CHAPTER 2_ Ebele's Chaos
805 Words
The next morning, Chioma woke up to the smell of akara frying in front of her house and the usual Lagos chaos. Kene was already awake, humming softly while tying his shoes. She smiled at him and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Today would be like every other day — she would survive.
Before she could start preparing breakfast, the door suddenly burst open.
“Chiomaa!”
Chioma jumped and almost dropped the plate in her hand.
“Ebele! What is it again?” she groaned, holding her chest. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
Ebele, her best friend from secondary school, walked in like she owned the house. She carried a nylon bag and a bottle of water. Short, loud, dramatic, and impossible to ignore, Ebele had the kind of energy that could turn a funeral into a party.
“Look at your face, Chioma! Na wah! Why your eyes look like NEPA cut light since morning and never bring am back?” she said, dropping her bag.
“I’m tired, Ebs,” Chioma said quietly, trying not to laugh.
“Tired? Na today you start work as cleaner? Wetin happen?” Ebele moved closer and looked at her suspiciously.
Chioma sighed and removed her scarf. “It’s… complicated.”
Ebele rolled her eyes. “Na me you dey speak big grammar for? Abeg talk straight!”
Chioma hesitated. She did not want to talk about seeing Zikora again. But Ebele’s presence made it hard to hide anything.
“It’s Zikora,” she said softly.
Ebele froze.
“Which Zikora?” she asked slowly.
“Zikora Donald… my ex.”
Ebele blinked twice. Then she shouted.
“That useless fine boy wey break your heart? Chineke! Lagos small o!”
Kene looked confused. “Mummy, who is Zikora?”
Chioma forced a smile. “Nobody, baby. Just someone I used to know.”
Ebele sat down heavily. “Chioma oo! That fine boy still dey disturb your life? Abi make I enter your office go play hide and seek with am?” She laughed loudly.
“I’m managing,” Chioma said softly.
“Managing? You dey walk like zombie and you say you dey manage? If na me, I for don faint yesterday! That boy fit hypnotize person with eye!”
Chioma laughed despite herself. The tight feeling in her chest loosened a little.
“Wait,” Ebele said more seriously. “You see am? He talk to you?”
“No.”
“He pretend like he no know you?”
“Yes.”
Ebele whistled. “Better! Make both of una act like strangers. Na so you go survive. That fine boy no get power over you again.”
Chioma smiled faintly.
“But one thing I no understand,” Ebele continued. “After seven years, he still dey angry?”
Chioma looked down. “He thinks I cheated.”
Ebele’s eyes widened. “After seven years? That boy still love you, I swear. Rich people and drama — na five and six!”
Kene looked up again. “Mummy, he was your friend?”
Chioma brushed his hair gently. “He was… someone important before. But it’s over now.”
Ebele smiled at Kene. “Baby, no worry. Aunty Ebs dey here. If anybody stress your mummy, I go fight them.”
Kene laughed shyly. “Okay, aunty Ebs.”
Chioma smiled. “I just wish I could stop thinking about him.”
“Stop that talk!” Ebele said dramatically. “You strong! You survive seven years without am. Lagos life no be small thing. You no weak!”
For the first time that morning, Chioma felt lighter.
“Ebs, you are too much,” she said.
“Yes o! And I proud of am!” Ebele grinned. “If you want, I fit come your office scatter everywhere. That fine boy go confuse!”
Chioma shook her head, laughing. “Please don’t.”
Ebele leaned closer. “Listen. That boy dey watch you. But no let him see say he still affect you. Hold yourself well. You understand?”
Chioma nodded slowly. “I understand.”
“Good! Tomorrow I fit follow you go office small. Make you no fear. You strong pass wetin you think.”
When Kene’s school bus arrived, Ebele insisted on walking him outside.
“Baby, behave yourself for school! Do your homework!”
“Okay, aunty Ebs!” he said, waving.
Chioma watched them and felt grateful. Ebele was loud and dramatic, but she was loyal.
After they left, Chioma sat down quietly.
Today she would go to work.
Mop. Bucket. Floors. Whispers.
And somewhere behind the glass walls of the company, Zikora was watching.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Observing.
Chioma had survived seven years without him.
She would survive today too.
- Writer
