Neighbours from “O”

One year ago, I moved to a place safer than where I was staying. It honestly doesn’t feel like a year. Maybe because I’ve been indoors almost all through my stay here or maybe because I haven’t made that much of friends.

I have people I see occasionally and we say hello but then I have a neighbour I exchange more than just pleasantries with. She’s married and I love her kids. I have neighbours I wanted to be friends with but I took a step back when I noticed how entitled they tend to get. Saying no to them is like declaring them your enemy.

They have a young girl who has no control over her mouth whatsoever and has little to no respect for people other than her parents. I used to overlook it until the day she began to pass silent remarks about my mom. Then I sat up and went to meet the neighbour I speak with and she advised me to avoid them totally.

Funny enough, since I moved here and with the few people I’ve gotten to speak with, no one had any good to say about them especially the younger daughter. I have been a victim of rumours so I tend not to believe until I see and see I did.

They single-handedly proved all rumours right. From their sense of entitlement to lack of courtesy. Funny enough, I have only had this encounter with the ladies of the house. Regarding the boys, I heard nothing bad about their attitude apart from the trouble they get into.

My compound is jam packed with family people save for a couple. I don’t bother sticking my neck out to know what’s happening unless it’s regarding the electricity in the district. So, I won’t be outside. The house is mostly quiet especially when kids have left for school, same with the street. It gets lonely.

One day, I decided to step out the house and just get air. The street was totally empty and it was how I preferred it. I stood in front of the gate, it was cold out and clouds covered the sun. The gate opposite opened and a very familiar face came out.

Shock can’t begin to describe what I was feeling because I knew that face. I “ate” that face and by the way he gave me the once over, he totally recognised me. Or not. He’s a twin so I couldn’t tell if it was him or his brother.

He walked towards one of the shop and I used the opportunity of his back turned to stumble back into the house, my heart pounding staccato in my chest. What are the chances that a fling you had years ago, one you’d forgotten and even blocked eveywhere, turns out to be your next door (or should I say gate) neighbour?

Till today, we haven’t said a word to each other. Except that one time, when I heard shouting outside I ran out because my neighbours inside where saying it was light issue. I was tying wrapper over my shirt. My hair a mess and my glasses on my face. I popped out and went to inquire what was wrong and then saw him. He was sitting on the pavement close to our gate which was why I missed him until I came out. Then Oga proceeded to stare. I couldn’t take it and said a sharp good morning and then left.