Jide sat in the dark, back pressed to the wall, eyes on his ceiling.
Power was out. Again.
But that wasn't what kept him up.
It was the letter on the floor beside him — unopened, stamped in red: Final Notice – Loan Default.
His phone buzzed.
Ifeoma: "Sleep don catch you or you still dey stare at ceiling?"
He smiled. She was already in his head.
"Still awake. Lagos no dey let person rest."
He paused, then added:
"You made today better though."
No reply yet, but that was okay. He wasn't used to texting like this anyway.
---
The next day at work, he was late. His manager gave him the usual fake smile with hidden fire underneath.
"Jide, the report for the partnership review?"
"I'm on it, sir."
"Good. I'd hate to report another delay."
He nodded and walked away, shoulders heavy.
His job was hanging by a thread.
His rent was overdue.
And now this girl, this bright spark in a danfo, was entering his life… right when it was falling apart.
---
Meanwhile in Bariga, Ifeoma was fighting her own silent battles — one client cancelled, her younger brother at home sick, and her landlord banging on her door every Saturday like clockwork.