The video showed Adunni making noodles in nothing but an apron, and she was dancing to the song playing in the background.
When I saw the video, my first thought was, ‘who recorded this video, and why is it on Twitter?’ What is to be judged when someone dances naked in what should be a safe haven.
I am more concerned about the malicious intentions of whoever recorded and posted it.
Adunni is a good girl, and something like this should not be happening to her.
Adunni didn’t come to class that Thursday, and neither did Sharon. I can’t say I blame her. If it were me? I would hide out in my room or even go home. I would be so embarrassed.
I heard from my guys that evening, they said the rumour was that she got in a fight with Sharon and Sharon uploaded it as payback. There were rumours that this was all for man.
That is unbelievable because I can’t think of a reason why Sharon would betray her best friend like this.
Even for man!
The next days were disturbingly exciting, mostly because nothing like this had ever happened before. I don’t mean there were never nude or sex videos. But none of it has ever made it to twitter.
Twitter!, the haven of the inappropriate and disgruntled.
Even though the original post was taken down, the video has already circulated through school.
I came into class the next day to find people in groups, all discussing the central issue that reverberated through school.
Adunni’s scandal!.
Each group with their own opinion trying to lord it over others in loud voices, as if the strength of their vocal cords would make it all the more legitimate.
Some disapproved of her, they smiled in disdain and whispered about how one could never truly know another person.
They kept saying things like “Who would have thought that Adunni cooks naked” and “If she didn’t want it publicized, then why did she do it.”
You could hear the condescension in their voices. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought Adunni killed someone.
Hypocrites!!!
There were those creeps, the ones who downloaded it, watching it over and over. Analyzing it and laughing over it, as if it was a matter to be discussed lightly.
Then there were the conspiracy theorists. Those ones believed the video was recorded by a hidden camera placed in all our dormitories by the school administration. That they leaked the video to warn everyone and shame us into submission.
Finally, some shook their heads, talking about what a pity it was, and how her life is over. After all, how does one come back from this!!!
For the first time in my life, I didn’t want to have an opinion and didn’t want anyone else to have one too. I just wanted Adunni to be okay because what is happening to her is not right. Nobody deserves to be a spectacle that anyone comments on with their half-baked, pitiful or malicious words.
The class stayed the same until Adunni walked in. It was like a wave blew through. Everyone spoke in hushed whispers, as if afraid that even a loud word would frighten Adunni to tears.
Adunni came to class that day and every day for the next week. It was as if what was happening was not happening to her. I could see how uncomfortable it made her, but she kept her head up like she was beneath all the gossip and pity.
Good!!!
Even if it’s all a pretense, good!
Now is not the time for her to breakdown, to cry or fall apart. And she is doing an excellent job, the only difference is that she stopped talking, even to Chuks and Sharon.
Maybe there is something real about the rumours. But what do I know? It’s not like I’m some kind of detective.
I heard that Adunni and Chuks broke up. Turns out, he was so embarrassed to have his girlfriend’s nudes on the internet. Can I blame him?
Yes.
This is not about him. This is not about his little feelings or embarrassment. This is not something happening to him. This is about his girlfriend’s privacy being violated, and he should man-up.
Well there goes true love!
Maybe their break-up was a good thing, but it will not feel that way to Adunni right now.
Sharon hasn’t been to class since the incident.
Like she’s hiding, why is she the one hiding?
This reaffirms my belief that there must be some truth to the rumours.
It’s Thursday again.
I haven’t spoken to Adunni since it happened. I am just as bad as the others. But what do I say to her?
“I’m sorry this is happening to you,” or “Don’t worry, it’s not your fault,” or “This will blow over soon.”
None of it seems adequate or less triggering, so I have said nothing. But even saying nothing makes me feel guilty. So I stop her after class;
“Adunni, I’m sorry this is happening to you,” I said
“Not you too. Please don’t, don’t tell me sorry” she replied
“Okay, agreed. What do you need?”
“What?” She asked, looking confused.
“Tell me what you need,” I repeated. She smiled. It was the first time I had seen her smile all week.
“Do you want to know what happened?” she asked.
Is she kidding? Of course, I want to know. My curious mind can’t stand not knowing, but now is not the time. Now is the time to be a friend. So instead of saying yes, which is at the tip of my tongue, I say;
“Whenever you are ready.”
“There’s going to be a disciplinary panel tomorrow. Can you come with me? I’m so ashamed,” then she broke down in tears.
Soft, heart-wrenching sounds with shudders.
I let her cry because she needed to let it all out before it eats her up.
“I will come with you, but you have nothing to be ashamed of, you did nothing wrong, and that’s what you will tell them.”
“Thank you. I will tell you everything tomorrow,” she promised.
Author’s corner
let me know if you like my story
Definitely Fiction 