Chapter 3

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         ~RHODA~

"Then how's this possible! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't done the test myself." I told her.

"Trust me, Rhoda, I never had sex! I didn't do anything." She wailed.

"I trust you completely Leo, in fact, more than myself but you know one can never get pregnant without having sex. I mean is not like Jesus is visiting the world again through you!" I reason with her.

"Shut up already! You're only making this worse." She chided. "I'm sure there's a mix-up somewhere other than that, how can I be pregnant?."

"Alright but I think we should do a virginity test to prove that you still are."

"Does that mean you don't believe what I am saying?" She sounds disappointed.

"Not that. I trust you. This is going to prove your innocence and then we can look at what to do next."

"That is ridiculous, Rhoda! Do you know how that thing is done?" She asked, her cheeks gaining color.

I've only heard that virginity tests are done but I don't really have an idea how it is conducted.

"How's it done?"

She sighed and bit into her lower lip. "The doctor has to insert his finger in my vagina to check its laxity and am not ready for that. I believe in myself. Believe whatever you want but I know that I am not pregnant or did anything that would have led to it." She concluded with finality and walked out.  

She walked out and I just followed her.

"Fine! When was the last time you had your period or when is it due.?" I ran to catch up with her.

She stopped, then started biting her lower lips. She does this mostly when she's in thought.  "It will be due tomorrow. I'm expecting it tomorrow."

Wow.

"Okay, let's wait and see then." I smiled at her but she didn't return it.

"Yeah."

We got back to the gathering and just as the chancellor had said the program continued.

Leona is called again for the medal 🏅 but this time around, the energy was vague and she wasn't as happy. The crowd cheered for her regardless and she tried to smile but it didn't reach her eyes.

"This year is a wonderful one because both our Valedictorian and Salutatorian are girls. Today, a fifty years record where boys were the only ones has broken! Ladies and gentlemen, the Salutatorian also goes to Miss Rhoda Grant!"

Goodness gracious Lord! This is a dream come true!

"It has been proven yet again that indeed birds of the same feathers do flock together. They were best friends who couldn't stop making this institution proud.."

My parents rushed to hug me from nowhere before I got to the stage for my medal which was silver.

After the speeches and others, the day came to an end with all the graduates throwing their caps in the air.

It was such a sight!

"Congratulations, Rhoda!" LeonasL eyes shine with love and happiness.

"Congratulations to you too." I hugged her, looking around for her brother.

"Where's Raymond?" I asked.

She shrugged. "He should be at home with his friends. I don't know what he's up to at the moment  but I know if he was chanced, he wouldn't miss this day."

I nodded.

"Shall we go home?" She asked.

"Not now. We're going to have a treat first then get home when everyone is fast snoring. We're going to catch some fun, baby." I squeal.

"Actually, I can't wait to tell Dad about the good news so I want to go home."

I frowned. "Just this once, Leona. Do yourself this favor." I ended with a pout and puppy eyes. I know she can't resist when I do that.

She contemplated, pursing her lips then biting it softly. When she was about to open her mouth, I screamed "Yes!"

She laughed and I looped my arms around her neck towards my car. It's a yes.

About to walk into my car, a car I recognize to be my mom's comes to a screeching halt in front of mine.

It stopped and my mom got out. I thought she left with dad.

"Hey, Mom! Thought you left. Leona and I thought we should spend some time together..."

"Not under my watch!" She objected, shocking me.

"What are you talking about, mom?"

"To tell you the truth, I only encouraged your friendship because I knew she was helping you and a girl of good character. But now that you've achieved your goal while she lost her value, why stick around? You don't need her again sweetheart."

Oh, God. My mouth dropped wide open. How could my mom say this and in her presence? My hand slides from Leona's shoulder unconsciously.

"Leona is still the same Leona for me mom. Don't be ridiculed that I will backslide with you." I sneer. "And don't talk about her. You know nothing."

"I already know her dear. Is she not the one who fainted and was later discovered to be pregnant?" She looks at Leona contemptuously.

I heard Leona gasp.

"And who told you that?"

"How I got to know you is not important. What is important is that I don't want you around her anymore. She's a bad influence." She snatched my hand.

"No!" I tried to take my hand back. I wonder where she got that medieval thought from.

"Yes. She's immoral and shameless."

"How can you say such things, mom. She's my friend." I looked at Leona and her face was down.

"Not anymore!"

"Don't fucking dictate for me. I am not a child anymore." I screamed.

"That's not for you to decide. Get the hell into your car now or I'll drag you into mine."

"No I won't and you will do no such thing." I refused with eyes on Leona. She was almost crying before she turned her back to us and began walking away.

No.

"Leona you can't do this."

She stopped.

"You can't just run away. This woman is crazy!" I told while trying to free my hand but it seems mom got stronger overnight.

I had only one way out. I lowered my lips and bit into my mom's flesh. She groaned, letting me go.

I started running towards Leona when mom pulled me back yet again and ordered one of our bodyguards to carry me.

God!

"What are you doing mom? Let him get me down." I hit the back of the man.

I looked back again and I saw Leona with the proprietor.

I won't give up mom. What you don't know is that Leona is not the only member of her family who I'm interested in.

               ~LEONA~

I tried to stifle my sobs as I ran when Rhoda was driven away. Even without her consent, she left.

As I ran for a place to let my tears out, I ran into someone. I looked up and gasped. It's the chancellor.

He didn't say anything but looked at me sadly before handing me an envelope. Before I could ask him about it, he had already left.

I reexamined the envelope which had been addressed to me and wondered what could be in there.

I decided to go after him but I halted my steps when I remembered Rhoda's mom's words. 

"I already know her dear. Is she not the one who fainted and was later discovered to be pregnant?"

And with the look that those around were giving me, I didn't think I could go into the campus.

I took a taxi back home and decided to open the envelope later.

After a few minutes, I arrived home and walked to our door. I was about to open it when my foot hit something in the doorway.

I looked down and there was my small luggage. What will my luggage be doing here? 

I took it and opened the door about to get in when I was stopped by Elsie.

"Hi, Elsie." I greeted.

"Don't 'hi' me!" She rudely replied, folding her hands on her chest. There couldn't have been anyone. She threw my luggage out here but on who's instruction or her own will?

"What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

"How can everything be okay when you have gone and ruined this family?"

"What do you mean?"

"Stop pretending to know nothing about what is happening, Leona," Valerie said and came to stand beside Elsie with hands crossed on her chest.

"She acts as if she was innocent and the holiest of holiest but it was all a sham. Your game is over Leona and now mom and dad want you outta this house." Elsie said angrily.

Okay. It could be mom but not dad. After all that he did for me to get this far, dad won't throw me out.

"Hey, what's wrong with both of you? And who said I'm pregnant? Where's dad? I'd like to talk to him." I demanded.

"You can't talk to him."  Vera, the last born, said quietly behind Elsie.

I walked closer to her and squatted before her. I tried to touch her but she moved back. "Why can't I talk to him, Vee?"

"He's been hospitalized and it's all because you, sis Leona." She reported to me.

"What? What happened to him?"

"You're the one who happened to him. The worst mistake he ever made so far." 

"Listen to me, all of you. I don't know what you must've heard but I know that whatever you heard about me is a lie and am sure dad will understand and make you guys understand as well. Now tell me where he has been admitted."

"Kings Hospital." Vee was fast to answer before Elsie could stop her.

"How will we get back to school now that there's a baby in your tummy? Mommy said we can't go to school anymore sister Leo." Vee complained, tearing up. 

"You'll all go to school, I promise."  My voice came out as a whisper but I'm sure they heard me. I mean those words more than anything. I won't let them down, whatever it has to take me.

"Vee, help take my luggage back in will you?" She seems to be the only one I can ask this favor from. 

"Will you promise to take me to school?"

I smiled. " I promise."

****

It didn't take long to get to the hospital and the lady at the front desk was nice enough to give my dad's ward number to me.

I have no idea if what my siblings are saying is true but I am certain to find answers when I see my father. This situation needs to be rectified and all doubts cleared.

Before I could enter to see my father, a strong arm pulled me back violently by the wrist and began to drag me out of the hospital.

The heck!

It's my stepmom.

"What are you doing mom?" I whimper.

"Can't you see? I'm kicking the source of our bad luck out of our lives."

"Let me go, mom. I want to see my father."

" Not after what you did and he doesn't want to see you anyway." She finally let go. I rubbed my wrist and already imagined it bruised. I didn't mind. I was more concerned about what she just said.

"What?"

"You ceased to be his daughter the day you shamelessly slept with a man. You led him down and so he wants you out of his life for good. You've been nothing but a big disgrace."

"You're making all this up because I know dad will never say such things. He trusts me completely" I refuse to believe her vile words. 

"You ruined all his plans that he got confined permanently in a wheelchair by the shocking news. That man had so much faith in you but you overlooked it. Do you think he'll still want you in his life?"

"What! My dad is paralyzed? But why?"

"Stop asking foolish questions and get out of our lives and never return." She snapped angrily.

Tasha has always been unkind to me but today's own is like none I've seen before. I could see her hatred for me burning in her eyes.

"But what of the promise I made to him? To take care of this family? Look, mom, I've completed it and the government has made arrangements for me to be employed in one of the big companies and after that, we wouldn't have to worry about money.  I will be paid and that money will be used to take care of my sibling's education..."

She chuckled wickedly.

"Who's going to take care of that bastard you're busy carrying until he's born and after? And which company is going to employ a pregnant woman?"

"I know..." I paused because I didn't know what to say. What if I am indeed pregnant? Who is going to take care of my family? They spent so much on me so that I can help reduce our financial problems. I can't add up to their sufferings.

" I've always known that this will happen and it has happened. You were never someone to be trusted and now it has cost us all dearly, especially the life of my dear children.  I hate you, Leona and I always have. I only tolerated you because of your dad but not anymore. I want you out of this hospital, out of my husband's house  and our lives else you'll have me to deal with and I promise to make this miserable life of yours a living hell!" 

My mouth hung in the air loosely. Why would mum say all this to me?

"How do you expect me to do that? He's my dad and you're my family. I have nowhere else to be." I cried.

"Unless you finally want to send him to his early grave and become an orphan. He barely survived your betrayal. Watching his daughter struggle with pregnancy instead of work will finish him off in no time."

I'm rendered speechless as I watched her leave. Today was supposed to be a happy day for me but it turned out to be my worst day ever. 

I turned to leave and once again bumped into someone.

I looked up and saw Raymond. My brother. I hugged him tightly as if my life depended on it. Seeing him is a big relief for me. I hope he believes me.

Raymond hugged me back and rubbed soothing circles at my back.

I pulled back after a while and raised my tearful gaze. "I didn't do anything, Ray. I swear."

"I know Leo, you don't have to say anything. I understand." He cupped my face and gently wiped my tears with his thumb.

"But why can't everyone understand me as well?"