Aken felt a sharp pang of betrayal, a sense of hopelessness clawing at him. He could not believe it. Even Mrs. Obiajulu, whom he had once thought was fair and just, was ignoring his sister’s suffering, letting Nandy go unpunished. Nandy returned to her seat, giving a triumphant smile. She did not need to say anything. Her smug expression said it all. She leaned back in her chair, flashing a mocking look at Aken, her eyes glinting with cruelty. The lesson continued, and Aken sat down, barely able to process what had just happened. His sister sat beside him, her face hidden beneath her hoodie, her shoulders trembling as she tried to hold back her sobs. He placed a hand on her shoulder, a silent promise that he would protect her somehow, even if no one else would.
The next day, Nandy had not let go of her grudge. As Aken passed her, she slightly stretched out her leg just as he walked by. Caught off guard, Aken stumbled and fell hard, his knees scraping against the rough floor, his books flying out of his hands. Pain shot through his lip as he bit down, and blood started trickling down his chin, staining his shirt. A few students nearby who had not seen what Nandy did burst out laughing at the sight of Aken sprawled on the ground. Aken stood up, dusted himself off, and looked straight at Nandy, his eyes burning with both pain and anger. Just as he opened his mouth to ask why she had tripped him, Nandy slapped him sharply across the face. A few students gasped, while others laughed, mocking Aken for being hit by a girl. But before he could think twice, Aken’s hand shot out and he slapped Nandy back. The force of his hand sent her stumbling backward until she hit the opposite wall of the corridor. She looked at him in shock, her face red with embarrassment and fury, as the students around them fell silent.
Realizing what he had done, Aken felt his heart race with regret and confusion. This was not him. He was not a person who hit others, especially not a girl. But Nandy had pushed him past his breaking point. Feeling the sting of what had just happened, he quickly fled to the bathroom, leaving the murmuring crowd behind. He splashed cold water on his face, his hands shaking as he tried to calm down. Guilt crept into his heart. He had defended himself, but the way he had done it troubled him.
After a while, a voice came over the loudspeaker, calling him to the principal’s office. Aken’s heart sank as he walked down the corridor, his mind racing with fear of what would come next. When he entered the office, his worst fears were realized. Nandy’s father, the senator, was standing there, his face flushed with rage, while Nandy sat in the office chair, her hand still pressed to her cheek, looking both humiliated and triumphant. The principal looked tense, his eyes darting nervously between Aken and the senator, who seemed ready to explode. The senator’s voice was sharp as he turned to the principal. “I expect you to handle this matter immediately and discipline this boy like the rat he is. My daughter deserves respect, not violence.”