The Second Path

Chapter 10

NOTE: The town name has been changed from 'Barnawa' to Mansur.

Chapter 10

The walk home with Hamid was very silent, it was as if nobody was walking beside me. A soldier from the headquarters offered to drop us to the main road and we walked from there down to plot 11 in Maryam Babangida street, where I lived. One thing that was special about Mansur was that every street here was named after past presidents' wives or female politicians.

I kept trying to make Hamid find his own way home but he kept hesitating. I wonder why he was so keen on escorting me home. It's not like I've never walked home alone before.

As we walked home from the main road, I kept making sure we didn't walk on the same pace so that people won't assume things. I was a little ahead of him while we walked and I didn't bother turning to see if he noticed what I was doing or not.

Some people stared at me as if I was being arrested again or something must have happened at home and that was why I was bringing a soldier along. Thank God Hamid didn't carry a gun with him or else it will be another story.

We finally got close to my house gate when two fighting chickens passed in front us, almost blocking my way. The two chickens finally moved away and let Hamid and I stand in front of my closed house gate.

"We're here." I said and turned to Hamid.

"It was an 'interesting' walk." He said, practically being sarcastic.

I scoffed in response. Sure it was.

"So..." He trailed off, "are you still going to give me your number... or you still want to make another excuse?"

I rolled my eyes, "I really don't have a phone."

"Really really?" He raised his brows.

"Yes!" I breathe out, "the last one I had broke three months ago and I didn't buy any since then."

"Oh." He nodded in belief, "sorry."

I don't respond, causing a little silence to break between us.

"I guess I will let you go in now before I put you in trouble with your parents." He said.

"I actually... don't live with my parents." I said.

He furrowed his eyebrows, "why not?"

I sighed before I said, "I'm an orphan."

He frowned and gaped at my response.

"My parents died in a car accident 3 years ago." I added, not revealing any form of pain.

His face became distressed as he looked me.

"I'm- I'm so sorry." He stammered and shook his head, "I didn't mean to- uhm to ask the question."

"It's fine." I scoffed, "it's in the past."

He didn't respond but just stared at me with the same facial expression.

I chuckled a little and pushed his arms lightly, "Stop feeling bad for me. I'm fine."