Chapter 5: When the Night Tests Love

The days that followed were fragile. Amina’s silence had softened, but it never disappeared completely. She spoke to Chi, laughed at little things again, but beneath it all, there was still a carefulness, a pause before her words, like she was holding herself back.

Chi carried the weight of that silence like a stone pressed into her chest. Every smile Amina gave her felt like sunlight after a storm, but it was sunlight that might vanish again.

So when their mutual friend invited them to a queer house party, Chi thought maybe this was it, a chance to breathe, to let go, to remind Amina that life could be light and not only shadows. Maybe, just maybe, she could show Amina what her love looked like in the open, with the world watching.

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The music pulsed before they even walked in. A heavy bass that made the walls vibrate, laughter spilling from the balcony, the sweet smoke of hookah drifting into the warm Lagos night. Chi tightened her grip on Amina’s hand as they stepped inside.

Rainbow lights washed over bodies moving like waves. Girls kissing against the walls, others dancing with wild abandon, skin glistening under neon. It was chaotic, but it was freedom.

Amina leaned closer, her lips brushing Chi’s ear.

“It’s loud,” she murmured.

Chi smiled, whispering back, “You are louder.”

Amina laughed, soft, reluctant, but it was there. The sound Chi had been starving for.

They found a corner near the DJ booth, drinks pressed into their hands, friends pulling them into conversation. For a moment, Chi let herself relax. Amina’s hand still hadn’t left hers, maybe this night could actually be theirs.

Then Chi saw her.

Across the room, bathed in flashing blue light, stood Nonye.

Nonye, with her lustrous braids swinging as she leaned against the wall like she owned the room, with that knowing smirk tugging at her mouth, the one that said I still matter.

Chi’s stomach knotted instantly.

Amina stiffened beside her, noticing the same thing. Their eyes met for the briefest second, and Chi saw guilt flash across Amina’s face. Not guilt for being here, but guilt because Nonye’s presence still carried a shadow.

Nonye pushed off the wall, striding toward them with deliberate slowness, eyes locked on Chi.

“You look good as usual,” Nonye purred, voice smooth as silk, but her gaze never even acknowledged Amina.

Chi’s hand tightened around Chi’s, nails pressing into skin.

“What do you want?” Chi said flatly.

“Someone’s daughter can't even say hi in peace anymore?”

Amina flinched. “Chi, please—”

“Why are you being paranoid, do I make you insecure?” Nonye’s words spread in Amina’s body immediately.

“Relax. I just came to say hi, not cause any drama, besides you don't own her do you?”

The words sliced through the air, and Amina felt something inside her snap.

She stepped closer, putting herself between Nonye and Chi, her voice trembling but fierce.

“You don’t get to stand here and act like you’re still part of her story. You had your chance, and you threw it away. She’s not yours to play with anymore.”

Nonye tilted her head, smirk widening. “And what makes you so sure? Love?”

The word lingered, taunting, daring.

Chi’s heart pounded, her throat tightening. The word she had been holding back for weeks sat heavy on her tongue, demanding to be freed. Amina’s fingers trembled against hers.

And then it spilled out, rough and raw.

“Yes. Love.”

The music seemed to dim, the entire room fading until only Amina stood before her. Chi’s voice broke as she pushed the words out, louder this time, not caring about who heard.

“I love her. Do you hear me? I love her. And I’m not letting anyone, least of all, you, make her doubt that again.”

Amina’s eyes widened, tears shining under the strobe lights. For a heartbeat, she looked as though the world had stopped.

Nonye's smirk faltered, her countenance changed, She glanced at Amina, then back at Chi, and something in her expression hardened. With a scoff, she turned, disappearing back into the crowd.

But Chi didn’t care anymore.

All she could see was Amina, standing there with tears sliding down her cheeks, lips trembling as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t.

Chi lifted her hand, brushing away a tear with her thumb.

“I mean it,” she whispered, softer now, desperate. “I love you, Amina. I’m sorry it took this to make me say it, but it’s the truth. It’s always been the truth.”

Amina’s breath hitched. She leaned forward, forehead pressing against Chi’s, her whisper breaking between sobs.

“You don’t know what those words do to me.”

“Then let me show you,” Chi murmured. “Every day. As long as you’ll let me.”

The music swelled again, pulling the world back into motion, but for them, it was just silence, two hearts colliding, words finally set free.