I was very skinny and didn't have a boyfriend when my mates did in secondary school. Instead, I had male friends who would tease but protect and defend me in whatever situation I found myself in because of my stature. I really didn't need a boyfriend, and my studies were my only focus, but my best friend couldn't get her head off the love sickness she was infected with by a senior.
We were classmates in junior class, but things got deeper when we knew each other's parents. Our parents became friends too, and that just sealed everything.
Rofiat was love-intoxicated and always spoke about Senior Kunle, the school head prefect. She lost control and wouldn't even study properly; she spent more time writing love letters instead of reading or doing assignments.
At first, I thought she was crazy about him because they were still fresh, but nothing changed after a few weeks. She would leave home early, lying about coming to join me so we could walk together, but she would always go and wait for Senior Kunle on the road.
He would delay her after closing too, and I always waited for her because there was an 80% chance that I would see her mom when going home, and I didn't want to start giving unnecessary excuses.
Even though I didn't like Rofiat's new habit, it didn't affect our friendship. I love her, and she always confided in me, always, but I didn't want to have any connection with the seniors; they were bossy and very rude.
I always excused myself when they stopped to greet Rofiat and eventually gave me the nickname smallie, which was quite offensive to me.
The exam was approaching. Rofiat was not showing a bit of concentration on their studies. It was always Kunle this, Kunle that, which I started finding irritating.
I tried talking her out of her new obsession, but she wouldn't listen to me. She even quarreled with me, but it didn't lead to our friendship breaking apart. I actually endured her obsession until I couldn't anymore, and that's because I suspected that she was walking into a trap.
Kunle has a group of friends who are also seniors but in different schools, and sometimes, I see them walking together on the street. They looked like some rough boys, and I have caught one smoking before.
I told Rofiat, but she thought I cooked up the story because of my dislike for Kunle and his friends.
One evening, Rofiat said Kunle's friend wanted to celebrate his birthday, and it would be an evening party. She wanted me to accompany her, but that won't happen.
I told her I wasn't coming, and her plea fell on deaf ears. The plan was to tell her mom that she was coming to my place and she would go to the party instead.
I agreed, but after thinking about it again, I changed my mind. I know she confided in me, but if betraying her to save her from harm would mean breaking her trust in me, I don't mind.
I couldn't talk about it to her mom directly, so I told mine, and she discussed it with Rofiat's mom. Rofiat was punished severely, and her mom even threatened to follow her to school on Monday since it was the weekend.
UNSPLASH
Rofiat knew the whole thing was from me, and she hated me so much that she didn't want to see me. She couldn't attend the party, but very early on Monday morning at school, we heard rumors that some bad boys started a fight at the party and stabbed each other, including a girl.
I felt grateful that it wasn't Rofiat, and it even gave me the courage to approach her.
"You know that girl could have been you or me if we attended," I said to Rofiat after walking up to her.
"It doesn't change the fact that you betrayed my trust," she replied and went out of the classroom.
I noticed Kunle and just prayed she wouldn't mention my part in why she didn't attend, but Rofiat came in just a few minutes later looking angry.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I broke up with him, and he's even threatening me," she replied.
"Broke up? Just like that," I stuttered.
"Yes, I don't want my mom coming to disgrace me in school. Thanks to you," she replied.
It took time before we started behaving like best friends again, but I am happy she disconnected from Kunle.