Chidera

"Chidera, Let's go back home"

I tried to keep up with his pace. He was a very fast walker. Sometimes I ran to meet up with him because he didn't care if I was lagging behind. Maybe he did, because he would turn occasionally and tease me about my weight.. say my body was too heavy for my tiny legs.

"Chidera I said let's go back home, now!" I yelled. I stood at akimbo.

"Why? You're such a baby. Go home if you want to.. I'm sure you just want to go home and eat."

I was offended by his rude comments about my weight, but I was used to Chidera. Since his parents died and he came to live with us five years ago, we developed a kind of bond. I used to think he hated me at first.. he called me "Fattie Chinny" instead of Chinwe like everyone else. He made fun of my eating pattern and only bought me Buns so he could say: "See, you look like this buns, that's why I bought it for you."

Chidera became nicer to me when he saw me being bullied by our neighbor. Ese, the stupid short boy that lived opposite my house stole my favorite Bandana and hit my buttocks when I asked him about it. I didn't want to cry, I didn't want Ese to think I was a weak girl, but I felt horrible. He touched my sixteen years old buttocks. The tears started flowing, and Ese started laughing. When Chidera came and hit Ese across the face, I felt proud. In that moment, he wasn't just a cousin. He was Jesus. My savior. My hero.

He wasn't like any other kid I knew. He was tall and his shoulders were broad, but that wasn't what made him stand out. He was awkwardly quiet when he wasn't making fun of me, and he liked creepy things.

One day, I saw Chidera draw weird triangles in his mathematics notebook. I was sure he was in the illuminati.. so I told my father Chidera was an occultist. I was disappointed when my father told me it was just trigonometry, but I didn't show it.

"You know I can't go home alone, I'm scared."

Chidera didn't turn back. He kept walking. I couldn't turn back, so I walked behind him and prayed for safety. It was getting really dark, and I knew my mother would be getting worried. I was really excited about going with him to the bush because I had never been there and I felt safe around him but now I was afraid. We had been walking for hours, and I had no idea where we were going.

"Fattie, we're almost there. Don't worry." He said.

When we finally got to Chidera's Destination, my lips fell apart. I had never really understood him. Why were we standing here, in front of an abandoned shrine? Why did he have a mischievous smile on his face, and why wasn't he as freaked out as I was? My head was aching.

"Calm down. Isn't this beautiful? It's all mine. I found it months ago. It's mine." He was smiling.

"A shrine? Chidera, take me home."

"Why? Let's stay here."

"Stay here? Are you crazy? We won't survive here. What is wrong with you?"

I was getting really worried and I was sweating profusely, even though the night was cold.

Something was wrong with him, he had been possessed, I was sure. He laughed for a really long time. I stood staring at him, praying in my heart for God's intervention. I slid my hand into my pocket to bring out my phone, but I realized I had forgotten it on my bed.

"Chinny, you're getting it wrong. YOU won't survive. I will, with your help."

"Wha..wh..what are y..you talking abo.. about?" I stammered.

"It's not my fault you're so fleshy. You look so delicious, Fattie. I would definitely survive feeding on your fat body. " He laughed. I started to cry. I called on Jesus, Mohammed, My grandfather and Everything that came across my mind. I didn't want to die.

"Why are you crying, cousin, don't cry. Don't worry, you'll stay here with me. Your big cousin." He said and laughed again.

I pulled my slippers and started running. I had no idea where I was going, but I was running. In that moment I wished I had listened when my mother advised me to lose some weight. I probably wouldn't have been in  that situation, and maybe I would have been able to run faster. I could hear his footsteps behind me, he was catching up. 

My heart froze when I felt his hands on my shoulder. He caught me.

"Chidera, Please.. plea.. please, don't eat me" I begged.

Chidera laughed at me, very loudly, and said "April fool."

"What?"

"April fool. It's April First, I was playing. Let's go home abeg, I know a shortcut. You too fear."