CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: TRUTH OR NO TRUST (2)
"There was a time, even before you came… John and I talked about many things, and part of it was disappointing mistakes," Victoria said, her gaze locking on Vanessa. The emphasis on the last few words made it clear she was holding Vanessa accountable.
Woah… this must be what Victoria had been hiding from us—and from Vanessa.
I realized why Victoria hadn't told Morayo or me earlier: she knew we might overreact. Especially Morayo. I, maybe, could have stayed calm, but Morayo… she'd go straight for conflict if provoked.
"I stayed quiet and didn't say anything until either Morayo or Floral—can't remember sha—either one asked John a question and you answered falsely. I thought maybe you were hiding something from us, or you weren't ready to tell us anything. Until… you lied about not eating when you actually had. Why did you lie about that?" Victoria asked, her tone sharp but controlled, demanding clarity.
"As I said earlier, it was a slip of the tongue," Vanessa repeated, trying to brush it off.
Gosh! This girl is too persistent. What is her deal?
"Why did you lie and even spit it at me that you haven't seen John at all?" Victoria asked, maintaining her calm, her voice steady but probing.
"What did he say to you?" Vanessa deflected, changing the subject.
"I asked a question, and you must answer that first!" Victoria said firmly, using a commanding tone that demanded respect.
"I asked, what did he say to you?" Vanessa repeated, clearly ignoring Victoria's instruction.
"Oh my God, you are so annoying right now," Victoria groaned, putting her hand to her face and nodding as if she couldn't bear to remain calm any longer. "Don't make me get annoyed at you," she warned, trying to maintain composure.
"Oh goodness… you don't want to mess with Victoria's bad side, especially with you—who have been dishonest consistently," Morayo added with a grin, sprinkling some ajasi—adding pepper to the already heated conversation.
I laughed quietly at Morayo's remark.
"I'm serious right now. I asked a question, and you must answer that," Victoria insisted, ignoring Morayo's comment.
"Wait… is it even by force that you guys need to know why I said no?" Vanessa asked, her tone edged with annoyance.
"Ohhh… she don already confess," Morayo muttered in pidgin, meaning Vanessa had already admitted something.
"What is your deal? Am I talking to you?" Vanessa asked, her irritation now aimed directly at Morayo.
"Don't look at me oo, you are the one that did the wrong," Morayo said casually, refusing to be drawn into confrontation.
"I am even leaving. I don't care if you guys don't want to be friends with me," Vanessa said, turning sharply and leaving the room.
We waited a few moments until her footsteps faded before speaking again.
"Victoria, tell us what we've been missing out on," Morayo finally broke the silence.
"Okay… I really didn't want to say it, but Vanessa pushed me to the wall," Victoria admitted, using a common Nigerian idiom that perfectly described the pressure she felt.
"Even though… just tell us," Morayo pressed, her curiosity persistent.
"Okay oo… John told me that she is the only child of her parents. She dropped out of school because she got pregnant at the age of fourteen. Her parents disowned her, leaving her with her grandma. Since then, after giving birth, she has been involved in hookups to earn money," Victoria explained, her voice calm but matter-of-fact.
That was… wild and shocking.
She must be seventeen or sixteen… yet her experiences make her seem far older. Should I pity her for being disowned by her parents, or is there more to the story? And why was she involved in hookups?
"She even looks younger than fourteen!" Morayo exclaimed, her brows furrowed.
"She was John's first love," Victoria answered simply, leaving us speechless.
"And why would John even tell you that?" Morayo asked, still struggling to grasp the pieces.
"Because we are childhood friends… sort of. I knew Vanessa too because she was my sister's friend, but Vanessa doesn't know me since we hadn't really met before," Victoria clarified, her explanation precise but still leaving some gaps.
I felt my brain twist as I tried to piece this together. Why are all these events interconnected, yet some pieces are missing?
"Okay, explain everything from the beginning so we can understand properly," I finally said. "Right now, my brain is in total confusion."
"Don't you guys want to wash your clothes before the house mistress rings the bell?" Victoria asked, pulling out her towel from her box, subtly shifting the focus.
"Okay… after we wash our clothes abi?" Morayo asked, using a Yoruba slang that made the question sound casual yet firm.
"Yes, I promise that," Victoria smiled.
Despite our curiosity, we followed Victoria's lead. Morayo went to her corner to prepare, I did the same, and Victoria moved efficiently, ensuring everything was ready for washing, bathing, and eventually, the full story.
Everything was quick and efficient. Lol! Morayo finished first, then I, leaving Victoria to finish last.
As we settled back in our nightwear, Morayo and I sat on my bed while Victoria sat on her own. It was as if we were watching a suspenseful show unfold, waiting for the final reveal.
"Okay, let me tell you guys," Victoria began as we leaned forward, anticipation written all over our faces.
The room fell silent. The tension of curiosity, the weight of secrets, and the desire for truth hung in the air.