Ifeanyi dropped his last bag into his room as he finally breathe an air of freedom. He had left his suffocating village and alas, was in Enugu where he could see Obiageli whom he had terribly missed.

He was anxious to see her and also curious to know why she had not replied five of his letters. He had kept sending in letters even though he got no reply. It was strange she wasn't replying him and after the last letter, he had informed his mother he couldn't stay anymore. He needed to find out if Obiageli was in trouble.

About his mother and her son - Ifeanyi couldn't bring himself to call him brother - it seemed the issue could not be solved - not like he cared but for the sake of his mother. Obiora had insisted that he did nothing wrong and therefore had nothing to apologise for. He said Ezinne had seduced him and he had fallen just as any other man would.

Ifeanyi had not believed his ears. He knew he would never do such a thing to Obiora no matter what the lady did - be it posing in her naked glory like a statue. Ifeanyi felt it was a shame that Obiora shamelessly fell for his brother's fiancee.

It was even a greater shame that he saw nothing in all that he had done. Ifeanyi knew that instance he was done with him after he had said such. To ifeanyi, he had just five brothers - Obiora excluded.

Ifeanyi locked his door behind him as he made way to Obiageli's house. He would be in Lagos the upcoming week so he had to inform her about this. He imagined the surprise on her face when she saw him at her doorstep. He had not informed her in his last letter about his coming. It would be such a pleasant surprise for her. He couldn't wait to see that epic reaction.

It was a Saturday and he knew she would be at home. He quickened his pace for excitement was threatening to burst out of him.

The evening was cool and Ifeanyi smiled happily. He took in the beauty of the street; he would soon be leaving. It was a pity. He had come to love the state in a special way. Perhaps, it was for the wonderful people he had met. Most importantly, it was for the genuine love he had found.

Love was sweet when it was with the right person. He was glad he finally had someone after his two despairing attempt.

Ifeanyi pushed the black gate open and stepped into the compound. He could see some women sitting by the side of the house so he greeted them as he made way to Obiageli's apartment which was at the back of the house. What he didn't notice was the look the women gave him as he walked. He was too excited to notice.

Obiageli's door was locked when he got there. He knocked on it twice; waiting for a reply but got none. He did the usual which was: 'Open up, it's me, Ify!' However no response. He increased the tempo and weight of the knock on the door, yet no reply.

Where could she had gone? He thought. She barely went out on a Saturday. It was not like Chinaza was around to invite her for a date.

It was while he was deep in thought that his eyes fell on the letters - his letters -on the floor, beneath the door of the house where the post man had placed it.

Ifeanyi stooped to pick them up. They were four in number: three of his and one more which he knew not the sender. His hand was trembling as he stood up with the letters in his hands. What was going on? Why were his letters lying beneath her door; untouched? They were still sealed.

Crunching the letters in one hand and banging the iron door with the other hand, Ifeanyi made a ruckus by attracting neighbours due to the ultrasonic sound he was making. He had picked a stone and had used it on door in the name of knocking.

"What's going on? Why are you disturbing the peace of everyone?" A fat woman asked and the other six supported her.
"Who are you, gbo?" An older woman with gray hair asked.

"I think it's Oby's boyfriend." A leaner woman informed making the rest gasp and nod in understanding. "I see him each time he comes visiting."

"But she doesn't live here anymore." The fat woman who had spoken earlier revealed.

"What?!" Ifeanyi yelled. "She doesn't live here?"

"She parked some months ago. It's been long. Didn't she inform you?" The lean woman who had revealed who Ifeanyi was asked.

Ifeanyi was flummoxed. He couldn't speak. He stood trembling visibly as sweat glistened on his forehead and neck.

"Do you know where she stays now?" He asked and they all shook their heads.

"She left with a man, gbo Mama Ebezina?" The lean woman asked the short woman beside her who nodded in support.

Ifeanyi's eyes bulged out as he stared at them. What was going on? What were they saying?

The women shook their head pitifully at him. From his face, they could tell he had been jilted. They turned and began to leave group by group; whispering words to one another.

Ifeanyi didn't know when his legs gave way. All he knew was that he had fallen to the floor and was staring bleakly into space; the letters still in his hands.

He didn't know how long he had stayed in that state but he got up then, walked out of the compound without sparing anyone a look and taking the bus to the canteen. She definitely will still be working at the canteen.

Florence and one other girl he didn't know were on duty and were attending to customers. The other girl rushed to him immediately and ushered him to an empty chair but he walked past her without giving her a second look as he advanced to Florence whose eyes were fixated on the floor.

"Hi Florence! Kee ka ime? Oby is not on duty today, right? Could you kindly tell me where she stays now?" He fired all his questions at once.