chapter five

"Hey" he said after a deep breath. And the familiar feeling I always got when speaking to him was awakened.

"Are you mad at me?" What?

"Huh?" I asked dumbfounded.

"I saw your missed call. I'm sorry I haven't been calling. I've just been crazy busy this past few days and I lost my phone somewhere yesterday" he sighed, "I just got a new phone this morning, and called you as soon everything was replaced and the old phone was blocked"

I felt so stupid for even thinking he had found someone more interesting.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that... And I wasn't mad at you" I told him honestly.

He released a breath "I thought you were mad at me. When you didn't pick my first call" woah, he called me?

"No! No. I didn't hear the phone ring. I would've picked if I was close to the phone" I explained to him in a rush. I have no reason to be mad at him, its not like he's my boyfriend or anything. Haha.

"Okay" he said and released a breath. "So... How're you? You're home now right?" He questioned me

"I'm fine. And yes, i just got home yesterday, and its so busy and noisy" he chuckled at that, and I sighed at the deep sound that I've missed hearing.

"I'm sure you've missed that?"

"A lot" i said truthfully and asked him how his Christmas was coming up.

"Filled with training and lots of activities, I'm so tired and in dire need of a massage right now" I heard him shift on the other side before he continued "don't get me wrong I love football, but I think I need a long vacation sometimes. Though the feeling I get on the pitch is priceless and I won't trade it for anything. I'm just so... Tired" he said and took a deep breath sounding like the weight of the whole world has been placed on him. I felt sorry for him, being a captain of a great football team entails a lot of responsibilities, commitment and expectations from what I've seen.

"I really admire your strength and like you said 'you won't trade it for anything' So just keep doing your thing and enjoying it, cause there comes a time when you can't do it anymore, and I'm sure you won't regret it, okay?" I tried to be comforting and encouraging which I'm not good at. Ugh. I hope I made sense though.

"Yea. Listening to you speak is a good feeling too" he said which made me smile and I felt a little hopeful

"Well, I like listening to you too.. When you're making sense" I said teasingly which caused him to laugh

"What!" he gasped and screamed dramatically "of course i'm always making sense."

"Uhuh. Like now right?" I said in mocking manner.

"I'm not going to argue with you. Cause you love talking to me either way" I laughed at that. And the truth behind his words.

"Well, I've never been good at deciding such things so.. Perhaps my judgment is wrong."

"Just admit it you love talking to me way too much" he said not giving up.

"Okay fine. Just a little bit."

We continued to talk for a few minutes before I heard a voice in the background, and I heard him mutter 'I'm coming' before answering me

"Sorry, that was Paul, said we have a meeting with coach" he sighed "but I'll call you as soon as I can" I felt sad at that but said 'okay'

"Oh yeah I was meaning to ask you... Do you skype?" He asked me

"Uh no. I don't. Never had a reason to" I mean all my family and friends are here, we see and call each other whenever we want to, apart from a few F******k or w******p video calls from my friends outside Nigeria once in a while, Yea very boring I know. Sue me if I'm not social.

"Even now?" It didn't take me long to realize he was indirectly asking if we could face time.

"Hmm. You know if you want to face time me all you have to do is ask" I answered him with a cheeky smile on my face even though he couldn't see me.

"Okay. Fine" he cleared his throat and said "text me your details once you're all set."

"Yes sir... Bye and take care" I said reluctantly, I'm getting used to the feeling of sadness I get whenever he needs to go.

"Will do. You too" and he hung up, must have been in a rush.

It wasn't up to a minute later, before Jane barged into my room causing me to roll my eyes. I knew she was eavesdropping, the girl has no shame at all.

"Mhm. Skype abi?" She asked nodding her head "I'll set it up for you before I go,"

"Thank you" I said sarcastically, she said it like I couldn't do it. I have the app, I'm sure I just have to sign up or something like that.

"You're welcome, i know how inept you are at such things" she answered me not paying attention to my sarcasm at all. I widened my eyes at her and threw a pillow at her which hit her squarely on the head and she picked up the pillow and lunged at me, cue a pillow fight.

My younger sister, Joke came in screaming "pillow fight" at the top of her lungs and jumped on the bed joining the fight and soon enough my cousins and even Ayo, the quiet and reserved one joined at some point. Until we heard footsteps and my aunts accompanying voice causing the younger ones to scramble off the bed and move out hastily. I laughed so hard along with Jane.

Nothing can be traded with the feeling of being among the people you love and who love you.

I'm happy to be home. Home sweet home.

It's just so sad that I only get to spend a week and a few days at home.

Phew. Done!

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I'd really love to hear your Thoughts and suggestions on this.

Xo xo.