Habib was sitting on the verandah looking lost. He was oblivious to the repeated horn of a car at the gate. The guilt of betraying Salamat and tarnishing her family's image was eating him up. He couldn't figure out who could have done such a thing. It was someone close to him. Someone who knows him well and knows his phone password. And that person would either be his twin sister or one of his foolish friends. Who could it be among my friends? he thought to himself. Could it be Damola or Tunji? He stood up to go out again when his father drove into the compound. His father, Mr. Ladi is a business tycoon who has been away for 2 weeks on a business trip. He came out of his car with a briefcase and Habib approached him and collected the briefcase. "Welcome dad, how was your trip?" "Fine thank you, my boy", he answered. Mr. Ladi was a reserved, calm, and well-cultured man even though he was strict when it comes to morality. He was an indigene of Kogi state just like his wife. He was a good-looking man with a deep baritone voice. Mr. Ladi was also fair in complexion and heavily built. He celebrated his 50th birthday a month ago and he was highly respected and feared by his family especially Habib and Habibah. Mr. Ladi and his son entered the house and noticing the silence that greeted him, he asked, "Boy where is your mother and sister?" "Mum is still in the shop I guess and I haven't set my eyes on Habibah since yesterday" he replied, happy that his father asked. This is an opportunity to punish that evil girl for her atrocities, he thought to himself with a smile. "What? Since yesterday? Where the hell is she?" "I have no idea sir", Habib shrugged. "And why is your mother not back by this time", he said looking at his wristwatch. "It's almost 7 p.m. What rubbish! Call your mum's number and that of your sister and ask them to come home immediately", he commanded. "Yes sir", he said and dialed his mum's number and quickly told her about his father's arrival. He tried his sister's number but it was unreachable. After the call, he told his father that his mother was already on her way while Habibah's phone was not connecting. Twenty minutes later, his mother arrived and hugged her husband. He returned the hug coldly and asked her where her daughter was. "Ah...ah Habib, where is your sister?", she questioned her son. "I have no idea mum", Habib replied. "How will you say you don't know, are you not supposed to be monitoring your sister's movement?", his mother asked. "Mummy, you and I know that's not possible because your daughter is a strong head. The last time I saw her was yesterday after our little quarrel", he replied to his mum. "What quarrel again?", asked his father. "Dad, you won't believe what that girl did", Habib stated happily, at the opportunity of revealing his sister's evil deeds. "I am sure it is nothing serious, it should be one of their silly misunderstandings", the mother defended. "That girl will have to face me when she's back and for you", Mr. Ladi said pointing at his wife angrily. ".....you are to be blamed for whatever happens. Just two weeks of being away from home and you can't take care of your children and the house." "But......" "Don't but me, the whole house is in a mess. Besides, where is the gateman?" "Gateman?", she asked, scratching her head. "Habib, where is that stupid gateman?", she faced her son. "I didn't even notice his absence." Habib refused to answer. "Why will you when all you care about is to dress gorgeously for occasions that doesn't concern you. I had to come down from the car to open the gate myself." "Habib, why were you not in the shop today?", she asked her son, changing the topic. "Sorry mummy, I was on my way to your shop when I saw your daughter's evil work so I had to go somewhere to make amends because I am also involved", Habib explained. "What evil work?", both husband and wife chorused out of curiosity. "Mummy, do you still remember Salamat, my friend?", he inquired, facing his mum. He explained everything to his parents while his mother eyed him, obviously aware of the situation. His father listened attentively and exclaimed with surprise at the end of his story "What?!" "But how did you know your sister is responsible for this?", he asked his son. "I know what that girl is capable of doing because she despises Salamat", Habib responded. "Really?", his father asked and turned to face his wife who looked elsewhere. He looked back at his son and asked, "Does she knows about this?", referring to his wife. "It's obvious that she is aware", answered Habib. "I am not in support of his friendship with that girl because she is no good for him. That girl is not responsible and your being friends with her will do you no good but tarnish the image of this family." "Mummy, why are you saying all these? I thought you liked her." "Yes, I used to but not anymore", she replied to her son, defiantly. "Why are you insisting that she is not responsible", said her husband resting his head, already tired of the conversation. "Because she is a whore." "What?", Habib and his father exclaimed. "Yes, she is. She is not as innocent as you think she is and this foolish boy is obviously in love with her." "Do you know the meaning of what you are saying?", Mr. Ladi demanded. "Don't say what you are not so sure of." Mrs. Ladi scoffed. "A responsible girl won't be seen in a hotel with a man old enough to be her father." "What are you talking about mum?", Habib asked with a perplexed look. "Your so-called friend was seen with a man in a hotel a few weeks ago. Habibah has the evidence that's why I stopped liking her." Mr. Ladi sighed loudly. "It's better you stop relating with her with all your mother has said." "That girl was not raped. She only said that to cover up for her waywardness", his mother added. "That's serious... anyways I need to go and rest. Try and forget her and concentrate on your studies, my boy. What's meant to be will be. Also let me know when your sister is back, she deserves to be punished." He said and left to his room. "I can't believe Salamat can do a thing like this..... I trust her, it's unbelievable", Habib lamented. "Foolish boy, I know you won't believe me. It's left to you. Don't just tarnish our image and I don't want to ever see you with that girl again", his mother said, picked up her bag, and left. "Oh, God! What's happening? Is this true? I am seriously disappointed......I never knew I have been wasting my time all this while. So Salamat is wayward and she has been claiming innocent." His phone beeped and a message came in. It was a message from his sister, he read the message and hissed. He laid on the couch placing his hand behind his head with different thoughts running through his mind.