I WISH I HADN'T KNOW HIM. (edited)

By: Israel Ogbukada.
Winner of THE FIRST ACW-UA WRITING COMPETITION.
(ACW-UA CHRONICLES) 

I WISH I HADN'T KNOW HIM

CHAPTER 1.

Few minutes after the school dismissed, i looked through the window, the sky was
getting more tar-black and the large clouds seems to be moving towards the north,

alongside the wind that blew strong and heavy. The cloud looked menacing in their glory

threatening to empty themselves at the slightest invitation.
I liked the fact it was about to rain, to reduce the heat and calm down the hot weather
and the heavy sun that shone at midday, but it would have allowed me to get home
before the fall.
I could see students with their school bags running out of the school gates in anticipation
to get home.
I heard tappings on the window and then it became a pitter-pattern. Some pupils ran for
cover outside and umbrellas was opened as the clouds spat out their beads of water.
Puddles began plinking as the rainfall became heavier.
Parents and drivers rushed to pick their wards their vehicles and it seems everyone was
making their way home. The roof of the cars parked outside danced with spray and i
could her the murmuring of the rain through windows and the opened class room door. I
was alone in class, the rowdy and noisy class is for once become quite. My friend Ene
who we both lived across the Riverside was absent that day, we would have talked about
anything till the rain subside.
I kept staring through the window. The rain sounded like the buzzing of angry bees. It
was swelting hot and humid. I could feel the heaviness of the moisture in the air
weighing down on me and seeping through my school uniform.
The air was filled with the smell of rutting mangos from the trees outside the school
compound.
A light breeze bllew and ruffled my shirt and tickled the tendrils of my hair on my ears.
A sigh escapedmy lips at the invigorating breath of air. Lightening spiked through the
darkened sky and followed by a clap of thunder.
As the rain increased in its intensity, the sizzling symphony of billions of chrops felt like
the rain and the wind and sounds percolating in me, right down my very bone.
Eventually the rain lessened and the noise faded into a musical chime. As quickly as it
started it was all over.
The sun came out again casting beams of light across the mango trees, steam rose slowly
from the grass. It rose up eerily and drifted mist-like towards the molten - golden sun.
Anytime it rained so heavy, as we resided across Riverside, it was difficult to cross the
wooden bridge as flood would overflow over it.
I took my bag and head through the door to the corridor. The image of the rain was that
it stayed with me all the way home.
I lived in the outskirts of Aza Doriah with my mom and siblings. Father passed away
many years back.
Since the death of my dad Mr. Jethro, things has not been easy for the us. Mother has
been doing her best in taking care of the children, she made sure we are feed from the
token amount of money she earns at the end of every month from where she worked as
a nanny in a nursery school.
Wale the elderest of the family dropped out of the university and was not able to
complete his studies due to lack of money, he soon had a job in a hotel as a waiter and he
has been supporting the family financially.
Martha my elder sister had a son for a man, and he refused to marry her. She left her son
for mother to take care of him. And this annoys me the most. Martha was not working to
assist the family, she felt unconcerned and does whatever she wanted.
Nevertheless, Martha seems to be the most prettiest in the house and everyone
testified of that. This made her feel like a queen. The only thing she does at home was to
take care of her self, wash her clothes, call on mother to relax her hair and she pressed
her phone all day. Most times, she doesn't come home at night and spend time at night
parties and clubs.
I disliked the way my elder sister is unmindful about everything going on at home even when Godwin her son need to be taken care of. Godwin was just a year old. And
sometimes when his ill or his diapers needs changing, Martha wouldn't care, and mother
would talk to her but she wouldn't listen.
This made me to querrel with her alot times.
I hated Martha and we have fought alot times when we were younger. I was more closer
to my elder brother Wale than her. He has been just like a father to me. He had always
provided money for my school fee every term. Aside that, we played alot. I often called
her BigBoss and he calls me LittleQueen, and sometimes i do not want to be called that
knowing Martha is far prettier than her.
Anytime he returns from work during the weekends he buys us things. And we have
been happy anyway.


CHAPTER 2.


Things were not going well as usual since when Wale reduced the amount of money he
brings home after been paid monthly, saying he needed to save for a new computer and
a printer in other to open a computer Cafe but mother did not buy the idea. She wanted
him to keep working and wait for the promotion Wale once talked about.
This decision of Wale has really bothered mother making her to talk over and over about
it but he seems not to hear. Mother felt she could not cope in catering for the entire
needs of the family.
However, it has also affected us, we barely feed twice a day and i rarely get transport
fare to school. I understands Wale and i didn't complain much, i even try letting mother
know he's plan on opening a business center is the best for the family.

*****************
My name Juliet. I am sixteen and in SS2, i attended Nessa High School located few
kilometers from where we lived. I am a Christian, i love doing God's work. My parents
were Godly, and were brought up in the fair of God. Mother was a principled woman,
and followed the doctrine of the church. She was the women coordinator before she was disciplined when my elder sister Martha got pregnant. She was almost reprimanded for
not letting the church know about it until four months later. This ruin the church
reputation and brought great shame to us. During the time of her pregnancy we heard so
many side talks and gossip.
Mother do not permit us to go out neither do she allow friends to come to see us. We
were always indoor, except when we go to school or to church. I dont have friends in our
neighborhood. Even at school my only friend was Ene, and she lived at the opposite
street close to ours. My mom and Ene's mom were friends and we attended the same
church.
In school, I was bullied and mocked for having big front tooth and my hair never
grow long instead it remain kinky and brown. When i plait weave it would look different
from other girls. Mother said my hair is the best in the world.
"Appreciate what the lord have given to you" Said Mother.
Anytime i complain to Mother that i want like to relax my hair she would shout at me.
She calls those things ungodly and sinful.
This made me not to talk in public, and do no go close to where student are gathered and
had avoided any situation that would expose me to the public or would make me to
participate in school activities.
I usually sit secluded from my classmates. I don't not like to be insulted.
This have really troubled me, and made me feel inferior.


*********************
There was this new boy that was admitted into our class, and it is not like Nessa to admit
student by second term. It was heard that his dad donated huge amount of books and
other educational materials to the school's library and every students seem to be talking
about it.
Apart from his father contributions, every girl talked about the 'new guy'. He was tall,
handsome, dark with white teeth, eyes and dimple.
The girls in my class were all naive and crushed on him. They wanted him to be their
boyfriend. They always dragged to sit with him and followed him around the school compound. Girls fought each other just to get him for themselves.
The only girl in my class that seemed not to really care at first was me.
Notwithstanding, i can't deny he was charming and really handsome. I admitted he was
indeed gorgeous, i liked the shape of his eyes and dimple pieced in when he smiled.
Days later i bagan to like him. We have never talk. I liked the way he behaved and
his mannerisms. I never told anyone about what i feel for him and kept it within myself.
Sometimes i could not resist staring at him, I tried not to let him or anyone notice my
stare. During sports on friday morning, i would stand at a distance and watch him play
football.. I know i can not be his girlfriend, i knew am ugly and not the kind of girl he
would loved to go out with. I don't wear earring neither do i apply makeup, and so it was
impossible for him to find me attractive.


****************
I later went to church to ask for forgiveness from the lord for imagining all the evil
thoughts. I tried as hard as possible to take away those thoughts of being his girlfriend.


CHAPTER 3.


One morning, i woke up quite late by passed seven, i aided mother to prepare
breakfast for the house before setting of to school. I dropped Bisi our neighbor's
daughter in nearby primary school before leaving for mine.
When i got to school, i found out that the assembly was over and was lucky to escape
punishment. sneaked into the classroom hoping to see the maths teacher, Mr Bakko,
instead i met the class rowdy and noisy, no one noticed her presence.
I sat at the front as usual, i turned around to check for Ene, but didn't see her, instead she
met the eyes of Johnson the new boy. He was the only one in the whole class that was staring at me. I regretted looking back.

****************
For the past few days, Johnson has been trying to talk to me about becoming his
girlfriend, but i had refused.
It all started one afternoon during the break time as and her friend Ene were
walking towards the school's kiosk where they sell snacks, when Johnson approached me
and requested me to be his girlfriend, i was shocked and surprise . I was suddenly
speechless, she never believed what she once imagined would come to reality.
"I'm not interested " i said and walked away with Ene.
After buying some snacks from the Koisk, Johnson still meet them pleading,
"don't you get it" Ene said "she is not interested"
I cannot believe it, i thought he was just making fun of me like the rest of the boys in our
class. I later came to know that he was serious when he paid her transport back home
that day.
I sat in my desk that morning and immediately Ene came to sit with me.
'Hi Juliet' Ene greeted
'What's up Ene'
'You came late today'
'I helped my mom to carry some loads to the main market.'
Immediately, Mr Bakko the maths walked in and the class became suddenly silent as
a crypt. Mr Bakko was the discipline master in their school. He was harsh and rude. The
students knew he is capable flogging the whole student in the school without getting
tired.
Students were afraid of him but not Juliet. I was his favourite teacher. Maybe
because i was very good in mathematics.
Mr Bakko introduced a new topic on the board, he solved few examples on the board and
asked appointed some students to solve it in the board but they did not get it correctly.
Then he called on me and handed over the chalk to me, i walked shyly to the board and
solved it correctly ''A round of applause for her'' Mr Bakko said excitingly.
Only a few clapped for me. I could hear some of them call me names.

******************
After the class, Johnson met met when i was alone, he asked her to teach him some of
the calculation that was taught in class. At first i disagreed but changed her mind. After
school that day, we stayed back and i taught him some of the calculations. While i talked
i noticed he was not concentrating, he was staring at my eyes and that made her
uncomfortable, but i tried not to be distracted by his charming looks.
I felt Johnny's hand over my neck and immediately i felt my pulse and blood ran through
my vein to my heart. I removed his hands.
"whats this Johnny" i asked and stood to pack up my bags.
"I'm sorry" he said "I love you." he held my both hands and drew close to me. I could not
believe what was going on, i stood frooze. I could feel the warmth of his palm on mine
and the perfume of his body. I felt like disappearing into the thin air.
"Leave me be" i said as i tried to let go of my hands. But he arm is firm. He tried kissing
me on the lips but i pushed him and head for the door, i stood at the door like there was
a constraining force that stopped me. "Love"
I came back to him and we kissed not minding the opened door and windows.
That was one of the sweetest sin i have committed.
*
"I love you too, Johnny." i replied.

CHAPTER 4.

I bagan to be happy nowadays, i was not secluded like before. Mother has noticed some strange attitudes in me lately and once asked me the reason behind it but i did not say
exactly.
Every night i think about Johnson before going to bed and i just could not wait to meet
him in school the following day.
It was known throughout school that he is dating me the "HolyHoly girl". My friend
Ene do not want me moving with a him and this made us quarrel and they stopped
talking to each other.

******************
Mother noticed that i now return home late from school and i gives her one or two
excuses knowing i spent the hours at Johnny's place. Until one evening around 4pm
when i returned, Mother was in an unusual mood, she looked worried and was tapping
her right foot on the cemented floor as she rested her head on her palm.
"Good evening mom" i greeted.
Mother did not answer.
"Mom, I'm greeting you"
"Why are you coming by this time?" mother asked. "and i want you to tell me the truth"
"Mom! I told you last week we organised an after school lesson for ourselves" I lied and
hoped it sound real.
"Come here child" Mother said and she came closer.
"Sit down" she said and sat down close to her mother.
"Juliet." Mother callled.
"Yes Ma" i answered. My heart pound, so many thought ran through my mind.
"Does Mother knows i now have a boyfriend?" i thought.
"What's is his name? " mother asked staring at me.
"l........ I don't understand Mom" i stammered. "who... What are you talking about? "
"Is it true about what I heard about you in school? " mother asked.
"NO! What are you talking about?
That you have been following boys in school? "
"no mom, it's all lies. Who told you that? " I asked. " l know its Ene don't mind her, she's
jealous of me. We are no longer talking anymore."
"Why" asked mother.
I framed up a story for mother and she trusted and believed me.

****************
It got to a time when icould no longer hide Johnson from mother. My relationship with
him became obvious to everyone. Our love grew stronger and mother did all she could
do to end that relationship. She'd sat me down and advised me of the consequences of
going into a relationship at that" tender age," but i know i not a child. I know how to
handle my self.
Mother had gone to Johnson perents and talked to them in warning their son to stay
away from her daughter.
Mother feared that what happened to Martha shouldn't happen to her younger sister.
She had reported her to their pastor's wife to talk to her and advised her. Mother soon
later discovered that she did not go to evening service instead she diverted to meet with
Johnson. Then mother grounded her at home and prevented her from going out except
when the whole family would along.

*******************
One evening, i needed to go badly to meet Johnson. He had promised to take me out for
dinner. I dressed really differently and not like the Juliet they used to know. I wore the
new dress he bought for me. I wore a pink leggings, black armless top that fastened at
the neck. For the first time i applied makeup at home and put on a wig to cover her kinky
her. Martha was shocked when she got to my room.
"Mother wants to see you" Martha said "and were are you going?"
I turned away from the mirror and faced her sister.
"How do i look?" i asked grinning.
"Horrible!" Martha replied and burst into laughter.
"You laugh like a witch!" I said and hissed and walked past her and out of the room down to the sitting room.

****************
Mother hindered me from going out that evening. I really got mad at mother and
insulted mother angrily and Mother gave me a slap. I distroyed some ceramic dishes on
the wooden cupboard. Throughout that night i cried and had thought of packing out to
live with Johnson.


CHAPTER 5.

Couple of weeks later, I woke up feeling uncomfortable, i had a truobled stomach, while i
dressed for school, i felt like vomiting, Bisi who was already dressed up for school saw
me as ran out of the house, Bisi followed me to the backyard and saw me vomiting and
she reported to Mother who was in the kitchen.
Mother saw me sitting on the floor and she took me to the clinic across the major road.
The doctor did series of tests and told mother that i am two months pregnant.
Mother burst into tears. Even the doctor felt sorry for her.
As mother and walked out of the clinic shedid not mention a word to me, instead she
brought out her phone from where she wrapped her in her wrapper round her waist.
She called Wale and narrated everything to him.
While we were on the tricycle going back home, i felt so spineless and useless.
I could only utter some words.
"I'm sorry mom, am so sorry, forgive me"
Immediately a car from behind which was believed to be coming with a high speed came
and hit the tricycle from behind.

 *******************
I woke up in a room filled with white light. It did not look like my bedroom neither do it
look like Johnson's. When i opened her eyes fully despite the brightness in the room, l felt
sharp pain in my head, back and legs.
I noticed i was still in my school uniform stained with blood with a drip hung vertically
and running down my body. I tried sitting upright but she could not.
Immediately, I remembered i was in a tricycle before a car hit theirs from behind.
And i thought of Mother. "Mother!" i shouted.
I she sat, removed the drip that was stuck close to my wrist hoping to ran out to find
mother when the door opened and a nurse walked in.
"You're awake" nurse said dropping some drugs on the table.
"Where's my mother? "
"Try to relax yourself child" said the nurse.
"No i want to meet my mother" I stood up and felt a sharp pain in my back. I couldn't
move. The nurse helped me to sit back on the bed.
"My dear you are lucky to be alive" Nurse said. "Just relax, and calm down "
"No" I struggled to stand "Not until i see my Mother "
"Im sorry dear, she could not make it" Said the nurse.
"No ooooooooooo" cried Juliet.
I blamed myself. I wished i hadn't known Johnson.
After a drug was given to me i slept.
Days later, i heard Johnson was nabbed by the police for meddling with cocaine.