Chapter 4: The Shadow of Sade

When e start to change?

Na the day I see that photo.

We don do five months together.

Kunle get crowd. If him birthday dey reach, na planning committee go dey, group chat go full. Dem go dey argue about venue, DJ, food. I join them, dey add my own vibe.

As I blend with them, I notice say dem dey free with me. No secret. Na so gist dey drop anyhow.

Gradually, I come hear say Kunle love one babe pass, buy ring, plan wedding venue, the full package. But wahala enter, the babe—Sade—feel say Kunle no love am reach, quarrel scatter ground, both of them vex, waka their separate way. Nobody beg anybody, na so love end.

Dem nearly marry.

Last last, one of Kunle padi, Kayode, show me picture, open mouth: "You sabi say you resemble Sade small. If not, that our bet no go even make sense."

For that photo, Sade dey smile, joy dey shine for her face. She just be like that girl Kunle draw under mango tree. My spirit shake small. You fit see am.

Before, when I hear about the bet, I feel say dem dey catch cruise. But now, na me be the mumu. E pain me, but I gats strong my mind.

Everybody sabi say since Kunle and Sade scatter, Kunle no fit move on. E go still dey check her status, for her birthday, na jewelry dey fly from anywhere for the world. If Sade sneeze, person go run tell Kunle. E go show, settle am sharp, but never let her know say na him dey run things. E no go call her, but na like spirit, e dey her side.

Me, I dey deceive myself say my own different. I dey reason say na me break the spell, na me change am. But true true, I just be another chapter.

At the end, person joke: "Since Sade waka, Kunle just dey run around, dey find how to pepper Sade, maybe she go come back." Everybody laugh scatter.

Kunle return from call, sit beside me, squeeze my hand, soft laugh: "Wetin una dey yarn? Everywhere dey hot."

My body cold, but I smile, reply: "We dey talk about your first love."

He stiff, rare thing for am. E no mention her name, just talk: "Wetin be the point to dey mention her?" That kind defensive tone wey mean say the matter dey pain am.

Na the first time I reason break up serious. My mind dey do kpalanga.

Honestly, I suppose thank his guys for opening my eye. Na because dem no send my feelings, dem yarn truth, na im I fit see road.

I realize say for Kunle, na only Sade get permanent address. Me, I just waka pass.