13
1320 Words
MIKE
After one hour of playing football with my friends outside, I felt alive again.
The banter, the insults, the loud afrobeat songs playing, Vincent trying to play, dribbling everyone but failing to score any goal everything was loud and chaotic in the best way. Sweat clung to my skin, the sun was too much, and my legs protested every extra sprint, but I welcomed it. Physical exhaustion had a way of quieting the parts of my mind that refused to rest.
I bent over, hands on my knees, breathing hard.
“Guy,you’ve gotten weak o, just this small thing you played, you’re already sitting down like a woman,” Tunde said, throwing me a bottle of water.
I caught it easily and twisted the cap open. “Abeg, leave me o.”
“See am,” another one laughed. “He don add finish, this abroad wey you go Dey good for your body .”
They weren’t wrong. But I liked the way I looked now, I’m not as skinny as I used to be.
I drank deeply, cold water sliding down my throat, then straightened up. My body felt lighter. My head got clearer.
Almost.
Because the moment the noise settled, my mind returned to the fact that I really still have a long way to go before leading the company. Maybe I should’ve started mine.
I brought up my phone to check the time and I saw that I had gotten a message from her.
Aida.
Hmm, so she replied, I didn’t fight the smile this time. I let it sit there. I remembered the way she’d held my phone when I asked for her number. The brief hesitation. Before quickly putting her number and rushing out of the office building, I didn’t blame her, why wouldn’t she be scared of that scarecrow she calls a boyfriend . I knew she was someone’s property.
But the way she carried herself didn’t feel owned. It felt guarded. Like someone protecting something already bruised.
And the man who claimed her? He wasn’t handling her well. Anyone with eyes could see that.
I wasn’t trying to be a hero. I didn’t see myself as one. But I knew what I was capable of.
“Mike, we’re going to that popular akara and pap joint around that island side, do you want to join us?It'll be fun.”
I waved them off, grabbed my bag, and headed to my car.
The drive home was quiet. I rolled the windows down, letting the morning air cool my skin. The road was free because it was still early, but you could see food vendors and provision store owners opening their stores and spreading out their goods for display; the city was still waking up.
By the time I pulled into the compound, my muscles were tight but relaxed. The gate opened, I parked, and the moment I stepped inside, I heard her voice.
“Mike!”
I barely had time to drop my bag before my sister appeared in the hallway, arms folded, eyes sharp.
“Oh my God you reek of sweat and what in the world is that awful smell” she asked.
I grinned. “Good morning to you too, Amaka.”
She walked around me slowly, inspecting. “Football?”
“Yes.”
She clicked her tongue. “You’re too big for this thing, are you sure you can still run around?.”
I laughed “ you can’t be serious”
“Brother you are big but it’s good Sha so that you’ll lose weight”
“Who told you I wanted to lose weight” I queried
“You don’t need to tell me, I’ve got eyes and I can see that you need the exercise”
I seemed to have forgotten how savage my sister was
“Don’t worry, once you get to my age, you’re gonna be bigger than this”
“God forbid” she said loudly, squeezing her face in disgust
“I’d never want to be like you”
“Nigga I don’t think I’m that big, omo leave me alone let me go and freshen up” I had to end the convo cause if I continue with her, she was going to bring up new insecurities about my body that I didn’t know I had
“ Mum called. She said you didn’t return her call.”
I sighed. “I’ll call her back.”
She squinted at me. “You’re smiling.”
“So?”
“So you only smile like that when you’ve got something, won something, ate something or someone new is in your life.”
I laughed, stepping past her. “Stop reading meanings into my face.”
She followed me into my room. “Is it a girl?”
“No.”
She gasped dramatically. “Liar.”
I tossed my keys onto the dresser and started peeling off my shirt. “You watch too many romance movies.”
“ Actually I read more than I watch, sooo” She sat on my bed, watching me. “If it’s a girl, I hope she’s pretty.”
“Relax.”
“And very intelligent.” She looked up to face me “I don’t want all these girls that thing with their nyash”
I paused, glanced at her. She raised a brow.
“Mike.”
“I said relax, it’s not that serious, I promise you”
She studied me for a moment, then smiled. “Coming from someone that’s blushing cause of a text”
“Get out of my room.”
She laughed and stood. “Breakfast is almost ready. Don’t forget you still owe me gist.”
“Byebyeeee, Inspector.”
She blew me a kiss and left.
I shook my head, smiling to myself.
After a quick shower, I dressed in simple grey joggers and a clean black T-shirt. I sat on the edge of the bed, towel still around my neck, phone in hand.
Her name stared back at me.
Aida: yes I got home safe, thanks for asking
I didn’t rush. Some things were better done slowly.
Finally, I typed.
Mike: You didn’t reply to my message last night, it seems like you were too tired and slept off.
I placed the phone face-down, why was I acting like this?
It buzzed.
I picked it up immediately.
Aida: Yes. Thank you for asking, yesterday was too stressful for me..
I smiled.
Mike: Were you able to eat something at least?..
Aida: I made noodles😪
Mike: As in indomie?
Aida: 😂😂yes indomie, what’s wrong with it
Mike: Didn’t your mummy tell you about how cancerous it is, plus I didn’t take you for a light eater
Aida: I talk am, was it the size of my stomach that gave it away?😂😂
Mike: Not really I didn’t notice it, but I think the size of your head did give me a lil hint.
Aida: 😂😂you’re not serious, please leave my head alone
Mike: You survived though. That’s what matters.
Aida: Survived what
Mike: Survived a long day, bad traffic, and still chose Indomie. You’re tougher than you look.
Aida: I didn’t know you were this funny
I leaned back against the bed, fingers hovering.
Mike: Anything for milady and besides It’s not written on my face.
A pause.
Then
Aida: I’m a little busy now. Can I text you later?.
That message came out of nowhere but I didn’t want to push so I allowed it
Mike : Yeah you can .
I frowned slightly. That response carried more weight than it should have.
Something was wrong.
I didn’t know what yet. I didn’t need to. I could feel it the way her warmth dimmed too quickly,
I hoped I was imagining things.
And for the first time since I met her, I felt something settle deep in my chest.
Concern.
- Writer
