I DROVE to Kwento’s house.

The only reason I was excited was that I would later go to Aretta’s house for some dinner. I liked the idea of spending time with both her and her mom because it would take me away from my toxic stepmom, who keeps getting more and more annoying each day.

I could see Kwento’s house from a distance because it had no wall fence. I turned my car so that I could park somewhere near his house.

As I walked toward his house, I could not help but get shocked at what I was seeing.

An old man was throwing punches at Kwento and Kwento did not seem to hit him back. He didn’t even cry out for help.

I watched in shock at the horror before me. I hated Kwento a lot because he, Akin, and Liam would always bully me. But seeing him in that situation made me feel very remorseful.

I run into his yard quickly. Maybe I could help him from that monster that was hitting him for a reason I did not understand.

“Sir, please stop hitting him!” I shouted as soon as I got near them.

Kwento lifted his head high, and the effects of the punches were exhibited. His eyes were purple and swollen, and blood was dripping from the corners of his mouth.

My jaw dropped." Sir, why are you doing this to him?"

“Why are you in my yard? I owe no one an explanation for what I do to my son.” He glared at me with his dark brown eyes.

His son?

“This is wrong! What did he do that you’d beat him up like he is some sort of animal?” I hollered. I am normally respectful to older people, but that man was making it difficult for me.

“Who are you, and why do you care? Just mind your own business!” He flared his nostrils.

“I am Kwento’s fr... Friend and I came here to tutor him. But now I don’t think I can because he needs to go to the hospital.”

“Kwento is dumb and useless. Just like his dead mother. He will never get good grades even if you try to help him. It’s useless. Besides, he is so used to being beaten for his misconduct, so he does not need to go to the hospital.”

“You know who I think is dumb and useless? I think it’s you sir and you know why I say so? Well, that’s because no human would do this to their child; even if the child does the worst thing. You’re an animal. Oh wait, I’ve put you too high. You’re a demon.”

Kwento’s mouth fell open, and he turned his head to face his father, whose arms were puckered into a fist.

He raised his hand high and punched Kwento in the face. Kwento did not flinch. Is that how accustomed he was to his punches?

“What has Kwento done that you’d hit him again? I believe I’m the one you should be throwing the blows at. I’m the one that called you a demon; well because you are. You might be the devil himself just in a human body.”

“That’s it, Luca, I can’t let you keep disrespecting my father like that!” Kwento got up from the ground." Just go back home. I don’t need your help anymore."

“Wow, this is even sadder to see. You respect this demon. I don’t know if I should be sorry.”

Kwento immediately raised his fist and punched me in the face." Just go away, you’ve crossed the line!"

I held my aching cheek. My eyes tearing up from the pain of the punch." You see, sir, he loves and respects you, even with your lack of humanity. It wouldn’t hurt you to try to be a better father. Maybe, just maybe, you can prove to be human."

I immediately walked away, leaving Kwento’s father in shock that a child just insulted him and Kwento in shock that I defended him. I am not one to hold grudges against others. Even though I do not like Kwento, he does not deserve the treatment he was getting. I don’t think he will even go to school with all those bruises.

I entered my car, knowing I had absolutely nothing to do. My day did not seem to go as planned. So maybe I could visit Aretta.

Her house was near Kwento’s, so I drove towards it and parked my car.

I knocked on her door. A few seconds later came a shocked Aretta. She appeared underdressed in a blue pajama short and white crop top. Did she just wake up because she looked like she had just been awoken from sleep?

“Were you sleeping?” I asked.

She rubbed her eyes." Luca, I thought you’d come a little later. Wait, were you in a fight?"

“No, why do you ask?”

“Oh, my, God! I will be back soon. Please come in. This is when I just realized I’ve not dressed appropriately!” She said, glancing at her body. I wondered why it took her so long to realize.

Her house was not what I expected it to look like. There was only one sofa, and the rest was an empty space. There was no TV set. No table. No special furniture. But it did not look awkward because the room was so tiny.

I sat on the sofa feeling like I just made a mistake. While waiting for Aretta, I decided to take a better look at her house. The walls were painted a light grey, and the curtains were dark blue.

I kept looking around her house like a creep, till I noticed something noteworthy.

There was a pack of cigarettes on the floor. I raised my eyebrows. Does Aretta smoke?

“I know you said you weren’t in a fight, but you look very bruised.” She said, coming towards where I sat. She was now dressed in a blue dress.

When she noticed me glance at the pack of cigarettes, she immediately kicked it across the room.

I squinted my eyes. Why was she trying to hide it?

I immediately pretended not to have seen her kick it."I was at Kwento’s house."

“Since when did you ever become friends?” She immediately sat on the floor, making me feel guilty for seating on the only sofa available.

“We aren’t. I went to his house to tutor him, but then I found his father beating him. Does his dad always do that?” I got up from the sofa and joined her in seating on the floor.

“Yes, he does. We even reported his father to the police, but Kwento denied all the accusations. He does not want his dad to be in trouble for his ill conduct.”

“That’s horrible. I feel bad. I was so angry to see his dad treat him like that. I literally called his father an animal, a demon, and the devil.”

“How are you still living?” She held her mouth.

“His dad did not hit me. I don’t think he would do so. I’m not like Kwento to deny accusations. I’d make sure he suffers in jail.” I held my aching cheek." But his stupid son did. He was like,’ don’t insult my amazing father who is in no way demonic.’ Then punched me in the face. He is so dumb. I was only trying to help him."

“Some people do not deserve help. Kwento is a horrible person, just like his dad. He deserves no aid and I’m sorry about the punch. Let me get something to ice the wound.” She got up from where she sat.

“I don’t think he is so bad. After understanding who raised him, I now understand why he is that way. No matter how bad he can be, he does not deserve that treatment. No human deserves to be given no aid.” I glanced at her."My cheek does hurt. I won’t lie. I’m scared it might swell."

“Don’t worry, I will make sure it doesn’t. Let me get the ice pack immediately.”

She run to a room that appeared to be the kitchen. The moment I waited for her, it gave me a brilliant idea of how to make my visit more interesting.

“Try not to flinch. I know this might hurt.” She said, kneeling next to me.

She raised the Ice pack and placed it on my left cheek. I intentionally screamed.

“I am so sorry. It hurts a lot.” I pretended to be in immense pain when it did not hurt so much.

“I’m sorry I will try to be more gentle.” She placed the ice pack again.

“Urgh!!” I screamed, just to be more dramatic.

“I don’t think it should hurt this much. Let me just stop.” She reflected pity.

“I heard a lot of mourning, so I thought I need to see what my daughter is doing.” Aretta’s mom said, entering the room. She was laughing like she just said a joke.

“Mom, don’t overthink things. I am trying to ice Luca’s wound.”

“Funny thing is I was sleeping the whole time till I heard a male’s voice. So I got worried that Aretta could have brought a guy without my knowledge.” She laughed. “Glad to see it’s just you, Luca.”

“You even know I don’t do such.” Aretta laughed.“ Mom, can you ice Luca’s wound for me? I’m feeling too remorseful to do it.”

“It’s okay, I can do it by myself,” I suggested. I honestly wanted Aretta to do it for me, but now that she couldn’t, I preferred to do it.

“I lack remorse. Lemme do it.” Aretta’s mom grabbed the ice pack and harshly placed it on my cheek. That was when I realized how gentle Aretta was being. I forced myself not to scream.

“Luca, what happened for you to be so wounded?” Aretta’s mom asked while keeping the ice pack on my face.

“He was in a fight with Kwento,” Aretta answered on my behalf.

“I’m sorry about that. Kwento must be good at throwing blows because you look like you’re in a lot of pain.”

“I am; I can’t lie. That’s why I came here immediately. I hope I can stay till dinner time.”

“It’s okay, my son. You can play games together to kill time. ”

*****

“I am done cooking so you can join me for some fufu.” Aretta’s mom said, stopping me and Aretta from the game of checkers we were playing.

She gently placed a mat on the floor." Let me bring the food."

“I’d love to help you get the food,” I said, smiling.

“Me too.” Aretta smirked.

I got into the kitchen and got the bowls, and Aretta did the same. I watched as Aretta put them on the ground, so I did the same.

“Luca, you do realize that this fufu you’re eating is not free.” Mrs. Okorie beamed.

“Really?” I replied after swallowing.

“Yeah, after this, you’re expected to marry my daughter.” She laughed.

“Mom, it doesn’t work like that.” Aretta interrupted.

“I know, I’m just joking. I just want to thank him.”

“Thank me? For what?” I asked.

“I told you this before. Ever since Aretta started seeing you, she has been really happy. I can’t express my gratitude in a better way. Aretta has been there for me, bearing a heavy load of sadness on my behalf and since you came in, she has been happier, which means I get happier, too.”

“Aretta has been bearing a load of sadness?” I asked, shocked at her words. I knew Aretta was hiding something from me, so maybe her mom could tell me what it was.

“I’m sure she told you about the divorce---”

“Mom, he knows all that already. I don’t want you to start getting all emotional telling a story he already knows.” Aretta chimed in.

Even though I do not know the full story, I know there is a divorce, and the cigarettes I found; show Aretta smokes. Does Aretta smoke to relieve the stress and sadness she gets from her parent’s divorce?

“Okay, then let’s talk about something else.” Aretta’s mom said.

Aretta may have interrupted her mom from giving me all the information but the little information I got; made that dinner worth it.

______Authors note______

Since when is Luca so brave?

I am so proud of him!🙌🏾😭

Can't wait to see more of this side of him and something tells me we might see it more in the next chapters.