The Sunday heat clung heavily to Abraham as he trudged home from church, Bible tucked under his arm. The confrontation with Desmond replayed in his head, each word sharper the more he tried to shake it off. Silence had been his weapon, but had it also been weakness? He wasn't sure.
As he turned the corner toward the compound, he saw something that made his steps quicken. A familiar frame leaned against the doorway, a small travel bag at his feet.
"Chika?" Abraham's voice rose in surprise.
His younger brother looked up, breaking into a wide grin. "Big bro! Finally, Sokoto release me." He spread his arms.
Abraham pulled him into a rough hug, the kind only brothers shared—half warmth, half competition. "Ah, see as NYSC has even given you beards," Abraham teased, slapping his back. "You now look like one of those Sokoto men."
Chika laughed, his eyes shining. "At least Sokoto fed me well. You, on the other hand, look like you've been carrying too much weight on your shoulders."
Abraham shook his head, masking the turmoil of the morning. "You just reached today?"
"This morning," Chika said. "The bus dropped us very early. Mama sent me ahead while she stayed behind to settle some things."
They carried his bag inside. Abraham poured him a glass of water, and the brothers sat together, talking about Sokoto—about corper life, dusty roads, and the relief of finally being home. For a moment, Abraham allowed himself to smile genuinely.
But Chika was sharp. He noticed how often his brother glanced toward the road, as though waiting for someone.
---
Later in the afternoon, Emperor and Tamuno came strolling in, laughing about a football argument that hadn't yet ended. Emperor spotted Chika immediately and clapped his hands.
"Ah! Fresh corper! So this is Abraham's younger brother?" He pulled Chika into a hearty handshake that turned into a playful shoulder bump. "Guy, you're welcome. Sokoto didn't kidnap you forever after all."
Chika grinned. "Good to finally meet the famous Emperor. My brother talks about you often."
"Only good things, I hope?" Emperor asked, eyes twinkling.
"Depends," Chika said cheekily, and they all laughed.
Tamuno added quietly, "Good to have you back, bro. We need more people to balance Emperor's mouth."
The four settled on the veranda, drinking chilled sachet water, letting the late afternoon breeze wash over them. The compound was still half-busy from the wedding cleanup. Voices drifted in from neighboring houses, children played with bottle caps in the sand, and the smell of pepper soup floated faintly from Mrs. Okocha's kitchen.
Then Glory appeared.
She had come to greet Chiburuoma, her wrapper tied firmly around her waist, Bible still tucked under her arm from church. She greeted politely, her voice warm, and for a moment the air seemed to still around her.
Chika, seeing her for the first time, froze. Something about the way the light caught her face, the calm strength in her step, the softness in her eyes—he couldn't look away. His gaze lingered far too long.
Emperor noticed immediately.
"O boy," Emperor muttered under his breath, leaning closer to Chika, his tone half-joking but edged with warning. "Better shift your eyes small."
Chika blinked, confused. "Why?"
Emperor smirked, lowering his voice so only Chika could hear. "Because that one you're staring at? She's your brother's heartbeat. No go dey look am like that."
Chika's eyes widened. "What? Glory?" He glanced quickly at Abraham, who was busy pretending to be focused on his drink. "He never told me anything."
"Of course he didn't," Emperor whispered. "Abraham no sabi talk when it comes to women. But open your eyes. Desmond is already circling like a hawk. If you want peace in this compound, don't add yourself to the wahala."
Chika swallowed, nodding slowly. He hadn't meant anything by staring—he was simply struck by her presence. But now, curiosity burned inside him. Why hadn't Abraham said anything? Why hide something that seemed so obvious to everyone else?
Glory, unaware of the undercurrent, chatted briefly with Chiburuoma before heading back down the path. Abraham's eyes followed her, just for a moment, then he looked away when he realized Chika had noticed.
Emperor clapped his hands suddenly, breaking the tension. "Chika! You must join us for five-a-side next weekend. Let's see if Sokoto gave you football skills or only dust."
Laughter returned, but Chika's mind was elsewhere. He had returned home expecting relaxation, stories, and familiar faces. Instead, he had stumbled into a drama already in motion—his brother, a girl named Glory, and a rival bold enough to provoke him even in church.
That night, as the compound quieted, Chika lay awake on his mat. Abraham's silence, Emperor's warning, and Glory's smile replayed in his mind like a puzzle missing its center piece. He wasn't sure what role he was supposed to play in all of it—but one thing was certain: his return to Uyo would not be as simple as he thought.