CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: VANESSA'S SECRET
The night air was calm, carrying with it a faint scent of wet earth from the gutters nearby where we had rinsed our clothes. The faint chatter of students still loitering about the hostel grounds drifted into our ears as we sat on the neat pavement Vanessa had swept. A cool breeze touched my cheek, and I pulled my robe tighter as if preparing myself for what was about to be revealed.
"Okay Vanessa, say your mind. Tell us what you want to tell us," I said at last, breaking the silence that had lingered too long. My curiosity was gnawing at me, and I could feel it in my chest, the way a bird flutters inside a cage.
Victoria quickly added, turning sharply to Morayo, "And Morayo, don't disturb—or else you will get away from here."
Her face was firm, her tone sharper than usual, like an elder sister warning a stubborn younger one.
Morayo rolled her eyes dramatically and muttered, "Whatever," as she looked away into the dimly lit distance, pretending as if she didn't care.
Vanessa, sitting opposite us, gave a small, nervous smile. She adjusted her nightwear, inhaled deeply, then began. "Okay… let me start."
Her voice carried both tremor and weight, like someone trying to offload a heavy burden long hidden in her heart.
"I came from a poor home… in a family of seven. We are five children and our parents," she began slowly, her words breaking the stillness of the night.
I felt my heart soften. I had always suspected something of this nature, and Victoria too had earlier hinted at it. I glanced at her. She wasn't even looking at me; her eyes were locked on Vanessa, her face calm but deeply engaged, as though she wanted to catch every detail without missing a single word.
"I failed my last common entrance exam," Vanessa continued, swallowing hard as though the admission itself was bitter on her tongue. "That was why I had to join the lesson with others who failed… or those who didn't even sit for the exam… or those who were too poor to afford it that year."
I bit my lip. That explained everything Victoria had guessed before. I almost chuckled at how accurately she had pieced Vanessa together from the little things. But I stayed quiet, watching her.
"There was a time," Vanessa's voice softened, "my mother was very sick. She could barely move from her bed. My father had no money for her drugs. I became so devastated… I thought of stealing, just to save her." She paused, lowering her eyes. "That was when I met Benita."
At the mention of Benita, my eyes widened. I leaned forward, half-afraid of where the story was heading. Did she mean she had stolen from Benita? If yes, then things were deeper than we imagined.
"Benita's friend was boasting one day," Vanessa said with a tight smile that carried no joy. "She said her mother gave her ten thousand naira to spend. When I heard it, I begged them to give me at least two thousand naira. Just two thousand! Enough to buy some drugs for my mom. Instead of helping, they shouted at me for eavesdropping. They even threatened me that if any money went missing, I would be held responsible."
I shook my head slowly. Those girls… stingy, proud, and heartless. They never cared about anyone else but themselves.
"I begged more," Vanessa whispered, looking down as though ashamed to recall. "I explained that it was for drugs, that I would pay back when I was buoyant. But still, they said no. I felt like crying." Her voice cracked slightly. "So… I stole the money. When no one was in the class, I took it. I used it to buy drugs and food. For two days, we had something to eat. And after five days, my mother regained her health."
Her words settled on us like a heavy blanket. The night around us seemed to grow even quieter, as if the trees themselves leaned closer to listen.
"So you mean… that day, they weren't looking for the money at all?" Victoria finally asked, her brows furrowing.
That was exactly the question that had formed in my mind. How could ten thousand naira disappear and they not immediately raise an alarm? Unless there was more to it.
"They planned to use it the next day," Vanessa explained. "Yes, they did ask around if anyone found their money, until Benita stopped and came straight to me. She asked and asked as if she knew the truth. She even went to our class teacher and told her I was present when her friend bragged about the money. The teacher asked me, even my parents asked me, but I lied. I told them it was a friend who gave me the money. They believed… until my father later got a job."
I exhaled, my chest tightening. Her father must have been a strict man.
"My dad came to the school with ten thousand naira, returning it to the teacher," Vanessa said, her voice heavy with memory. "That was when everything came out. The teacher told him I had no friends who could give me that kind of money. My father turned to me, demanding answers. I tried to hold it in, but I couldn't. I stammered until the truth slipped out."
Her face fell. She stared at her feet. "My dad was furious. He kicked me out of the lesson. I thought he would never forgive me. But later, he did. He told me never to do such again. And when I finally got admission into this school, the first person I saw was…" she trailed off and pointed faintly in the direction of the laundry. "Benita."
We all exhaled sharply. Of all people, Benita again!
"She started telling everyone about the incident," Vanessa said bitterly. "Every friend I made, she poisoned them against me. Yesterday, when I saw you girls laughing together, I envied the bond. I saw the way Morayo stood up for Floral when that short girl insulted her, and I thought… maybe… I could belong here too. It felt like fate when we later met in the dining hall."
She lifted her eyes to us now, tears glistening in them. "I just hope my past won't make you leave me alone. Please… don't abandon me."
For a moment, silence ruled. The crickets chirped in the grass. I could feel my heart aching, but before I could speak, Morayo smirked.
"That is… if you don't steal again," she said plainly, tilting her head. "Because I hate thieves."
"Me too," I added, though my tone was softer. A part of me felt pity, but I couldn't deny that her action still left a mark.
"Me three," Victoria said firmly. "I don't even have much. The little I have—I can't afford to lose it."
Vanessa's lips trembled, then she shook her head. "I won't. That was the first and last time. I have stopped. I promise. I will never steal again."
Victoria leaned forward slightly, her voice softening. "If you're ever in need again… you can ask. You don't have to steal. We may not always have, but we can try to help."
Vanessa blinked rapidly, then smiled faintly, her tears drying. "Thank you. I'm glad to hear that."
The tension began to ease. The burden on her chest seemed lifted, and for the first time since she started speaking, her voice was lighter.
"To change the subject," I said quickly, sensing the heaviness still clinging to the air, "how is your class?"
She laughed quietly, brushing a stray hair from her face. "My class? Hmm… it's manageable, but sometimes very annoying."
"Oh, same here," I chuckled. "But I'm lucky to have friends and a good seat partner who make things less boring."
Victoria raised her brows at me knowingly. Morayo laughed and nudged me with her shoulder. "Don't make me blush."
We all laughed softly, the night around us feeling warmer now. Vanessa had unburdened herself, and though her past was scarred, she had stepped into something new—with us.