1 Chapter 1

My name is Niniola, yes Nini that's how everyone calls me in my neighborhood and we live in  a rented apartment, where we have to share kitchen,toilet and bathroom. The house is more like a barrack, I said barracks because we are just too much in that compound, I have a sister and 2 brothers, step siblings, my Dad late, he died few months ago in a motorcycle crash so it's been my step mom raising us through her mini store, I and my step sister will be writing our final exams so we get tutor by a youth service corper in our compound. He's such a nice man.

I was washing some clothes outside our room when I heard a male voice called out "Nini" I looked back "brother Mike" I said, "Good afternoon brother Mike" I continue washing but I realized he was still standin, well he standing and watching me doing house chores is what I am used to about him, sometimes he even helps me out, I turn to look at him, "Brother Mike is there something you want me to help you with? This you keep staring at me washing"

"No," he answered " I only came to keep you my wife company " yes he always calls me that way, Brother Mike leave in the next compound but he often come to our compound to gist witha giy re of his age group mostly it's either they are arguing football or our bad government.

"Did anyone ever told you, you like Genevieve, the Nollywood Diva" Said Mike

" Stop flattering me, you' be told me that but I haven't noticed that".I answered with a playful smile.

"I got you something while coming back from work" I turn to him, he usually buys me little things like calculator, books, clothes.I quickly stood up then he deep his hand into his pant pocket and brought out a wrist watch and he said " I notice you don't wear one, so I decided to get you one" I was so happy, I took it and said thank you. I was so happy because my classmate do wear one but I never got one to wear even my stepsister wears one but now that brother Mike got me one I am over the moon, then I stretched my hands to collect the wristwatch and he said" give me your hands" then I stretched my hand  to him and he help me wear the wristwatch on my hand " Thank you" I said.

"Don't worry Wifey I will get you better things when I finally claim you as mine in future, I will make more money for us dear" I didn't say anything because am just 16 while he is 25 so I see whatever he said as a serious joke.

I kept staring at the wristwatch on my hand, smiling at it and he asked with happiness written all over his face" you like it?" I love it" I answered, and he said I love the person wearing it more. Whatever he said now made no sense to me than I will be showing off my wristwatch at school the next day. Then I heard good steps withe sound of plastic bag and when look up I saw my stepsister almost close to us, I have to go now he said" and I thank him again and  he left while my sister came over to  me seeing me extra happy she couldn't help but asked " you look happy what's it? Did he buy you something again? And I lift my hand and show her my wristwatch and she said" wow!"  I thinks he likes you" I stood still and I answered " Don't go there again , can't you see the age gap Kate?I know but I thinks he like you" .

" it's almost 5pm" corper Dayo will be here, we need to get ready for our tutorial " Kate said, that's my stepsister, we both are preparing for our final examination. I quickly remove my wristwatch and concentrate on washing but thinking of it Kate has never been eager to learn but since this corper became our tutor kate has become suddenly become aa good student, corper Dayo is great teacher though who wouldn't like his class.