Chioma's POV.

"Wow! I don't know what you were so scared of, but this place is really pretty. Small but very stylish" Amanda exclaimed the minute I opened the door to the one room apartment. It had a medium sized bedroom _ my old bedroom was quadruple the size of that room, heck! My closet was actually twice the size of that room_ a living  room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a little garden at the backyard. I went around the entire house, cringing at the fact that I have to live here. It might be stylish but it's so small. I'm so used to living in a big house with various floor that finally staying in a house that had just one floor seems so weird to me. But with time, I'm sure I'll adjust.

The bedroom was simple but yet neat and comfortable. The walls were all white and the bed was dressed with a plain white bedding and a black comforter and a black duvet were spread across the bed in delicate and neat folds with the pillows now covered in black pillow cases. The floors of the room were covered in basic black tiles, the black wooden wardrobe stood at a far end of the room and the black curtains were drawn to the sides. The room had only two windows, how was I to manage that?

A small air conditioner hung on the wall and the ceilings were all white and at the centre of ceiling hung a round shaped bulb holder. A small wooden vanity table and dresser stood at the corner of the room, right next to the bed - just a few inches away from the bed - and it complimented the bedstand as they were of the same wood color, polished and shiny.

I soon left the room and went into the small kitchen with various utensils and food stuff all stocked and arranged in various cabinets , shelves and cupboards. The cabinets, shelves and cupboards, were covered in red and black paints and the tiles on the floor were all black. A small toaster, a mini fridge and a small microwave oven were all placed and arranged at a far end of the kitchen and the gas cooker was on the other side, a few inches away from the cupboards.

The living room was also simple, just two black couches and white fluffy cushions; which were neatly placed on each couch, sat in distinctive orders in the living room. A fifteen inch flat screen TV hung on the floral patterned wallpapered walls. Like how in the world did I get to this? That TV was way too small!

A small LG air conditioner hung on the walls too, and the black curtains were all draped to the side. The white tiled floor shimmered like it was recently cleaned and the white energy bulbs, protected by half-moon bulb holders, brightened the entire room.

"See? This place is not so bad. I'm beginning to want a house just like this" Amanda gushed once more, placing a hand over my shoulder. "I'll even offer to cook for you when you need it. You'll adjust soon, don't worry" she said and I let out a sigh.

"Amanda, I'm claustrophobic, remember? This house...it's too small" I sighed overly dramatically.

"Don't be so dramatic! You only get those claustrophobic attacks when you're in tiny spaces, and this house is moderately spaced. No way you're having any freakish attacks and if you ever feel lonely; then just hit me up. If I weren't so busy with work, I would've offered to stay here with you. But I guess some other time" she said, and I groaned.

"You'll help me job haunt tomorrow?" I asked, my eyes holding so much hope and she threw her hands up in the air and grinned.

"Deal" she replied and I smiled.

"You're the best!" I grinned and she dramatically fanned herself with her hands, a smile creeping to her face.

"I know I am! Of course I am!" She said and I immediately gave her a bored look and she stopped.

Just then, I remembered what agozie had said to me before I left for the mainland. I immediately excused myself and went into my new room, retrieved my phone from my purse and unlocked it. The minute my phone got unlocked, a notification of a new message popped up; it was a new message from Agozie.

Agozie: Check your photos. I left something there for you.

I was curious about what he might've left in there and so I tapped on the app and saw a few pictures that weren't there before. They were pictures of us, on the day I got drunk, including a video. I went through the pictures again; the first one was of me taking yet another shot of whiskey. The second one was of me resting my head lazily on his chest, a lopsided grin on my face and my eyes half shut - I looked a bit tipsy in the photo - meanwhile, Agozie had a big, bright smile on his face and had his head tilted to the side as he stared into the camera. And the last one was of me smiling at the camera lazily and my head lain on his lap, this time around, while he smiled down at me.

He took pictures that day? This boy will not kill somebody. Why did he do that?

I found myself smiling as I went through the pictures and then I clicked on the video.

"Chioma, Chioma, look here..." The video started. He had the camera facing me the whole time he filmed."Look into the camera" he beckoned and I groaned, my head still on his lap. "I don't want to...I want to dance instead" I replied, laughing at something that wasn't even funny.

Had I gone mad?

"You want to dance? Right now?" He asked.

"Yes. You're making me angry too" I said. "Let's  dance" I added.

I immediately groaned while watching the video. I can't believe I even said that.

"No, you're not feeling...okay. After__"

"I don't like your attitude. Just because you're handsome, you're acting somehow. In fact, I no longer like you" I said, lifting my head from his lap with a childish pout on my face and my arms crossed over my chest.

"Oya, I'm sorry. Sorry na" he pleaded, bringing the camera closer to my face. "See her face... Chioma is vexing for me oh. Smile for me na" he said in a sing-song voice, laughing at the end.

"You're annoy...annoying me! You're...hick! You're so annoying." I said, struggling with a few hiccups.

"Let me help you up, you need to rest. You're clearly not in the right state of mind to think" he said. But then I got up from the couch and held his arm.

" Says who? Hick! I am...I am thinking straight" I argued, smiling dizzily at him.

"No, you're not" he said. "I'll take you upstairs" he offered.

"I like you, a lot." I suddenly said, smiling dreamingly.

Jesus Christ! I did not just say that, God please tell me I'm dreaming, I'm probably hearing things.

"What?" Agozie asked, shock withheld in his baritone.

"I said..." I got closer. "I like you, a lot. Now say it back" I replied, smiling sheepishly and staggering.

"Easy there, you'll definitely regret saying that in the morning" he said, trying to help me out.

" No, I won't. Now say it back...say it...say it back. I want to hear you say it too" my voice seemed a lot drawled and my eyes lazily stared into the camera.

"I like you too. Now, let's go" he said, helping me out. It seemed like Agozie dropped the phone on the table and forgot the video was still recording. He was trying to help me upstairs but I kept resisting and arguing with him.

I couldn't see anything anymore, just the ceiling as the phone laid screen flat on the table. I couldn't see them, I mean, us anymore, but I could hear their, I mean, our voices.

"Chioma, stop this thing na. I'm trying to help you! No, no, don't!" He groaned.

"Hehehe" I giggled. "You look cute when you're frustrated"

Did...? God of Israel! Did I just say that?

I face-palmed myself and groaned, still watching the vidoe.. Why?!

"Chioma, behave" he said.

"Why?" Came my voice.

"I said so, that's why" he replied, his voice sounded a little stern.

"Kill joy!" I yelled and I could hear his laughter in the background.

"I'm not"

"You...you are!"

"Oya, stay let me help you upstairs" he said.

"No. I'm not a child, I can go on my own. Leave me alone!" I replied.

"Okay nau, oya be going"

"Agozie?" I called out.

"What is it? Stay still!"

"Your... Your phone" I said and he immediately muttered a cuss and went for it but not before saying that I stayed where I was, which I did.

Footsteps were heard and then his face was the last thing I saw before the video came to an end.

I got another notification of a yet another text from Agozie.

Agozie: Have you seen them?

I sighed and rubbed my temples before replying.

Me: Yeah. Why did you send them though?

In a few seconds he replied.

Agozie: I felt it'd be fair since you couldn't remember anything that happened that day, plus, I found it really funny. LoL.

Yeah, right...funny indeed. I just disgraced myself and spilled my gut without knowing it.

Me: LoL indeed. But please act like nothing happened, it was just the alcohol talking.

A few seconds passed before his reply came in.

Agozie: I knew you'd say that. But anyhow Sha, altho I can't forget what happened. I'm sha leaving soon tho, I'm going to Port Harcourt at my parent's request. I'll be back in two weeks time.

A smile lingered on my lips, at first, but then it dissolved into a frown and I rubbed my forehead with my fingers before replying.

Me: Ohh, when are you leaving?

Agozie: On Saturday.

Me: Okay then.

Agozie: Ah! Won't you miss me ni??

I chuckled before I replied.

Me: Why will I miss you? You're the one that's going to miss me instead.

Agozie: Haba! I Sha know you're lying. Not to worry, we shall see.

Me: LoL. I'll miss you, are you happy now?

Agozie: Of course! ☺️

Me: I've got to go now tho, we'll talk later.

Agozie: bye, catch you later! I'll call you later, okay? Kisses and hugs!

Me: Mhmmm...bye.

Agozie: You eh😂
Say it back ni...

Me: Guy, bye-bye!😩

Agozie: Warreva! Bye dear!

He ended the chat and I immediately let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding and flung my phone on the bed.

"Oh wow! So this is where you've been all this while?" Amanda said as she walked into the room with two bowls of chicken noodles in her hand with fried eggs lain on top each of them.

"And you cooked noodles!" I beamed, and immediately retrieved a bowl from her and sat down on my bed to eat.

"Shebi that was Agozie" she said, rather than asked.

"How did you know?" I asked, putting a forkful of noodles into my mouth, but not before blowing some air onto it; to reduce the heat coming from it.

"You were smiling like there's no tomorrow, and you didn't even notice when I entered. So I just put two and two together" she replied, putting a pice of fried egg into her mouth and chewing slowly on it.

"Yeah, yeah. It was him alright, we just spoke for a while, nothing much" I shrugged.

"If you want to lie to me, at least do it with sense. You guys did more than just talking, I saw you watching a video when I came in and I heard his voice too. I'm not stupid, Chioms" she replied, puffing air into her forkful of noodles to reduce the heat.

"Well...we, the video...it's nothing serious. Just a video of me being silly on the day I got drunk. Nothing serious, no need to get all suspicious, there's nothing serious going on between Agozie and I" I said.

"Guilty much? I didn't even say there's something going on between you two, oh gah oh! Thank God he'll be leaving for Port Harcourt soon, I'll finally have my best friend back" she said, nonchalantly putting a forkful of noodles into her mouth.

"He told me" I said.

"Oh really? So, are you happy about it or sad?" She asked and I shook my head in disbelief.

"Can't you see how glad I am? You'll be asking rubbish questions" I replied, sarcasm laced in my voice.

"Oya, gimme back the bowl of noodles I made you. You don't deserve to enjoy such a delicacy" she said, dramatically stretching out her hand to retrieve it.

"Too late, I'm already enjoying it!" I smiled, putting another forkful of noodles into my mouth.

"Duns!" She muttered and I laughed.

* * *
Femi's POV.

"Femi!" Dad called and I got out of bed with a groan.

"Yes dad?" I answered, slowly grumbling as I came downstairs to meet him. I was currently feeling tired and I just wanted to rest a little.

"The game's about to begin" dad informed and I yawned lazily and plopped on the couch beside him, slipping a hand into his bowl of popcorn which he slapped away.

"Go and get your own, I'm not sharing this one" he said and I feigned hurt.

"Dad, me again? Since when did that one start na? It's me oh, Femi" I said and he shrugged, popping a popcorn into his mouth as he stared at the TV with keen interest.

"Oya, we'll share jare! This match is making brain oh! Liverpool is definitely winning this one" He said, his eyes not leaving the TV and I laughed at the level of interest he put into watching the match.

"That guy is a certified mumu! See the goal post there oh, still he did not have sense to corner that ode over there!" Dad exclaimed, referring to one of the defenders and I laughed.

Nigerians are always abusing footballers when watching matches. Some of them can't even play but yet they can make mouth for Africa. My dad is a perfect example.

"Dad, chill na" I laughed.

"Oh no! That idiot over there should get his head in the game! Is that one blind?! Footballers of nowadays are just messing up, I can even play better than some of them, even at this age. Just see what that one is doing! Oh gawd! What a wow!" dad exclaimed once more and I burst into a fit of laughter, holding onto my stomach as the laughter voiced loudly through my throat.

"Dad, you can sha make mouth oh!" I laughed.

"No oh, think about it na!" he said, eyes still glued to the TV. "I said it na! I knew this guy is unwise. Look at him! He should evaporate from there oh jare! We don't need him!" Dad exclaimed once more and my laughter knew no bounds.

"Oh! What a wow! Goal!" I exclaimed this time around, clapping alongside my dad.

"See this oversized monkey! What is he doing there?! Guy take the ball, corner kick! Dribble like you have sense na! Oh! Out! This people are making me vex oh! Just see father Lord!...what is he looking at?! Oh my gawd! Mugu defend na!" Dad yelled and I placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"Dad, calm down. They can't even hear you" I said, laughter erupting from ny throat. Dad gave me a look that said: it's like you're mad.

"Are you here to kill the vibes? Or are you here to watch this match with interest?" He asked, an amused smile on his face.

"Abeg, Juventus will still win this match at the end" I said and dad stared at me like I'd magically grown horns.

"You mean Liverpool, right?" Dad asked, his eyes holding amusement.

"Eh, no. Juventus" I replied.

"Go and sleep, you don't have sense" dad laughed.

"Ah! Me? A whole me?" I feigned hurt but dad ignored me and kept watching the game, momentarily putting some popcorn into his mouth.

"Goal ball!" Dad exclaimed the minute Liverpool scored yet another goal. "You see your life? Liverpool is winning this match! No two ways about it!" Dad beamed and I laughed.

"I have heard oh!" I laughed once more.

Soon, mom came downstairs and joined us in the living room; momentarily laughing at Dad's facial expression each time Juventus scored a goal. I couldn't be more happier with my dad. At the end of the match, Liverpool won and dad jumped up and cheered with a big, bright smile on his face.

"Femi, I told you na! I knew they will win, I trust them! Never doubted them for even a second!" He beamed and we all laughed at him.

He's always acting this funny each time he's watching football. He acts like a young boy being given the latest video game.

________________________

Hi, hi, hi!!!
Guys, I really hope this chapter was long enough.

Okay, who else found Femi's father's reaction funny and could relate to it? Well, me! My cousins, brothers, father, uncles...that's just how they react when they are watching football.

Sometimes, when I choose to join them and I start asking stupid questions like: "who are those ones in blue?" Or "who won?" Or "What just happened?" And the likes, they'll just say to me; "oya, Chisom use the exit! Misplace fast fast!". And it's always so funny cause I sometimes do it intentionally, just to step on their toes.

I know a lot of guys that can cause fight just because of football, it's so funny. Last time I mocked my cousin's favorite football club, he personally carried me out of the living room...he was so angry eh😂😂😂
The guy vexed for me eh, I was like "ah! I was only joking oh!". The dude did not even send at all at all😩
I shalln't forget that day, I begged for forgiveness before we became cool again.

Anyway, please share any of your football experiences too. I'd really love to read them, also...please let me know what you thought of this chapter.

Adios amigos!
Love you guys❤️❤️❤️✨

Till my next update,
Bye...