Chapter 4.The two brothers

I did not sleep that night.

1:13 AM. Two messages glowing on my screen.

Mark: Sandra?

Joshua: Whatever you decide, I will respect it.

Two brothers. One girl in the middle like meat inside shawarma.

By 6 AM, I decided. I will meet Mark. Face to face. I owe him that.

Me: Can we meet today? 5 PM at Genesis in GRA?

30 minutes later.

Mark: Okay. 5 PM.

All day at work, I printed the wrong file. My boss shouted. My mind was already in GRA

4:50 PM. I was there. Black dress. No makeup. I wanted to look serious, not like I wanted to be wanted.

Mark came at 5:15 PM. Same tall frame.

Same perfume he wore when he wanted to be serious. But his eyes were tired and angry.

No hug.

"Sandra," he said, sitting.

"Mark."

"Are you with Joshua?" Direct. No long talk. That's Mark.

I swallowed. "We are talking. Yes."

He leaned back and laughed. Not a happy laugh.

"Talking. You and my own blood brother are talking. Nine days after you left me.

You are very fast, Sandra."

"Don't say it like that," my voice shook.

"You said okay when I broke up with you.

Okay like I was returning biro. Did you expect me to mourn for one year?"

"I expected small respect!" his voice rose, people turned. "Out of all the boys in Port Harcourt, you chose my brother? My brother, Sandra?"

"I didn't choose! It just happened! I saw his picture, I asked for his number-"

"You asked for his number?"

I froze. I exposed myself.

"Yes," I whispered. "Amara gave me."

He stood up, then sat again. Jaw tight.

"Does he know you cried on phone last week saying you still love me?"

"I didn't beg you!"

"Before you saw my fine brother who can cook?"

That cut. "It's not about fine! He's kind! He listens! When last did you ask me how my day was? You were always busy, always on your phone! Joshua asks!"

He went quiet. Because it was true. For two months, Mark was there in body, absent in soul.

"I was going through a lot," he said softer.

"And I was going through it alone," I said.

Waiter came. We said no food.

Mark rubbed his face. "So you want to date my brother?"

"I like him," I said. "But I don't want to hurt you. You were my first love in this city."

"Don't call me again to explain. And tell Joshua not to call me. This will cause problem between us."

He stood to leave.

And at that exact moment, the door of Genesis opened.

And Joshua walked in.

Chef coat still on. He must have closed from kitchen and came straight. He saw me. Then he saw Mark.

Silence. The whole fast food went quiet.

Mark looked at Joshua. Joshua looked at Mark.

"Mark," Joshua said first.

"Joshua," Mark said. "So it's true. You are now chasing my girlfriend."

"Former girlfriend," Joshua corrected, calm. "And I'm not chasing. I'm... I'm here for her."

"For her?" Mark laughed angrily. "Joshua, you nave never nad a giritriend in this town, now you want to start with my own ex?"

"Mark, don't do this here," I whispered.

"Please."

"No, let him talk," Mark faced me. "Sandra, you told me you wanted respect. Is this respect? Calling my brother to come and meet us?"

"I didn't call him!" I cried. "Joshua, did l call you?"

Joshua looked at me, then at Mark. His hands were tight.

I came because I was worried about her," Joshua said to Mark. "You texted her harshly last night. I didn't like it."

"You didn't like it?" Mark stepped closer.

"You are now defending my girlfriend from me?"

Two brothers. Standing. Facing each other.because of me A security man was already looking at us.

Mark pointed at me. "Sandra, choose.

Now. Me or him. Because this family cannot carry this kind of shame."

Joshua didn't say anything. He just looked at me. His eyes said: I like you. But I will respect whatever you decide.

Everyone in Genesis was looking at me.

The girl at the counter. The security man.

A small child eating chicken.

My phone was vibrating - Amara calling.

My eyes were full of tears.

Mark said, "Choose.".