C7 Not everyone is straight

I woke up feeling so happy and blessed like someone who just won a lottery. The weather was very cold. I stretched my hand to put off the fan that was blowing 'cos It looked like i was going to catch cold.

Looking around the room I noticed that bolu and Ashley were gone, their beds were empty and neatly arranged.

I stepped out of the my bed. I hadn't seen my bunky since I came back. I noticed she had put a wrapper round her corner like a curtain, so you couldn't see who was inside. I didn't know if I'd be invading her privacy by raising the curtain to check if she was around. but on a second thought we've been very close these few months so it wouldn't is really matter. I went on in raising the curtain or would I say wrapper, but I was shocked on what I saw.

She was not alone on the bed, some other girl was there with and the abruptly stopped what they were doing when they saw. We stared back at each other in shock without saying a word and when I could finally get my voice back I muttered some apologies and dropped the curtain back.

I hadn't realized chioma was a lesbian or would I say bisexual because had a boyfriend. I didn't really know how to react to it but I made up my mind to mind my business and not talk about it unless she brought it up herself.

I thought of my mom, I've not really heard from her for a while.

I picked up my phone and dialled her number, it was not reachable at first but when I called the second time my younger brother picked it up. He told me how mom had been sick for a while now and how she was admitted to hospital.

"Infact it's one week after you left for school that she became ill, how come you don't know, I thought dad must have told you, she's in general hospital in owerri. I would go and see her this tomorrow" he said and his voice was like he was going to break down in tears.

"Are you serious right now? I said sighing heavily, a lot of thought going through my mind. It was a rhetorical question, I knew my brother couldn't play this kind of prank or lie about this of all thing.

Since I was born, and as far as I could remember, mom has never really fallen sick to the point of being admitted into the hospital. It was only malaria or headache, which she buys drugs from pharmaceutical shop for treatment.

"Gabriel please don't worry, everything will be fine, besides what are you doing at home, aren't you supposed to be in school now? Daniel was actually a in a boarding school and came home only on mid term break or on vacation, and it was not yet time for that.

"My school is on strike, three weeks strike to be precise, the teachers have not been paid for some months now".

I wasn't really surprised to hear that, it has almost become a usual incident in Federal schools in the country, it always saddens me to think of it, and the sadness always turns to annoyance and then anger and helplessness. I always wished I could do something about it, the government and everything.

"Alright dear, I pray the will resolve the issue quickly so you will go back to school, please when you go to the hospital tomorrow tell me everything, since Dad has refused to tell me about it"

"Alright I will, I miss you sis" he said. I knew he did, we were actually very close.

"Miss you too, be a good boy o, don't do anything that'll make dad pick on you".

"You know it's not possible, he always do, even if I'm quiet and lock myself in the room for the whole day". he said and I laughed.

His voice sounded really funny when he said that. Sometimes my dad behaved like he knew everything and wouldn't hear of anyone's opinion, it was only my brother that stood up to him but on rare occasions. My elder sisters preffered to keep quiet and go on to do what was in their mind later.

I really missed my mom and wanted to speak to her badly. I just hoped she was going to get better soon.

I went outside the room and sat at the Walk way in front of the hostel, I was still thinking of mom, very worried.

Then I heard my name, it was chioma my bunky. The image of what I saw earlier flooded my memory. Lesbianism, bisexuality was becoming common but it didn't stop me from being shocked when I saw them. From the family I came from, every sin was evil, as we were taught from childhood, but it looked like the biggest sin to us apart from murder. I remember having an argument with my friend back in secondary school when she was justifying it. I had told her it was not right according to the word of God it wasn't normal or natural and was the only reason God had destroyed Sodom and gomorah with brimstone. She went on in asking me about those who weren't Christians and whose belief weren't from the Bible, how would they be judged according to the Bible they had no belief in, and added that everyone had right to do what pleased them. I had vowed not to speak about that matter to anyone again.

"Mirabel, how are you" chioma asked as she came toward me with a plastic chair on her hand. She placed the chair beside me and sat.

"I am very fine, you were not around when I returned" I answered smiling.

" Emm, yeah, I went to see a friend. About emmm...you saw, I'd be glad if you don't mention it to boolu and ashley" she said.

"Sure, I won't, why do you think I would, I respect people's privacy"

She shifted uncomfortably In her seat. We sat silently for some time.

"But seriously, I thought you had a boyfriend, and you said you loved him, how do you think he would feel when he eventually finds out about that? I asked.

"You see, I have been in many failed relationships, I am twenty three, I have never seen any guy that treats me very well or makes me feel the way I feel when I'm with my girlfriend. My boyfriend beats me anytime we have any little argument, after that he always says it's the work of the devil. I have had enough enough in the name of relationship. Forget the pictures and lomotif videos I've been taking so much shit from that bastard, I want to end things with him already" she said bitterly.

" You want to? Seriously? What have you been waiting for, someone that beats you? I asked.

" My dad left us since I was in secondary school and we haven't heard of him since then. My mom only drinks herself to stupor. I have been supporting myself single handedly in school, it hasn't been that easy for me, Frank my boyfriend is the one sponsoring me in school now. Since I met him he's been the one paying for my school fees and text books" she replied and her eyes were becoming red and teary.

No, no, not now don't cry, not now I said in my heart. I didn't know how to handle people getting emotional and I hardly cried.

"No matter what you shouldn't remain in an abusive relationship. I didn't even know what else to say to her.

"My girlfriend, she told me to leave him. Her parents are in the U.K and she said she'll help sponsor me for now, you know I'm already in my finals, so I'll be graduating soon".

"I'm so sorry for everything dear" I said, I really felt for her even if I couldn't help.

She didn't say anything but just nodded.

" Are you dating your girlfriend because she'd help you or you really like girls? I asked.

" I don't like just any girl, but I love her, not because of money or anything".

I already knew, but I didn't know why what she said shocked me and I stared at her speechless.

"Don't look at me like that, you all judging me should are not God, I will not continue suffering, I have tried, infact why am I even telling you all this" she said standing up from the chair and started heading toward the room.

I just looked without saying anything. No matter what I wasn't supporting lesbianism. She looked pathetic to me right now and I felt for her but I just couldn't help it.

She stopped halfway and turned toward me.

"Boolu said something about your boyfriend giving us a present, what's that? She said looking at me and then looking away as if she was reluctant.

"Emm...he said I should give you guys some money" I said.

"That's very nice of him, I'm even broke right now, how much is it" she asked shyly.

"It's a hundred thousand naira" I said.

She looked at me in a seemingly shocked manner.

"A hundred thousand naira? She repeated, woah. But why would he give us such amount, he doesn't even know us".

I didn't know what to say as it kind of embarrassed me, I just shrugged.

"Tell him we are grateful, abeg thank him very much for me" she said and walked back to the room.

It was very amusing and surprising how money could change people's mood in a second, she had just been yelling at me few minutes ago but I could see the smile on her face as she walked towards the room. Yeah money is indeed very good, it was only the love of it that is the root of all evil.