Chapter 10: Shine Small

I discharge from hospital that night, find my old phone. Since I sick, I almost cut off from everybody, no wan see anybody. People concern just dey pain me more. So I just change phone, change number, block all friends and fans for my old phone and WhatsApp, leave only Ireti.

My bag no get plenty load—just some wrapper, phone charger, and the old perfume wey I never use for years.

Maybe before, I see Ireti as my only support, my only light for darkness. But now, I no need that light again.

I log in old phone, first block and delete Ireti, comot am from my friend list. Then I find lawyer friend for my contact, ask her to prepare divorce agreement.

The paper drop for my inbox, my mind calm, like say heavy stone comot for chest.

My friend, maybe fear say I go change mind or she don ready before, finish am quick send me: "Chei, this past year we all dey call you, you no dey pick, visit you, you no gree see us, I think say you go spend your life dey drag Ireti."

I collect divorce paper, send am to Ireti email, print some signed copies, laugh: "Abeg, how life go sweet if I go leave whole farm for just one weed?"

The way I type am, my laugh shock even me. E loud for empty room, echo for corridor.

See as I talk. The other side shock. The chat box dey show "typing..." but no message come. Even before I sick and turn loner, I never talk this kain "arrogant talk".

But wetin concern me? After death, I wan live anyhow. All the pain, the bondage, love, wahala, I no wan care again.

I drop divorce agreement for table where person go see am once dem enter house. Nothing else I wan carry. I just hold my old phone, step out from the house wey me and Ireti share before.

The gate creak, moon dey shine, breeze dey cool. I no look back.

I log into my account with fifty million fans wey I never use for over one year. I edit one Facebook post, click send.

"Urgently looking for a new husband: must be fine, sabi talk well, self-disciplined, and get 100% in manly behaviour. 500,000 naira chop money every month, full benefits, first come, first serve."

As I drop phone, NEPA light blink. Even if darkness wan come, my own light don start to shine small.

I post am, drop phone for bag, and for the first time in years, I smile, true smile, like say I get my own sun again.