The Evil Called Love - Episode 8

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Funmi was devastated at what she had seen at the hotel room, the images were still graphic as ever in her mind 

Dele has been calling, he even had the guts to come over with a plea that he did not know what came over him. cheap story!

Bukumi felt no remorse, she felt she got what she deserved. Besides, they have been hiding for so long and they deserve to be together . she came back the next day and started mumbling some words that sounded more of a statement that an apology.

''Am sorry you had to find out like this, I did not mean to hurt you" she said.

She even had the audacity to tell Fummi that she met him before her,  Fummi was ashamed of who she called a friend and roommate. Alfred had warned me, Alfred! the only guy who genuinely loved her is now with someone else. 

"He is happy, It would be selfish if I want him back, I deserve that happiness". (stop being a devil Fummi)

You never know the power emotions have until you feel the opposite of the good ones, love, and happiness have a twin, hate, and depression. these ones hate walking alone so they drag their cousin remorse, who walks with the footprints of truth and the stench of 'I told you so.'

The truth you ignored from signs you saw, read and neglected. Alfred was the truth mother saw, no wonder she held dad with great esteem

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-evil-called-love

. Sometimes people should realize that as they chase love they also deserve to be loved. The one who loves less in any relationship is the strongest, but the true power does not belong to the self-centered one. If only the one with the most love could dig out of the hole of hurt, sadness, and sorrow, they will see that the happiness they carry is in the undiluted love they show and give.

This was what Alfred gave, and this was who he was. She settled for more (more of what she discovered was less love)

Dele deserves to be killed, but that would also mean her death if she was caught. why would she let a man drive her to the point of becoming an animal? 

when we see what hate looks like, we would understand that being an animal is just a conscience away, and many go the journey before they realize what they have done.

 Fummi decided firstly to move her things away from the joint apartment with Bukumi into the home of another friend, prior to her more she had gone back home. She was emotionally drained and logically confused as to how to continue in school. 

Her mum was her source of strength and as she opened up to the woman, she discovered African parents did know a thing or two about relationships.

mother told her not to worry as she narrated how Fummi's story will end even before she reached her end.

"When children grow, they fall as they learn to walk," mother said.

"We cannot protect them from all the mistakes they will make".

"but if we can avoid the mistakes before it happens, even if we have to force it on them, we could save them". Mother just gave Fummi a page from the African mother's handbook. They become strict because they constantly battle with fate in the future of their kids.

They want to intercept any chance of an error even before it occurs, this is impossible because the harder they try, the more imperfect mistakes are hidden from them by the same people they try to protect because they are scared of what the mother will do.

But a mother's love is as deep as the oceans, and though she will be sad, mad, and terribly tired of some actions or decisions, she must value her children over their flaws.

"you have a whole life in front of you, so don't rush into hasty decisions"

"you've made your mistakes, and I believe you have learned from it"

" I have mother" Fummi replied.

"Then go back to school, and try to move on as though nothing has happened" mother looked serious as she spoke. 

"There is always a reason why these things happen, but we don't see ahead so we don't appreciate some disappointment that comes as blessings in disguise"

Fummi held tight to those words,  she had to be stronger than the betrayal, stronger than the hurt. African parents are like wine, they get sweeter and more understanding as they grow older.

What she had chosen however was never to accept Dele back, even if he came in a wheelchair, and only an " I forgive you" from her was what he needed to walk again.

There is a thin line between love and hate, and when any turns to the other, it became a difficult battle to make a switch. She had loved Dele almost too much and now she has grown to hate him, and that was final.

When she got back to school, she heard of the rumors saying 'Dele had dumped her for Bukumi'. She needed to be strong and leave no room for weakness.

There was laughter, mockery, and even sarcastic remarks thrown indirectly by the girls in her class she knew hated her.

There is no love in a girl's world, every one of them feels they deserve the best. Its a competition of the strongest pretender, only a few of the species are not fit for the theater of pretense;  and even the realness they exhibit is seen by the others as fake.

Fummi decided to stay alone in her class. the only person she could talk to, shame will not let her go to him. He was right all along and she almost lost him for it.

"I can't face Alfred" she kept saying to herself.

Alfred had tried calling her when he noticed he had seen less of her since the last discussion they had. 

She did not pick her calls neither did she return them.

They say the truth is bitter because when we discover the lies in the smiles, and the lack of sincerity in the words we hold dear, it is enough to make our sweethearts sour.

Alfred regretted telling her what he had told her, but which is worse, him telling her or him allowing her to find out he knew and did not tell her?  choices are never easy to make, we cannot live without making them daily, either right or wrong.

To Alfred, he had made the right choice, even though his right choice has made his friend a living ghost in school.  The hurt of truth is only reduced by the wisdom of the time, and that was what Alfred had to hope on.  Time!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Agbeke became worried for Alfred, she loved him and she cared for what he cared about. she knew Fummi's new behavior bothered him and deep down he blamed himself for it.

it was a test of character, she had to choose between ignoring what troubled the man she loved because it was the girl he once loved or fixing the issue so as to make him happy and as joyful as he once was.

Agbeke had never for once questioned the love Alfred had for her and deep down in her subconscious she knew that Alfred would never leave her. What they had was chemistry sprinkled with the sawdust of magic, and this being any consolation, should be the ultimate test.

She concluded to talk to Fummi, to know what the problem was and to see if she could, however, reunite the two friends who had once been lovers. 

it was a risk she was willing to take, this was the ultimate scenario to see if what she had with Alfred could stand the test of time.

They say "if you love someone" let him go and if he comes back then he is truly yours". She was about to let Alfred go with Fummi, though she hopes that he will not fall in love with her again and come back 

Agbeke's plan to meet Fummi suffered a defining question, how?                      Fummi's new pattern of existence in school did not give one time to meet her at a place, she was always on the move.

She decided to write Fummi a letter, but how was she to do this without Fummi thinking it was Alfred?  No one knows where Fummi stayed, it would be quite an adventurous move to find someone who has decided to conceal herself.

She was still thinking about how to arrange her meeting when the universe gave her a sign,  some "brothers"  from the school fellowship were passing by and shared a flyer of invite for Sunday's service.

Ezinne had once told her that she sees more of Fummi in church than class, so she had to grace the invite not just as a meeting with God, but as an opportunity to "find the lost sheep".

Days come slowly when we expect something, and time does not speed when you are anxious about doing something you consider important. perhaps this is God's way of warning his people to reconsider their plans, or maybe it is the creator's antics to teach people to be patient. 

Whatever the reason be Agbeke could no longer wait for Sunday, 13th October. she had dialogued so much in her head that she was scared she would not know what to say when she actually met who the rehearsals were for.

Ezinne was equally shocked when she heard Agbeke request to call her to go to church on Sunday. For someone that believed church services in school was an opportunity for a student to meet for less educational purposes, she sounded like she had a serious matter to discuss with God.

Ezinne did not care what the matter she had at heart was, for her Agbeke going to church with her was the only thing that mattered.  Sunday was here at last, and the duo of Ezinne and the "newly converted " Agbeke went to church together.

It was a day to be in the church: the pastor thundered as he spoke on the topic of reconciliation, he mentioned how we must all be a peacemaker if any was to see the lord on that last day of reckoning. 

Ezinne was used to this so to her it was an uplifting sermon, but to Agbeke it was just another lecture on how man should live. she could not wait for the service to be over, and her impatience grew when she saw Fummi seated at the front rows, she wanted to meet her now before she pulled her disappearing stunt once more.

"The grace may........" The service was over she tried moving out of the church first so Ezinne will not have a clue as to what she came to do, not that she wanted to hide her plans, but sometimes art should only be beautiful to the artist first before it becomes beautiful to the fans.

As the congregations dispersed through the opening of every door Fummi felt something grab her, she turned with surprise that only got heightened when she saw it was Agbeke.

"can we meet outside," she asked 

"sure" Fummi replied, wondering what for.

"Sorry I scared you a bit there," Agbeke said smiling.

Those little things about her were maybe why Alfred enjoyed it. their company, it's not like Fummi was not fun, no! far from it. But, Agbeke had a skill of winning people to her side, even the person she was dating her friend.

"Not at all" A white lie after church, but Fummi did not know what else to say.

"Can we see? maybe tomorrow at 6 pm in the park? " Agbeke asked quite hopefully.

"yeah! sure, what for? Fummi replied.

"I'll explain, please show up," She said, looking backward to see If Ezinne noticed she was gone. 

"Fine, how's Alfred?"  Fummi's strategy to make the discussion about a familiar subject failed because, by the time she asked her question, Agbeke had already gone back to meet Ezinne who was supposedly done from her worker's meeting. 

"6 pm it is then," She said mostly to herself than anyone else. as she went back to the place she stayed her mind raced through possible topics of discussion that she could share with Agbeke, all pointed back to Alfred who's well being she had inquired but Agbeke couldn't answer.

It was Fummi's turn to wait now, she knew she was a bit unfair to Alfred, but how could she talk about the same thing?

It wasn't her fault she decided to keep to herself anybody would do the same thing if they were her. She got tired of puzzling her mind for answers, she decided to get some school work done while she waited for Monday to come.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Bukumi stares blankly at the pregnancy strip, the indicator must be on wrong. it shows pregnant when she was sure she swallowed her contraceptive pills, she knew trouble was close when Dele decided on having unprotected sex.   

They started a long time and Dele said if she truly loved him she would trust him after all, there was no Fummi in the equation anymore.

Was she really pregnant? If she was, how unpleasant it may sound to her family. It had to be a joke, maybe she panicked too fast.

It's normal for your period to delay a bit, she will wait before she takes the test again.

"Silly me, I don't even blame those stores that sell cheap fakes," she said tossing the device into her trash can.  Things have been awfully quiet around, and the fact that Fummi left made it worse, she had all she ever wanted and why is she still feeling empty?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

" I never knew he felt that way," Fummi said as she sat on the bench at the park facing the only girl that shares the love of her best friend. 

"He does, he does". Agbeke said, taking a deep breath as she continued.

" worst part he doesn't like to talk about it" she paused looking into Fummi's eyes. Fummi saw eyes that glistened with sincerity. Alfred was lucky to have her, she was a gem to have cared enough to initiate a conversation with someone she knew her boyfriend had feelings for.

" it affects him, majorly because he feels he caused it" Agbeke ended.

"I honestly did not mean it that way" Fummi explained.

"After what I had experienced, I thought I stay to myself a while". Fummi could not explain that she was staying away from Alfred because she felt guilty and also it would be selfish of her to come back and start competing for attention with Agbeke.

" I understand, plus I know you are keeping away for other reasons too".

Fummi tried denying but Agbeke wore a smirk that said she knew, her face also had a statement that read ' Alfred is mine, but you both need each other now'.

Fummi hugged Agbeke. The hug carried with it's embrace mutual sign of respect, it was the beginning of a new friendship.

The next day in class Alfred sat at his usual spot trying to read through an article he had on his phone. He then looks up in reaction to the stimulus he felt on his back, to his greatest surprise standing right there before him was Fummi.

Alfred was shocked visibly but he manages to let a smile cover his lips. He motions for her to have a seat, she agrees and before he asks her anything, she started explaining herself to him.

Fummi explained the reasons for her isolation, he affirms to her that he was scared for her and asked how Bukumi was, more a joke than courtesy.

"I don't know" Fummi replied. 

" We haven't seen her around in class either," Alfred said.

"That's true, I noticed that too. Maybe Dele took her on a honeymoon" she said hissing.

Alfred laughs a bit and checks to see if he offended his friend with that last question.

"You deserve better and he wasn't worth it," Alfred said more seriously this time.

"Thanks, Alfred, I advise you hold on to who you've got," Fummi said.

"She's the reason I'm here". Alfred felt proud of her, he was genuinely happy for her courage to do this.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Bukumi noticed that her monthly flow delayed, she also spat a lot and normally felt dizzy often. She knew what this signs meant, her scare was believing the obvious.

She decides to take another test. She walks down to a different store to buy her pregnancy kit, repeats the process, and gets the same result with an increased number of weeks.

It was real, Bukumi was pregnant! What will she do?

She takes her phone and dials Dele's number, after several trials with no response she decides to go there herself. Dele was not expecting her and the news made him even more grumpy.

" What do you mean you are pregnant?" He asked fiercely.

" Why are you asking me like it is possible for me to impregnate myself," she said looking at him.

" Then the only solution is for you to find out who is responsible".

"You are the only man I have been with," Bukumi said with a perplexed look on her face.

"I can't be the only man because I tried to prevent a scenario like this" Dele was being petty and he knew it, but all he cares about now is not for her or her feelings, he only wants not to be included with this mess.

" I love you and you know it, you can't treat me like this after I stayed with you even when you had Fummi".

" you only stayed because of the money," Dele said blatantly.

Tears rolled down Bukumi's eyes, truly she enjoyed the money, but that was not the only she stayed. She did love him and wanted to have him for herself.

" I can't believe someone as big as you would slip up like that, don't you know how to take care of yourself?" Dele said angrily, he was furious at her.

" We both did not plan for this, so can we at least find a solution?" 

" Who are we? You better look for who is responsible for that".

"Dele don't do this please," she said with her eyes closed and tears rolling down.

"Look Bukumi, I enjoy us together, I enjoy the company but........"

"But what?" She finished.

" I'm not sure I'm ready for a baby, marriage is totally out of it" Dele stated factly.

"So what are you saying?" Bukumi said sobbing.

"I don't want any part in this" Dele paced around his office and then return back to his seat. He opens his drawer and takes out some money.

" That's ten thousand naira, just take care of yourself".

She looks at the money and then at Dele, throws all of it on the floor. She walks out of the office, turning back at the door to face Dele.

" Fummi deserves better than you" She slams the door, Dele still unmoved from where he sat adjusts his tie and murmurs some inaudible words.

Bukumi gets to her apartment and thought about how badly she had treated her friend, she deserves this. If only Fummi would give her a chance to say sorry, she was pregnant for a man that just denied her.

She was in a deep mess, caught between what society would say and how her parents would react. She reaches for her purse and brings out the item she bought on the way.

She needed to talk to Fummi. She tries calling but Fummi's number was not reachable. Bukumi immediately sends a text that she deletes after it delivers.

She smiles to herself, wipes her eyes, and empties the bottle of what she bought. ( Bukumi has always been a crazy girl).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The news in school the next day was about the girl who had committed suicide. Nobody knew her in person, they only knew that she was popular and had been in the heart of social affairs. Fummi reads the text once more to confirm what the blogs in school were broadcasting.

     "I should have been a better friend to you.

      " just realized how foolish I was for doing what I did, 

      " Dele is a mistake I'm glad you didn't have a chance to make.

                                                            Bukumi.

Fummi had some questions, going to her former apartment was risky. What did Dele do? She felt a sharp pain in her heart, one mixed with remorse, pity, and sadness. Bukumi hurt her, yes! But her death reminded her how imperfect we all are.

Emotions are dangerous, they ought to be controlled. She was sad and angry at herself for not being there for her, she walks out and thinks of what to use to numb her pain.

Lectures didn't hold, the department was paying their respect to the dead student. Fummi mourns her friend silently.

For Bukumi all she wanted was love,  she grew up a lonely girl who barely got what she wanted. She always lost to someone better, her parents neglected her because her sister was more intelligent, they treated her unfairly.

she loved Dele but he did not love her.

She was tired of losing so she betrayed her friend for a man she thought she deserves. Love choices are absurd, she did not give herself time to heal, her emotions got the best of her.

Love deserves pain, a type that gives suffering. Love enslaved her till she lost herself.

Emotions are dangerous, it makes us vulnerable. Giving all that we are to someone else is a gamble, we sometimes die in the process.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 La fin.  

TO BE CONTINUED...