"I am not a failure" he muttered to himself as
he dressed for work; Nkoli had spoken some
harsh words to him, he wished she could look
past his finances and love him just the way it was.
The Nigerian Labour market wasn't favourable
for folks like him. He had no living parents or
rich relatives to help him get a job even though
he graduated with a good grade. He took a
glance at Asa, who was still sleeping. That year
would make her twenty-one and he still had
not saved enough money to put her in a tertiary
institution.
His younger brother Ekene was a dropout, he
preferred hanging out with his irresponsible
friends to pursuing his education. Unlike
Obinna, Ekene had no time to study hard and
win scholarships, he preferred doing shady
deals that brought in fast money.
"Why are you talking to yourself?" Asa had
been watching her brother.
"I wasn't talking to myself" Obinna replied.
"Suit yourself, what's your day like?" She
yawned.
"Normal day, go to the supermarket, sit at one
spot, calculate how much we make every day
and add the cost of customer goods. That's how
my day is going to be"
As they were still speaking, the door to the
"Self Con" flung wide open and there stood an
angry-faced Nkoli.
"Nkoli" Obinna's faced brightened, had she
changed her mind about the breakup?
"I'll give you guys a minute" Asa stepped
outside.
"Baby, good morning, I missed you so much"
Obinna rushed and embraced her.
"Morning" her muscles were stiff, her love for
him had faded, she needed a man that could
take good care of her and not some meager
income earner with no future.
"I love you so much Nkoli, please don't break
my heart" he released her when he realized she
didn't return the hug.
"I came here to give you these. You can keep
mine, I don't need it" she tossed an envelope
at him.
"What's this Nkoli?" He wondered.
"Your pictures, I don't want anything that
belongs to a man like you to be in my
possession, you are way beneath my
expectations and dreams. I hate to say this
Obinna but you'll never be more than this" she
swept him with her eyes, from head to toes.
"How can you say such things to me? Have you
forgotten all the help I rendered you in the
past?" Obinna felt like a blade was cutting
through him and he was powerless to stop this
blade.
"Help? Just because you gave me about fifty
thousand Naira to pay for my sister's fees, you
feel you did something? Don't flatter yourself,
I will not miss you Obinna. Just move on to the
next miserable girl you'll be able to deceive" she
hissed and walked away.
"Nkoli please, don't leave me. I love you very
much, I promise to do anything you want.
Whatever makes you happy, I am prepared to
do it" he fell on his knees and held her dress.
"It's too late Obinna" she pushed him away and
stepped outside. The display of affection
between the customers she served further
hardened her heart. She had taken selfies with
Narissa the hot girl, wasn't that a person who
had a date that could afford dinner at
"Rosydew"?
"Goodbye failure" she rolled her eyes, then
paused in her steps as she noticed a brand new
car parked outside Obinna's house. Her heart
skipped as she spotted the driver.
"Ekene! Where have you been?" Asa had been
waiting outside when a black Honda Civic drove
into the compound.
"Is that how to welcome a brother you haven't
seen in two days?" He replied.
"Good morning Ekene" Nkoli greeted. He was
Obinna's younger brother and hardly stayed at
home.
"Nkoli" he smiled as the light skinned beauty
walked past him, he had always envied his
brother from childhood, he seemed to be a
magnet for good looking women.
"Answer me" Asa repeated her question.
"Did you miss me, little sister?" He moved
towards her and swept her off her feet.
"Put me down Ekene, I am no longer a child"
she writhed against him.
"Really? Because you're all grown with hips and
breasts? You'll always be my little sister" he
shook her in the air.
Ekene and Obinna were eight and ten years
older than her respectively.
"Who owns that car? It's beautiful. Do you have
a job now?" Asa fired him with questions.
"Something like that, go in and pack your
things, we're moving to a new house" he
instructed.
"A new house? I don't understand, where did
you get the money?" She was confused.
"Don't argue sweetheart, just do it and get
ready, you're starting school soon" he dropped
her on the ground and pushed her forward.
"I don't understand, is this a dream?" She was
excited as she rushed into the house to share
the good news with Obinna.
The moment she stepped into the house, all her
excitement melted away like ice as she met
Obinna crying on his knees.
"Obinna?" Her lips trembled, she had never
seen him this way.
"I am fine" he quickly wiped his face and rose
to his feet. He couldn't let his younger sister see
him like this, he needed to be strong for her;
for everyone.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Nothing" he replied.
"Asamma! I am still waiting" Ekene's voice
interrupted them.
"Is that Ekene"? Obinna asked.
"Yes, you should pack your things too, we are
moving to a new house" Asa explained.
"A new house? I don't understand" Obinna
wondered what mischief Ekene was up to this
time.
"Good morning Obinna, you both should hurry, I
have no time to waste" Ekene joined them
inside.
"What is this I hear about a new house?"
Obinna asked.
"Oh that, I also bought a car; you'll love the
house bro, it's lovely" he smiled.
"Stay right there" Obinna's tone was stern as he
pointed at his sister who was already packing.
"What?" Asa stuttered.
"Where did you get money to buy a house and a
car? I will never follow you and neither will
Asa. Go and spend your ill-gotten money
alone, I don't want anything to do with it" he
knew Ekene very well. His younger brother had
been a notorious cultist back in school, he knew
what he was capable of.
"Are you serious? Is this how you're going to
welcome me? is this your "Congratulations?"
Ekene rolled his eyes.
"You know yourself Ekene and I know you too,
we're brothers, I know what you are capable of.
I will not allow you take Asa" Obinna said.
Asa stood quietly and watched the exchange
between her brothers
"Why do I have a feeling you're jealous of
me?" Ekene rolled his eyes.
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous of someone
like you?" Obinna laughed.
"It's obvious you are a failure but that
shouldn't blind you to the success of other
people. I know you think I did something shady
to buy myself a car and a house but I hate to
disappoint you, bro, my money is clean" Ekene
fired at him.
"Clean? I would believe that if I were dead"
Obinna grabbed the envelope Nkoli had
returned and the pictures in it fell out.
"I am working with Methocorp, I am in charge
of bottling the products, I made friends with
Ife Martins and he offered me the job," Ekene
said.
"This is my new number and address, you know
where to find me little sister" he handed her
the complimentary card and kissed her head.
"I guess your girlfriend dumped you.
Apparently, everyone is tired of being a failure.
Ciao bro." Those were Ekene's last words before
he stormed out of the house.
"I am disappointed in you Obinna" Asa threw
her bags angrily.
To be continued....
