrong with the way he spoke English. That was simply the way every Hausa man who was used to his native language spoke English.

He cleared his throat and continued reading from the card in his hands. "I am Ahmed Abbas Yusuf and I propose the motion 'Abortion should not be a crime'..." he read slowly and carefully and everyone waited for him quietly and patiently. He was afraid of mispronouncing any word. "First of all, I want to point out the fact that not everyone gets pregnant by choice. We have rape victims...there are rape victims...rape victims who end up pregnant..."

Now Tari thought of it, including the rape victims part wasn't a good idea. But that was before Ahmed had told her what happened to him.

"What do you think would happen if a child was the fruit of a sexual assault? That child would grow up to constantly remind their mother of how she was sexually abused and she might end up despising that child more than anything in the world. But by terminating the baby, that could easy be avoided. Abortion is not a crime, neither is it murder because it is far more better to never exist than to come to this world and wish for death.

"Secondly...I believe that every girl has the right to decide if she's ready...to be a mother. Many women die at childbirth, sometimes, the child doesn't make it. Other times...both mother and child lose their lives. All because of what? Because the girl in question doesn't want to be called a criminal? That's nonsense.

"With these few points of mine, I hope I've been able to convince you that abortion should not...be a crime. Thank you."

The applause started out slow and reluctant but then Enock was standing on feet and clapping the loudest, the same way a proud father would do when his son had just be awarded a prize. Dele, Annika and Sola joined in the standing ovation as well and Ahmed couldn't help but grin widely.

Tari gave him a high-five.

Timi Disemi stepped up next.

"Good morning my co-debaters, ladies and gentlemen. I am Timiebi ThankGod Disemi and I am here to proudly oppose the motion 'Abortion should not be a crime.'" The Head Boy seemed to be in his element as he moved around and made hand gestures. He definitely came prepared.

"And I can also tell you that all my opponents have said about abortion is bullshit. I mean, how can you stand here and say that someone who isn't prepared to be a mother should have the choice to terminate a pregnancy? For God's sake, let's not be foolish. I am not going to sugarcoat my words; abortion is murder, plain and simple.

"My opponents would tell you that abortion is the only option for unwanted pregnancy but that is a lie. What happened to adoption? What happens to does couples who have been married for more than twenty years and have nothing to show for it? What happened to the barren women constantly fasting and praying for a child- the same child you murder in cold blood?"

Why did it feel like Timi was intentionally speaking to Tari? He didn't know about her abortion but she felt attacked once again. She didn't know how much more she could take.

"Moreover, I strongly believe abortion should be a crime because it's not just taking a life that's involved here but we're talking about not giving that child a chance at life. You're not God, you don't know the future. You cannot stand here and tell me that every child begotten from a once night stand or sexual assault situation will end up miserable and unloved. That's just a lie that my opponents have cooked up to make themselves feel better.

"At the end of the day, the truth is, you took a life and if that is not a crime against humanity, I don't know what is. I know I have done justice to oppose the motion. Abortion is a crime, plain and simple."

Timi's points were short and straightforward but if felt like a thousand blows to Tari. At that point she wasn't even moving or blinking anymore. Ahmed nudged her but she didn't budge.

Ms. Isong had stepped up from where she sat in a corner after the clapping had died down. She said she wouldn't be calling on the chief speakers again since they had already said all that needed to be said.

She loved the performance of the group but Amira and Timi ended up winning the debate. She liked the way Tari had spoken with so much emotion but she loved Amira and Timi's ability to counter their opponents.

Tari could hardly even hear anything the English teacher had said.

The period was soon over and the Art students began heading out of the classroom.

"Tari," Amira called out to her friend who hadn't said a word since the debate. Tari mindlessly gathered her things without saying a word to Amira. "Are you angry with me?"

"Angry?" Tari looked up at Amira, "no, Amira, I'm not angry. I fucking feel attacked!"

"Attacked? We did not attack you, it was just a debate," Amira replied.

"Just a debate...bullshit," Tari said, "for a moment I was starting to wonder if we were friends or if you were my enemy. Like...maybe there's something you want to say to me, Amira? Because those points you made seemed hella personal."

Amira opened her mouth and closed it. She looked dumbfounded. "It was just a debate...we were just trying to win."

"You were trying to win, Amira, you!" Tari pointed a finger at her friend. "Everything is a competition to you! I'm not even Annika, so take a fucking chill pill. I don't have anything that you could ever want."

Tari walked out before Amira could say anything else.

• • •

The last period before lunch break for the Art class was Computer Studies on Mondays. So while Uncle Kendrick talked about the uses of spreadsheet, the students were already mentally making plans on what they would be having for lunch. It was also during that time that Tari had finally started getting the consequences of not sleeping at night.

Stools were moved and students stood to their feet as soon as the bell went off and people began rushing out of the Computer laboratory the same way they would be rushing into the school canteen. Students were particularly always very hungry on Mondays.

"Tari, wait behind please," Uncle Ken said as students headed towards the door.

Great, just when she was about to head to her class to take a long nap.

Tari waited for all her classmates to leave the lab before she walked over to Uncle Ken's desk where he had already busied himself with his desktop as though he hadn't summoned her.

"Sir..." she trailed warily as she stood in front of his desk.

"Yes, sit down." He motioned to the seat across from him. Tari couldn't even remember the last time she had taken that seat. She used to be close with Uncle Ken but now, it felt like a billion years ago and everything was just weird after he had found out about her pregnancy. "How are you?"

Tari shrugged first before trying to sound as believable as possible with her response. "I'm fine."

"It's been awhile, I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Uncle Ken said, offering a warm smile.

"I'm fine," Tari repeated. She knew what this was about. They both did. He knew she had done the abortion even after he'd asked her not to but he wasn't going to mention it. But he was still going to check on her because that would be the normal thing to do with your student instead of talking about abortions.

Tari was grateful that Uncle Ken wasn't bringing it up. There was only so much of the topic that Tari could take in one day.

Kendrick sighed. "Well, if you need anything...like if you need someone to talk to...I'm here." He smiled again and this time, Tari returned it.

She knew there was no way things could go back to the way they used to be in as much as it looked like he wanted it to. She just couldn't see herself being that favourite student of his who bought him snacks during lunch break and spent more time than necessary in the lab. That wasn't her anymore and she had come to terms with that.

"Thank you," she said before she stood to her feet and headed for the door. She could feel the teacher's eyes on her all the way.

• • •

It was during sports the following morning that Charles had approached Tari on the tracks again. She had seen him coming and she couldn't help but wonder why he was pestering her life. She didn't want to talk to him.

She had gotten rid of his baby and all she wanted was to forget everything about it. She was starting to regret ever telling him about it.

Zehan had been explaining something about the relay race to the entire SS 2 students when Charles came over to where she stood next to Kasy as they listened to the Sports Prefect.

"This competition with Castron High is starting to look like a do or die affair," Tari heard Kasy mumble next to her. It was only the previous day that the official message from Nero Sports Olympics had come to officially confirm their suspicion and hope. The two schools competing that year would be Newland Secondary School of Abuja and Castron High School of Lagos.

Tari was about to say something in response but Charles was standing in front of her.

"Let's talk," the boy simply said with all seriousness and without warning, he roughly and tightly but quietly grabbed her by the wrist and began pulling her out of the crowd their set mates had formed.

Of course, Kasy who had been standing right there had noticed but didn't think much of it.

The person who looked furious on the other hand was Ahmed, who had been watching Charles like an eagle watched a prey from the sky. He followed them.

When they were very far behind the crowd that was listening to Zehan, Tari fought harder to release herself from Charles but at the same time, neither of them wanted to draw attention to themselves.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Tari snapped at him as soon as they'd stopped walking and he'd released her hand.

"I've been trying to talk with you and you're acting like a little bitch," Charles equally snapped.

"Excuse me?" Tari raised an eyebrow. She was awestruck. "Fine, Charles. What is it? What do you want from me? Why won't you leave me alone?"

"Look," Charles looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping as he lowered his voice, "don't go around telling anyone that you were pregnant for me. I wasn't your baby daddy, okay? I already have enough shit to deal with and I don't need you talking bullshit with my name-"

"Wait, what?-"

They were both speaking over each other.

"My mother can't hear of this nonsense you're accusing me of, abeg-"

"Accusing you?" Tears filled Tari's eyes instantly and she didn't even know why.

"You're lying with my name and I need you to stop..."

After everything she had been through. After that scary experience and ordeal of getting rid of a baby. After enduring the nightmares and still finding it difficult to sleep at night...all because of this bastard.

And here she thought he had been pestering her to call her out for aborting the baby or at least apologize for not being there to help her through everything.

Now he was accusing her of lying against him?

Such irony.

"Wetin you talk?" Ahmed appeared in between them and Charles got confused as to where Ahmed and his question were coming from.

Ahmed had heard everything but even if he hadn't, Tari's tears where enough for him to beat Charles to a pulp without asking any questions at all.

Ahmed grabbed the other boy's T-shirt in a fistful and drew him closer. "Oya, repeat yourself. You say dem dey accuse you of wetin?"

"Ahmed, what's the meaning of this one? Free me, biko!" Charles tried pulling his sports T-shirt out of Ahmed's grip and they started getting the attention of others.

"E be like say you don dey craze, ba?" Ahmed was now using his free hand to continuously and painfully pat Charles on the cheek. It made Charles furious but there was nothing more he could do than yell empty threats. He was no match for Ahmed Yusuf.

"Ahmed, just leave him," Tari began pleading with Ahmed just as their classmates began rushing over to the scene.

No one was listening to Zehan anymore, they were all either rushing to separate the potential fight or to get the full gist.

Before the other boys could get to there, Ahmed had shoved Charles and let him go at once.

The classmates running over were all disappointed and confused because before they could get there, Ahmed was already marching away.

And the confusing part was the fact that he brought Tari along with him as they walked out, hand in hand.

The Tari and Ahmed chapters are done and dusted. How did you feel during the last three chapters? I'm having mixed emotions, honestly.