DAVID's POV
Since Priscilla left, Daniel hadn't been himself. He missed surgeries, retreated to his room for hours, barely ate. I'd reached my limit. I stormed into his room one afternoon, finding him sprawled on the bed, headphones on, eyes closed.
I slammed the door, making him startle and snap his eyes open.
He wasn't the only one who could play the silent game. I folded my arms and stared back. After a minute-long battle of wills, he sat up and removed his headphones.
"What?" he asked.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I demanded, voice sharp, anger rolling off me.
He narrowed his eyes, staring back. Silence.
He hated cursing, so I softened my tone, leaning in slightly. "You love her, don't you?"
Frowning, he asked, "Love who?"
"You love Priscilla," I shot back.
Still, he said nothing. He just stared.
I gritted my teeth. "Daniel, I'm this close to losing it. You know it won't be funny. Speak."
He sighed, exhaling like he carried the weight of the world. "Yes, I love her… okay? But it can't work."
"Why can't it?"
He looked at me like I'd lost my mind.
"What?" I pressed, face a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Because you like her. And it seems… she likes you too."
I froze. "Why would you think that?"
"Isn't it obvious?" He raised his eyebrows. "You're always touching. She lights up around you. She wants to be with you."
"So… you think there's something between Pretty and me… because of that?" I asked, shocked.
"Yes," he snapped, eyes narrowing. "Also, what is with the nicknames?"
I sighed and grabbed a chair, seating myself. Calmly, I explained, "Daniel, I like Priscilla, but I don't love her. She's my friend, nothing more. Remember, I met her first that's why the nicknames. And the touching…I didn't know it meant anything else to you."
He shrugged, silent.
"Do you understand, Daniel? I don't love her. She's my friend."
"I get you. But I think she likes you," he argued.
How could he be this clueless? Patiently, I continued, "I've been speaking to her since she left. She mostly talks about you. She likes you too, I think."
"Ha… think?" He scoffed.
"Yeah. She's probably confused because you didn't make your feelings obvious."
He stared out the window, silent.
"Why did you let her go?"
He shook his head. "I wanted you guys to be happy. If you liked each other, I didn't want to get in the way."
I exhaled. My brother had always been selfless, putting my happiness above his own.
"It ends now, Daniel."
He looked at me, puzzled. "What?"
"You heard me. We're twins. You're my Kenny, I'm your Taiwo. You protect me, I protect you. Stop carrying every weight alone. We share everything. Understand?"
He nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Make me feel like a twin too."
He smiled. "You're a piece of work, you know that?"
"Same to you, bro."
We laughed and fell into a short silence. Then he spoke, voice quieter.
"I think… I'm in love with her. And it terrifies me. I've never felt like this before. How do I know she feels the same… she left."
"You'll never know unless you tell her. Love is supposed to scare you. It is trusting your heart, trusting yourself with another. Without her, life is bleak. With her, it feels brighter. Love is a risk. Fall, hope she catches you. If she doesn't… it wasn't meant to be. Love can't be forced, Daniel. Take the risk."
"How did you get so wise?" He smirked.
I chuckled. "Watching your miserable self inspired me."
He laughed.
"So…what now?" I asked. He couldn't stay here like this, miserable.
"Pack your bag. We're going to Nigeria." He stood and began clearing his wardrobe.
"What?" I croaked.
"You heard me."
"I have work here."
"Do it online."
"And your surgeries?"
"I'll have a doctor friend cover for me."
"So… what's the plan in Nigeria?"
"I have the perfect plan to win her back."
I smiled. "Romeo, huh? Pretty will be thrilled."
He dropped the shirt he'd picked back on the bed and walked toward me. "About that…"
"Yes?"
He stopped, eyes locking onto mine, voice low. "From now on… keep your distance from her."
I laughed, rolling my eyes. Before I could move, he cuffed me on the back of the head. Hard.
"What the—" I spun around, shocked to see him stepping closer, still glaring.
Daniel was in fight mode, and I didn't want to challenge him. I raised my hands and stepped back.
"I don't understand," I said.
"You heard me. Keep your distance from Priscilla. Every time you touched her… it upset me."
"What's wrong with you? We're friends!"
He rolled his eyes. "I don't care. No hugging, no touching, no calling her pretty."
"What about when she hugs or touches me?" I asked, bewildered.
"Don't let it happen. End of story," he shrugged.
"And I can't stop calling her pretty."
"Why?"
"Those nicknames… they're circumstantial. If I stop, she'll think I'm mad at her," I said, nearly shouting. Damn, a jealous man was terrifying.
He shrugged. "Call her by her name. She has several."
I shook my head. "You're crazy."
"I'm just a jealous lover, not crazy." He shrugged and returned to his packing.
"Fine, but don't be too jealous, or you'll scare her away," I warned.
He rolled his eyes. "I know."
I snorted. "Basketball outside? You in?"
He dropped his clothes, smiled, and followed me. "Sure."