Chapter 4: Fine Boy Mechanic and Old Memories

4

"Where that stubborn Jide? I don return days now, e never show face?"

Fola flick her thick, brown hair, vex for face.

Fola dey form fine girl, but e no get time for nonsense. Na the only girl I sabi wey fit argue from morning till night, no dey tire.

I dey sofa, dey watch models display latest style on Instagram.

My mind dey inside gist, but my eye dey for phone. Instagram dey show me new Ankara styles wey I fit sew for next Owambé.

I explain to this my childhood friend wey grow with me and Jide:

"He say last time you come, you force am model for you, still insult am. E still dey fear."

I remember that day, Fola dey shout for Jide head say him walk be like injured goat. The way dem take drag that day ehn, people gather watch.

Fola lip curve, cold:

"No worry, I no send am again."

Fola na person wey if she don vex, even thunder go respect her.

"Few days ago, I pass mechanic shop, see one top guy."

As she dey yarn, she dey paint nails, dey form madam. I dey suspect say na another modeling wahala she dey cook.

"I go carry you go see am later. I want make e model for me."

Top guy?

Chuka face flash my mind.

I check my phone.

No new message.

My heart beat small, but I no show am. I raise brow small.

That evening, after Miss Fola don shop tire, she ride her new bicycle, carry me go the mechanic shop.

Fola dey form big babe, bicycle sef na imported, dem never finish to hype am for estate WhatsApp group.

The oga greet us, face bright.

Oga for mechanic shop no dey ever dull, e dey always smile wide like say e win lotto.

Before e talk, Fola point one man wey dey far:

"That one. Bring am come."

The guy look up, face tired, no send anybody.

But as e see me, e pause small.

That small pause, I catch am. My belle do one kind, my heart jump, na Chuka be that.

I look Chuka—black tank top, broad shoulder, slim waist, muscle just dey show. I smile.

Omo, see fresh! This one fine pass new naira note. Na this kind mechanic girls dey rush for TikTok, no cap.

"How far? Top guy, abi?"

"Face correct, body ratio perfect, camera go love am."

Fola eye dey shine like artist wey see muse.

"Yes, top guy."

I look Chuka, wey dey come our side, reply soft.

I no fit lie, Chuka just dey walk come like say na runway e dey enter. My heart cut small.