It's Just a Bicycle Shop

Nkechi sat down at the eatery section after the cinema pay point and looked away. Brume sat down momentarily and held her by the hand and she smiled.

"I know you have just been acting up to get my attention, but regardless, you won't be just a fling, I can guarantee you that."

"It made me feel somehow hearing that all the girls you've been with were just flings and I was beginning to think you'll do the same to me."

"I won't do that to you, you can take my word on that.

"So, where do you want to go after here? The day is still a child."

"You do know the competition is tomorrow, right? And I am not sure I have prepared enough for it."

Brume didn't seem to be bothered about the competition at all, he was fully prepared and relaxed.

"Do you want us to do a light practice together since this would be your first competition?"

"I'd like that very much, but let me see what the first round of the competition would be like."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Brume.

"I don't know, but I guess I am sure."

They both stayed for a while because there was no other place to go to and they enjoyed each other's company and got to know themselves more. The comfort they found in each other's presence was such that they have never experienced before with anyone else.

"What made you want to become a cycler, what made you join and register for the competition? Brume asked Nkechi.

"Ever since I had my first bike as a child, I was always doing one race or the other with the kids in my area and I was so good that no one ever wanted to race with or against me.

"My dad was a professional biker and had been in many competitions in and out of the country and he thought me a lot before he passed away."

"I'm so sorry for your loss. Who was your father?"

"Marcus Onuh."

"Are you serious? That man was legendary, I used to watch his past races to learn the moves I know today. He was my inspiration and the reason I love this sport."

"To sum it up, I just wanted to be like my dad, that's why I want to be a professional," Nkechi continued.

"I think when everybody hears your full name in the competition, they are going to know who your father was. The commentators most likely would talk about you all through every stage."

"They already have started talking though, most people want to know who I am and see me in person.

"I saw some headlines about it on social media too."

While they talked, 3 men walked up to them and stood beside Brume, and after a brief pause, one of them sat down on the empty chair at the table and the other 2 men moved and stood directly behind him. Brume and Nkechi looked at themselves, moving their heads as though they were communicating with it to ask each other who the men were.

"Mr Gilbert wants to see you downstairs."

"Who's Mr Gilbert?" asked Brume.

"Do you know these guys?" asked Nkechi.

"All these questions are not necessary. If you don't stand up and go downstairs, these men would make certain that you go downstairs to see our boss, one way or the other."

"I am not going anyway," said Brume.

"Yes, he is not going anywhere," said Nkechi in agreement.

The 2 men standing behind rose their shirts up, exposing their guns and Brume quickly stood up and said "I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect, let us go see your boss."

"Are you sure about this, please?" asked Nkechi, trembling.

"Be quiet please, it's for your good," said the man sitting down.

Brume followed them downstairs, and outside to the car park where a white SUV was parked, one of the 3 men opened the front door of the car and told him to get in, and he closed the door.

"Welcome Brume, nice of you to join me." The greeting came from the back seat.

Brume tried to turn to see who it was, and he said, "do not turn around, keep your attention on the road."

"Did I do something wrong?“ asked Brume.

"I wonder what my brother and the board saw in you to make you the new CEO, you walk around without bodyguards, very careless."

"But sir, it's just a bicycle shop, why would I need bodyguards?"

"Only if you knew, child.

"There's a shipment coming in, in the next 48 hours together with the company's goods. I want you to be there when it arrives.

"Details will be sent to you later today. And one last thing Brume, do not be as careless as your predecessor, I wouldn't want to see a young man like you waste away."

He knocked on the glass of the car and one of the men outside opened the door for Brume to come down. As soon as he came down, they all jumped in and the SUV drove away.

-----

Efe kept walking slowly towards the direction of Maitama District Hospital, talking to himself to ease off the depressed feeling hovering all over his entire being and when he got to the hospital gate, he paused for a while, to realise that he left Aisha all alone there, he didn't know when he stood to leave even.

The sudden realisation that what he had done was wrong dawned on him. Aisha who was trying to make him feel better, left her there all by herself for over minutes. He turned around to make his way back, a 12 minutes walk, and he had no choice but to walk fast, and also run when he had to cross the road.

Efe managed to make it back in less time but he was shocked to see Aisha with someone else and he knew who Shola was also.

"Oh, you know Shola? You called him to keep you company because I left?"

"Hold it, Efe. Why would she call me to keep her company? Besides, we just met.

"By the way, what are you on about?"

"Both of you know each other?" asked Aisha.

"Yeah, we do. The brother to the new kid I told you about, who took my position from me." Shola stood up. "How much is the bill for both of us?"

The waitress came over and handed the bill to him, and he paid, then said to Aisha, "let me leave both of you to sort out your issues. Nice to meet you though."

"Wait, hold on a minute. The new kid you're referring to, is his name Brume?" asked Aisha.

"Yes, it is." Shola walked away.

Efe sat down and said, "you know my brother?"

"Brume is your brother?" Aisha looked at Efe intently like she just went through an epiphany.