Chapter 13: Mask Off, Heart Bare

Under Chief Olumide’s eye, I drop the pill by him side. As I wan leave, he suddenly grab my wrist.

E grip cold, but e strong like iron. I no shout, just dey look am.

Him hand cold, like ice. I look down at am. We close, eye dey meet.

I dey see myself for him eye small, like reflection for muddy gutter water.

“Who you be?” he finally ask, voice rough.

E voice deep, e heavy, like say thunder dey hide for him throat.

Light no too bright, but I still see something shake for him black eye—one small light, quick hide.

I no sure wetin be that flash, but e pain me somehow.

He move sharp, just pull my mask off.

The thing shock me, but I just freeze. I nor wan show fear for him face.

Chief Olumide’s black eye see the scar for my face. Too close—I see him eye shake.

E nor expect am, and the pain for him face double.

My face must dey scary.

I dey wish I fit cover am back quick.

I raise hand hook the mask back, na then I notice him hand just weak. One silver chain fall from him hand—a watch face dey hang, inside, faint picture of young girl wey dey smile.

Na so e dey hold that watch like say e dey hold life. Maybe na memory of past love.

I look away, leave the pill, turn go.

No point to talk more, na time to give space.

This time, Chief Olumide no stop me.

For my back, e just dey breathe heavy.

Before I waka finish, I look back at the door. He still dey sit, wear black, but na only sorrow dey come out from am.

Na so pain dey show for inside, even when body strong for outside.