Chapter 2: Chapter 2

: MEMORIES

NEW YORK CITY.

FEBRUARY 2015

Living does not mean we are alive. Knowing that first hand, Christopher let himself drown in his only poison; pain and bitter memories as he swiveled in his black leather chair.

"My eyes stung as the acrid smell of smoke lingered in the air. Who will answer? I’m drowning right in front of their eyes, yet they can’t see. My flesh is flying off my skin, yet they glory in my pain. The rapid contraction of my heart and its dull thud was the only sound I could hear as I cried for mercy. No one could see I’m naught but a living corpse, surrounded by real corpses. David's eyes were bloodshot, a large piece of metal impaling him from front to back. What about my sister; my own twin? Eyes lifeless from the prolonged lack of oxygen___"

"Chris! Chris! CHRISTOPHER!!!" Nina called; more like screamed, bringing him to attention.

Chris pinched the space between his bushy brows feeling a little irritated at how loud she was, then quietly said: "Madam, what is it and why are you in my office?”

She hissedloudly, almost spitting like an angered snake, “Mad goat! I have been standing here since calling your name; I don't know what you are day dreaming about”.

"What do you want Nee? I'm not in the mood." he called her fondly because he did not want to be rude even though she had just insulted him. Nina was like a sister from another mother, she has stood beside him all these years. Not once did she blame him for her brother’s death and for that,he"ll be eternally grateful.

"Please be my date tonight? I have to attend a function at dad's place, pretty please" Nina replied pouting and enlarging those doe eyes of hers with her arms joined before her, begging.

Nina was pretty, curvy, sassy, and from a rich home therefore, spoilt. She was David's little sis. My David. Memories flooded in once again:

“O’ boy, you are getting fresher o. Lagos chicks dey do you well o”. I remember how he greeted me the last time I saw him. I wished I had taken it seriously and cherished it after big mummy talked to me that afternoon. Just maybe, this mistake of a life won't be mine, I thought. I remembered every random joke, the stupid pick-up lines he usually used on those UNILAG babes that used to flock around him and I smiled.

She hissed, clearly irritated “What in God’s name are you still thinking about that keepsmaking you wander off?"she said loudly enough to bring me back to the present.

Chris snapped out of his reverie immediately. Deep down, he knew the only way to get his peace and quiet back was to get rid of her, so he said the only logical thing he could even though he didn't want to "Alright I’ll go with you. Must you screech?" I replied sharply to her initial question.

In response, her eyes widened and her nose flared in anger and he felt like telling her she looked like someone choking on hot yam but as usual decided against it. "It’s your village people that are screeching and calling for you. No wonder you keep losing focus. You better speak up. Suicide rates are getting higher, and funeral rice sweeter "she said while pushing my head and parking her bum on my desk.

Chris smiled. Nina was savage, short tempered, extremely demanding; she could have asked one of those guys following her about but she chose him knowing he hated social events, but confident in the fact that he didn’t know how to refuse her requests.

"Leave the time and venue with my secretary” he finally said, not in the mood for her antics any longer, then continued "Oh and Nina I'm not one of your boy toys so behave yourself around me." He was smiling now, but it didn't reach his eyes and she knew she had hit a nerve.

It always amazed Nina how he could switch easily from being playful with her to being guarded. He loved and indulged her nonetheless like a sister, not as a woman which was his only crime. She didn't forget what today was though. It's the anniversary of David's death and instead of honouring it as a family her parents were throwing a ridiculous business dinner.

"Thanks love” she replied with a contented smile and sashayed out.

Christopher AyomideOlugbenga stared at the mirror on the dresser and the person he liked least, stared back at him with expressionless, cold eyes; Eyes the colour of molten honey or brandy depending on the depths of emotions carried in them, which he inherited from his maternal grandmother, shrewd in their piercing nature. The razor-sharp grey tuxedo he wore complimented his skin tone with brown loafers and a sparkling Giovanni watch sat on his wrist. His attire screamed class and money, something he possessed in no small quantity.

His skin still stung from scrubbing too hard in the showers earlier. Who was he kidding? No amount of scrubbing could wash away his guilt. He quickly shut his box of vile memories walked out to get right to socializing and mingling.

Nee looked stunning as always in a white skater dress which ended some inches above her knee and a deep plunging neck line, the globes of her breast peeking out. She looked just like the social butterfly she was.It was going to be one long hell of a night. If it was any other night, he wouldn't even consider what he was about to do but not tonight. He signaled a waiter and ordered a glass of whisky neat, breaking his 3 years’ sobriety. Funny how he became sober for David and he is also falling off the wagon for him.

The bedside alarm blared loudly and he reached out to switch it off while holding his head with the other. The vile aftertaste of last night’s drinks settled in his mouth alongside a pounding migraine that threatened to tear his head apart. He could literally hear his blood flowing and heart pounding as he got up to prepare for work. Being the CEO of a Fortune 500 company was no small joke hence, migraine or worse he still planned to go to work.

Chris closed his eyes to pray and tears bristled underneath his eyelids. He wished David was here and more importantly Christiana; awake and full of life. As always, the prayers brought a semblance of peace. It was his little reprieve from his demons and baggage so he did it like his life depended on it.

A while later, Chris rode the elevators down and clenchedhis eyes tightly as his head still pounded. The aspirin and hangover mix he took earlier, was clearly having no effect. Beads of cold sweat were beginning to line his brow, his palms were clammy and his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. Ever feel like your Nigerian ancestors were playing the traditional talking drum inside your head while the females danced their shekere dance? That's exactly how splitting the migraine was.

He dialed his physician again and like the last three attempts, he was routed to voicamail. His first step out of the elevator had him plummeting down like a bag of potatoes.

Chris last conscious thought as he slipped into oblivion was; it came at last.