Joy unlocked the door using the key she'd spotted on the floor beside the door. After the door was opened a little, the first thing she did was look left and right. She itched to run right out but there was also a thought that it probably was best she stayed put. Joy lowered her eyes while she reasoned with herself. It has been close to two hours since she had her bath and ate breakfast. Almost two hours of doing nothing. The power company had brought and taken the light within less than thirty minutes. Joy had turned on the television but it was all black and white noise with no channels showing. In the end, she was bored out of her wits. It was a conclusion from today that she definitely wasn't the type that stayed at home often.

She lifted her eyes and the first sight nearly startled her. She hadn't expected to find the woman from last night suddenly staring at her.

"Don't be afraid, dear. Contrary to what Adedayo might have told you, you don't need to hide from me." Mrs. Aderigbe told her, a smile wearing on her face. Her attire was a simple native. She was decked up enough to step outside the gate.

"I'm Adebimbo." She introduced as she took a few steps closer and Joy contemplated if she should step out of the house or hide further in. For some reason, the latter didn't appeal to her. How long would she hide? She itched to be out there.

"My name is Joy." She replied and the fact she replied, made Bimbo happy.

"Ehen, Bimbo are you finally ready to go to the market?" Another female voice intervened as she walked up to Bimbo. When she stopped, Bimbo's eyes direction was a clear gesture for her to look in Joy's direction and so the light complexioned woman did. Her eyes were a bit wide in surprise at first, followed by a mixed expression of amusement and excitement.

"So, it's true. Adedayo finally brought a woman home."

Bimbo secretly gave her a light pinch on her arm but Joy did see as the similar woman flinched a little before casually rubbing the back of her arm.

A light chuckle left Bimbo's lips. "The truth is, since Adedayo moved into this apartment, we've never seen him bring anyone home, especially a woman. Just his friend, S-sa—"

"Sarki." The second lady helped.

"Yes, him. So, you're like a breath of fresh air and we're happy for him, for the both of you." Bimbo concluded and both smiled even brighter. Joy played a light smile although she wasn't quite sure what in the exact world they were talking about. Happy for him, for the both of you. They wouldn't say that if they truly knew what her situation was.

"So, when are you two lovebirds planning to tie the knot?" Mrs. Okigwe asked.

Joy's eyes widened. "Tie the knot?" She was a bit dumbfounded to ask anything or say anything further and Bimbo could see that.

"You don't need to answer that. Not yet, at least. We're headed to the market. Would you like to join us?"

Yes. "I can't. Thank you for the offer."

"No problem. Don't hesitate to ask any of us for help or advice. Welcome to the family." Bimbo told her and the two women were off. Joy watched until they walked out of the gate and a sigh left her lips. She would've loved to go simply because she wanted to step out but she wasn't confident enough that was a good idea. She was yet to know more about those women.

Tie the knot. The words repeated in her mind once more as she shut the door and walked back into the apartment. Marriage. The much explanatory word popped up in her mind as she laid on her back on the bed.

Adedayo and I. Marriage. She continued and after a few moments of silence both in her thoughts and within the room, she shook her head at it all. It was ridiculous to even think that. The plan was for her to regain her memories or at least find her family, not make one with a man she knew nothing about. Eventually, she fell asleep.

* * *

Dayo was grateful for Friday because it was the day school gets to dismiss earlier than usual and he returns home before the evening traffic starts. He walked into the same police station he'd visited the other day and for a second, he was still as he looked around. The same officer he'd made a complaint to was at the station alongside a new face, a woman. Quick, he was hasty with his steps towards them.

"Good afternoon, sir." He greeted and both officers' gaze was upon him.

"Yes, can we help you?" The man spoke first and Adedayo couldn't help as a light furrow appeared between his brows for a second.

"You don't recognise me? I was here the other day with a woman. We were trying to find her identity or if anyone was searching for her."

The man's brows arched up as realisation hit him. "Oh, yes. Mr... Mr..."

"Adedayo Michael. Have you received any info? Did you get to ask around?"

"Ah." The man rather exclaimed, a disapproving expression on his face followed by a seemingly mocking chuckle. "Mr. Michael, what do you think this place is? The FBI? You made a complaint yesterday and I told you, an update will be passed along if we eventually do get one. Though, I made it clear it won't be easy. I don't understand why..."

"Jeremiah, Watin happen?" The female officer by his side asked, curious as to what was transpiring between the two.

The male officer, Jeremiah, slightly turned to her. "Nothing serious. Yesterday, this man showed up with a woman and said she can't remember anything about herself. We should find out if anyone is searching for her but..." he slapped the back of his hand onto his palm, wearing a blank expression on his face. "... I haven't seen any missing ad with her face or name on it."

"Are you searching at all?" Asked Adedayo who was getting a little irritated with the conversation. Really, it was no big deal. It was simply their work and this man was trying to make him look stupid.

"Listen, young man, you better not be rude. We know our job and if Jeremiah told you to relax, you'll be informed when he finds out anything then calm down. Calm down and have patience."

Adedayo stepped out of the station and released a deep breath, somewhat frustrated with everything. Sarki said to let Joy go but how can he consciously do that knowing well she has nowhere to go. The past events of the day were refreshed in his mind and he could feel himself sinking deeper into an elevating depression. For a brief while, he shut his eyes and tried to calm himself, burying every thought and feelings attached to it. This was the only way he could survive. It was the only way he knew how to survive and keep going. Eventually, it would all pass and it would seem like he never felt this certain way.

He walked into the compound and in a gentle manner, shut the rusty gate behind him. Dayo had failed to take notice of Bimbo who stood by the ropes, hanging onto to them her newly washed laundry but she took notice of him.

"Dayo." She called and he turned his head to her. Bimbo gestured with her hand for him to come to her and he did, a sign of respect to the older woman.

"How are you doing? How was school?"

"Fine. I'm fine." His reply was short.

A smile stretched on her face and he knew she was about to say something else, something that was less about greetings and how his day went.

"In this compound, you know we're like a big family. Personally, I've always treated you like a younger brother and to be honest, I want to always see you happy." She started and he was courteous enough to nod to her words.

"Your girlfriend, I don't know, maybe you said something to her about me but she seems scared to step out of the house and freely speak with us."

Girlfriend?

"It's not nice for her to be cooped up in the house throughout the day. Tell me, did I upset you in any manner? Did you tell her to avoid the neighbours?"

Joy?

Although Bimbo was done talking, Adedayo was still trying to wrap his head around what she was talking about. So far, she'd mentioned the word girlfriend and he wondered if she was referring to Joy. It was wrong. She was wrong. His lips slightly parted as he made an attempt to tell her she was wrong, instead, another thought crossed him. Stating Joy wasn't his girlfriend would mean having to explain where he met her and how she ended up in his home. He could only imagine the same reaction as his friend's Sarki. The questions that would follow are, are you stupid? Why would you bring a strange woman home? Were you the only one on the street? Adedayo might be a rather calm, rarely-to-flare-up kind of person but he hated having to explain some of his actions. No matter what he says, he would still seem stupid and gullible.

"Dayo, did you hear anything I just said to you?" Bimbo queried as his reply wasn't forthcoming.

"Uh, um, yes. I... I heard you. She's... I didn't say anything bad about you to her. Joy is, she's taking her time to familiarize herself with the new environment. She'll come around." He lied and lying was something he didn't like doing. It was an uncomfortable feeling and there would always be a ticking thought at the back of his head reminding him of a time his lie would blow up in his face.

"Are you sure? You understand I'm not trying to be pushy or anything. I'm just, I'm trying to be a good neighbour. You understand, right?"

No, not really. "Yes. I appreciate the effort." Again, he lied and smiled in the end. She smiled in return and he was back on his way towards his apartment. All he could think of was how he needed to put an end to this phase of his life real soon before everything got out of hand.

Please don't forget, votes and comments are welcomed. Thank you for reading this chapter!