Chapter 9

When we arrived at the hospital we went straight to the ward where Ayo was being treated. His mum was there with him and I heard she had not left her son's side since the day he was admitted to the hospital.

Ayo lay unconscious in the bed, only still living because of the mechanical oxygen being passed through his nose by a machine. It was horrible, I didn't know when tears started licking from my eyes. I felt really pity for Ayo but more for his mother. It's never easy for a mother to see her son lying in a sick bed almost lifeless without being able to do anything to help him.

On seeing us Ayo's mom was happy, she told Ayo that visitors are here to see him, that his best friend, who is me, is here to see him as if Ayo was able to see or hear anything she was saying.

However I do admire her optimistic spirit, she still believes her son can still pull through from this and I want to share that belief as well..

"It's nice you came to check on my son, your best friend Chris, but why haven't you come to see him since, what happened?" Ayo's mum said.

“i..I am sorry mum, I have not been in school for about two weeks, I didn't know that this happened. I am sorry." I said, really hurting inside.

“Ayo told me about that. He was knocked down by a speeding vehicle

We called you but no one picked up," she said.

I felt so bad, I was even ashamed of myself. 

“I am sorry mum."

I apologized then quickly changed the topic. 

“I know that you have been here for a long time, you must be hungry by now, I should get you something to eat Ma."

“Thank you, my son. I am very hungry but I didn't want to leave Ayo's side."

“Alright MA, I will go get you something to eat."

I quickly went out of the hospital searching for a local food vendor, I saw one across the street and I bought ‘Amala' for Ayo's mom since she is Yoruba I reasoned she would like that.

And I was right she did love it and she rushed her food eating so fast, she was indeed really hungry.

We stayed with her and Ayo for a while before the doctor said that visiting time was over, then we said our goodbye greetings and went on our way.

On my way out I turned around to Ayo's mom, I could see tears dripping down from her eyes which also made me very sad. I prayed silently in my heart that God would perform a miracle for Ayo.....

After leaving the hospital there was a period of silence between myself and Sandra on our way home, it felt really awkward, now that she had followed me to see Ayo out of pity maybe she would go back hating me, I never really knew why she even volunteer to come with me to visit Ayo in the first place. Has she really forgiven me and if so, Why? 

Every minute or so I will steal a glance of her and quickly remove my eyes.

DAMN! THIS GIRL IS PRETTY!

I have to talk to her.

Coughing out softly. 

“Sandra I want to say I am grateful for what you did for me, I never expected that you would even talk to me after what I did but you did more than that, you where a real friend to me today, and I won't forget that even if you choose not too talk to me after today, I will also respect that."

“I have forgiven you since a week ago, Ayo told me everything."

she said, flashing a smile at me as she held my hand, but I was shocked wondering what exactly Ayo told her? 

“Everything? Can you explain more, please."

” Well he told me that you and Emeka have long had a beef with each other and when Emeka found out that you had feelings for me, he brought up such evil plans to break us apart. He also said he was the one to be blamed for what happened, but he didn't explain that part though," she said. 

I was speechless, Ayo did fixed things up between me and Sandra but he took the blame. I wasn't going to let my best friend who is currently about to die pay for my sins, so I told Sandra the whole truth.

“Sandra see, some of the things you heard were true, like how I have feelings for you. The moment I saw you, I fell in love with you instantly. But before that, your father had given me the biggest disgrace of my life and in my state of anger I said I wish he has a son or daughter in our school that I will get my payback, I told this to Ayo, but when I saw you I couldn't do it, I had fell in love with my teacher's daughter at first sight. However I didn't want to appear weak so when Ayo asked me about my plans I lied that I didn't like you and that I still wanted my revenge and that's what he told Emeka but the rape part and all those stuff Emeka said weren't true. I never said that and I would never do such a thing.."

I glanced up at her face to see if I had completely ruined any chance of me being her friend and more but I was surprised to see her smiling. 

“You know most boys wouldn't bother saying this, I like that you are being completely honest with me but regarding you being caned by my dad I had already found out from Jessica, she said you were crying like a baby."

She said and we both laughed, and then we hugged.

I have never felt a body so soft in my life, I felt like staying like that forever.

I promised her that I won't hurt her  again. I wanted to ask her to be my girlfriend but that felt as if I was rushing things too much, besides Miss Esther had been watching us all this while through the rear mirror of her car...

“But there is one thing though, my father doesn't want me to be friends with you, he said you are a bad influence and one of the worst students in his class."

I had almost forgotten about her dad, Mr President! But he is somehow right though, I never did like maths and the fact that Mr President was the one taking us the subject only made me hate it the more.

“Ahhhhhhhhh...don't worry I will try my best to be a good student in maths, if that means I will continue to be friends with you and of late I have been coming early to school, with time your dad will love me, just wait you will see," I said then let out a smile.

“I hope so, cause I also want to be friends with you."

I had the urge to give her a kiss, as I lowered my face towards hers and she reciprocated my action by moving her face towards me..our lips were in touching distance, before Miss Esther blew her car horn as loud as possible.

 POOOOOOO! POOO! POOOOOO!!!

This made us stop from doing anything. I smiled a little because I knew what Miss Esther just did. She did it on purpose.

“Are we almost at your place Chris?" Miss Esther asked.

“Don't worry, drop me off here," I said, then got down and waved goodbye to Miss Esther and Sandra, as they both disappeared from my sight.

I let out a sigh then smiled..

I got home that day around 7:00pm, my parents were worried sick, they have even been calling my phone but it was on silence mode so I didn't see their calls..

“ Where are you coming from at this time? What trouble have you gotten into now? Your school closes around 3.00 AM and you are just coming home now!" My Dad had this animated expression on his face when he spoke to me. He is clearly upset.

“Dad.." I tried to speak but he shut me up.

“We have been calling you since and you didn't pick up my calls, we even called your friend Ayo his line was switched off. What are you becoming this boy?"

Felicia and my mom were in the background looking at me as if I had killed someone or something like that. I have become a hardened criminal because I was suspended for two weeks…

“Can you at least allow me to explain myself," I said in a weak tone as I was already feeling tired.

“Go on then," Dad said, still frowning..

After I had explained everything to them, they felt so bad. They called Ayo's mom and they talked for a while, while I went to my room to reflect on all that happened today..

What will happen next? Will Chris and Sandra's new friendship last long? Or will Mr President or someone else stop their love from growing?