Song of the day: Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding

Stepping off the treadmill, Niyi wiped the sweat off his face and neck with his towel. He knew he should not have slacked in his regular exercises but laziness told control of his bones. To be fair, his work at the office doubled and took most of his time. The only free times he got, he spent on himself. And today was one of such days. Today was going to be all about him. Perhaps he could take himself to the movies after he finished his workout.

After working out, he made breakfast and ate in the quiet apartment. Despite the fact he knew his closest friend was not going to step out of his bedroom to complain, Niyi still wished Elijah would. He missed Elijah, even if this time apart gave Niyi a guilt-free time to process things. 

He thought of Sewa and that awkward encounter at the restaurant. Grown, he was and yet, he joined in silly antics as though he were a teenager. Besides, Sewa seemed happy with her blind date. She looked happy with a lot of things these days. Niyi felt happy for her but it still hurt. He felt jealous.

Seeing Will brought back memories he tried hard to keep down. High school and college days were the highlight of his life until he couldn't sing anymore. It wasn't that he couldn't sing still, he could but he should not. Straining his vocal chords could make him lose his voice entirely.

His hands tingled and itched to play his guitar, hit the keys of his piano and draw the bow of his violin. Niyi felt his eyes burn and brim with unshed tears. Clearing his throat, he shook off his thoughts then cleaned his plates and headed to the bathroom to wash up.

The clock slowly turned towards noon as he flicked through the channels playing on the television. It was boring and unproductive. The news playing did not give him a sense of joy or grief, but he did raise a brow at the ridiculous tweet the Nigerian President posted on the internet.

"Seriously, someone needs to get that phone away from the president or his publicity team," Niyi muttered to himself.

He tapped the buttons of the remote, finding himself watching another Hollywood remake of Romeo and Juliet. Despite the familiar and overused plot, Niyi wondered why people watched this type of movie. He also wondered why he was paying rapt attention to the movie and chuckling at the cringe dialogue.

As the movie came to an end, Niyi rose from his sitting position and wondered why he wasted thirty minutes of his life. He was headed for the kitchen for a bite of something sweet in his fridge when he heard a knock on his door. Brows creasing, he crossed the living room and unlocked the door. On opening it, he received the shock of his life.

What the hell was Sewa doing here?

Niyi let a strangled sound as he tried to act less surprised. "Hey, what's up? What are you doing here?"

Her lovely eyes looked up at him with a huge smile. "I come bearing gifts."

It was then Niyi noticed the gift basket in her hands. "It's not my birthday, is it?" Taking the basket from her, he invited her in. "I'm tidier than this usually. Please have a seat."

He carried the basket into the kitchen then raided his fridge for snacks to offer her. There was chin chin and a bottle of Coca Cola he was saving for later that afternoon. Including a glass cup, he placed everything in a tray and made for the living room.

"Oh, you didn't have to," she said, looking between the tray and him. "Thank you. You have a lovely home."

"Thank you." Niyi had planned to move the moment Elijah announced his departure. But the house had grown on him, teeming with precious, happy memories. It was a home unlike he one he was kicked out from.

"I apologize for coming without warning today. I wanted to apologize and thank you for the other day."

Niyi nodded, offering a smile. "That's what friends are for."

An awkward silence contained the air to which she kindly cut through. "I heard you were a musician."

"I was. Did Funmi tell you?"

Sewa rubbed her neck, chuckling. "You don't sound happy."

He winced, wondering if he sounded cold. "It's a sour memory."

"Do you mind telling me what happened?"

He rubbed his neck, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. "I can't sing anymore."

"But you can still play, right?"

"I can but I would rather not."

"Oh." She poured herself the drink and quickly gulped it down.

Niyi felt terrible about making her feel uncomfortable. He rubbed his forehead, wondering the best way to liven the mood without sending her running away.

"Did you have fun with Will?"

"Yes, he is very nice. We'll be going on another date next weekend."

"I'm glad." He glanced at his lit phone, reading the popped up notification. "Hey, are you a Marvel fan?"

She lit up with excitement. "Yes, why?"

"Would you like to watch the premiere of Black Panther 2 with me?"

Nodding, she agreed. "Yes. I've been dying with curiosity especially after the trailer release..."

He listened as Sewa talked about theories she thought up or read on Reddit. They argued and shared thoughts on Avengers: Endgame then shared mutual sadness over the passing of Chadwick Boseman.

The time went away from them as they moved into the kitchen to prepare lunch, suddenly discussing about mythologies and traditional idols. A glass cup slipped from Sewa's hands, bringing a pause to their conversation.

"I am so sorry," Sewa apologized, bending over to pick up the pieces.

Before her hands could touch the broken pieces, Niyi grabbed her and pulled her upright. Thinking only of her safety, Niyi lifted her by the waist and sat her on the counter.

"Don't worry. I'll clean it up."

When they finished in the kitchen and ate, Niyi noticed Sewa's grow quiet. He could not help but wonder if he did something wrong.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

She nodded, avoiding eye contact with him.

He fucked up again, didn't he?