Chapter 8: Terms and Small Victories

Sani na real street boy. Even when he dey with Amina, he still dey toast girls everywhere, no send anybody.

From the way he dey walk for school, you go know say him get girls for every corner. All the junior girls dey greet am, dey hope for chance.

But the day he confess to me, I tell am:

My mind dey made up that day. I talk with all my heart.

“I go be your babe.”

I no waste time. Na my answer straight.

“But, you no go dey near any other girl except me.”

I add am quick. Na my own boundary be that. I no go gree share my own joy.

Sani just agree sharp sharp.

He smile, nod, promise with hand on chest. E shock me small, but I gree.

But he still dey kiss fine girls for field, him okada back seat always get another babe.

I dey see dem, but I dey act like say I no see. I no wan fight, I no wan beg.

I just close my eye, pretend say I no see, close my ear, pretend say I no hear.

Na the only way wey I fit get peace. I dey protect my small joy.

Because I no get any power to talk.

My own voice small, I no wan lose wetin I get. But pain dey my chest.

Till that day for internet café, I realize say I get.

As I dey see Sani dey do anyhow for café, my spirit vex. For the first time, I carry my bag waka out. E shock am.

I no talk about am again, but any time he dey near another girl, I no talk—I just carry my bag go reading room.

That day mark new beginning. I dey do my own, dey ignore am. The power shift small.

Then, for the next class ranking, I go quietly climb up.

My name enter top five. Teachers dey clap, Amina dey squeeze face.

So Sani gree.

He begin respect himself, dey avoid girls. The whole school notice. Even Amina dey ask question.

He start to avoid every girl, even Amina.

He dey carry himself like say na me and am alone for this world. My mind rest small.

And me, I make sure say I dey last for the result sheet.

Na my own small sacrifice be that. I dey help am, as e help me.

Sani best, finest days finally belong to me alone—completely.

Na that time I enjoy pass. My own Sani, my own time.

I dey very satisfied.

Peace dey my mind. I dey count my blessings. For this world, e rare.