Titi looked around his clean room and nodded in satisfaction. He then gathered the accumulated dirt, wrapped it in plastic, and took it outside. With a casual toss, he dumped it in the nearest waste disposal—or at least what passed as one. In Titi's eyes, everywhere around here was a waste disposal, at least by his standards.
Looking up at the sky, he realized it was already dark. I'll get everything else I need tomorrow, he thought. With that in mind, he strolled through the street, eventually spotting an akara vendor by the roadside.
"Good evening, ma," he greeted, handing her N500.
She smiled, quickly packing some akara for him. Titi also bought bread before heading back home.
As he approached his building, he noticed a small group of people standing outside his place. His arrival caught their attention, and before he could say anything, a girl from the group stepped forward.
"Hey, are you the new tenant here?" she asked, flashing a friendly smile. "My name is Taiwo, nice to meet you!" She extended her hand.
Titi glanced at her hand, then at her face. I probably shouldn't make my neighbors hate me, he thought. Finally, he shook her hand and replied, "Yes, I'm the new tenant. My name is Titi. Nice to meet you."
Taiwo giggled, eyeing him. Omo, what a fine guy, she thought.
The others soon followed, introducing themselves. There was Sharon, Obi, David, Kende, James, and Femi. From what they said, Taiwo and Kende were sisters who lived together, while James and Obi were roommates. Both Sharon and David lived alone.
Obi grinned and asked, "How far? You be fresher, abi?"
"Yeah, but I haven't resumed yet," Titi answered.
Taiwo leaned forward. "Fine boy, so what department you dey?"
"Architecture," he replied.
Both Taiwo and Kende gasped. "Wow, Architecture!"
Sharon laughed. "Omo, you go help me design my future house o!"
Titi forced a smile. "Yeah," he said, already getting irritated by the questions.
Before they could ask more, he quickly said, "It was nice meeting all of you, but I have something important to do now."
They nodded, stepping aside as he entered his room.
As Titi closed the door behind him, David—the only one who hadn't asked any questions—scoffed. "Omo, who this one think say e be? He just dey reply person with one-word answers."
Taiwo shot him a glare. "Abi you just jealous say the guy fine pass you?"
David's brows furrowed, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned and walked back to his room.
The rest of the group laughed. Sharon, Obi, and James exchanged knowing looks. We know why David dey vex. The guy don dey chase Taiwo for two years, but he never fit bag am. Now, one fresh tenant just land, and she dey smile up and down.
With that, the group dispersed.
Back in his room, Titi let out a breath. Omo, these guys wan use questions finish person. If I no rush enter, my akara for don cold, he thought.
He sat down, unwrapped his meal, and ate the akara and bread with a bottle of water. As he chewed, another thought crossed his mind. Man go suffer for this school if I no find something to do sharp-sharp.
After finishing his food, he laid a wrapper on the floor and prepared to sleep.
But Titi had no idea what was in store for him that night.