All Chapters of LOOM OF THORNS : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

MARY’S POV"The spiritual man judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." (1 Corinthians 2:15)The air in the room was thick with the scent of cheap air freshener and disinfectant; the heat of five bodies packed into a space meant for two hung in the air. I sat at the head of the circle, my Bible open to the Book of Proverbs. My phone vibrated continuously inside my denim skirt pocket.I didn't flinch. I kept my eyes closed, my lips moving in a silent, rehearsed prayer, but my mind was miles away, standing under a Neem tree. I could still feel the rush of power I’d felt when I called Rebecca a harlot. It had felt better than any sermon I’d ever preached.For years, I had been the "Senior" in the Choir department. I had put in the hours, memorized the scriptures, composed the songs, and read my books. But then came Rebecca. The "quiet" girl who didn't even try to be a star, yet the lecturers spoke her name with reverence. I re

BECCA’S POVThe night in the Elite Hostel hadn't been the scandal the campus imagined. There was no sin, only a heavy silence. The fluorescent light flickered overhead, humming a low, irritating tune that matched the headache blooming in my head. I sat up, the "KING’S COURT" logo on my chest feeling like a brand of iron.Across the room, Josh was a shadow against the morning light. He looked smaller. The "business alliance," the "lost drive," and Ada’s venom had stripped away the gold leaf of his reputation."Becca?" his voice was raspy, tentative.I didn't look at him. I reached for my bag, my fingers brushing the Bible I’d clutched all night. "Don't, Josh. The sun is up, let's prepare for school. If it's not about the drive, we have nothing to discuss."I showered and stepped out to find a shopping bag containing two dresses and underwear. I felt a flush of shock and deep embarrassment. I dressed quickly, realizing he&rsqu

JOSH’S POVThe afternoon sun was a relentless, blinding glare off the hood of the silver Lexus. I didn’t even have the engine off before Ada was there. I didn’t bother turning off the Lexus. The engine hummed—a low, mechanical snarl that matched the look in my eyes as Ada blocked my path. She was dressed in a blazer that cost more than our tuition, her arms crossed, her eyes two chips of cold obsidian. She didn’t look like the acclaimed "Queen of NUAT" today; even though she wore expensive articles of clothing, she looked hastily put together.Under the hot Abeokuta sun, Ada was sweating and panting."You’re late for the Budget Committee, Joshua," she said, her voice with you a touch of silky malice. "But I suppose the 'virgin' is a time-consuming hobby."I just stared at her."You said she wasn't your type!" She raised her voice a few decibels. "You abandoned me for that 'thing'!" Her eyes were red and watery with unshed tears."Point of correction, Becca's not a thing!""You’re real

JOSH’S POVThe drive to the abandoned Works Department was suffocating. My knuckles were white as I gripped the steering wheel, my eyes darting to Becca every few seconds. The "King" was gone; in his place was a man terrified of the silence between them."Becca, please," I whispered as we pulled into the overgrown lot behind the abandoned building. "Stay in the car. I’ll go in. I’ll tell them I have it. I’ll lead them away. Just... take the car and drive to the police station in town. Don't look back.""I can't even drive" Becca mumbled to herself. She didn't look at me. She was staring at the small, silver USB drive on the dashboard."You’ve lied enough for both of us, Joshua," she said, her voice like cold marble. "Now it’s my turn. But I’m not doing it for power. I’m doing it so we don't end up as corpse or dropouts when the Vice-chancellor starts dealing with us for your folly.""Becca, I love you," I blurted out. The words hit the windshield and bounced back, unacknowledged. "I d

BECCA’S POVThe bus arrived at the bus stop, Josh said this was a village called "Ẹ̀lẹ̀gun mẹfa" which literally means the tree with six branches, named after a huge tree with six branches in the centre of the little village.We both walked into the village. Josh carrying our luggage and I was holding on to the Packed Ofada rice and Ayamase sauce in the polythene bag. Of course we attract curious stares and weird glances, we greeted people as we went with Josh leading the way. I saw lots of kids scantily dressed, playing with the sand, looking dirty but very contented. I saw women under a thatched shed frying Garri, some sweating heavily while pounding cassava.... they all look contented; I envy them.As we got closer to the African Baptist church, which was the only church in the village, we were stopped by an old man probably in his late sixties, who demanded to know the purpose of our visit. Josh greeted him while prostrating, while I went on my knees,