22/01/2026
DECEIT
Chapter 4
The rest hours in school felt like hell. My classmates would occasionally stare in my direction, some would scoff ,others laughed.
I was now know as the girl whose uncle was a ra**st. Not Shade nor the brilliant girl , just the girl with a ra**st uncle.
I kept my head on my desk , too timid to meet anyone's gaze.
" Shade, you know it isn't your fault right?" I heard Tolu say
I didn't want to talk at the moment so I just kept quiet.
I felt him shift in the chair beside me then I felt his hand on mine and I opened my eyes.
I stared at our hands entangled wondering why he held my hand. Could it be out of pity?
He began to move his thumb up and down on my hand , gently brushing across. I thought he was going to initiate a conversation but he didn't. He just sat there with me in silence till our teacher came in.
We all rose to our feet as a sign of respect.
When her eyes met mine , she looked stunned like I wasn't supposed to be in school.
I don't understand, it wasn't my fault that my uncle decided to stick his p***s into someone's mother.
Yes , we were taught s*x education so I knew what a p***s is except how it looked in person of course.
"Shade , kindly grab your stuffs and head home" Miss Bimbo , our teacher said slowly
I opened my mouth to protest but decided against it. It would be best if I leave, the stares were beginning to p**s me off.
" I'll see her off ,Miss Bimbo " Tolu volunteered
Miss Bimbo gave a nod then began to address the class like we weren't present.
Tolu carried my bag and led me out of the class . Each class we passed, students stared and laughed, pointing fingers at me like I was an artifact.
"Don't pay any attention to them, They're all foolish" Tolu said
" All of them?" I found myself asking
"Yes "
" Even you?" I asked again, this time staring at his face as we walked
He glanced at me ." Especially me ,Shade"
Has my name always sounded this sweet when he says it or was today a special day?
I'm probably just being dramatic but the way Tolu said my name made me feel weak in the knees.
" We're outside the school compound, you can go back now" I say to him when I noticed we've walked a distance from school.
" I'm not leaving you till I get you home" He responded
" I forgot that you always take a task seriously " I say with a smile
" You should smile more often "
I sigh." Nothing makes me happy anymore"
He slips his hand into mine." I can make you happy, Shade "
" Are you flirting with me ?" I ask somewhat appalled
He laughs." I wouldn't call it that tho. You're just pretty , smart and maybe I am flirting with you. Why ?? You hate me?"
" No , I don't hate you..."
"..So you love me then?" Tolu interrupted
I scoff." No "
He chuckles." I'm glad I decided to walk you home"
" Speaking of home, why did you take this route ? It's so long" I whined
" Because I'll have more time with you" He responded
"Why?"
" You had a bad day , I want to make it better before you head home"
Whatever this was , I can't lie anymore, I'm loving every bit of it. This moment shouldn't end , Jọwọ Oluwa (please, Lord).
" So what do you plan on doing to make my day better?" I ask
" What would you love to do?" He asked instead of responding
I hum thoughtfully for awhile. " iluwẹẹ (swimming)"
He paused in his track then stared at me ." Shade swimming??"
" Why do you seem surprised?" I asked,confused
"We're just in uniforms , no extra clothing " He said , staring at me like I grew a horn
" We have under wears na , We'll swim in that " I blurted without thinking
" No" He said firmly
" We're not swimming in underwear , pick something else "
He looked really p**sed so I hesitated to speak. His brows arched up as he waited for me to speak.
" You yelled" I mutter , looking down at my feet
" I'm so so sorry Shade " He said almost immediately
I raised my head to look at him. I wasn't expecting an apology nor the look of remorse on his face right now.
" Shade , I'm...."
" It's fine , I need my bag please " I say ,suddenly remembering what Nànà told me one time.
He looked confused." I said I'll take you home "
" Thank you Tolu , you can stop here now" I said grabbing my bag from him
He moved towards me and I screamed making him pause.
My eyes widened as I watched his expression go from confused to anger.
I don't give him time to respond as I fled.
Yes, I ran away
I dunno why I had to scream like an idiot.
But Nànà's words hunted me
'Shade, If a boy is overly friendly with you, he just wants to lie with you. You better run when faced with such situation .Ògbón ju agbára (Wisdom is better than strength)'
I ran all the way home not minding how people looked at me.
They probably thought I had gone mad but I couldn't care less.
After running for awhile , I finally got home
I didn't mind Aunt Bisi's face when I walked in almost breathless. I quietly slipped into my room and sat on my bed trying to catch my breath when my door creaked open.
Chidi walked in slowly. He didn't look happy to see me as he usually was. He had been away since trying to manage some important things in the company but he always made sure to send us money.
I smiled at him but he didn't smile back.
Then I knew something was wrong " What's wrong?" I asked
" There's a slight change of plans Shade" He said calmly
" Change of plans ?? Is it the court case with Aunt Bisiola’s mom??"
" Yes , I'm taking you with me to Enugu. You can't be here anymore" He dropped the bombshell.
© Author Nia
