I sat outside, waiting patiently for them. 

It was already evening and the darkness had begun to spread its gown across the sky.

The cloud was drifting slowly for the moon

The cool breeze brushed my skin,forming Goosebumps across it.

Still waiting…..

Different thoughts began to circulate in my mind.

These people were our common friends. 

Weren't they supposed to be neutral in this kind of situation and until they heard both sides?

Why were they so quick to believe one side of the story?

These questions were searching for answers.

Then I found it….

 An answer to their bitterness. 

For a moment, I studied their relationship histories

None of them has been able to keep a man for years. It has always been from one to another, hence why they wanted to put asunder into the relationship.

Their agenda and motive became glaring.

It also reminded me of a Uni Jos and a FUK students that were accused of stealing and killed because of a one sided narrative. They weren't given a chance for fair hearing.

I imagined what would have become of me, if school was in session.

Then, it became clear to me that these weren't friends but foes.

A knot formed in my stomach.

I had a strong feeling that it wasn't over.

And I convinced myself that they were coming with the police.

I slid my hand into my pocket and brought out my phone. 

My thumb hovered on the screen before I dialled bigbro’s number 

“Hello, bigbro”

“How are you,last born?”

I cleared my throat.

“I am not fine, egbon.”

He chuckled,

 “I no get money o.”

I couldn't help but smile.

I was not surprised, because my siblings had grown used to thinking that whenever I wasn't fine,it meant I needed money.

This had earned me a family nickname, 

 "THE INSECT THAT CONSUMES MONEY”

“No, egbon,” I responded. “This is not about money.”

I narrated everything that had transpired.

From the arguments to the confrontation 

As in….. everything from A to Z

“Hmmmm,” he sighed, after listening “You see why Dad and I were against your schooling in Gombe.

Then, he paused for a moment before asking me the question that mattered most

“True to God, did you beat her?”

Silence reigned.

I took a deep breath.

“No, egbon”

Another brief silence.

“Alright,” he finally said. “Then I will call Uncle Lasun now”

Uncle Lasun was our family lawyer.

The moment I heard those words, I realized that the matter was no longer a misunderstanding.

It had become something bigger.

TO BE CONTINUED…..