NO GREATER LOVE

"ola my boy, don't annoy your mum when she gets back ok? I'm sure she'll be in a very foul mood" Owolabi patted his son's head as the ten years old Toriola played with the remote control. "what happened to mum?" "oh I told you she went to Abuja to bring her younger sister's child over. his name is Adeshina and he's going to be your new big brother" " but dad, is he going to live with us? what happened to his own house?" " his parents died in a plane crash and your mum is the only family he has now. so, yes. he'll live with us from now on and I want you to get along with him. you can do that right? my big boy?" "yes daddy" The day was a Sunday, one of the rare days Owolabi wasn't on a business trip. he loved his only son so much and wanted the best life for him. he cherished days like this when he could hold the boy close and spend time with him even if it was limited. Toriola was an exceptional boy. owolabi knew his son was struggling academically. he never picked up no matter the number of competent tutors hired for him. he remained at the bottom of the class and that was surprising because the boy wasn't playful or anything. he was always studying in his room but even that changed nothing. it hurts him most times and he couldn't say a word whenever his business partners flaunted their children's achievement in his face. he knew in his heart that Toriola was a failure and a big disappointment but what could he do? that was his only son. owolabi jerked back into reality when he heard his wife's voice. "mommy!" Toriola shouted and jumped into her arms. " is that my new brother?" he asked referring to the timid boy hiding behind his mother. " oh yes! this is Adeshina. and Adeshina, meet Toriola, my son and your younger brother now". she introduced and walked over to peck her husband "mummy? how is he my elder brother? he doesn't look older than I am". Toriola pouted and Owolabi chuckled lightly. "you're right my big boy. he is indeed only a few months older than you who h typically means you're the same age and will be in the same class but you know you both are siblings and there has to be a senior and a junior. since he came into this world first, he is your senior " Owolabi explained. " isn't it just a few months? we might as well be twins. must he be my senior?" Toriola grumbled. "stop stressing me and take him to his room!" Ewawunmi snapped at him and he pouted defiantly as he took shina inside. " children!" owolabi laughed as he shook his head. π At first, Toriola tried his best to get along with Adeshina. the boy was cold and wasn't much of a talker which served as a great shock for Adeshina who was a chatterbox. the boy wondered how there could be anyone who didn't respond to even greetings. Adeshina was always closed off and impatient whenever Toriola tried to engage him in a conversation. even monosyllabic replies was difficult for him. Toriola didn't mind his behavior and thought it was due to his parents death. he thought the boy must be hurting and miss his parents terribly and it was his duty as his new brother to cheer him up. He took it upon himself to share everything with him. Toys and even school books. He was really excited because Adeshina will be starting school with him the following week. The following Monday, Adeshina dressed up smartly in his school uniform and walked with the chattering Toriola to his mother's car. Ewawunmi stared at the two boys from the rear mirror. one was chatting animatedly and the other was simply staring out of the window. she sighed heavily and hoped the boy will open up soon. He was too cold for his age and it didn't sit well with her. Toriola on the other hand couldn't contain his excitement. he would be attending the same school with his brother and they would even be in the same class! that means he'll being lonely in school and might eventually stop getting bullied. if only he knew what was to come... π "wow! I can't believe this! my God! you took first position?" Ewawunmi hugged Adeshina tightly when she saw his report sheet. The boy was extremely intelligent. He took first Position despite the fact that he didn't start the term with them. she merely gave toriola's result a glance and tossed it aside as she continued smothering Adeshina with kisses. owolabi was also happy. if only the result belonged to his own son but the boy was like a son to him so he didn't give it much thought. Toriola stood by the doorway as he watched his parents showering Adeshina with the attention he has always craved for. ' mother has never smiled at me this way'. He thought as he made his way back to his bedroom. minutes later, he heard the sound of the gate opening. he stared out of his window to see his mother and Adeshina getting into his father's car. he felt more devastated. He stared blankly at his report sheet and tore it apart. He picked up his headset and walked out of his room to his Library. The Adekunle couples took Adeshina out to have fun and celebrate his achievement forgetting that their son who took third position for the first time also deserved to be celebrated. Days later, Toriola woke up to a startled scream. he scampered off his bed and traced the direction of the noise. "who is screaming in the library this early?". he grumbled as he rubbed his sleeping eyes and pushed the door open to see Adeshina looking as if he has just seen a ghost. he moved closer and was shocked at what he saw. All Adeshina's new novels he got from his parents were ripped apart. Before he could ask what happened, the door opened again and Ewawunmi stepped in she saw the two boys standing over the ruins and slapped Toriola angrily. "mummy! what did I do?" the sleepy boy was jolted awake by the pain from the slap. "how dare you! you still have the nerves to ask me what you did?? did I raise you up to me so wicked?? how could you ruin his books!" she accused angrily. "w-what? no mummy I didn't! I don't know what happened here but I didn't do it!". he cried bitterly. " shut your mouth else I'll slap you once more. have you added lies to your bad habits as well? oh you were so jealous of him that you had to damage his gifts?? if you can be so jealous why didn't you come out at the top of your class? you wicked lying dullard!" she snapped at him. Toriola could feel his world crumbling. how could his mother say such words to him? how could she accuse him without finding out what happened?? how could she not believe him? "but mummy It's not me. I just got here too. you can ask him. Adeshina tell mummy that I didn't do it! tell her I just came in too". he pleaded desperately as he held shina's hand and shook it lightly. He hoped the boy would clarify things but his hope was crushed when shina merely removed his hand and bent down to pack his books without uttering a word. "oh! now you're trying to manipulate him into lying for you? what has come over you.!". Ewawunmi couldn't understand promoted Toriola into behaving that way but she knew no one else could have done it. " it seems I've been too lenient with you that you think you can do whatever you want right? alright. from now on, you are not to step foot into this library. it now belongs to shina and is off limits for you!" she declared. " but mummy this library is mine!" " not anymore. now get out!" she commanded as she bent and helped Adeshina to pack his books. "I'm sorry my boy. I hope you won't hold it against Toriola. he is quite immature but don't worry, you can come to me whenever he does something bad. I'll discipline him well". she hugged him tightly and continued. "I want you to see me as your mother and know that you have equal rights as Toriola in this house so speak up and don't keep anything inside your little heart" she consoled ignoring Toriola who stood dejectedly by the doorway. "but I didn't do it". he whispered brokenly as tears rolled down his cheeks.