Chapter 9: Sufferhead

So una wan do engagement, abi? You don get fiancée, abi? Don dey kiss and dey close, abi? E good. E good. E good. God bless una.

For inside me, I dey curse, but outside, I dey form say I no send. Na so Naija babes dey package heartbreak.

As I reach house, I throw the sleep companion doll go bed edge. I order new one online. Express deliver sharp, I get new sleep companion doll that night.

E shock me say I fit move on like this, but body no gree. The poor cat head just dey lonely for corner.

As I sleep, I hear Musa Ifedolapo mind dey complain:

[Kamsi no hug me.]

I hiss inside mind. See as e dey yarn, like say na only am dey this world. Hmph. I form say I no hear, close eye, sleep.

That night, I wake up tire as I dey hear [Kamsi no hug me]. Last-last, I no fit take am again, I pinch the cat head strong. One muffled groan come from the other side, everywhere just quiet.

Even the air for room change small. My chest dey light, like person wey just finish night vigil.

Next day, campus forum scatter with Musa Ifedolapo gist.

“Chai! Musa Ifedolapo get fiancée o—na Zainab from Art School!”

“Dem even see dem dey kiss for campus!”

Halima shock, come gist me.

If to say she get microphone, she for don broadcast am for radio. My friend mouth dey sharp.

I just squeeze mouth, answer flat: “From today, anything wey concern Musa Ifedolapo no concern me again.”

I no even allow tears near my eye. Na so Naija babe dey package pain.

Halima sigh, she just look me like person wey wan talk but hold am.

E try rub my back small, but I no gree. I carry face, dey reason my next move.

For cafeteria lunch, I jam Musa Ifedolapo again. I ignore am. As e sit down for my front, I carry my tray, waka commot.

Small pain flash for Musa Ifedolapo cold face.

[Kamsi no answer me.]

[Wetin I do?]

[She dey vex for me?]

My chest tight, like person wey swallow stone.