
30/07/2025
I couldn't tell if I was to hate myself for everything that happened that day.
Just in one day, i was suspended from school for steal!ng, and returning home i was beatenn merc!lessly.
It felt really depressing to think about all the twist unturns life throws at my face.
Quite unfortunate, Mr Julius already had his mind made up, turning deaf ears to every pleas from individuals who came to interven.
He dissolved his marriage unapologetically, and sent his wife awayy that same evening for flo•gging me.
I have always been silent about his wife's resentful attitude toward me, not because I loved been maltreated, but for the fact that I wanted peace in the family.
After all the back and forths that evening, we all retired to our respective rooms quietly.
The night was calm, and it felt as though the world itself was tranquil.
My heart ached when I noticed that Junior was quivering, and crying silently to himself.
Come to think of it, who else would have told his father about the things that happened in his absence, if he was not the one??
Probably Junior must've thought his father will just call his mother to order, and not to the point of sending her awayy.
Junior could not go to school the following day. He was at home, and literally had nothing to say throughout the whole day.
A certain group of individuals came to the house to look for Mr Julius, probably to intercede for mercy on behalf of Susan, but Mr Julius wasn't at home.
As days progressed into a week, things gradually normalized for Junior, but not for me who was still undergoing suspension for the money i didn't steal in school.
Although I was not in school, i was abreast with the knowledge of what was happening in school, thanks to Junior's companionship.
Eventually, as anticipated, the two weeks i was given by the school management elapsed, and over the weekend I anxiously prepared to be back in school.
Early on the week of resumption, before I would leave for school, Mr Julius summoned me.
He cautioned me not to go in search of whoeverr hid the money in my backpack.
In his voice, he had said "Ebuka i know you were innocent. Forgive whoever it's that played down on you. You've just two years before you round up with secondary school, so make the most of it and be good"
I wasn't expecting that advice; it did nott sit well with me because deep down, I had already made good arrangements on how to approach those who testified aga!nst me.
When I got to school that morning, i was welcomed with an uproar of remarks, both the positive and negat!ve.
I mean I became the joke of the class, and a face of mockery at every given point.
There was never a day i stepped into the class, without someone reminding me i was a th!ef. It was a national anthem in the classroom.
It was actually the class captain's friends that made this remarks unbearable for me.
I remember this particular day within the week of my resumption, after a teacher had left our class, a student raised an alarm.
"My money is missing. I can't find it in my school bag" The boy echoed, attracting the whole class attention.
"Does that mean we've to search the backpacks in this class??" Another student asked.
"There's no need for that. We already know where to find the money. We've a handsome th!ef in the class " One of the class captain's friends exclaimed, and the whole class roared with laughter.
It was at the juncture i discovered it was a planned drama, aimed at making mockery of me.
Few minutes before school dismissal that day, I was quietly seated, when Stella showed up in my desk.
The moment I saw her, i je**ed in fear, remembering something.
A glance at her, showed she was moody, and low in spirit.
Immediately the bell for school closure was heard, i stood up, grabbing my backpack to leave, when I heard her subtle voice.
"Ebuka please i need your help. Please help me, i don't think I can trust anyone with what's going on. I need someone's advice" She echoed.
I paused, and looked at her, but she lowered her gaze.
"Ebuka, let's go home" I heard Junior's voice, calling out to me from the center stage of the class. He was waiting for me.
I made to leave immediately, but her voice jolted me to a stop again.
"I am the one who gave them the money they put into your school bag" Stella echoed, and my ears seemed not to comprehend.
Dazzled, i stood static, staring at her.
She suddenly looked around, turning to see if anyone was listening to our conversation.
"Ebuka, i have been ra*ped. I don't understand my bodyy anymore. I'm under threattt" She cried out in a low tone, tears streamlining her eyes.
Title: Ebuka's Story