The New Neighbor

Guy, you won’t believe how one small move fit change everything. My name na Adaora Okoro, but everybody wey know me call me Ada. Twenty-six years old, PR assistant for one sharp agency for Lagos. From outside, I be that good girl wey dey always smile, go church on Sunday, and hustle to better life for my family. But inside? I get this thing wey no gree me rest — curiosity. Once I see something wey no add up, my mind no go let am go.

Last week, my promotion finally land small money wey allow me move from our face-me-I-face-you for Surulere to this fine estate for Lekki Phase 1. No be mansion o, but na proper two-bedroom apartment with security and plenty greenery. As the taxi drop me that hot afternoon, I stand outside dey look around like person wey win lottery. The estate quiet, too quiet for Lagos. Big cars dey park everywhere, and the houses dey look like dem come out from Instagram.

“Welcome ma,” the security man greet me with big smile. “You be the new tenant for Block C?”

“Yes o,” I reply, dragging my two big boxes. “Ada Okoro.”

He help me carry some load. As we dey enter the compound, one sleek black Range Rover slide in smooth. The door open and one tall, fine man step out. Dark skin, neat beard, designer shirt wey fit him like tailor make am special. He look like those men wey people dey call “Chief” even when dem never reach forty.

Behind him, one elegant woman come down too. Tall, slim, with long weave and that kind of calm face wey rich women dey wear like mask. She dress simple but expensive — gold earrings catch light as she turn.

The man eye catch me. He smile small, the kind wey make your stomach do small flip.

“Good afternoon,” he say with deep voice. “New neighbor?”

“Yes sir. Ada Okoro.”

“Call me Emmy. Emeka Nwosu. This na my wife, Ifeoma.”

Ifeoma just nod, her eyes scan me from head to toe quick quick before she smile small. “Welcome to the estate. Hope you enjoy the peace here.”

We exchange few more words. Emmy even help the security man carry one of my heavy boxes inside. As him dey drop am, I notice one small thing — his wristwatch alone fit buy my former rent for two years. But na wetin catch me more be the way him look at me. Like him dey see something.

Later that evening, after I arrange small, I stand for my balcony dey enjoy fresh air. The estate lights don come on, soft golden glow everywhere. My phone ring — na my best friend Tolu.

“Ada! How far? You don settle?”

“I dey try o. This place different. The neighbors sef… the man for opposite na proper big boy.”

Tolu laugh. “No start with your curiosity o. Mind your business first. You just move in.”

I laugh too but my mind don already begin to wander. Why Ifeoma face change small when Emmy dey help me? Why the house opposite look like say e get plenty story?

Around 11pm, I still no fit sleep. New place dey always do me like that. I step out to the balcony again with one cup of tea. That was when I hear am.

Low voices. Angry voices. Coming from Emmy and Ifeoma’s compound. The words no clear well but I catch some.

“…I told you to stop… people go soon find out…”

Then Emmy voice, sharp: “Keep your voice down. Nobody must know.”

My heart begin to beat fast. I shift small to hear better but the voices stop sudden. One door slam.

I stand there, holding my cup tight. Wetin be that? Wetin people no suppose know?

I tell myself say na my mind dey play tricks. New place, new sounds. But deep down, that small spark of curiosity don already light small fire.

To be continued…