Over the years in his life, Chinedu had learnt one policy. He never pursued something he couldn't let go of whenever the moment demanded it. So now he scrolled to Iphey's name and chose the option to delete. He hesitated, and then he pressed on the button. The phone asked him if he was sure he wanted to delete that contact and all their details. He closed his eyes and...
The ring tone to his phone startled him and had his eyes flying open to the phone in his hands. Chinedu glanced quickly at the screen, his heart beginning to race once again. It was Habib's new number.
"Hello?" His tone was dull.
"Hey Nedu, what's up my guy?"
"I'm at home, where else do you expect?"
"Dude!" Habib's voice was surprised. "What's the deal? Wetin I do you?"
Chinedu forced himself to laugh. "Sorry dude, na just some wahala with Iphey."
"You and this Iphey babe. It's nearly three months since you start to chase that girl." Habib laughed, "always one palava after the other. You go out today, tomorrow you're not talking. If it's not your past, it's her boss. What is it this time?"
Chinedu laughed at himself and the situation. It really was funny. The truth was that he'd had relationships - if he could call them that - that lasted less than three months. This thing he had with Iphey had just been messing with his head. He determined to delete the number immediately after this and he would tell Aisha it was over if she ever asked.
"Let's not talk about it, I think I'm done." Chinedu sank down on the sofa behind him and leaned back against it. "What did you call to tell me?"
Habib paused for some seconds, "Are you sure, dude? I can talk if you want."
"No no...it's fine. I don make my decision."
"OK..." His friend drawled and Chinedu visualized him rolling his shoulders in his typical shrug before he continued. "Did I mention I am now embedded in your old area?"
"What are you doing in Ajegunle?!" Chinedu sprang up from the sofa as though burnt. That part of Lagos did not have very good memories for him. His parents had moved away more than ten years ago and he had not been back there since. He missed some of his old friends but the thought of the people he'd pissed off kept him firmly away.
"Relax dude, I'm not asking you to come down here." Habib chuckled. "It's part of the job I told you about and nobody knows of the connection between us."
Chinedu breathed easier. Habib was his closest friend and know more of his past than any other person. He also reminded himself that Habib was a trained operative of the EFCC and could take care of himself. Still he couldn't shake the dark sensation that crawled over his skin.
"I thought you said it was Mushin?" he murmured. "Anyway, promise me you'll be careful."
"Of course I will dude." Habib laughed. "I'm not so sure about this new guy I'll be working with sha..."
"You got a partner?"
"No, I just met this guy. He was introduced as my neighbor and it turns out he knows some people I'm working on. Some illegal gambling and loan networks on the Island. This is sure going to be interesting."
"Habib, I know you live for such thrills but believe me, you don't want to get on the wrong side of those kind of people."
Habib laughed. "I know and that's why I called you. I want you to be more careful now so you can remain in the loop. The information you continue to give us is very useful. And keep an eye on Aisha for me OK? "
"No problem. She actually called tonight to complain to me about you."
"Well dude, call her more often because I don't want her number on this new phone in case it falls in the wrong hands."
Chinedu sighed, "I will sure breathe easier when you guys complete this job successfully."
"With this new dude, his name is James, it might take less than the expected six weeks."
"Keep me posted, and be safe."
"Roger, will do. Over and out." Habib hung up his end.
Chinedu shook his head as he pressed the exit call button. Habib will play cops and robbers even on his deathbed. He looked at his screen and it had gone back to delete number. He pressed yes.
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So people, we're back! Season two of Cupid's Risk is off with a bang! As usual, say what you think here in the comments and then vote for the chapter you want to see next.
