Chapter 3: Pain No Dey Hide for Lagos

So na so e be.

When the WhatsApp gist first show, I think say na overwork dey make me see things.

Na so Naija life be sometimes—your mind go dey play you film, you go dey think say na tiredness, but na reality dey bite you for back. I just rub my forehead, try shake am off.

But now, I don confirm am: na me be the clingy side character for one e-sports story.

After I don help the guy win league champion, e don reach time to throw me away.

[Seyi Akanji, abeg forget that side chick. She just dey do show. Go bathroom—Rukayat Yusuf dey wait for your autograph!]

[If you no go, the small crybaby go soon begin cry again.]

Seyi Akanji still wear Dream Force team jersey, stand for crowd. E just look me cold, wan waka commot.

I ask am as usual, "Where you dey go? We suppose take picture soon."

[Wahala dey o, side chick wan block dem from meet? Na now dem suppose exchange number!]

[Babe, my mood no good today. No make me para for you.]

"Bathroom."

I just nod, turn my back, no talk again.

The WhatsApp gist shock say, for once, I no try spoil their moment.

Maybe, if na pride, I suppose don stop dem from dey close for my front.

But if I think am well—

Three years of feelings no fit hold lion for cage. Abeg, make e go.

After all, if I fit train the number one jungler for league, I fit train another one.

For this e-sports world, na talent full ground pass anything.

I rub my neck, remind myself say Naija no dey finish talented youth. Person wey get skill dey everywhere—just gats give dem chance. E pain me small, but na reality.