Kambili

Chapter 3

  I received evil glances from Tope's classmates but I knew it was all bark and no bite now because Senior Ada had made sure to instil fear in all of their ears so I walked by them with no worry in my heart.

  Simi, on the other hand, went all to tell me at every chance she got that she was right and if I listened to her earlier I would have felt this liberation a long time ago, I knew she only wanted the best for me and I loved her for it.

  Ada made me promise I wouldn't keep anything from her and always tell her if anything was bothering her, she acted so sweet to me, I couldn't believe she was human.

   After a few days of freedom and no disturbances from Tope and her gang, Simi concluded that something suspicious was up and when asked why she would think like that She said it was almost not human for her not to retaliate in any way.

  Simi liked to overthink things so I didn't much of what she said into consideration but I promised to be careful so that she wouldn't continue to worry herself.

***

  My peace began to crumble when Mrs Oluwole began to look for her phone and it was found in my locker, I could swear on my life that I didn't take the phone but the teachers didn't believe me.

My friends tried to fight that the phone could have been planted in my locker while one could reason that could be a possibility. The call logs on the lost phone were filled with my mother's number and text messages exchanged between both of us.

  I asked to see these messages but I was refused, the teachers were very angry at me and decided to take it up with the disciplinary board.

  I tried to get help from senior Ada but she said my likelihood of being free was very unlikely and I would be lucky enough to get a suspension because of my clean record.

  Simisola and I wept all night before I met with the disciplinary board because we knew it was my last night. She tried to cheer me up by reminding me that at least I would get to see my home.

  The next day I met with the disciplinary board who asked me to present my statement about my whereabouts during the periods when Mrs Oluwole's phone went missing.

  After that I was told to wait outside, I was nervous and was expecting them to drill me with questions, they had probably made their decision and penned down by expulsion letter.

  I was called back into the room and was given my verdict I was free from all charges. I was shocked and happy at the same time I couldn't comprehend what was happening.

I was asked to sit down and three students walked in. "These students framed you and we were given a tip from one of our students who caught it all on camera, Tope Kelani, Ngozi Okon and Adesuwa Coker. They would be suspended inevitably and be kicked out of the boarding house" the head of the disciplinary board said.

Simi was right yet again, Tope and her gang were planning against me. This caught me off guard and made me promise to listen to her more and pay attention to her gut feeling.

When I was released from the meeting, I found a girl in my class waiting for me outside. "Hello I am Safiyah Jolloh", I also introduced myself to her and we began talking.

I found out from her that on her way to submit the camera she used for photography lessons, she saw the girls stealing the phone and decided to take a video, in case someone got in trouble for their crimes, I thanked her immensely and promised to pay her back for this act of kindness.

Simi was so surprised to see me on my bed smiling when she returned from school and when she realized I was let go because of my innocence she hugged me tightly " I did not know how I would survive in this school without you''

I told her what Safiyah did for me, she made sure to thank her immensely and ask her to join a friend group, to which she immediately agreed.

Simi made me promise not to always be on high alert and even went out of her way to buy me a padlock for my locker and put all the spares in the safe hands of our house mistresses.

***
Later that night, I went to Senior Ada's room to give clothes that had been ironed. Like Simi, Ada hugged me but kept it longer than Simi had.

When Senior Ada finally released me, she sat me down and told me to tell her all that happened from the beginning I explained the whole story and even informed her of my new friend Safiyah. she went on and on about how happy she is for me and should never allow a bully intimidate me.

During our conversation, Senior Ada's hand had found its way on my lap, the only thing separating her from my bare leg was my flimsy nightwear dress.

I felt chills that made me feel very uncomfortable and all I wanted was to yank her hand away from my clothing but because I didn't want to annoy her I left it there.

I didn't realise I had been staring at her hand until she cleared her throat to call my attention"Kambili are you ok" she said with a very sultry voice that shocked me

"Ye..yes I'm fine" I stuttered because of shock, she continued to draw my nightgown higher as she moved her hand.

I didn't dare ask her what was going on, she whispered in my ear saying "I know what you want Kambili", my eyes searched my surroundings and saw no one paying any mind to us.

  I wanted to leave because of how uncomfortable I felt but I played it cool and smiled at her, she moved closer to me inch by inch, her lips were very close to mine.

  I tried to move back but she crashed her lips to mine and pried her lounge in mine, the irritating feeling of her saliva mixing with mine made me very nauseated, so I pulled away and left leaving a hanging Senior Ada.

I rushed to my room and buried my head in my pillow, Simi was asleep so I couldn't seek her advice instead I slept with my thoughts.