"hello?" Malachai repeats when I still haven't said anything.
"hello. Its Tobi." I say. Tension prevents my voice from being audible. It will be a miracle for him to have even heard what I said.
"Tobi?" he asks in confusion as if he has never heard that name before in his life.
"yeah, Tobi." Now I am just feeling foolish. I can't believe I have being beating myself over someone that does not even remember me. "the guy from the bar last week Friday that could-"
"yeah I remember you Tobi, I was just wondering why you took too long to call." He responds, Amusement coloring his voice.
Tension eased a little as I realize he didn't forget me. "well, I was trying to be mature about it. I felt that I was doing too much you last week, wanted to give you a break so you wont call the cops on me." I force out a laugh. It feels dry.
"like I said last week, I don't mind. If I did, I certainly would not have given you my number."
"okay, yeah." The tension is back. I didn't know what to say. I can't just ask him to keep talking because I deeply enjoy the sound of is deep, rumbly voice. That would be weird. Forget weird, that would be gay, and I'm not gay. It's not as if I have anything with being gay, because I believe everyone has a right to do what they please with their own body, as long as they are not hurting anyone in the process. So its not because I hate gay, its just because I love pussies too much to be gay. So I don't know where the fuck this obsession is coming from.
"why did you call me Tobi?" Malachai asks after a while of silence.
"I…. uh.. its ju-"
"what do you want from me? Because I'm sure it's not that brain surgery you're about to cash." he got straight to the point as he usually did, putting me in a tight spot. I don't have an answer for him and that leaves lead in my stomach. Shit.
I say the first thing that comes to mind. "friendship." I muttered. I don't know why I am action like a fucking sissy around this dude. There's hardly anyone I've come across in Lagos here that I've felt intimidated by. None. I usually do the intimidating.
"you want to be my friend?" he repeats.
"yeah. Yeah, I want us to be friends."
"okay that's workable." He says after contemplating a bit.
I nod even if he can't see me. "so…. Are you free for drinks tomorrow?"
"yeah. I'll be available by eight pm."
"yeah, cool." I say airily as if I am not fucking doing backflips in my mind. And no, I'm not thinking about why I'm this excited because a guy agreed to get drinks with him.
"okay. I have to get back to work. Have a nice day."
"oh okay later." I say before ending the call.
My heart feels as if it pumping more blood that usual. As cool as talking to him is, its draining for me. Jesus , if this is how normal people feel all the time, then its horrible. I've never been this confused in my whole life, and it is stressing me the fuck out.
The notification sound of my phone distracts me from my disorganized thoughts. I check what it is about and realize it's from a ten year old girl on tiktok I am following. I have been following her account for almost two months. As interesting as the contents of her account it, I just can't shake away the fact that something is not right with her.
Not that I'm the best person around, far from actually. I am usually the last person to render help, but not with kids. I might be bad, mean at other areas in my life but the one thing I don't joke with is a child in need. That's why I'm here stalking this kid's page. It seems she's been abused, or held against her will.
The first day I came across her video was the day I knew something was wrong. Her parents do not often appear in her videos, but from the few times I've seen them, it seems they're also Yoruba. That's beside the point, the main problem is the fact that this child is bone thin and she always seem to be covered up from the neck down. Her wrists and fingers are also covered with gloves. All the time. She winces in her videos, not a lot, but enough for me to be concerned. She looks dull and drained like an adult who has seen too much in life.
I feel so much for her and I am trying all my best to find her and get her out of there.
I dial Festus's number. Festus is the computer guru I hired to help me find the location of the girl.
"how far guy? How far have you gone with my work?"
"I and my guys have been working on it nonstop. We'll get the location though. It's just going to take a little bit more time." He says.
"okay okay. Please just put in more effort bro. you know money is not the problem."
"yeah I know."
"okay, later." I end the call.
I just hope this thing works out right.
I go into the kitchen to heat what to eat when a call pops in. without checking who, I answered the call.
"finally." Oh fuck. Its mom. "Tobi what is wrong with you? How dare you ignore my calls for almost a whole week. I often wondered what crimes I might have committed in my past life for be to be blessed with such a troubling son."
I ignore her and continued what I am doing. There's rice and stew on the gas that was freshly cooked today. I dish some on a plate and place it inside the oven.
"Tobi are you even listening to me?"
"yeah mom. I heard all you said about my impeccable personality which you want me to continue displaying."
The sigh from her end is the loudest and deepest I have ever heard from her. "Tobi please son. Do not let my enemies to laugh at me. Please stop with this reckless lifestyle." Her voice cracks at the last part.
This conversation is seriously taking a lot from me. "mom, its okay. You don't have to shed your crocodile tears. I'll try to change my ways to make you happy because its only yours and dad's feelings that matters."
The microwave beeps and I go to collect my food.
"irs not like that Tobi. Avoiding fights and all that is for your own self preservation and respect. It shows maturity." Pure load of bullshit.
"yeah yeah. Whatever you say." I love my mom and all that, but she does too much. She acts like a few fights here and there is going to ruin my life. But I know how to handle them. Agree with them for sometime and they'll back off. "I'm even trying to get into therapy. To help me with my anger and all that."
"wow, that's brilliant son, I hope you can commit this time." I can almost taste the joy in her voice.
"yeah I will. I want to make both of you happy." They are so fucking easy to play. I'm done with this conversation, I need to get food in my stomach. "mom, I need to go eat. Ill talk to you later."
"good good. Talk to you later." She says and I end the call.
Finally, time to eat.