Chapter 9: Forward Ever

He come with him guys.

Dem dey make noise, dey shout, dey form big boys. E dey act like say e no see me.

Amaka dey too.

She dey follow dem, her weave dey long, nails red. I dey dodge eye, dey pray make them no notice me.

Segun hold one babe bag for hand, the other arm dey around Amaka as dem dey back of group.

Dem dey pose like couple for Instagram. Amaka dey giggle, Segun dey whisper for her ear.

Every small time, Amaka go talk, Segun go bend down listen.

E dey smile, dey touch her hand. I dey remember say, with me, e no dey do that one.

Unlike with me—Segun always tall pass me, dey grow. Any time I dey with am, na jump I dey jump to talk to am.

I dey try stand tiptoe, dey reason say one day e go bend. But for Amaka, e dey stoop, dey laugh.

E mean say, for who him really like, he go bend down by himself.

The truth heavy, but I accept am. No be everybody be your own person.

I take deep breath, tell myself make I get pride.

I dey adjust scarf, dey lift chin, dey walk with small confidence. I dey tell myself, 'Sade, you strong.'

Wetin e dey do no concern me. If I keep dey think am, na myself I dey wound.

I dey sing small song for mind, dey count steps. I no wan let old feeling spoil my journey.

But na only one road lead to boarding gate. I just dey follow dem from back.

I dey slow my pace, dey wish say I fit vanish. But airport no get backdoor.

Finally, we reach where road divide.

My heart dey beat, I dey pray say make e no look back. I dey ready to hide face.

Segun look distracted, dey call number wey no go, dey press phone since.

E dey tap screen, dey curse. I dey watch from corner, dey try blend with wall.

Last last, e borrow friend phone, face change, enter toilet.

E dey run, dey act like say e dey chase money call. I dey breathe small relief.

No too long, my phone ring—na strange number.

As I see number, I know say na Segun. E get way e dey force connection. My hand dey shake as I pick.

"Sade, you really get strong mind this time. If I no find you, you no go find me abi? You even block me? If you get mind, no ever contact me again. When you reach university for Abuja, you no go know anybody—make I see who go help you!"

E dey shout, voice sharp like blade. I dey hold phone far, dey look sky, dey pray make call end.

Segun dey talk hard, dey vex for phone.

E dey act like say e dey hurt, but I know say e dey fight for pride. Na last card e dey play.

I no talk anything—nothing dey to talk again.

I dey mute, dey let e rant. My mind dey far, I dey count my flight minutes.

But Segun just vex more:

"I no dey talk to you again. Abeg, add me back for WhatsApp! I dey travel go abroad with friends for some days. If you no fit reach me by phone, no go dey cry dey worry!"

I hear am finish, I just off call, put phone for bag. As I dey waka to my gate, breeze blow, my scarf fly small. I hold am tight, dey whisper, 'Forward ever.'

No looking back—my new life dey wait for me, and this time, na me go write the story.