Kamcy

  Walking down the narrow passage between buildings, I emerged onto the street. Turning left, a small provision store came into view.

  As I approached, I noticed an old woman asleep inside on a narrow wooden bench—one I was certain was wildly uncomfortable. A young woman, probably in her early twenties, stepped out to attend to me.

  "Good morning," I greeted.

  She didn't respond immediately.

  We both hesitated, each unsure how to address the other. I was fairly certain she was older than me, but I also knew that many girls around her age didn't particurly like being greeted traditionally if you were younger, even by a year.

  On her end, she seemed just as unsure. I suspected—though I could be wrong that she had a bit of a crush on me. Or at least some mild attraction, despite how few interactions we'd had.

  Truth be told, I was attracted to her too.

  She was pretty.

  Unfortunately, I was terrible at non-ptonic retionships.

  I'd had girlfriends before, but things always ended the same way. I wouldn't call unless it felt necessary at best, maybe once a month. According to them, the ck of attention was unbearable, and eventually, we'd break up.

  At first, I didn't understand it. My male friends and I could go an entire month without talking, then meet up and act like nothing had changed. With girls, though, silence transted into attitude… then resentment.

  Eventually, I understood enough for my friends to start calling me the fumbler, joking that my spirit animal was a cat.

  As embarrassing as it was and despite the fact that I'd always been able to get girls—I had never had sex.

  I hadn't even kissed one.

  Why?

  I honestly didn't know.

  After picking up the items I needed, I did the calcutions and opened my banking app to make a transfer—only to realize I was ?500 short.

  I sighed and forced a smile.

  "Sorry, I'm short ?500 at the moment. Can I—"

  "Don't worry about it."

  She cut me off before I could finish, making me look up at her.

  "I mean… you can pay it back ter," she added quickly. "I know your siblings—you can't run."

  She stuttered through the expnation, even though it didn't really need one.

  I smiled back.

  It felt good, knowing I still had at least one thing going for me.

  FLASH!

  BOOM!

  My attention snapped toward the distance.

  We both stepped out of the store and saw a plume of smoke rising into the sky.

  I frowned. I was sure I'd seen a fsh before the explosion.

  "What the hell was that?" I muttered.

  Turning to her, I joked, "Have Boko Haram finally reached us here in Delta State?"

  She didn't find it funny.

  "God forbid, Kamcy," she said sharply. "Stop making such comments. I don't want terrorists ending my life so soon, oo."

  I raised my hands in mock surrender and shook my head. I wasn't interested in investigating further. I'd rather go home.

  I knew how gossip traveled in this area, the story would reach me soon enough.

  Besides, it was a small town.

  Shrugging, I continued with my day. I had more pressing issues.

  Later, walking out of the gas station office, I sighed. I'd just submitted an application letter along with my CV, hoping to get a job until school resumed.

  Honestly, I wasn't even sure I wanted to go back to school.

  The drive just wasn't there anymore.

  Not feeling like heading home immediately, I decided to pass time at a familiar spot, a so-called business center near our house.

  Calling it a stroll was generous. I simply couldn't afford transport.

  When I arrived, a few boys were already loitering around. I didn't actually know what business the pce conducted, I'd just mentally beled it a business center.

  Finding a small space, I sat down without greeting anyone. They already had their clique, and I wasn't in the mood to talk.

  I took out my phone and turned on Wi-Fi.

  Yes, the pce had free Wi-Fi. For some reason, the owners hadn't bothered setting a password and didn't seem to mind people using it.

  I connected and opened my css group chat, scrolling silently as usual. I rarely spoke unless necessary. Mostly, I just watched to see if anything useful came up.

  DING!

  A smile crept onto my face.

  It was my personal friend group chat.

  Kevin: how's your holiday man

  Mike: I have a feeling you're just stalking the css group chat

  I typed back.

  Kamcy: @mike please leave me be

  Kamcy: @kevin the air is better here ??

  Kevin: you better bring yam tubers back from your vilge

  Mike: I agree. bring food. I'm tired of junk this semester ??

  Kamcy: pce your hope somewhere else or you'll starve

  Kamcy: and it's a town, not a vilge ??

  Kevin: how are the vilge babes treating you

  Mike: don't dodge the food matter. I'll become Hannibal

  Kamcy: what vilge babes? it's a town

  Kevin: by the way, what's the name of that pce again? I heard terrorists attacked some vilge

  Mike: yeah same

  I frowned.

  First, I'd ignored a possible terrorist attack and could've died.

  Second, did these idiots think all vilges were the same pce?

  Kamcy: not all vilges are one location. and yeah, it actually happened here. I thought it was a gas explosion

  Kamcy: damn, I actually need to check the news

  Mike: no need. the "GREAT AMERICANS" are apparently helping now

  Kamcy: good, but I'll still confirm from official sources

  Mike: stay safe. you're our only hope for food ??

  After skimming the news, it seemed there was no immediate need to panic. The terrorists had retreated after the bombing. The military had responded. The situation was "under control."

  As my friends said, the United States had offered assistance. The Nigerian government had accepted, and their aid was expected to arrive within the week.

  And yet… something about the entire situation felt wrong.

  Sighing, I stood up.

  It was time to go home.

  With the information on what had happened I didn't feel safe staying outside any longer.