Chapter 4 No. 4

It was a wet day, Mr Johnson and I were going out to withdraw some amount of money when he accidentally splashed muddy water on one young woman. He apologized, moved on, reversed back to the lady and asked her where she was going. I was upset. The woman didn't hesitate to reply to him saying she was going to the grocery store. Mr Johnson told her to hop in the car and she fully complied, smiling. Our eyes met at the rearview mirror and I glared at her. I had to leave the front seat just for her.

Savage! Husband snatcher! I thought and the car roared back to life as we proceeded to a nearby grocery store. Mr Johnson and the woman, who I later learned was Loveline talked to the store, as they got to know each other. Two minutes after we got there and Mr Johnson got down and went over to open the front seat for her. When last did he do this for Mum? I annoyingly rubbed my forehead at the thought

The woman, Loveline, got down with a smile and they went into the store together, leaving me behind.

Exactly what I needed. Space! They were suffocating me. Both physically and verbally. I knew this was a secret between Mr Johnson and me. He didn't need to tell me that. I just knew it. Keeping my mouth shut meant peace in the house_if that was even a guarantee!_but opening my mouth to expose what he did meant trouble. Big time. Quarrels up and down. Also, it was going to crush my Mother's heart. No, I didn't want that.

After spending what seemed like forever to me, they came out, the shopping bags with Mr Johnson. He was helping her to carry it. When did they meet? Wasn't it just a few minutes ago? From opening the passenger's door to helping her carry the bags for her.

I think this man was cursed. If not then what? We were supposed to go and withdraw money from the ATM so we could go get something. Grannie was starving at home! He was just to drop Loveline at the store and back off so we could go to where we were going in the first place, or better we go to the store together and buy the things we needed and pay the staff with his card if that was acceptable, but by the look of it, I guessed POS_point of sale_was available there, but right now everything in me was saying he didn't get us anything. For the Johnsons! He was acting like he had some tons of money in his bank account.

They got inside the car and straight away we went to Loveline's place. We sat down as she served us juice, and went back to the kitchen. I didn't touch the juice but stared at Mr Johnson with contempt. "What is the meaning of this? I wish we were home."

Mr Johnson came forward and gave me a hard knock on my forehead before warning me to keep quiet.

Loveline came back in with some cookies which Mr Johnson didn't hesitate to munch. They discussed the more and there I learned that Loveline was single which brought a great expression on his face.

An hour later, we left Loveline's place, went to withdraw some cash and went home. On getting home, my Mum hugged Mr Johnson saying she was worried and had been calling him but his phone was off.

Mother, he switched it off intentionally!

Mr Johnson fabricated a lie that he was at the hospital to see a sick friend. He thrust the money into her hand and told her to go to the grocery because he was tired of doing that.

My mother smiled at him and told him to go rest. "Busola and I would go."

I shook my head and went to my room, I then collapsed on the bed to forget about what had happened. The lies!

_______

Saturday came earlier than expected. Feeling down, I went to Tosin's house and narrated what had happened between Loveline and Mr Johnson on our way to withdraw some money.

Toyin laughed and shared looks with Bisola which baffled me. Nothing I saw was funny.

"You know, you are being weak," Bisola said and shoved popcorn into her mouth.

Ouch that hurt.

Have you ever wondered how you became friends with someone you never thought you would befriend or maybe best of friends? Well, same as me, I didn't know how I became friends with them. With the two brats in my presence. Anyways, we were just friends, not besties. I couldn't fathom how it happened. They just happened to be the two baddies I talked with. Besides, they were mean too.

"You could have confronted her and exposed that he is married, Tosin. Well, what should we do? Beat her up?" Toyin asked.

"What! No! I didn't tell you guys about what happened just for you to suggest beating Loveline up!"

They were meaner than I thought.

"What then? Wait till she packs into your Dad's_Mr Johnson's house? Let's destroy her face! Her pretty face like you have said. Let's burn it with acid," Bisola said.

I widened my eyeballs astonished. If eyeballs could pop out because of widening it too much, mine would have fallen on the bed we sat on.

"Stop staring like that." Toyin waved her hand in my face.

I blinked, still couldn't believe what I heard from Bisola. I felt a hand lifting my jaw which met my upper. I didn't know I dropped my jaw.

"What are you, girls? We are teenagers. We shouldn't be... God! You Brats are so exposed. You know I feel like you are corrupting me. Or rather, scaring me." I embraced myself.

"Calm down. We are not that mean. We just deal with people that cross their boundaries with us," Bisola said.

"I hope I haven't crossed mine."

"Nah. See, we love you. And will always be there for you, okay? I can't even hurt you, nope." Toyin leaned forward and rubbed my cheek.

And those brats weren't my besties, we were just friends. "The acid you talked about, where do you think you are going to get it?

"From my gangs, " Bisola replied.

"You could join us, you know?"

"No, I don't, Toyin. I'm good," I said, lifting my two hands.

"Chill, babe, it's just a group that..." Bisola was saying as Toyin covered her mouth.

"Bisola? Really? Remember?" Toyin glared at her and dropped her hand.

"I'm sorry."

"What?" I asked.

"Look, we are not to disclose anything to you, okay? Unless you wanna join us. One single thing I can tell you is that it's fun."

"... and you will feel among, "Bisola said quickly before Toyin pinched her thigh.

"Ouch! That's unfair! "

"Don't tell her much. I told her one and that should be enough." Toyin and Busola eyed each other.

I exhaled. "Okay, just a question. How and why did you join the 'group?'"

"Well," Bisola was saying, "that was two questions. But we'll tell you whenever you decide to join. And that will be a day after you join or so."

"Really?" I asked disappointedly. "Okay, just one more question and I am done. For real. If I asked again, hit my face, okay? Just one question." I pleaded and wagged my finger to signify one.

Toyin groaned and Bisola gulped down a Coca-Cola drink down her throat.

"Okay, fine. What is it?" Toyin asked.

"Why did you suggest I join?"

"As I said before, Tosin, it's fun." Toyin smiled.