For so long, Hameedat and Saheed had been that couple that everyone complained about but still believed would never truly end. And now, just like that, it was over.

Hameedat had moved on to Gideon, even though the two boys were friends.

The realization still hadn’t fully settled in my mind when Olamide’s voice cut through the tension in the room, sharp and unforgiving.

“So because of money, you chose Gideon?” he said, his tone filled with accusation. “It won’t last. He’ll break your heart, because he doesn’t even love you.”

The room went silent for a split second before everything erupted at once. Gideon’s expression darkened immediately, whatever calm he had been holding onto disappeared, replaced with raw anger. It was clear that Olamide had hit a nerve, and not a small one.

For a moment, I thought they would actually fight on my birthday.

But George’s voice broke through the chaos. “Guy, calm down. Today no be for all this kind drama.” he said firmly, stepping between them. That seemed to snap something back into place.

Gideon exhaled sharply, his jaw tight. “I’m leaving,” he muttered, already turning away, and without hesitation, Hameedat followed him.

Just like that they left as there was something stronger than loyalty between them.

As I watched them go, Jerry came beside me quietly, his presence almost comforting in the middle of everything.

“What exactly happened in my absence?” he asked in a low voice.

I let out a tired sigh. “A lot.”

Before I could say more, one of George’s street friends clapped his hands together. “Abeg, make we continue this party jare,” he said, passing something they called baki, to George.

George took it without thinking, bringing it to his lips like it was nothing and began to smoke. I looked away because I hated the smoking, and the drinking but every relationship had its problems, so it’s okay that mine isn’t perfect too.

I moved away from the noise and sat on the edge of the bed, Jerry following me. Slowly, I began to tell him everything he had missed in school, which were, the fights, the betrayals, the secrets, the constant shifting of relationships that made it feel like nothing in our lives was ever stable.

At first, he listened with amusement, shaking his head at some parts, almost laughing in disbelief. But as I continued, his expression changed with something that seemed like disappointment.

“Zara,” he said quietly when I was done talking, “you dey forgive George too easily.”

I frowned slightly, not wanting to hear it but Jerry didn’t care.

“He knows what he’s doing,” Jerry continued. “And sometimes, George does it on purpose.”

My heart skipped.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Jerry hesitated, like he was debating whether to continue, then sighed. “Sometimes we go dey joke… even bet sef. Say no matter wetin George do, you no go ever leave am.”

His words were slowly painfully.

“And he always wins,” Jerry added.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. I didn’t know whether to be angry, embarrassed, or just tired.

But one thing I knew for sure was that I couldn’t let anyone know about the oath, because no one would ever understand.

“But George loves me,” I said softly, though it sounded more like I was trying to convince myself than him.

Jerry looked at me, really looked this time, and his expression softened.

“He cares about you,” he admitted. “But the way you love him…” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “it’s not the same way he loves you.”

Something inside me tightened.

“Just be careful,” he added gently. “I no want make dem hurt you again.”

He stood up after that, patting my shoulder lightly before walking back to join the others, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I sat there for a long time, staring at nothing. A part of me wanted to believe Jerry but a bigger part of me refused to because if I accepted what he said, then everything I had done and endured would be pointless and I couldn’t accept that.

Not after the oath.

I lifted my head and looked across the room at George. He was laughing with his friends, completely at peace. I took a deep breath and assured myself that he would change and this time, he didn’t have a choice.

A simple question for my readers:

Is Zara holding onto love… or refusing to see the truth right in front of her?

Thank you for reading this chapter