The evening sky in Uyo was painted with strokes of orange fading into purple, the kind of sky that always looked like it carried secrets. Glory sat at the edge of her bed, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees, eyes staring out through the louvered window. The street outside hummed with life—hawkers shouting, children chasing each other, the occasional motorbike rattling past—but all the noise seemed far away.
Her thoughts were louder.
That picture wouldn't leave her head. Abraham, smiling, standing too close to Christiana. The new corper from Lagos who seemed to float wherever she walked. Fair, tall, shaped like a whisper of temptation. Glory hated that the image stung her so much, but it did. It stung because it confirmed what she'd been trying to deny—that Abraham might be drifting into someone else's orbit.
Her phone buzzed suddenly. She jumped, then reached for it. The name on the screen brought relief.
Chiburuoma.
She answered at once. "Chibu, my sister!"
The sound of her best friend's voice flowed through the line like warm water. "Glory baby! I just said, let me hear from you this night before I crash. How's Uyo holding you?"
Glory forced a laugh, leaning back against the wall. "I dey try. How Yenagoa? Madam wife of the year."
Chiburuoma giggled, and in that sound, Glory could picture her clearly—dark eyes lit with excitement, hands flying as she spoke. "My dear, marriage no easy, but e sweet somehow. You won't believe what Damini did this week."
Glory tilted her head, interest rising. "Tell me."
"He bought another house, Glory. A whole house in the suburbs here in Yenagoa. Three bedrooms, spacious kitchen, compound with small garden. The day he handed me the keys, I nearly faint. I kept asking, 'Damini, is this really ours?' He just smiled."
Glory's lips parted. "Another house? As in fully yours?"
"Fully ours. We're considering renting it out. That way, more income."
Something like pride and joy welled in Glory's chest. "Chibu, that's amazing! You deserve it, my sister. You've always been hardworking, loyal, prayerful. God really showed up for you."
Chiburuoma chuckled softly. "Hmm, don't make me cry. Honestly, I still wake up at night and stare at the keys on the table, asking if it's real. Married life… it humbles you."
"Tell me," Glory urged gently. "How is it, really?"
Chiburuoma sighed dramatically before breaking into laughter. "Sometimes I want to strangle Damini. I mean, he's sweet, but he leaves things everywhere! Socks in the sitting room, towel on the chair, shoes at the wrong place. And when I complain, he'll just hug me and say, 'My babe, cool down.' I don't even know how to stay angry."
Glory laughed so hard her eyes watered. "Na so marriage be? Half fight, half love?"
"Exactly! One moment you want to pack your load, the next you're thanking God for him. But let me not lie, it's sweeter than it's bitter. I wouldn't trade it."
There was a pause, soft and comforting. Then Chiburuoma asked, "What about you? How's Uyo treating you, aside from Emem moving in?"
Glory hesitated. The truth pressed against her lips, hot and heavy. She took a breath. "There's something."
"I'm listening," Chiburuoma said, voice steady.
"There's a new corper in town. Christiana. Yoruba girl. She's… she's dazzling, Chibu. Extremely beautiful. And somehow, Abraham has been around her. I've caught them together more than once. It's like… like she's glowing and he can't help but notice."
For a moment, only silence. Then Chiburuoma chuckled knowingly. "So that's the wahala."
Glory groaned. "Don't laugh at me."
"I'm not laughing at you, nne. I'm laughing because you're forgetting who you are. Listen, there will always be another beautiful woman. That doesn't erase what you and Abraham share. You've known him longer, you've built history. Don't let insecurity make you lose ground you already have."
Glory's throat tightened. "But when I see how he looks at her—"
"Men's eyes can wander, but their heart? Their heart stays where it feels at home. If Abraham truly cares, he will show it. Stop doing the heavy lifting for him. Remember, it's a man who is meant to pursue, not the woman. Just carry yourself with dignity. If he is yours, no corper from Lagos can change that."
Glory let out a long breath, comforted by the firmness in her friend's tone. "You always know what to say."
"That's why you have me. And abeg, don't overthink. Corper shine dey fade once the stress of service year sets in. Just wait. She'll soon tire of the 'village waka.'"
Both burst into laughter until Glory's ribs ached.
They gisted a little longer—Chiburuoma talking about the peaceful suburb in Yenagoa, neighbors peeking into their new life, the joy of arranging furniture in a home that was truly theirs. Eventually, fatigue tugged at her voice. "I need to go, my dear. Tomorrow, I have market runs. Married woman duties."
Glory smiled softly. "Thank you for calling. I needed this."
"Always. Goodnight, my baby girl."
The call ended, leaving a quiet warmth behind.
---
Glory placed her phone down, then walked to Emem's room. Her cousin was folding tiny clothes into a drawer while her son dozed lightly on the bed.
"You're still awake?" Glory asked.
Emem smiled. "You know children's clothes never end. How was your call?"
"Refreshing," Glory said truthfully, leaning against the doorframe. "Chiburuoma sounds happy. They bought a house in Yenagoa."
"That's wonderful," Emem replied, her face glowing. "God will do it for you too."
Glory nodded, though a strange ache stirred in her chest. She watched the child stir in sleep, innocence soft as a sigh. A life like this—home, husband, family—she wanted it, yet it felt so complicated.
She returned to her room, the weight of thoughts pressing on her again. She tried reading. She tried scrolling aimlessly. But the restless energy wouldn't leave. Then her phone vibrated—another message.
She tapped it open casually.
Her breath froze.
It was a group photo at the community stream earlier that day, shared by a church member. Young corps members laughing, water shimmering behind them. And right in the middle—Abraham. Standing beside Christiana. Their shoulders almost touching. Both smiling like they belonged in the same frame.
Glory's heart lurched. Her hand trembled as the phone slipped slightly.
Her chest constricted with a force that stole her breath. This wasn't her imagination anymore. This wasn't suspicion.
It was real.
Abraham and Christiana. Together. Smiling.
The room seemed to spin, and Glory pressed her palm to her chest as if that could slow the pounding of her heart. But nothing could dull the sharp cut of jealousy and fear slicing through her.