ALMOST UNFIXABLE.

032 - Shutter Speed and Small Talks.

A loud knock came to the bathroom door, bringing me out of my thoughts. I sighed, knowing exactly who it is at the door. And before I could say anything, another bang came to the door, followed by a call for my name.

"Jidenna!" He called me, then banged against the door again. "Jidenna, are you okay? Do you need help? Should I come in?" He asked all in one go.

"I'm fine, Tola," I called back because I knew he wouldn't leave except I give him feedback.

Truth be told, Tola still won't leave even after giving him a response. He was dedicated like that. I can even say, he was more dedicated to me than he was dedicated to anyone else in this house, well... except Kingsley Okojie. He has, of course, been my personal bodyguard since I was a kid.

He was the closest thing to a big brother to me, right now.

And that's saying a lot because I have three blood-related older brothers, including Jideofor. At least I still see Jideofor occasionally. Only God knew where the other two were.

Jidekene was the firstborn and first son of my parents, and nineteen solid years older than I was. I barely knew him, wasn't sure if I'd still recognize him if I saw him.

Apart from the age margin between us, I don't think I ever got to meet him properly. He was schooling out of the country when I was born. When I got older, he only came home once, had a talk with mum, and then left.

I really can't say where he is right now. Same with my second brother, Jidechukwu.

I still have a few vivid memories of him. We used to be close when I was much younger, even with our fifteen years age difference. We were both mum's favorite too. Although he was schooling abroad like Jidekene, Jidechukwu came home quite often. I can remember his last visit. Just like Jidekene, he talked with mum but this one was more heated.

And after that, he left. At first, he'd call to check up on me and mum. But later, he stopped calling altogether. I haven't heard from him in more than ten years.

Jideofor wasn't like the both of them. He was basically Kingsley Okojie's little errand boy. I don't know why he decided to stick with him because if there was anyone who suffered the most at the hands of our father, it was Jideofor. Yet, he still decided to stay and work for the man.

I've never really understood why.

But unlike him, Jidekene and Jidechukwu haven't stepped foot into this house since they left. They never stated their reasons for leaving, at least to me. They just left and never came back...

Not even after mum...

I shook my head to stop myself... and my mind from drifting away... to somewhere unimaginably agonizing. Those dark memories in the deepest, almost unreachable part of my mind. Memories I've kept buried for years.

Come back, Jidenna. Don't think about it. I told myself, taking a deep breath.

I turned off the water from the shower, took my towel from the rack, wrapped it around my waist before I reached out to open the door of the bathroom.

Tola was standing right in front of it, staring right back at me.

Exhaling deeply, I told him. "You don't have to stand in front of my door every time I decide to go into the bathroom." I bypassed him and walked further into my large room.

"You were in there for a long time. I was just trying to make sure you were okay, Jidenna. That's all." He answered me, his baritone voice booming across the room and bouncing on the walls. I sighed, massaging my temple.