LIVING

chapter 7

Tobi paced back and forth in his room, his mind racing with worry. He hadn't seen or heard from AJ all day, and that was unlike him. They always made it a point to check in with each other, no matter what.

Tobi's anxiety grew with each passing minute. He tried calling AJ, but his phone went straight to voicemail. He sent messages, but they remained unread.

Desperate for news, Tobi went to his mom, Jane, who was watching TV in the living room. "Mom, I need your help," he said, his voice laced with concern.

Jane looked up, noticing the worry etched on Tobi's face. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"I haven't seen or heard from AJ all day. I'm getting really worried," Tobi explained.

Jane's expression turned serious. "Okay, let me ask Efe to check up on him."

Tobi nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. "Please, Mom. I need to know he's okay."

Jane pulled took back her phone from Tobi and dialed Efe's number. "Efe, it's Tobi's mother, Tobi's worried about AJ. Can you please check up on him?"

Tobi waited anxiously as Jane spoke to Efe. After what felt like an eternity, Jane hung up the phone, her face pale.

"What is it, Mom?" Tobi asked, his heart racing.
she had checked on him but he ist there,

Tobi panicked 'but where could AJ be.

Tobi's eyes were sunken, his face gaunt, and his heart heavy. Days had turned into an eternity since he last saw AJ. The silence was deafening, and the uncertainty was suffocating.

He couldn't bear the thought of living without AJ. Every moment without him felt like an eternity. Tobi's mind was consumed by worst-case scenarios, and his soul was crushed by the possibility of losing AJ forever.

Jane and Efe did their best to comfort him, but even their love and support couldn't fill the void left by AJ's absence. Tobi's world had been shattered, and he felt like he was drowning in a sea of despair.

As he lay in bed, surrounded by darkness, Tobi whispered AJ's name, hoping against hope that he would hear his voice, see his smile, or feel his touch. But the silence was his only companion.

Jane sat beside him, holding his hand, and whispering words of encouragement. Efe sat on the other side, his eyes filled with empathy and concern.

"Tobi, we'll get through this together," Jane said, her voice soft and gentle.

But Tobi just shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears. "I can't, Mom. I can't live without him."

Efe put a hand on Tobi's shoulder. "he will come back Tobi,

But as the night wore on, Tobi's hope began to fade, replaced by a deep despair that threatened to consume him whole.

after what seemed like a forever AJ returned

Tobi's eyes were fixed on the car that pulled up at AJ's house. He had been watching from his window, his heart skipping a beat as a man in a suit stepped out. And then, AJ emerged from the car, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if searching for something or someone.

Tobi's heart leapt with joy, his mind racing with questions. Was that AJ's dad? Why was AJ with him? But most importantly, AJ was alive!

Tobi felt a mix of emotions: relief, happiness, and a hint of fear. What had happened to AJ during his disappearance? Why was he with this man?

As he watched, the man in the suit gestured to AJ, who nodded and followed him into the house. Tobi's eyes remained fixed on the scene, his heart still racing with excitement.