The phone that  Gina stole from her lecturer’s office was an iphone 14 pro. She was convinced that if she sold the phone, she would be able to take care of her birthday expenses. She decided to meet Iyabo to get information on how to plan the birthday.

” Why do you want to  host a birthday party,” Iyabo asked her.

“I want to host a birthday party because I am a human being. Another is that you don’t have 2 heads. If you can do it, I can do it too,” Gina boasted.

” Take it easy please. I didn’t mean to upset you but I must confess that I don’t understand how you are acting these days,” Iyabo told her.

“How I’m I acting?” Gina asked in anger.

“First, the kind of attitude you displayed on my birthday was uncalled for. I didn’t expect that from you. Now, you are asking how much an event hall costs. Why can’t you use the money for better things? I have been secretly admiring you and mercy’s lifestyles. “

“Thank you, Mrs. admirer. If you truly admire our lifestyle, why have you not been living that way? You host a party every year and throw money around?”

“Gina, whenever you see any action, try to find out the reason behind it. The birthday party I host every year is not my money. My siblings are the ones coordinating it.”

“Iyabo you are telling lies. Do you think that I am a baby ,”  Gina snapped.

“I have no reason to tell  you lies.  You are not older than me. You are not richer than me. Even academically, I don’t think that you are brighter than me.So why should I tell  lies to impress you?”

“Alright, why are your siblings hosting birthday parties for you? Is it that your family loves parties or they don’t know what to do with money?” Gina asked in a mockery tone.

“You are wrong.  My birthday celebration is meant to heal our broken hearts. My birthday used to be a very sad day in my family. The reason was that my mother died while giving birth to me. My father was always crying on my birthdays. Because of that, I got used to the fact that my birthday was a day of mourning. Anything that concerns celebration was out of it. People tried to encourage my father to marry another wife but he refused.  As years go by, my siblings decided that things cannot remain like that. Their argument was that though something bad happened on that day, something good also happened.  When they told me of their plans, I did not agree because I had already  gotten used to  not celebrating my birthday. But they forced me to do it. After that year, it became a tradition in my family.  Every member of my family was watching  what was happening at that birthday party.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Even Rose also  has a reason  for  always hosting a birthday party each year. She is a YouTuber and videos give her money. So when she  shoots videos, showing off expensive lifestyle, it goes viral and money flows into her bank account. When some people see such things, they  are carried away. Some will go into prostitution or even steal just to get me up. At the end, vanity upon vanity ends up in vanity. Birthday celebrations are nice. You can spend money on it, if you have one. But I don’t think that students should engage in such frivolities”

“Ha! I wish you had told me this before now. Things have already spoiled,” Gina cried out.

“What are you talking about?” Iyabo asked, with great concern.

*************

Mercy was reading inside her room when she heard a knock on the door. She opened the door and saw her lecturer, course rep and a policeman.  She greeted them and was waiting to know their reason for the visit.

“What about Gina , your friend.?” Her course rep asked.

“Gina is not around. I hope that all is well?”

“Gina stole our lecturer’s phone. We are here  to recover the phone,” the course rep informed her.

“There must be a mistake. Gina, my friend , cannot not steal ,” Mercy said firmly.

“Young lady, step aside. We are not here for you. Produce your friend. Or else, we will take you to the police station. ” The policeman told mercy.

“Sir, I am not afraid of wherever you want to take me to. All that I am saying is that Gina is not capable of doing what you  accused her of,” Mercy maintained.

Iyabo and Gina heard the voices and decided to go out and  see what was going on.

Immediately the course rep saw her, he ran and held her.

“What is the meaning of this nonsense?” Gina asked in anger.

“Shut up your mouth criminal. Go and bring out the phone that you stole . Before you start telling lies, just know that CCTV captured you, ” the course rep told her.

” Don’t mind them. I have told them that you cannot steal.  I don’t understand what is going on here but God will give us victory. Let me call the fellowship president on phone,” Mercy said, trying to comfort Gina

“Mercy, don’t call anyone . I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m sorry that  I betrayed your trust. I stole the phone.  I wanted to sell it and make money  for the birthday celebration”

“Gina tell me that you are joking,” Mercy cried in pain.

” No, I am not joking. I did it.” Gina broke down in tears .

“Hypocrite. After carrying the bible around and deceiving people, see the result,” the course rep mocked her.

The police man ordered her to go and bring out the phone. They later handcuffed her and started leading  her to the  police station.

“Gina, the happening babe. You have really started happening. ” Rose mocked.

Bitter tears filled Gina’s eyes as they led her out .

The end.