Dawn of Love - Episode 9

 

He walked into the room he shared with his brother and found him there lying on his bed at the right side of the room, close to the window
"Brother, good evening" Princewill greeted
"Kid bro how are you?" He asked sounding tired.
"Am fine, how was your day?"
"Was good, so I see you are all set" his voice sounded like he was in some kind of pain.
"Brother, are you OK?"
"Never been better"
Princewill went to the light switch by the door, wondering why exactly the light was turned off
"Do not put on the light" Nnamdi demanded
"You got into another fight today right?"
Nnamdi didn't answer.
"How bad is it?"
"Nothing serious don't worry kid"
Princewill left to the kitchen and heated water to massage his brother, he was now almost used to caring for him this way, he always wondered within himself how Nnamdi got into these fights or why he even needed to fight
He quietly boiled the water and tip toed back into the bedroom so as not to draw his mothers attention, he knew they were still awake as he could here both his parents still conversing and laughing in low tunes as they usually did every night.
He turned on the light and like he expected his brother had a swollen face and a sore fist.
"Brother, please stand up let me massage you"
He complied without a word, the water was hot and the pain was much but he tried to suppress his groaning he was not ready for his parents trouble this night.
"But brother, do you owe people money?" Princewill suddenly asked
"No, why are you asking?" Nnamdi asked a little surprised
"You know I can to talk to papa and also join some of my money for school so we can pay them" Princewill continued
"What's wrong with you I said I don't owe anyone?"
"Then why do you always get into fight"?
Nnamdi chuckled surprise at his brothers ignorance
"So is that the reason why people fight?" He asked Princewill
"I don't know, why don't you tell me"
"Listen its none of your business" Nnamdi answered
"But brother am worried, what if you die? Now that am going to school who will be taking care of you?" Princewill asked concerned
"Little man don't worry I will be fine, just mind your business and focus on you books"
Nnamdi wished he could tell his brother everything but he knew it was too huge a risk to take, his line of business was a dangerous one that required outmost secrecy. Unlike everyone was made to believe,he was not exactly a jobless school droup out roaming the stress of Jos

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/dawn-of-love

. He knew Princewill would be so intrigued by the stories of his everyday business and would really want to hear all the stories he could tell, such things had always interested his curious mind.The less his family knew, the safer they would be.
Princewill said nothing now squatting to better massage his legs that had a slight cut 
"Ouch, listen if you don't want to massage it then leave it, you think it's wood you are massaging" Nnamdi said reacting to the sudden pain
"Sorry brother"
"Wait I hear footsteps I think is mum" Nnamdi said
Immediately they pushed the water underneath Nanmdi's iron spring bed, Princewill rushed to off the light and flew on his bed on the other side of the room and within a second they both looked like people that have been sleeping for hours.
They could feel her presence in the room she turned the light on, and looked at both her sons peacefully sleeping, she stared at Princewill already missing him, even if he was still going to be home every weekend she still felt like she was loosing her young son,she felt he was not yet ready to leave the nest he just turned 17. She turned to leave the room then stopped and turned towards Nnamdi that lay down with his stomach on the bed, she walked to his bed and sat on the edge.
She thought within herself what could be wrong with her son, he was her sweet little boy not too long ago, if only she could read his heart, reach out to him but he was always so far. She rubbed his back and kissed his head and left the room putting off the light as she left.
At that very moment he felt like standing up and grabbing her in for a tight hug but using his very last nerve he restrained himself.
"Brother, she has gone get up let me finish" Princewill said in the dark
"That will be enough for today" Nnamdi answered coldly
"Okay let me just apply balm then that will be all"
"Princewill, goodnight".
Nnamdi lay down on his bed wondering if this job he so dutifully carried out was for the best. He seemed so far from everyone he grew to love and respect.
"This is for the good of my country, this is for the good of my country, this is for a safer Nigeria" he said to himself muttering slightly audible, convincing himself to remain  diligent.
"Brother are you OK? This one you are talking to yourself" Princewill asked concerned
"Will you just shut up and go to sleep you little rascal" Nnamdi shouted at him
Princewill more shocked than insulted said no word, the young man was only been a genuinely caring brother.
"Am sorry" Nnamdi said after some minutes of silence.
Princewill lay quiet now angry.
"Prince I said  sorry, I didn't mean to shout at you" Nnamdi said after a few minutes with no reply
"Brother goodnight" Princewill said adjusting himself into his favourite sleep position.
Nnamdi wanted to get angry for the cold response but realized he deserved it.

Read " Best Friend " by the same author ( OtseDavid )

. Princewill has been the only one in the family that still held him in high esteem, believed in him and not ready to give up on him and he only repaid him by been rude and abusive. He felt bad for the young boy but felt worse for himself.
Before the next cockcrow the family was up and gathered in the parlour to say their morning prayers and to mama and papa's delightful surprise, Nnamdi was also there. They started by singing songs that mama and Chika raised interchangeably and in about 30 minutes there were done and ready to start their daily activities. 
Nnamdi decided to help Princewill wash papa's car as compensation for last night while he Princewill swept the concrete floor of the compounds front yard. The compound was fairly large and had a fence all round it but had no gates and so was open, facing the street.
As Princewill swept, he noticed a young boy of about his age, that passed to and fro in front of the house, turning to look each time he passed.
"Brother Nnamdi, have you noticed this is the fifth time that boy is passing here?" Princewill asked calling the attention of his brother that was now bent washing the tire of the car.
Nnamdi stood just in time to see the boy pass. Their eyes interlocked and a frown quickly set across his fore head. The boy stopped and acted like he dropped something on the ground, then turning to face Nnamdi quickly made some signs. Princewill could notice Nnamdi nodded affirmatively and signed back still frowning. The boy walked away as fast as his short legs could carry him.
"Brother, what was that about?" Princewill asked
"Nothing, just work" Nnamdi asked seemingly deep in thought of something else.
Princewill wondered what he meant by work and would have asked further, but he knew better than to ask.
"When am I suppose to drop you in your hostel?" Nnamdi asked after a while.
"When will you be free?" Princewill asked already knowing where this was going to.
"Don't worry I will be back on time" Nnamdi said as he wiped his hands and walked out of the compound.
By the time he was back, it was few minutes past the hour of four. Thankfully, using papas car he could still drive Princewill to his new abode.
He helped in parking the load into the already washed room, where a small bunk sized bed laid on the bare floor. With the help of his big brother, Princewills room began to take shape in no time. They arranged the room together, playing as they did and for some time it did feel like old times.
Noticing it was already minutes past the hour of six, Nnamdi took his leave hurrying to meet up with their father's closing time.