Believe - Episode 22

 

Ayo arrived at Bukky’s house minutes after the call with Anu. She hesitated before she pressed the doorbell at the front gate. Bukky came to open the gate and was both surprised and excited to see Ayo. She hugged her and urged her in.

After exchanging greetings with Bukky’s parent in the sitting room. Both girls went into Bukky’s room and sat on the bed in silence.

“Ayo.”

“Bukky.”

Both of them called at the same time.

“You go first,” Bukky said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?” She moved closer to Ayo.

“For everything.”

Bukky smiled . “You’ve done nothing wrong to me.”

“Trust me. I have and I’m really…”

“It’s okay Ayo, as long as you stay away from Anu.”

“Anuoluwa?”

“Yes, Anuoluwa Lawal. The one on TV that attended Lizben with you.”

Ayo smirked. “Stay away from her?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Yes, Ayo. She’s not your friend. She’s only pretending to be.”

“Oh my God.” Ayo stood up. “Is this jealousy or what do I call this?”

“Ayo, you need to listen to me.”

“Listen to you?” – Ayo pointed a finger at Bukky, who was still sitting on the bed – “Here I was apologizing for misjudging you

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/believe

. I thought we were…”

“Misjudging me?” Bukky looked puzzled. “You think I’m the enemy.”

“If you aren’t, why would you go about telling people I am altruistic in nature and don’t even deny it.”

“I wasn’t going to deny.” Bukky blinked her eyelid. “By the way, I only told one person. I only told Funmi and I…”

“You were trying to protect me right?” Ayo completed. “Yes, that’s what I thought, until now.”

“What do you mean, until now?” She stood up and tried calming Ayo.

“Don’t touch me,” Ayo said. “You don’t want me to be friends with anyone except you. That’s selfish.”

“That’s a ridiculous accusation and you know it.”

“Then why else would you try to break off my friendship with Funmi and also tell me to stay away from Anu.”

“Because they didn’t mean well for you.” She fell back on the bed restlessly. “I could sense it.”

“Wow!” Ayo exclaimed in mockery. “So now I should believe your instinct because?” She chuckled “You now read minds or what?”

“Ayo, you need to believe me.” Bukky tried touching Ayo again but she wouldn’t allow it. “They want this to happen. They want to destroy our friendship and thereafter betray you.”

Ayo scuffed. “Betray? I can’t believe you are saying this.” She rubbed her palm against her forehead. “Just yesterday, Funmi that you said would destroy our friendship, made me promise her not to quarrel with you. She was telling me how true of a friend you are but here you are.”

Bukky didn’t know what to say. She brought her palms to her face and sighed.

“The same Anu told me you really cared about me. That you were a good friend. But you know what I think?” Ayo tried to hold back her tears. “I think you are the one who’s going to betray our friendship because of your jealousy.”

Bukky still didn’t say anything. She just looked at Ayo and allowed her say all she wanted.

“Bukky, but all for what? For what? Say something?” Ayo cried.

“I don’t know what to say Ayo,” Bukky said. “I don’t know what to say.”

“What about starting with I’m sorry?” Ayo muttered as she wiped her tears with the back of her palm.

“I’m sorry???” Bukky flared. “You should be the one apologizing to me.”

“I already did.”

“That was when you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“And now you think I have?” She stopped sobbing. “What about what you’ve done wrong?”

“I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m only trying to help you.”

“You’ve also done nothing right,” Ayo retorted.

“What does that even mean?”

“Funmi was there to help me study even when we weren’t friends but what did you do?” She smirked and shrugged. “Distract me from studying with nonsense talks and leave filthy letters behind.” She looked away.

“Of course, I knew it.” Bukky smirked. “I knew you saw the letter.” She went to her study table and leaned on it, supporting herself with both of her palms in a bid to calm her nerves. She was now turning her back to Ayo. “Please leave, Ayo. You don’t deserve my friendship.”

“What did you say?” Ayo pretended not to hear what Bukky just said.

“I said leave,” Bukky screamed.

Ayo scuffed and walked to the door, waited for a while before she turned sharply. She was surprised to see that Bukky was right behind her. She peered into her eyes and said, “Just so you know. I only became your friend because I was eager to have one but I…”

“And I only became yours because I was curious about you. Bye.” She screamed and pushed Ayo out of her room, jamming the door behind her.

Ayo rested her back on Bukky’s door and soliloquized. “But I remained your friend because I wanted to. Because you are a good friend to me,” she completed the rest of her statement that Bukky wouldn’t let her say and left their house afterwards.

Bukky rested her back on the door.

Read " Hope " by the same author ( HABEEBLLAH DAMILOLA )

. “I remained your friend because you helped me with my assignments and to become a better student. Maybe I’m selfish but I care about you Ayo.” She opened the door and ran after Ayo. She met her just as the latter was about to exit the compound.

“Ayo!!!”

Ayo turned back and was happy to see Bukky. She ran to embrace her but the latter extended her hand out. Ayo looked at her hand and saw that she was holding a phone.

“Oh! My phone.” Ayo frowned and collected the phone from her. “I must have dropped it mistakenly.” She turned to leave but Bukky stopped her again. Her eyes beamed with excitement as she smiled widely. ‘Just tell me you’re sorry and everything will be fine between us. Just say the word,’ she thought.

“We can’t remain friends,” Bukky said swiftly and watched the disappointment on Ayo's face. “Not until I proof to you that Funmi and Anu have something up their sleeves.”

“Good luck with that,” Ayo said and left the compound hurriedly.

“Be wary of them,” Bukky screamed after her. ‘Should I have told her I'm sorry? No, it would only mean I agree to all that she said about me.’ She went back to her room to arc a plan to reveal Funmi and Anu's true intentions for Ayo.

‘But first I need to know more about Ayo and Anu.’