UNFORGETTABLE HISTORY

19

The SSCE came pretty fast and all the students were anticipated. Well most of them weren't serious with those studies knowing full well there would be an expo.

"Babe ... .where's Samuel??"Melissa asked from behind.

"I don't know where that boy ran off to,does he even realize we have civic exam today?"Clara replied,whining.

"Hello beauties"Samuel called out from behind,moving alongside his girlfriend.

"Yo!! we've been waiting for you!"Clara scolded.

"Come on,they've not even started!,they're still calling names"He stated sipping his drink.

"Hey patience"Clara greeted.

"Hi"she reluctantly replied,focused more on what she was eating.

Melissa didn't bother saying a word,she just stared at students roaming about.

"Let's just look for a place to sit until we're called"Clara suggested as they all nodded moving into the verandah.

They all sat on the cemeneted floor.

"How about we revise some topics"Melissa suggested.

"Revising it would only make you forget everything,don't stress the already stressed brain!"Samuel scolded.

"Tsk...shut the f**k up,what do you even know"Clara retorted.

"At least I'm more intelligent than you..."he said mockingly munching on his biscuit.

"What??!!!"the three girls yelled in unison as they looked at themselves boosting into laughter.

"Please don't say that in public"Patience, Samuel's girlfriend said.

"Tsk!!,you all are just jealous...you know I'm super good and intelligent"he bragged.

"Super intelligent with expo!"Melissa mocked teasingly.

"Yo!!I don't do expo!"he defended.

"Then what do you do??"she retorted.

"Well...it's because of the economy you know,if I don't do the expo I won't get higher grades...."

"Stop backing up your stupidity with the economic state,you chose that not the economy!"Clara attacked.

"Oh come on cla,you know I ain't lying"he responded.

"You are..."She stated, "just admit what you're doing is wrong"Patience chipped in.

"Exactly!!"The other girls retorted.

"Which side are you on babe?!!"Samuel asked, pouting.

"Don't give me that face,you know you're wrong,"Patience said.

"Fine, whatever"he responded.

"54!!!!!!"They heard their teachers voice

"Present!!"Clara yelled out,standing up .

"Bye guys"she waved to them dusting her skirt as she ran to meet him,entering the hall.

The exams were quite more complicated than she thought,but she tried answering as few as she could before the expo was brought.

______

"How was the exam??!!"Melissa suddenly asked as soon as they were together.

"Simple!"Samuel exclaimed.

"Shut up!"They yelled in unison.

"Yo!,don't swallow me"he half yelled.

Clara sighed, "I think it was a little difficult but I tried answering a few I knew before the expo was brought,how about you?"She asked.

"Well it was just normal,just that some questions were a bit confusing,those questionnaires wanna play with our head"Melissa replied.

"Yeah ...so I thought "Clara muttered.

"But I think...it was a bit simple, especially the objective part"Samuel commented.

"Yeah...the theory was quite difficult" Melissa defended.

"Well ..that's past tense, let's just wait till when results would be out"Samuel said easing the tension between them.

"Clara how about you?Did you get a good grade in JAMB??"he asked.

"Well ... .not good enough for law,174"she replied.

"Ohh...so??... what are you gonna do now?"He asked.

"Well,I'll wait till next year probably"She replied with a shrug.

"So you're gonna work then?"Samuel asked.

"Yeah,"She mumbled.

"How about you guys?"Clara asked.

"Well,I planned on helping my aunt a little bit before going to university, probably next year or so.."he explained.

"I'll go next year too,I need to learn a skill first"Patience chipped in.

"What about you?"Clara turned to Melissa

"I'll go into university next year too"She replied, "I'll just rest for now...or maybe look for something to do before then"She added.

"Oh..I see,"Clara mouthed.

"Yo!"Helene hugged Clara from behind laughing.

"Jeez!Helene!"Clara called out, pushing her hands off her shoulders.

"Where are you going?"Helene asked.

"Home of course.... where do you expect me to go?" Clara responded.

"Oh...let's go together then,all my friends are gone"she said.

"Then what have you been doing in school??,this is past four now!"Clara asked.

"I was still having fun,so I had to stay a little bit with some group of girls and guys..."Helene responded, laying more emphasis on the guys.

"Ahh,you'll never change Helene!!,always hot headed"Melissa chipped.

"Oh puh.... . lease"Helene said dramatically, waving off her hand.

"Leave her Please,at least she's not so cold like Clara...holy mother of God"Samuel defended.

"Thank you!!that's why I love you"Helene praised.

"Me??,holy mother of God??"Clara questioned with a Snicker.

"Yes!"Samuel retorted.

"Oh please shut up"Melissa attacked.

"You, that's unholy, what do you gain?"she added.

"Eh...at least I gained patience"he replied.

*Eh?..me??,what do I have to do with this??"Patience asked in surprise,staring at Samuel.

"Nothing dear"he replied back with a smile.

"Ugh whatever..."she shook her head as they all trekked out of the school.

"I won't be escorting you today Sam,let me follow my sis"Clara said as soon as they finished buying some snacks.

"Ohhhh.please now..."he whined,holding her hand with a pouty face.

"Not gonna work"She retorted.

"Let Melissa and patience escort you since you all are going the same way,"She added.

"These people are boring,"he murmured.

"Eh??...."Melissa and patience yelled out in unison.

"I did not say anything o!"he pulled his both hands up defensively.

Clara chuckled, "better for you"patience said.

"Let's go!"she pulled him by the arm, dragging him.

"That's settled,let go cla" Helene voice came as soon as Samuel was dragged away.

"Yeah.."Clara responded as they both walked back to the house.

*******

"Clara please come and escort me to defecate, I'm really pressed" Helene whined.

"Jeez!!,you didn't do that day time,it's this night?...."Clara murmured,her eyes fixed on her phone as she chatted.

"Fine,escort me into that uncompleted building,I'll be snappy,I promise...."Helene pleaded.

"I can't go to that backyard alone,it's scary,"She added.

Clara sighed, "I've heard you,let's go"she finally said.

"Oh thank you"Helene said in excitement as she hurried to put some water into the bucket like she couldn't hold herself anymore.

"Calm down oh"Clara warned as she stood up following her junior sister,her eyes were still fixed on her phone as they both walked into the uncompleted building.

Clara rushed to sit at a far end in the house while Helene stayed far in order to avoid light or people seeing her,she hid behind the fenced wall as she offloaded.

After a short while,Silas came in walking over to where Clara sat.

"Hi...babe"he greeted.

"Hey"she replied with a broad smile.

"Why'd you call me outside,you know it's pretty risky and your sister is here too"he asked,sitting next to her.

"Well is that a crime??...I mean, nothing's gonna happen right?"She replied back.

He sighed deeply, "if you say so then".

"So are we just going to stay here without doing anything?"he asked after a brief silence.

"What do you want us to do then?"she asked him.

"Mm...maybe..." he didn't finish his statement, Clara pressed her lips on his.

"You want this right?"She asked,just a inch away from him.

He smirked, "yeah..."

They began kissing, Clara totally forgetting she was still outside,she pulled herself closer climbing on him.

"Who's there?"Francis called out immediately as they both froze in fright.

"I asked, who's there??!!..."he called out again.

"It ..it's me"Clara asked stuttering,her heart racing faster.

"What are you doing there?"he asked again.

"Helene is defecating at the other end,she wants me to wait for her"Clara replied shakingly. Her body shook in fright.

"Okay...you people should do fast and come out of there"Francis replied sitting on their pavement.

"Damn, why did he sit there??!!"Silas mumbled.

Their house was just in front of the uncompleted building,so if any light flashes,they could be seen due to the way they were seated.

"Okay ..just wait, carefully pull your legs away like this,then turn the other like you're changing your direction" Silas instructed in order for Francis not to notice any funny movement.

Soon Clara was on the pavement herself as Silas slowly and carefully jumped into the verandah, squatting very low.

"I'm done...."Helene called out,which sent shivers down Clara's spine.

Damn! This girl!!!...

"I'm coming,"She replied, jumping down to meet her.

"Please escort me,I want to flush it at once"Helene requested.

"Ohhh..I thought you'll flush it tomorrow "Clara whined.

"Please...."

"Fine let's go..."

"Are you sure brother Francis didn't see both of you?"Helene whispered as they walked to the backyard.

"I'm not sure...that's the main reason I'm scared,and he hasn't left the varendah.... Silas won't be able to go out from there either,"she explained.

"Hmm...just pray he goes inside,if not ... .hehe"Helene muttered adding more fright into her.

"He won't!"She retorted.

"Good evening .."they both greeted their landlady and daughter who were sitting outside.

"Good evening....",their landlady replied while her daughter just stared at them.

"Aren't you people supposed to flush that thing tomorrow "her voice came up.

"No ..we can't, it'll smell"Helene's voice came up as they walked past them.

"Can she just mind her business??..always looking for what to say"Clara hissed as soon as they got to the toilet.

Helene sighed, "just overlook that one oh, her gossip is beyond measures....she's the one that Francis normally sits with now"Helene explained.

"Ha!,that kind of person?..."Clara questioned.

"Yup,so watch your mouth before she gossips you to Francis ... .as she's like that,her eyes are roaming about looking for what to say,so better be careful"helene advised.

"Whatever...."Clara mumbled,her mind still wondering if Francis was still there or not.

Soon,her phone beeped as she checked it, "your bro doesn't want to leave oh .. I'm really tired of standing here"She read his messages.

"Francis hasn't left the verandah even as of now" Clara exclaimed slowly, cursing underneath her breath.

"What's he still doing there?"helene asked.

"Hmm..are you sure that lady hasn't told Francis something,I overheard her gossiping about you and Silas one certain time ... .but I didn't put much interest since you guys normally see secretly" Helene explained.

"Jeez!!! Why didn't you tell me?..."Clara asked.

"I bet he'll be waiting to see if someone would come out of the premises...gosh!!!! What do we do now?"Clara lamented, disturbed.

"Let's just go first,maybe that might not be the case"Helene reassured her as they both walked back home.

"Brother,aren't you coming in?...."clara asked.

"You both should go inside,I'll join you shortly"he responded.

Both girls exchanged looks as they sluggishly walked in.

"They rushed towards the side window,which could enable them outside properly, especially where the uncompleted building was.

They could see Francis walking towards there, "oh my God!!!....no no no...not there..."Clara prayed inwardly, tears gathering her eyes as Francis got to where Silas was.

He just stood there for a while before returning back, the girls seeing this hurriedly closed the cotton before he noticed they were looking at him as Clara picked up her phone with shaky hands,texting Silas.

"Your bro has seen me"Sila's message popped up.

Oh my God!! - her heart skipped.

"What do I do now?"she murmured to herself unable to think of an excuse.

"Clara who were you with in that place?..."Francis asked immediately he came in.

"Uhm...nobody...."she answered,her mind beating faster.

"Clara, I ask again, who were you with In that place?!"Francis' voice sounded low yet threatening.

"I escorted Helene...."she replied,her body became sweaty as she shook vigorously, unable to contain the fear inside her.

"Okay..."he responded, moving into the bedroom.

Clara focused on her phone, "I'm out of here..."she read Silas chat as she could hear him singing outside.

Guess he must have come home since Francis has seen him.

"Ok no probs,gn"She texted back.

"Give me that phone"Francis voice came up again, distracting her from what she was about to do.

"Uhm...it's low.."

"I said give me that phone!"he said again with a frown as she handed it to him,moving out.

Helene walked up to her,sitting next to her, "hope you deleted your messages and chats with Silas?"she asked.

"I was about doing that..."Clara whimpered.

Francis came in immediately, "what's the password to this phone??..."he asked.

"It's...it's...."She couldn't tell her brother the password was she and Sila's name, it would make things more complicated.

"I'm talking to you!"he half yelled.

"It's clara@silas"she replied,her gaze dropping low.

"Clara@silas....I see"he mumbled leaving the room.

"Jeez!!Clara... .why would you have such a password??"Helene whispered to her.

"He'll know the both of you are dating now"Helene added, tapping her leg.

"This is a disaster!!".

I'm dead - Clara soliloquized.

She shakingly stood up,moving out only to see Silas unbothered by the whole incident.

He just sat outside pressing his phone as he sang to the music playing from it.

She shook her head. Of course he wouldn't be bothered, his mother or siblings won't yell or do anything to him.

She picked up the bucked next to her as she poured water into it,moving sluggishly to bathe.

She couldn't go to the backyard because that's where her brother and their landlady's daughter were, discussing and laughing their hearts out.

She got pissed off that moment. People can't just mind their business for once.

She walked into the uncompleted building as she took her bath which really helped a lot except for the fact that her brother knew she was dating Silas.

She moved inside going straight to the bed, "don't reason anything till tomorrow"Helene advised,tapping her gently which just wasn't helping at all.

She hates consoling especially when it has to do with something serious or tense like this. Consoling her is just like adding more salts to her wound because it's hurting her more.

She closed her eyes tightly, imagining the next day or even worse tonight's scenery.

She wished it'll never get to her parent or church leaders' ears, she knew what her brother was capable of.

He won't just stop flogging but would go beyond that.

She sighed forcing herself to sleep off...

******

"Wake her up!!!"She could hear Francis' enraged voice as her body shook,last night's scenery coming into view.

She tightened her eyes, scared of what was about to happen as a cold hand touched her skin tapping her.

She flinched,opening her eyes slowly, "Francis asked me to wake you"Helene said, shaking her head too which means nothing was well.

Clara's body began to shake again,fright visibly seen on her face as she stood up.

"Clara you said who were you with yesterday??..."Francis came into the room with a belt.

"I...I...was with... erm...I was ...with ...Silas..... but .."she stuttered.

"But what??...and what did you tell me yesterday when I asked you this same question?...."he asked.

"I said no one..."She replied,her head dropped low.

"Clara, haven't I warned you about lying?"he asked again.

"You have...."

"Then what did you do last night???....."he didn't finish his statement completely as she felt a sharp pain on her back.

He wiped her with the belt.

She jumped out of the bed with a wail as he continued flogging her, "brother I'm sorry..I'm really sorry...I promise I won't lie again ..I'm sorry"she kept on pleading.

She couldn't run outside,not like she couldn't but she wasn't just the type to run out of hell.

She rather endured them pleading for mercy.

"And I'll show this nonsense chat to your father, you're now having a boyfriend right??,you'll see"Francis threatened as he wiped the belt on her head. She winced wrapping her arms on her head as she cries silently, "show him!!"she yelled out.

Unable to realize where that audacity was coming from but for a while she let the demons in her take charge, "you said I should show him??"Francis asked.

"Yes!show him...I'll tell him about you and Mariam!!"she fired back.

"You'll tell him about...."he didn't finish his statement as he kicked her,pinched her aggressively. The belt wasn't enough in venting out his anger on her.

He kept hitting her, sighting a mop stick from afar,he rushed to get it, hitting her with it.

"Francis please it's okay...I'm begging you"Silas mother came in through the back door with a pleading manner.

"Madam, please get outside"he thundered using the stick on Clara who just folded herself on the bed screaming.

"Jesus Francis you'll kill...."the old lady didn't finish her statement as Francis pushed her out, closing the door.

"Now get out....and go and call your father,tell him what you did alongside my relationship with Mariam! Understood?!!.."he yelled, gaining no response from Clara.

"Did you hear me?"he yelled, kicking her.

She just nodded sluggishly standing up.

Hee legs and hands were swollen already,which affected her negatively as she fought to stand up.

"Let me not come back and meet you in this house again!.."he threatened leaving the room.

She held her waist using the protector next to her as a guide to lift herself up.

She went to the kitchen, "have you all prepared for school?!.."She sniffed holding back the wailing she was about to explode.

"Not yet...we want to fetch water first"Helene replied, "I'm just warming the remaining food from last night "she added turning the pot.

"Give me one bucket, let me go and fetch water,"Clara murmured.

"Clara with this body??...won't you look for a way and bath before Francis comes back?,you know how he normally behaves"Helene warned.

Clara just hissed,picking up a bucket as she left to fetch water, there she met Silas which she totally ignored.

The place was pretty crowded so she decided to go home and rest her body else where.She followed a shortcut which would lead hee directly to their backyard as she walked over to their landlady's house.

"Ma good morning"she greeted their landlady's daughter.

"Eh what is it??"the woman answered rudely.

"Could you please lend me your phone? I want to make a call,"She pleaded.

"My phone is low oh,so you'll have to talk fast"The lady said standing up as she handed the phone over to Clara.

She dialed her father's line, her mind contemplating on telling him what happened or not.

She hissed, putting the call to an end.

"Sorry ma'am, he's not picking up...but please if he calls back tell him we need feeding money"She said, giving her back the phone.

"Ohk o..."the lady said in a mockery tone.

Clara just shook her head, turning to leave.

"There was no point telling him anything because it'll only make matters worse. If Francis wants to tell him,fine! So be it, but she telling her father would look pathetic and disgraceful.

"If he still dares to tell Dad about i and Silas I'll tell dad about he and Mariam!"She mumbled,her gaze low as she fought to walk steadily.

"Good morning iya Rukib,"She greeted.

"Morning oh"the lady replied,walking past her in haste.

Clara walked back to where she kept her bucket only for her to see water in it.

"Silas fetched it"A boy replied as she turned to give a questioning look.

"Oh"she mouthed.

"Please com and assist me"she requested as they boy helped her up.

She rushed home immediately,dropping the bucket as she took another one.

She rushed to the verandah to get a rag..

"Have you gone to call your father??"Francis' voice came up from behind.

She ignored him, "Am I not talking to you??"he flared up.

"I haven't..."she turned only to receive a hot slap which landed her to the ground.

"You haven't??!...I thought you wanted to call him and you haven't??..."He kicked her picking wood on the ground as he wiped her.

"Jesus!!! Francis, stop it!!" Other neighbors began screaming.

"Can't you run away??!!!!stay there and keep claiming James borne"Matthew mocked from behind as he brushed his teeth.

Clara ignored him as she stood up wiping her dress. Francis raised his hands about to hit her again when one of the neighbors came to her rescue, " ah ah,is it not enough??...is this how you beat a woman??"The man asked roughly, taking the stick from him.

"You are very lucky"Francis stated, his breath heavy like he has been fighting for a long time.

"And you better go and call your father and tell him what you did,i***t!!"he added, pushing the man off him as he went inside.

Clara sighed, shaking her head. She didn't want more problems so talking back at him would only bring more trouble.

"Are you okay?"the man asked.

"Do I look okay??"She retorted with a hiss as she walked away with her bucket.

When she was done fetching water,she rushed to take her bath,heading to school immediately.

"Yo!!, why's your hand and face swollen to this extent ?"Silas asked immediately when she came into the school.

"Nothing..."She replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Clara...."he called.

"I said nothing!!!!"She yelled angrily resting her head.

"Woah...it's just a simple question"he murmured,surprised by her sudden outburst. "Fine,I'll let you be..."He said after a short while

"Just let me know if you need anything "he tapped her on the back before leaving ,realizing she was crying.

Good thing there wasn't an exam that day except for science courses. She just laid there on the desk until it was break time.

"Hey...."she heard Samuel's voice as she felt a cold substance on her hand.

She raised her head slowly,staring at the cold drink in front of her then at Samuel.

"You need to eat something..."he explained seeing her face.

He sighed sitting next to her as he opened the biscuit and soft drink.

"here..."he stretched his arm to her.

"Even if you wanna cry,don't starve"he advised,nodding for her to go ahead as she took them from him gulping down the soft drink.

"Thanks,"She muttered.

"Here ...."he gave her an eyedrop, "your eyes looks really reddish...or should I get an eyeglass??"he asked.

"Nah...I'm fine ..thanks a lot"She appreciated devouring the biscuit. There she realised she hadn't eaten anything that morning before leaving the house.

"Should I get more for you?"he asked, gaining a 'NO' from her.

"Alright ... .how about your swollen arm and face?...just realized your legs are swollen too..."he further asked.

"I'm fine, Samuel,"she replied.

"Fine,I won't force you...when you're ready just let me know,I'm always here"he reassured her, tapping her gently on the shoulder as she winced.

"Huh.... Clara what happened?..."he asked, shocked by her reaction.

"It's nothing,I'm fine,"She replied, gazing downward.

"Fine, I won't force you to tell me...just call me when you need anything"he smiled warmly yet curious of what happened.

She nodded, "thanks alot"she murmured.

He nodded, 'No big deal,just be okay.."he muttered, staring at her in pity.

He knew something was wrong,but Clara, being secretive, would never tell unless when she's calm or in a good mood.

Soon,School was over.

Clara couldn't wait for anyone to avoid more questioning,she just left for home.

"Hey..."Helene called out from behind

"here..."she handed her a milk drink.

"I know you didn't eat this morning, Francis made sure the kids finished the last rice this morning"Helene explained as she sighed.

"And what's his gain??"She hissed angrily, opening the bottle.

"Don't overthink it, we'll call dad to send money as soon as we get home"Helene reassured as they both walked home.

"Hi.... ma'am good afternoon,please help me with your phone"clara requested from their landlady's daughter who was busy washing.

She stood up, moving in as she came back with the phone.

"Did he call later in the morning?.."Clara questioned.

"No...your brother called him"the lady answered with a frown.

She hissed, giving the two girls the phone as she went back to washing.

Clara and Helene just sighed collecting it as they walked back to the house calling her father's line.

"What's with that lady??...Is it not just today we're borrowing her phone??.. why's she behaving as if we're disturbing her?"Helene said annoyed.

"Just overlook her,it's not your phone"Clara stated as they both waited for their father's response.

"Hello...daddy good afternoon.."Clara greeted immediately after he responded to the call.

"What is your problem??Why are you calling me?"her voice came up angrily.

"Uhm...daddy we need....feeding money,that's why I called...I..."

"Will you shut up!,feeding money kill you there..."he yelled out.

Clara turned to Helene In a shocked manner, "what's he saying??..."Helene asked as Clara pressed the loud speaker on.

"Go and ask your stupid boyfriend for money!! After all the money I'm wasting on you,you have the guts to have a boyfriend right??...I am coming to Port Harcourt today!,if I come to that house and you're still there...I'll shoot you dead,fool!!!"he ranted.

Clara was confused, did Francis really call her father to tell him what happened??...

"Where's Helene??.."the man asked,anger visibly heard from his tone.

"I'm here.."Helene muttered, taking the phone from her.

"So you and your sister are having a boyfriend there right??"...

"Ahh...daddy I'm not among ooh"Helene defended immediately.

"Will you shut up??!!!,where were you when Clara was seeing that boy??"her father questioned.

"Daddy I was defecating,I don't know if he was with her or not "Helene exclaimed defensively.

"You're calling me a fool right??,the both of you are calling me a fool right??"The man said.

"No daddy"

"Before I get to that house,I don't want to see you or Clara there!"