Copyright © 2015
All rights reserved. This piece or any portion thereof may not be copied or reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the writer.
Email: Mreon870@hotmail.co.uk
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CHAPTER ONE

My eyelids slowly parted. My whole body felt like it wasn't mine. My head banged like it was being panel beaten. My throat felt dry like knock knock jokes. For seconds I had no idea where I was. Then it crept up on me, this is my apartment I said to myself smiling like I won the lotto. I dragged myself off the bed. Water! I need water. I walked sluggishly towards the refrigerator, the previous evening still a blur. My head felt like it wanted independence from my whole body so I held it with both hands for support. I opened the refrigerator brought out a bottle of water and drank straight from the bottle like a dying refugee. After seconds of gulping, I felt a bit satisfied and I just stood there trying to deal with the headache.

"Nnamdi what are you doing up? Come back to bed" a female voice said sleepily.

I was shocked. I was scared to turn around but the voice sounded so familiar.

"Please come back to bed. I am cold" the voice said softly

I slowly turned around and I could now see the face with the voice. Immediately, the memories hit me like a bull charging down the colour red.
"bleep" I said silently. It did happen for real. It wasn't a dream.

"are you just going to stand there boo?" Chinwe said, now supporting her chin with her right hand.

I was confused. When did I become boo. I wondered if she was still drunk. I tried saying something but nothing came out. I just stood there.

"Quit being nervous and come back to bed" she said with a mischievous smile.

I walked sheepishly to the bed totally forgetting I was holding a bottle of water. I laid down, dropped the bottled water on the night stand and covered myself with the duvet. She immediately cuddled up to me.

"You should sleep" she said yawning "its only past 3 am"

I knew I was never sleeping with her close to me like that. I just stared up towards the ceiling trying to figure out how I got to this point. Within minutes she was already sleeping. I wondered how she could sleep so easily like this was nothing.
I remembered picking her up at her place. Wait. My car. I remembered I didn't drive home. I was too wasted to drive, we took a cab back home. It was now coming back, all of it. I couldn't believe it. I needed to be away from her. I gently removed her arm from my chest and placed it on the pillow I was resting my head on. I quickly got up walked to the wardrobe and brought out another duvet. I quietly opened the door and found my way through the dining room to the sitting room. I didn't have a guest room so it was the couch or nothing. My couch had never looked so good before now, lying down felt good too. My head was still banging and I felt so tired i couldn't think any more. In no time I dozed off.
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"Nnamdi, Nnamdi! Wake up"

My eyelids opened. It was Chinwe, so it wasn't a dream after how much I hoped. It was real. I looked at the wall clock it was past 9 am.

"surprised to see you on the couch. Did I make you uncomfortable?" She inquired jokingly. She was already dressed up and ready to leave. I immediately sat up.

"no, not at all" I lied.
"I can see you are ready to leave. We should talk" I said without really thinking.

"There is nothing to talk about. Quit acting like a child. We are good" she said laughing.

I couldn't understand how any of this could be funny or how I am being a child. I just stared.

"Remember to pick your friend up by 4pm from the airport today. He already called me. I need to get to my place and prepare for church" she said while trying to put on her shoes. I just sat and stared.

"and uhm if you wondering about your car, you should go back to the lounge. I told the security to take care of it. Your key and wrist watch are in the first drawer of your nightstand" she was done wearing her shoes and looked ready to go.

"see you around Nnamdi" she said as she closed the door behind her.

I just sat there wondering why the devil was punishing me. How did I allow this to happen. The two of us has been out a couple of times alone but she always ended up in her apartment. Obioha was cool with us hanging together. He is a care free fellow and always felt the need to dominate females partly cause he grew up with an abusive elder sister. That story he doesn't really tell anyone. He trusted me, that is the part that actually hurts. I laid back down cause I wasn't ready for reality yet. In no time I dozed off.
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I woke up around past 3 pm partly due to hunger. Couldn't believe I slept for that long. I looked around for my phone but it wasn't anywhere close. It must be in the bedroom I thought to myself. I got up, duvet in hand and walked straight to my bedroom. As I opened the door, the condom pack on the floor was like "hey a**hole look at me". It all came back again. I didn't have time to feel sad, I had to find my phone first. I quickly looked around for any clues as to where my phone could be. I decided to check my work table. I picked up the condom pack and disposed it in the dust bin close to my room door. I checked the drawers of my work table but still couldn't find my phone. I was running out of time. I looked around the room once more, my trousers was on the floor close to the standing fan. I picked it up went through the pocket then Bazinga! My phone was in the front pocket with my debit card which I momentarily forgot I had. There was a couple of loose change in the back pocket. I quickly unlocked my phone. Saw a couple of missed calls mostly work related. I also saw a text from Obioha warning me strictly not to be late. I hit my hand on my forehead, I had to get ready. I needed to pick my car up first. I decided to dial a cab.

"hello, oga Chidi you dey work? "

"yes oga. Everyday na work. I think say you don buy car oga? "

" free that talk, come my house first. "

"okay sir. Adee come "

I dropped the call. I quickly pulled out the bed spread and the duvet and dropped them in the laundry pile. I opened the bathroom door and walked in.
I brushed my teeth and rushed my bath and in few minutes I was out. I looked at the wall clock it was almost 4 pm. I opened my wardrobe brought out a pair of dark blue chinos and a white polo tees. I dropped them on the bed. I applied deodorant and quickly put on clothes. My phone vibrated on the work table, I picked it up and answered.

"oga adee outside" chidi said

"adee come" I said as I grabbed my car key and my wrist watch from the night stand drawer.

I was already late. Obioha was blowing up my phone. I was driving fast towards the airport. At least the car was in good condition - thank God. I just got the car. It would have been a damn shame if anything happened to it. BMWS don't come cheap. Most importantly my uncle would have lost faith in me totally. I got to the airport gate and drove in. My phone started vibrating once more.

"Obi Im very sorry. You would soon see me. Start coming out, Im at the car park" I said into the phone

"its alright" obioha said and the line went dead.

I drove to the car park and parked. I unbuckled my seat belt, opened my door and came out of the car. I looked into the distance hoping to see obioha. I saw a man on stripped shirt and blue jeans struggling with his luggage. It was Obioha alright. I just stood near the drivers door and watched. The way he walked with his slightly bowed leg amused me. He was older than I am but friendship isn't about age like he always said. I was 28, he was 31. He has this baby face, guessing his age is really a pain for strangers. He was now getting closer. Smiles quickly played on his lips.

"Nnamdi so you cant help me with my luggage? Is it better like this? "

"Im sorry. I had a long night. I feel so tired" I said smiling while I reached for the remote to open the booth.

"Yeah I know chinwe told me all about it this morning" he said as he dropped his bags in the booth.

Immediately my heart started racing. Sweat started forming on my forehead. I swallowed hard.

" what did she tell you? " I tried sounding not too concerned.

" Get me out of here first. We'll talk about that on the road " Obioha said as he opened the passenger door.

I sighed while I opened the drivers door. Moments later we were on the road.

" I heard you got super wasted yesterday evening " Obioha said laughing

" You even left your car at the lounge and chinwe had to help put you in a cab " he was now laughing uncontrollably

I eased up a bit. I forced a smile. Its now obvious he didn't know half the story.

" she said she worried about you when she got home last night " he has now eased up on the laughter

Chinwe got home last night? Why did she lie to him I thought. I had to say something. My silence was becoming awkward.

" you know the story bro. I drank a lot and it was embarrassing " I managed to speak at last

" Chinwe must have been embarrassed, I should apologise to her "

" no worries. I think she understands. You guys are like family to me " Obioha said

A part of me died immediately. I still felt relieved. Still didn't understand the game Chinwe was playing. My stomach grumbled and I remembered I haven't had anything all day.

" we should go eat. I am starving " I said

" you just read my mind " Obioha said trying to light a cigarette.

"does Chinwe know you still smoke? "

" naa not at all. You know how these things are " he said as he puffed on the cigarette.

I turned up the stereo. My mind set on food. I have work tomorrow, I need to turn in early.

HumbledbYGrace hope it isn't disappointing?

MzNelly Chinweblinkz essielove

Hmmmm, adeee come

Niiiiiice

Following

hmmmm........am loving this

So far so good.
Nice one.
But why chinwe nah?
Person no tell U say chinwes are law abiding born agains?
*covers my face*
she don shame me

Chinweblinkz:
So far so good.
Nice one.
But why chinwe nah?
Person no tell U say chinwes are law abiding born agains?
*covers my face*
she don shame me

Im sorry it was the first name that came to my mind. Your own Chinwe is different

[quote author=spacefreak post=30554799]MzNelly Chinweblinkz essielove [/quote
is DAT ur name?

[quote author=essielove post=30564346][/quote]
yeah

Modified.

CHAPTER TWO

I slowly pulled into the federal teaching hospital. Its been weeks since the Chinwe incident. Things were getting back to normal. I drove into the the workers car park, switched off my engine and stepped out of the car. New day new opportunities I muttered to myself. I made my way to the histopathology laboratory, my lab coat dangling on my left shoulder with my work bag on my right hand. The hospital seemed busy like always. The histopathology laboratory was secluded from the rest of the labs considering it was built much later in the hospital's cycle. I made my way towards the lab with a series of good morning from co workers and patients. I climbed the mini stairs leading to the lab, opened the door and walked in.

"Good morning Madame Esther" I said smiling

" Good morning Nnamdi. You are early today. Did someone die? " Esther said laughing.

Esther worked at the reception room. She wasn't the only one but she is always early. She sometimes helped collect samples. She mostly fills out forms and maintain records. She was in her early forties. I never really paid much attention to her personal life. I was mostly in and out.

" we are just coming from the weekend. I slept a lot and I wasn't on call " I said dropping my bag on her work table.

" like that has ever stopped you from being late... " she said while she was busy trying to find something in her first drawer

" ...I received some samples yesterday, it has already been stained. You should look at them. Its already on your work bench in the lab " she continued as she fiddled with files

" what about the interns? They are not doing enough work. You should have them do it "

She looked up at me and gave me the " are you okay " look.

" what about Chibuzor and Okechukwu? Or am I the one doing everything? " I was already buttoning up my lab coat.

There were other workers but they were lab technicians. They couldn't accurately read a stained slide even if there lives depended on it.

" Okechukwu is already inside and working on his own pile. And the H.O.U wants the results ready by afternoon, so quit complaining and go work."

I was done buttoning up the lab coat. I hated Mondays, a lot of left over work to be done. I picked up my bag , opened the door to the lab and walked in.

I saw three interns standing beside Okechukwu with their whole attention on what he was doing . I didn't really care for interns except for Uche. I didn't expect to see him this early cause he's always late. They are a pain in the a**. I couldn't tell the difference between them and the students except of course the uniform. I didn't want to get their attention before they will swam around me like bees. Since they didn't notice me walk in I should enjoy the space and privacy for however long it lasted. I walked to my bench and sat on the stool. They were like 3 different slide racks with stained slides filling them. I sighed, the morning was going to be a long one. I unlocked the compartment on the bench, dropped my bag inside and wore gloves. Work has started.

***
I have been working for hours, the interns finally noticed me and swam around me. I tried having no personal relationships with any of them. This was the second batch and they already spent two months. This was their last month in my unit. There was nothing to celebrate though cause at the end of the month a new batch would take their place. I picked up the last slide from the third slide rack and placed it on the object stage of the microscope. My stomach grumbled, the hunger was real.

"sir, what are you hoping to see? " one of the male interns asked

I was tired of questions. First impulse was to tell him to shut the hell up but I calmed down.

" I am trying to determine if the tumour located in- " I picked up the patients form and quickly glanced at the patients name.

" Mr. Nduka's stomach is benign or malignant " I answered the intern while trying to set up the objective lens.

I was tired. I didn't even want to ask questions. I adjusted the lens with the fine adjuster on the side of the microscope while looking through the eye piece.

" tough luck to Mr Nduka. He has cancer " I said while I gently removed the slide from the object stage. I had whispers behind me but I didn't really care.

I wrote my observations down. Packed the results together and made for the lab door. I saw a doctor seated going through results. The other women finally showed up too. Esther was as usual behind her desk. The reception room looked busy. I walked towards Esther.

" here are the results " I said looking at my wrist watch. It was almost time for lunch.

"you work fast, just that you are mostly lazy." Esther said with a grin

" I will make sure the H.O.U signs off on these " Esther said as she collected it from me.

" I need air "

I wasn't really talking to anyone in particular. I made for the main door pulling my lab coat as I walked. I had already disposed of the gloves. I felt my pocket for my car key and got a reassuring bulge. I opened the door and stepped outside. I just stood there looking around. Everybody seemed busy. My phone vibrated in my pocket, I brought it out and answered.

" Obi what sup? "

" lets have lunch together. Work is killing me "

" why should I have lunch with you when you have decided to work for the enemy. "

" Nnamdi your father is not the enemy... " Obioha said laughing

I didn't like talking about my father. Obioha and I are both lab scientists except he specialized in hematology and I in histopathology.

" ...besides the pay is good. You know some people actually need the extra pay and public hospitals sucks "

I knew he was referring to me indirectly but I didn't bother with it.

" same place? "

" yeah. Same place"

I dropped the call.

I didn't bother to go back inside and tell Esther I was going for lunch besides she wouldn't miss me much. I made my way to the car park. My lab coat dangling on my left shoulder. In minutes, I was meters to my car. I brought out the remote from my left pocket and unlocked the doors. I opened the back door and dropped my lab coat on the back seat. I opened the drivers door, buckled my seat belt , then started the car. In no time I was out the hospital gate.

****
Obioha seated right in front of me with a cigarette in between his fingers. Our food wasn't ready yet. He was puffing on it with so much concentration. He liked this particular restaurant because he was allowed to smoke freely. No one really cared considering it was an open space with tables and sits. He noticed I was looking at him with so much concern.

" I swear this is my last stick for today so stop judging me with your eyes. " obioha said as smoke escaped his mouth and nostrils.

I smiled and looked down at my phone on the table.

" Chinwe says you ignore her calls " he was now looking at the direction of the restaurant's kitchen.

I was startled. I was ignoring her calls alright but I am sure as hell not going to admit it.

" she calls at the wrong time..." I paused then continued

"...I tend to forget and not call her back" I concluded

" she feels like you are avoiding her. She has been complaining to me and I am tired..." He dropped the cigarette butt on the floor and stepped on it.

Our food was ready. The waitress brought it over and placed it on the table. Obioha was as usual eating two wraps of "eba". He was getting fat but he didn't really care.

"...we should have dinner together. Tonight. The three of us. I would have said you should bring a date but you almost never have dates" he said as he washed his hands.

It was a bad idea. If I said no to dinner it would be obvious I was avoiding her. Not really in my best interest

" okay, fine. But I am not staying out late. I have to work tomorrow "

" look at who is talking about work..." Obioha said laughing as he unwrapped the first portion of "eba"

" ...7pm is okay yeah? "

" yes. 7pm is okay. " I said considering I get off work by 4pm.

The rest of the lunch was uneventful. We mostly talked sports, a little bit of work and our University days together. Thirty minutes later we were done and drove back to work in our separate cars.

Short update Mr Spacefreaks, and why are your stories all written from the Narrator's point of view?

Following broh....chinweblinkz u here.....humblebygrace pls wat du u mean by Narrator point of view

HumbledbYGrace:
Short update Mr Spacefreaks, and why are your stories all written from the Narrator's point of view?

I prefer writing that way. I understand the character I am trying to create more.

Cybershow:
Following broh....chinweblinkz u here.....humblebygrace pls wat du u mean by Narrator point of view

Thanks bro. Will complete Chapter two tomorrow, maybe write a bit of chapter three

spacefreak:


I prefer writing that way. I understand the character I am trying to create more.

As yourself?

Sounds like memoir to me.

Are you in the med field?

Cybershow:
Following broh....chinweblinkz u here.....humblebygrace pls wat du u mean by Narrator point of view

how do I explain this, er, using (I) him telling the story and being the protagonist all at once.

HumbledbYGrace:
As yourself?

Sounds like memoir to me.

Are you in the med field?

My stories do not depict the way I live, at least mostly. I borrow certain aspects of my life and add to it to create a character. I don't drive a BMW, I'm not 28 but I am a lab scientist.

spacefreak:


My stories do not depict the way I live, at least mostly. I borrow certain aspects of my life and add to it to create a character. I don't drive a BMW, I'm not 28 but I am a lab scientist.

There's something called an artist's code, in everything a writer writes about. They are stories stored in our memory waiting to be shared.

There's always something that ticks us all and force us to write. As for me, I just read between the lines, so your not off the hook mr spacefreak!

Let's see, you would like to drive a bmw soon right?

HumbledbYGrace:
There's something called an artist's code, in everything a writer writes about. They are stories stored in our memory waiting to be shared.

There's always something that ticks us all and force us to write. As for me, I just read between the lines, so your not off the hook mr spacefreak!

Let's see, you would like to drive a bmw soon right?

Hahaha you got me. I do love BMWs. You would do well as a shrink.

spacefreak:


Hahaha you got me. I do love BMWs. You would do well as a shrink.

Yeah

Me a shrink? *frowns* nooo, that's not my department.

I love talking, even when there's a "please keep quite" sign, I can't help but talk.

HumbledbYGrace:
Yeah

Me a shrink? *frowns* nooo, that's not my department.

I love talking, even when there's a "please keep quite" sign, I can't help but talk.

What an insight. I like being around people that like to talk, it hides my quiet nature. You should stop trying to delve deeper into my head. It contains only darkness. Take it as an advice.

spacefreak:


What an insight. I like being around people that like to talk, it hides my quiet nature. You should stop trying to delve deeper into my head. It contains only darkness. Take it as an advice.

have you ever told a kid not to play something that its bad for him/her but the kid would just curiously go for it? Don't tell me not to, because when you say "don't!" Your encouraging me to do it.

Wait what's the relationship between Obi and Chinwe?

HumbledbYGrace:
have you ever told a kid not to play something that its bad for him/her but the kid would just curiously go for it? Don't tell me not to, because when you say "don't!" Your encouraging me to do it.

Wait what's the relationship between Obi and Chinwe?

Haha wouldn't you want to know? Truth is i have not decided yet. I'm thinking close cousins, siblings , couple. Which is more diabolical?

spacefreak:


Haha wouldn't you want to know? Truth is i have not decided yet. I'm thinking close cousins, siblings , couple. Which is more diabolical?

If they are blood relatives and Nnamdi feels bad for shagging Chinwe....I think I know what your planning.

Spacefreak, I don't want to talk again this night, let me save my fuel.

HumbledbYGrace:
If they are blood relatives and Nnamdi feels bad for shagging Chinwe....I think I know what your planning.

Spacefreak, I don't want to talk again this night, let me save my fuel.

You don't know what Im planning. Sleep well.