Chapter 1: Shadows in Lagos
Lagos pulsed like a heartbeat outside Ella's university flat – vibrant, relentless. I moved in with my big sister Ella mid-semester, seeking refuge after clashes in Asaba. Ella, once the sunshine of our family, now seemed cloaked in whispers.
I recalled Ella and Justice (Zubi) – they'd been that perfect Lagos couple for years before uni. Sweet photos, laughter-filled dates along Bar Beach. But something shifted when Ella stepped into lecture halls. I'd noticed distance brewing even before I joined her in Lagos.
Ella shared the flat with Lily – her bestie and roommate. Lily's eyes often looked bruised, like unspoken words lingered there. I sensed fragments of pain tied to Daniela and Rema; Lily's voice dropped whenever those names surfaced.
That first night in Ella's flat felt off. Ella cooked jollof with distracted hands. "Hey, Confident," she smiled weakly. "Welcome to my chaos."
Lily emerged from her room, hair messy. "Hey Confident! Welcome to crazy-land." Her laugh sounded like a practiced cover.
Ella's phone buzzed. Justice's name flashed. Ella hesitated before silencing it. "I…need to sort some things, Confident." Her words trailed like Lagos harmattan haze.
Something brewed beneath the surface – unease I couldn't place. In Lagos, secrets had a way of finding you.
End of Chapter 1