Chapter 7: Halima and Hidden Fires

"Why? No be you like am pass before?"

Halima, wey dey beside me, her eyes just dey shine with small wicked joy. Halima dey short, always tie scarf, her eyes sharp like new blade.

The babe quiet, but if you watch well, you go see fire inside.

She be one quiet classmate.

Her grades just dey manage reach university.

Nobody dey notice her, but she get her own wahala.

For my last life, five years after I marry Tobi, she become his secretary.

The way she enter our life that year, I no fit forget.

That time, she like Tobi—she dey always talk true.

I like you, but that one no concern you.

No fear, I no go disturb you and Anwuli.

The way she talk, you go think say na oath she dey swear.

"I just wan dey your side. To dey look up to you dey enough."

Na those quiet girls dey get strong mind, dem dey plan well.

One day, as I dey work for house, Halima come report to Tobi.

She no gree let anything slide. She dey act loyal, but get her own.

After her confession, Tobi just look her, cold face, no show any emotion.

Tobi sabi bone face—no be today. Nobody fit read him mind.

Then, with cold voice, he just continue talk work.

Na that kind boss wey dey keep work and feelings far.

And me, I just dey hold my coffee, stand for parlour door, no know whether to enter or waka.

I just dey look, dey wonder if na my house I still dey.

All I know be say Tobi no send her away.

He no get time chase people. E dey act mature, but na there wahala start.

He even dey give her chance, make she prove herself.

Sometimes, I go wonder if na pity or na love.

When I ask am, he just answer with vex—

"I see myself for her body. I wan help her."

She no be like you, wey born with everything.

The words choke me. E pain me, but I swallow am.

"Anwuli, abeg stop this your wahala."

Tobi always dey shut down anything wey go bring wahala.

By then, the comments don disappear.

Na so dem vanish—like say dem no want see real married wahala.

Dem just stop when we marry.

I still remember the silence—na so marriage dey mute gist sometimes.

Na after wedding gown, real life begin.