Chapter 8: Clean Break

I no collect the room card. For all the noise, I just tell am: "Tell Kunle say we don finish."

Tolu freeze, like say e hear wrong. "Wetin you talk?"

I repeat am again, voice firm.

Tolu frown, look me well, like person dey check my soul. "You sure? You know say Kunle no dey return to old things."

I nod, voice strong: "Mm."

He press lips, look me for long: "You people dey okay, why suddenly..." But he no push matter, just nod: "Alright, you fit go. No forget move your things from his house. If Sa... if person see am, e no good."

I laugh small, "Okay."

I move sharp, mind made up. That night, I enter Kunle house, pack all my load, waka commot before cock crow.

E give me many things—bags, shoes, those two contracts—I no carry any. Everything dey as e give am. Dem fit say I craze, but to carry those things go be like make I carry shame for head. To collect am go pain me pass. I wan waka clean.

As I reach school, I crash, sleep like log of wood. My heart dey light, but my eyes red.

When I wake, my phone show message from Kunle. Only one, around ten last night, just as I finish with Tolu, dey pack my load.

He write: [Come up.]

As I close door, breeze blow for my face—cold, sharp. I know say this one na new beginning, but pain still dey bite small small.