Chapter 5: Plans and Betrayals

Na Amina first aid save Chijioke.

The doctors praise her, even the nurses dey talk her name. My own jealousy just dey grow, but I hide am like person wey hide money for bra.

His parents thank her well, and when they hear her story, dem even wan adopt her as goddaughter.

Na full family meeting. Chijioke papa buy malt, pass am round. Mama dey thank Amina, her eyes dey shine, people dey smile like say na festival.

Amina quickly refuse. "Uncle, Aunty, abeg, no too much. Chijioke save me before—na why I help am."

She talk with humility. Even as people dey praise her, she no gree collect all the glory. My mind dey watch her, dey wonder if she dey act.

Chijioke mama surprise. "So Chijioke don save you before? Una two really get destiny together."

Her voice soft, but the meaning loud. That word, "destiny," carry weight for Naija house, especially when elders talk am.

Destiny?

Na that word hit me like slap. My whole body cold, even though sun dey shine for outside.

As I hear that word, my heart just weak. I look Amina, small bitterness enter my mind.

I bite my tongue, force myself no to show am for face. But inside, pepper full everywhere.

Na me grow up with Chijioke o. Why she, as heroine, go just carry everything?

I remember all the times wey I share gala and fanta with Chijioke for primary school, now another person dey chop the fruit of my labour.

I finally understand why my character for the book turn bad.

If person see wetin dey happen, e go understand why devil dey tempt people. I dey fight my own mind, no wan turn wicked.

Nobody go happy say dem dey collect their love and position.

Even for village, if dem try collect your land, you go vex. So how I no go feel bad as dem dey collect my Chijioke?

But I no wan end like the book, I no even wan really fight Amina.

I breathe in, tell myself say peace pass wahala. Na better thing to waka away.

I no wan make Chijioke hate me.

If I push am too much, he go resent me. I no fit bear that one join the pain wey I already dey carry.

So I decide to let go. Love wey loss fit come back, but if life loss, nothing remain.

I remember my mama words: "No die put for man matter." I gats find peace, even if e hard.

To break up well and make Chijioke feel guilty, I arrange fake cheating scene.

I plan am well, call my best friend. She dey shake head, but she help me. Na only true friend fit follow you plan wahala like this.

As I hear say Chijioke go dey drugged for business trip to Makurdi and mistakenly sleep with Amina, I decide act first.

I gather my mind, prepare for journey. My heart dey jump, but I no let fear stop me.

I arrange with my best friend, go Makurdi early.

We book hotel, arrange everything like movie plot. The drive from Benue road full of potholes, but I no even feel am.

I reach before Amina and carry the drugged Chijioke go.

I use wrapper cover am, my hands dey shake, but I keep focus. Na so Naija babe dey use wisdom solve problem, even if e dey pain.