CHAPTER ONE — When Paths Collide
1367 Words
“Another shot… please.”
The barman studied Jerry carefully. “Another shot? Look at you — you’re already gone.”
Jerry slid his ID across the counter. “The law says I can drink as much as I want. I’m old enough to decide. Another shot.”
His voice carried more anger than strength.
The barman sighed but poured it anyway. Jerry always paid in full, even on nights like this. He had grown leaner, darker around the eyes — a far cry from the young man who arrived two years ago.
Jerry had shown up on a rainy night carrying two bags and a broken spirit. The Champions League final had been playing, and he cursed his former boss for firing him on a night Arsenal was finally lifting the trophy. He made it in just in time to watch the Gunners win — a perfect distraction from the chaos in his life.
That night, he ordered a drink from Tunji’s bar, and the bond started. Tunji helped him find a small room nearby until he got a place of his own. Ever since, Jerry came in almost every night, drank heavily, smiled drunkenly, and disappeared into the dark.
Tunji glanced at the wall clock. 2:00 a.m.
“It’s late, man. You have to go.”
Jerry pointed at the sign above the door. “24/7 Bar. Always open.”
Tunji instantly regretted naming his bar that, but fuel was expensive, he was running on a generator, and Jerry had overstayed. He grabbed Jerry by the collar just to get him on his feet.
“You have to go.”
Jerry scooped up his wallet. “Fine… fine. I’ll leave. You’ll never see me again.”
Tunji chuckled. “You say that every night. See you tomorrow.”
Jerry stumbled outside into the cold. He reached into his pockets for Emeka’s cigarette pack — the one he had stolen to prove smoking was worse than drinking.
It was gone.
He hated himself. He always did. With drained legs and a tired heart, he sank into a drainage slab.
His pager buzzed violently.
CODE BLUE!!!
Jerry cursed under his breath. Ten minutes. He had barely slept ten minutes. He dragged himself back toward the hospital.
---
Toni loved her life — or at least, everyone thought she did. She swayed in the shower as Nora sat outside listening. Toni’s happiness was loud, bright, impossible to ignore. Nora often wondered what made her sister wake up every day expecting magic.
“Toni?” she called.
“Yes?” Toni answered with a laugh.
Nora shook her head. “It isn’t funny, you know.”
“I know.”
Their parents had left Toni in Nora’s care years ago. Toni was stubborn, bold, full of life. Nora, on the other hand, was quiet, careful, afraid of almost everything. They were opposites, yet inseparable.
When Toni finally came out of the shower, Nora was already dressed for her early morning shift.
“You don’t have to babysit me,” Toni said.
“You say that all the time. Still doesn’t convince me.”
Toni adjusted her sister’s blazer. “Drive safe. It’s too early.”
“I wait till daybreak and my boss will eat my head for breakfast,” Nora said.
Toni laughed. “The head-eating boss.”
Nora picked up her bag. “Your breakfast, lunch, and dinner are ready. I told the maids what to do.”
Toni grinned. “Thank you, Mommy.”
“Take care,” Nora whispered, kissing her cheek before hurrying out.
Toni watched her sister leave, then slipped back into bed for her second sleep of the day.
---
Nora sped through the early morning streets. Lagos was unpredictable — traffic, thugs, potholes. She had once been robbed during a night drive, but nothing could stop her from taking care of Toni.
She arrived at work exhausted.
James passed by her cubicle with his usual half-smile.
“Morning, Nora.”
She blushed. He was part of her daily routine, even though he barely knew it. Toni and James were the two people who lived in her heart rent-free.
Nora survived a long day of customer complaints, snacking with Ehis, and fighting off frustration.
---
Jerry splashed water on his face at the hospital. His head throbbed.
“You’re drunk again,” Emeka said. “Hide before the Director sees you.”
“Cover for me,” Jerry begged.
Emeka nodded. “Sure. But you’re taking my night shift. I have a date.”
Jerry sighed. “Fine.”
“And get a woman, bro. It helps.”
Jerry ignored him and rushed out through the fire exit.
---
Back home, Toni finished lunch but couldn’t sleep. She read a novel until her phone rang.
Nora.
“I'm eating well,” Toni reported quickly.
Nora exhaled. “Good. And James is fine. I saw him this morning.”
Toni smiled knowingly. “So… when are you coming home?”
“I’m waiting for James to resume night shift,” Nora confessed.
“Your life is messy,” Toni teased.
“I know.”
They hung up, and Toni stepped out for her evening walk. She loved the breeze, the freedom, the silence. But she also hid fears no one saw.
When the sky darkened and rain poured, she dashed into the nearest pub — Tunji’s bar.
“Water,” she said, dripping wet.
Tunji blinked. “Water?”
“Yes. You sell that, don’t you?”
Jerry walked in moments later, soaked from exhaustion, not rain.
“Tunji, whisky,” he ordered.
He noticed Toni. “Why lie? You want beer.”
Toni ignored him.
“You shouldn’t ignore a gentleman,” Jerry tried again.
“She’s not ignoring you, you’re disturbing her,” Tunji muttered.
Jerry leaned closer. “Want to go home with me? I don’t usually do this, but I don’t think you’ll charge much—”
“Jerry, right?” Toni turned sharply.
Jerry brightened. “Yes.”
“Bad way to start a conversation,” she said calmly. “Try again next time.”
He blinked. “My name is Jerry.”
“You said that already.” She stood to leave.
“Don’t I get your name?”
“Not after this. Maybe another day.” She dropped money on the counter.
“Tomorrow never comes!” Jerry shouted as she reached the door.
Toni smiled. “I’ll take my chances.”
Tunji raised an eyebrow. “Who was that guy?”
Jerry sighed. “Never seen myself act like that.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing.”
Jerry waved him off. “More whisky.”
---
Later that night, James finally arrived at work.
“Nora, why are you still here? Your shift ended long ago.”
She pretended to shrug casually. “Just relaxing.”
He smiled. “Funny how your relaxation time matches my arrival every day.”
“James!” she scolded shyly.
“Want to hang out tomorrow night?” he asked suddenly.
Her heart jumped. “Um… sure.”
She left before her courage failed her.
---
At home, Nora stepped out of the car nervously.
Toni rushed toward her. “Hey!”
“James asked me out,” Nora blurted.
Toni grinned. “Finally!”
“It’s tomorrow night…”
Toni paused, then forced a smile. “Cool.”
Nora frowned. “You? Alone?”
“Are you home with me during the day?” Toni retorted. “Relax.”
Inside, Toni rummaged through the shopping bag. “I want the Amber wig.”
Nora smiled weakly as she followed her inside. Life had not turned out the way it was supposed to — not for either of them.
---
At the hospital, the Director stormed toward Jerry.
“I called a Code Blue! Where were you?”
Jerry trembled. “Sir… I was—”
“Probably drunk!” the Director snapped. “You’ll do an alcohol test. If you fail, your license is gone.”
He walked away.
Jerry turned to Emeka. “What happened?”
“You… you lost your second patient today.”
---
- Writer
