THE NAIJA HUSTLE

TWELVE

We finally got to the building, I noticed that Sniper was holding a bag. I was suspicious because I remembered Sniper staying behind while myself, Viper and another guy who I didn't know his name yet, went to the car. He said he had some business to take care of first.

When got inside the building, Sniper set the bag down on the floor and started unzipping it. Dear readers is it weird that I expected to see a human head, Rambo's head in particular. I took a deep breath in expecting the worst. I closed my eyes and tried to be ready but when he opened it I saw money, a bundle of hundred dollar bills.

He shared the money, I got three thousand dollars out of it . Wow I felt in top of the world "Omo I don blow" I said myself. Shortly after sharing the money I was told to go home but I was back to my original problem I didn't know how to get home.

Sniper offered to take me home in his car but that mean't I had to wait for him finish what he was doing with the others. They didn't allow me staying with them saying 'the grown up's needed to talk' whatever they meant be that.

I didn't have to wait for long. Sniper was down from their little fast. Then told me to enter the car but not front seat. I found this strange but what was I really expecting from a guy who offered people blood to initiate them into his group. I explained the way I walked to the building from the little I was able to remember and he found my house which such accuracy that I realised that if I messed up in anyway I was not safe.

I entered my compound, darkness spread through out. The only source of light was the yellow bulb hanging outside the land lords house and a torch light flashing towards my direction. I heard giggles and voices. Ahh I knew that laugh anywhere and I was annoyed that I still recognized it. I walked towards our room and saw Njideka and Chinedu sitting outside just infront of our room. She stood up immediately she noticed me and asked " Chidi where have you been, we have all been worried". I didn't want to talk to this woman so I just shoved her and made my way to the door but a hand grabbed my right wrist. I turned and punched Chinedu and walked inside the room.

                                 ***

When things get difficult
What do you do
Seriously I really need to know
Because I have no idea

CHINEDU

I held my face and felt a liquid substance coming from my nose, for Chidi's sake it better be catarrh and not what I'm thinking if not hmm. I wiped my nose and brought down my hand down, then I pointed the torch to my hand and I saw blood. "Chidi, I swear I will kill you" I said and was about to go and give Chidi the beating of his life when Njideka held my hand.

"Just leave him, maybe he had a bad day" she said. "Wow you still love him?" I asked. She didn't answer instead she walked away. I wanted to run after her but if there is anything I've learnt in life, is that once needs space believe me she needs space if not whatever happens well let's just say you won't like it.

I stayed outside for a while thinking about the past few weeks. I had really been through alot, I even became a potential father wow that was still difficult to process and I knew I wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility. I thought about Emeka and how he has been quiet since yesterday like he saw something that really disturbed him, then my mind drifted to Chidi and how he has been acting strange since we left Mr James' house well that was his business I finally decided as I had bigger fish to fry.

Still in my thoughts I remembered that I plans with Sylvia to elope but of course I couldn't tell my friends instead I needed to find a way to leave without them noticing. I believe the whole arrangement was going to be easy because Sylvia had bought a phone for me to communicate with her when needed. With that thought mind I went to sleep.

The next morning when I woke up, I noticed I was the only one in the room. "Omo this is the best opportunity I have to call this woman" I thought to myself. The room smelt like Dettol soap and Axe body spray so I knew the guys had theit baths which mean they went out and were not coming back soon. I thought about the fact that they may have gone out together and left me but I didn't dwell on it for long, I had more important things to think about.

I quckily went to my bag and brought out a nylon bag which I used to Wrap the phone. I called the only number on the phone which ofcourse was Sylvia's because she bought the phone and put her number. I dialed the number and it rang, she picked it almost immediately which made me happy because I believed she missed me.

Silvia: Hello Chinedu
Chinedu: Hello, ahah baby how did you know it was me
Sylvia: I bought the voice remember? (she said in a harsh voice)
Chinedu: Ow okay, ehm please I wanted to ask if our place is still in place.
Syliva: which plan?
Chinedu: I mean the plan about out child na?

Then she cut the call without even responding to my question. Something was not right "Isn't this the same woman who was showering me with so much love, promising that we will grow old together. Or did I go and call the wrong person. I tried calling again but all I heard was a woman's voice telling me " The number you are calling is currently not available please try again later, thank you".

( dear readers tell me. Is there anything more annoying than hearing that anytime you want to make an important call?)

I didn't know what to do. She was my ticket to leave poverty but now she was acting hostile to me. I made up my mind to go to her house and confront her. I quckily had my bath, got dressed and sprayed the best perfume in the room which was actually Chidi's, I mean he wouldn't know right and made my way to Sylvia's house.

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