WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING.

EPISODE 24:CLOSURE

That morning, I had made ginger tea. It soothed my nerves, not because I wanted to impress anyone. I have to feel rooted. My living room was set up flawlessly by 5:00 p.m. I was sitting in the recliner where I had read bedtime stories to Oyinye, wearing a simple white shirt and dark trousers. There was no elaborate staging or forced grins. She was spending the night with my neighbour. Emeka was en route.

Chike arrived first. He stepped in like he owned the place, as if nothing had ever happened. He wore a crisp native outfit and his usual smug smile, but even he could feel the tension in the air. His eyes darted toward the dining table where I had placed water and nothing else. No welcome. No pleasantries. Just space. “Amaka,” he said, sliding into the seat across from me. I didn’t r