Jerry was blowing up like an explosion, his face a bowl of distorted fart, "You better leave!" Jerry yelled at MayJane, pulling her out through the door.
She struggled with him, dabbing and pushing fiercely at his chest, "Leave me alone, I'm not done with you yet, let me finish what I'm about to say in front of your girlfriend. I bet she looks way more matured than I am!" MayJane yelled into his face, her hair flying up in a swirl.
"This girl needs a slap," Meliana found herself muttering to Ella. Ella found herself shocked at the displayed act.
"Leave!" Jerry yelled, again pulling MayJane.
"I feel so dirty, I feel so ashamed of myself. I let my parents trust in me dwindle, I have failed my parents. My parents believed in me, now I can't tell them anything about this cause they won't even believe me," she buried her tear streaked face into her hands, shoving off Jerry who was trying hard to push her out of his home.
Jerry never gave up though, and she continued to pull at his clothes, even at his beard.
"Leave her be, let her go," Meliana spoke up after a while, pushing Jerry aside to let the girl speak up. She walked back with MayJane, turning to look at a shocked Jerry, "You are more foolish than I thought. I would have cared less if it were another lady, but her, Jerry, didn't you think! She is yet but a child no matter how matured she must have looked to you," she turned to look at the crying MayJane, petting her by her shoulders while a bedazzled Jerry stared wide eyed.
Ella and Louis watched on, Ella hugging herself, having no words to say. Louis was grinning from ear to ear while snickering at the act.
"Come, MayJane, feel free to say whatever it is you have on your mind," Meliana encouraged her, faking down a smile at her.
"You don't understand, Meliana. You can't say whatever you don't know. This girl right here is the cause of all this, she made me do the unthinkable, she pushed me," Jerry explained.
"Oh, really Jerry? She pushed you that you easily fell for it, who would believe you?" Meliana asked, arms folded.
Teared faced, MayJane looked up at the arguing couple, "I did nothing, you took advantage of me," she sang it like an anthem, saying to Jerry.
Louis tutted, enjoying himself as he also folded his arms. He pushed back his hair backwards, finding himself a seat. This was getting quite serious. Jerry stood still, unable to think through.
"What are you saying to her?" Jerry turned to grab Meliana's arm as he saw her trying to soothe May-Jane's tears.
"Why do you care!" Meliana flared up, yelling into his face as she yanked her arm free from his grip.
"I want to know!" Jerry yelled back, his shirt already ruffled from the pulls and pushs between him and MayJane.
"What do you want to know?" Meliana hollered to his face, "Look at you, fulfilled your sexual urges?" she was clearly irritated by the sight of him, she shoved him off that he staggered.
"You do not know a thing, so shut up!" he yelled out.
She gasped, perhaps from his audacity, "So, you have mouth for me, huh? Let me say this to your face, you certainly have no shame, you are a dirty old thing. One with no shame!"
"Just shut up!" one of his hand flew up in mid air to hit her.
She gawked at it then laughed out loud, "See? You even want to hit me?"
Jerry paused, looked back at the other two, Ella and his younger brother staring at him in bewildered expression. He let his hand dropped as he bit the corners of his mouth.
Meliana scoffed, "You don't even have nothing more to say to me. Listen Jerry, we are done. You are in this alone," she turned to Ella, "Ella, let's leave."
MayJane instinctively reached out to touch Meliana, "Please, don't go," she begged.
Meliana's hands flew up in the air, she was holding back herself not to push the girl in front of her, "Listen girl, I don't even know you. Deal with Jerry, he can sort whatever your problem is,"
Ella came towards them, "Meliana, you guys don't have to break up because of this...," Ella said softly.
Meliana turned at her with an angred face, "Don't Ella, don't let me say something harsh to you. I am done with him and that is final," she turned away, walked back to the coach to pick up her handbag then she started heading to the door while Ella followed behind her, murmuring apologies.
As soon as Meliana left, MayJane knew that it was pointless staying, she gathered herself and walked out while Jerry stared at her, speechless.
Jerry stood still, perhaps probably tired and shaken from what had just transpired. Yet he was pissed at everything that had just occurred. He kicked the object next to him which was the mahogany table placed at the centre of the table. He groaned, bending down slightly as the pain shot through his body.
"Doesn't it hurt?" Louis asked standing up, concern written on his face.
"Shut up!" yelled Jerry at him.
*********
Ella watched as Meliana paced around the room, scattering whatever was in her path.
"Why are you torturing yourself, Meliana? Please, do try to calm yourself down, don't be controlled by your swayed emotions," Ella followed closely around her until she grabbed her friend's arms, swirling her to face her.
"That stupid boyfriend of mine! Can you believe it, this seems like a dream to me, I should rather wake up," she slapped her cheek lightly as she said so.
"You need to let go," Ella said to her.
"How can I? After what had just happened, he shouldn't have eaten where he shouldn't eat,"
"What is done is done," Ella put in.
"What is done?" Meliana bawled, "We both made a promise not to cheat on each other, and he broke that for a teenage girl?" Meliana slapped both of her palms to her forehead.
"Meliana, Meliana, get hold of yourself. Try to calm down, I understand that you are angry....,"
"No, you clearly don't understand. You have never been cheated on before,"
Ella shrank back, hurt by the words of her friend. After a second of shock, she grabbed both of her friend's hands again, "You shouldn't be breaking up with him. It could have been a coy or a mischief from that girl, whoever she is,"
"Didn't you hear her? Jerry tutors her, why will she lie?"
"You must defend your boyfriend at all cost. I don't believe that girl for her words. Go deep into this matter, investigate, whatever you have to do, do it to protect Jerry. The girl's parents are wealthy by the looks of MayJane and Jerry might be arrested if MayJane voices out,"
Meliana scoffed then she said calmly, "I do not care."
"I know that you do."
"So, what do you want me to do about it, do I look like an investigator? You heard what Jerry say some stupid thing that means he did all of that,"
"Come, let's sit. I don't like the sight of you," Ella said as she pulled Meliana to the nearest seat. She was happy that her friend didn't break down in the street, bawling out her eyes at the misfortune, distressing news about her boyfriend.
*******
Lola made sure that she avoided Elizabeth in every possible way. She didn't like whatever questions Elizabeth was asking her. She felt Elizabeth was like a spy sent in to do some investigation. She knew that Matthew was the machinery involved, he was using his sister to get to her.
After the lecture as usual, she and Joseph went to the cafeteria for lunch. They bought hamburgers and cocoa cola drink, taking the empty seats nearest to them.
The seats were constructed furnitures made with ply wood and metals to support them. It was made in form of a coach that could accommodate two persons. A table demarcated the two pairs of the made seats.
As they ate, they chatted on about their current study and the lecturer. They both looked up, startled by the towering figure who had trekked to their seats.
"Am I invited, can I tag in? Looks like some juicy news right here," Matthew said.
His hair was combed backwards that he looked different, he wore a black jacket on brown trousers with black sneakers.
Lola's mouth slightly parted due to the momentary shock. She could recognize his voice even from a distance. Her heart had started pounding again.
What was he doing here? He was here, right in front of Joseph! How was she to explain it to Joseph.
Would Joseph even believe her if she tell a lie. He might probably see and read through her. She tried her best composure as she stared back at Matthew's face.
Joseph turned to look at Matthew then back at Lola who was sitting opposite him. Maybe, Matthew could sit with him and leave out the empty space beside Lola.
"You can sit down with me?" Joseph suggested to Matthew.
"No, I will love to sit right here with this beautiful damsel," Matthew smiled pleasantly as he took his place beside Lola who had shifted to the edge of the seat dramatically.
Jerry turned to Lola, surprised at her act, then he asked, "Do you know him?"
"No, I don't know him," she said instantly, her face drawing out a frown.
Matthew grinned widely, "I knew you will say that. Johnson must have trained you so damn well. I'm intrigued," he leaned in as he said close to her ear, almost like a whisper but Joseph still heard what he said.
Joseph shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he tried to process what was taking place, "Who is Johnson?" He asked no one in particular, looking over at Lola then back at Matthew.
"I believe it's a cousin of hers," Matthew answered.
What was Matthew doing at their table anyway? He didn't bring over any lunch over to their table, was he here to torment her like he always do? Lola's mind screamed.
She wished she could leave, if it weren't for Joseph, she would have left Matthew and never look back. But that would look so disrespectful to Joseph. Joseph had the right to know Matthew anyway. Why did she feel bad if she should spill the truth?
"Don't mind her, Joseph. I'm only a friend of hers. Don't be too shocked," Matthew said.
Joseph's eyes turned on Lola, the question of a stranger knowing his name was in his eyes.
"My name is Matthew by the way, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Matthew beamed, enthralled by the expression on Joseph's face.