Straight boys 21 Family na Blood Ejiro took his Baths in our room. I was still outside. When I came in, he was just coming out of the bathroom, cleaning his body. Then he asked Tunde to go and have his bath, but Tunde said he wouldn’t go unless I joined him. Me: "Are you okay? We’ve never bathed together—why now? Why today?" Tunde: "Because he already knows everything. There’s nothing you’re hiding in front of him anymore." I didn’t want to get into any argument, so I took off my clothes in front of both of them and entered the bathroom. Tunde joined me. We had a bath, came out together, and cleaned our bodies. Then we joined Ejiro on the bed. Ejiro: "I really don’t know what to say. If I call him, I’m still scared and skeptical about it." Me: "You know it’s not a must to call him today, right? Or even call him in front of us. You can call him anytime you want." Tunde: "What are you afraid of? Stop being afraid and just make the call. Free your mind." Ejiro dialed the number. It rang four times, but even when he got it right, he didn’t pick up. Eventually, we gave up. Ejiro: "So... how’s life been for both of you since you guys started this out?" Me: "I really wish I understood what you’re trying to say or ask." Ejiro: "I mean, what do you think? Will you tell everybody, or should we just keep it like this?" Tunde: "I don’t have plans of telling anybody." Me: "Hahaha, I thought you’d say that. Honestly, my brother, there’s no need to tell anybody anything. If you were the one, would you have told anyone?" Ejiro: "Nah, I don’t think so either. I prefer everything being quiet and okay. What do you think I should do? Should I go home? I’m really not comfortable going back there." Me: "You know I told you I’m not going to force you. I won’t force you to do anything you wouldn’t want to do. So yes, if your mind says you shouldn’t go, don’t go. Rather, you can visit them and come back." Tunde: "I know I don’t have a home like you guys. I’d rather float around with anyone. It’s just been me and my brother. That reminds me, tomorrow is Sunday. We have to go see my mom. But what I wanted to say, my guy, is this: there’s nothing like family. Family is family. Blood is blood. They are your blood, and you are theirs. They may have made mistakes by sending you away, but nothing can separate your blood from theirs. If anything happens to you right now, they are the ones who will take you in. So, just forgive them. Don’t rush to go home, though—go gradually. Do weekends or something. But don’t let them think you’ve come back to be the good boy they used to know. Let them fear you a little. Let them realize they need to beg you now and then." Me: "That’s like punishment! Don’t be like that, biko. Just forgive them if your heart says so. Go home when you’re ready, but don’t make it seem like you’re dependent on them for anything." Ejiro: "Alright, I’ve heard you. Thanks so much, you guys. Let me sleep now; I’m so tired. Oh, and Emeka, you’ll follow me to church tomorrow." Tunde: "Since when did you start going to church?" Ejiro: "Not exactly. I just feel like I should be grateful for something. A lot of things are happening in my life right now, and I want to be grateful, especially to God. I really don’t have a church since I left home, but I’d like to go to Emeka’s church." Me: "It’s not my church—it’s the Church of God. It’s the Holy Catholic Church." Tunde: "They use Igbo people to do charm with Catholic Church eh. I don’t know." All: hahahaha Surprisingly, they all went to church with me the next day, except Mustafa, who is a devout Muslim. Luckily, it was his turn to cook, so he made all the meals before we came back. The food was ready when we returned. We dressed up and got ready to visit Tunde’s mom where she was living. Just as we were about to leave, Ejiro’s phone rang—it was Jack calling back. Jack: "Hello? Who is this? Sorry, I missed your call." Ejiro: "Hi, baby. It’s been a very long time." Jack: "Whoaaaa! Omg, omg! What?! Omg, Ejiro! Wow! Is it really you?!" Ejiro: "Yes, it’s me. I’ve missed you too." Jack: "How have you been? How’s everything? I think I got a call from your sister a few days back. She said she found you and told me everything. I’m so, so happy for you! It’s because of you I got sent away to this foreign land. I hope you’re fine. What’s happening? Are you done with school? It’s not been long since I started mine over here." Ejiro: "No, I’m still schooling, and I’m paying for myself." Jack: "Wow, I like that! That’s so good. Thank God you’re okay, safe, and on track. I’m so happy to talk to you right now. This is your phone number, right?" Ejiro: "Yes, it is. How’s school, and how’s your brother and everyone over there?" Jack: "School’s fine. My brother’s fine too. I’m just so happy to hear from you right now. When will you finish school? I’d like you to come over and stay with me. What do you think?" Ejiro: "As soon as I graduate and do everything that needs to be done, I’ll join you. I really don’t mind." Jack: "Hahaha, I really missed you, my novice boy." Ejiro: "Lol, do you think after everything that happened to me, I’m still a novice? Maybe I’m just a pro in disguise!" By whiteman micheal. Join on facebook ourstory TB Jack: 😂😂 "You are not a pro at anything; you’re just a normal young boy who was on the wrong side of things. I’m very sorry—it’s mostly my fault. How have you been surviving? Are you still painting and drawing?" Ejiro: "That’s part of what has been keeping me alive." Jack: "Please text me your account number. I’ll find a way to send you something so you can keep up. I really missed you. I’ll communicate back with you—I have to go right now. I have duties to attend to." Ejiro: "Alright, there’s no problem. Thank you so much for everything. I’ll be expecting your call back whenever you’re ready." Then he cut the call. Mustafa looked at me, food in his hands, like I was in trouble. Mustafa: "So where were you guys going that you didn’t want me to go with you?" Me: "I have no plans of going anywhere without you, my baby boy. Please turn around and ask the guy behind you." He turned around to look at Tunde. Tunde: "I just want to go and pay my mommy a visit. It’s been a long time since I saw her. There’s no big deal. Do you want to come?" Mustafa: "Of course, I want to come! You have to wait for me to have a bath, clean myself, and put on some clothes. Then I’ll join you." Tunde: "Okay, okay, I will wait. Please don’t be angry, my mommy, my slim Hausa mummy." Mustafa: "Keep quiet before you start explaining yourself in this compound. Who is your mommy?" All: Hahaha! 🤣🤣 Nat: "I’m coming with you guys. It’s also my place. I’d like to see some old folks too." Tunde: "Okay." Larry: "Please, I don’t want to be alone at home. Let me join you guys." Tunde: "I think I need to order a big car or a bus to carry us because there’s no way any Uber will want to pick up six boys at once." Me: "You better go and ask Martin if he’s going. If he comes back and notices he’s alone here, you’ll have to figure out where the extra person will sleep." Tunde: "Na true ooo, our last born." Tunde: "Last born, how far? Are you around?" Martin woke up and opened the door, rubbing his eyes. He’d been taking a Sunday afternoon nap. Martin: "Yeah. You guys are going? All dressed up without me?" Tunde: "To my place at the Island—my Makoko community. Have you been there before?" Martin: "So you guys were leaving without me?" Me: "Ahh, no!" Martin: "You guys have to wait for me to have my bath and join you. I can’t spend the afternoon all alone. And stop calling me last born. His brother will soon come, then you’ll have a proper last born." Tunde: "Lol, I haven’t seen his brother, but I doubt he’s going to look younger than you. They all look mature in that family." We all found a way to go to his community. When we arrived, we saw his elderly mom. She was really sick and almost didn’t recognize him because it had been so long since he’d seen her. She started crying when she saw him. She asked if he’d brought all of us to come and beat her up, but he told her no, that we were just his friends. Our presence in the community caused a bit of a stir. Six young men walking together made a lot of people uneasy, but we reassured them we had only come to visit a mother. We brought some supplies and cash to give to her. His father could not bear to look at him, feeling like a disappointment. His older sister and brother also avoided looking at all of us at once. The only brother we knew was absent, but we learned he visited frequently and brought gifts for their mother. The two children they abandoned had now become the cornerstone of their home. We didn’t stay long before heading back home. About a week later, it was time for matriculation. The whole university was filled with noise, happiness, and people celebrating. Martin’s mom was traveling from afar, so she decided to spend the night with him. We had to find a way to manage ourselves, so Mustafa, Ejiro, and I slept in my room to accommodate her properly. She went to the market before arriving and cooked a feast. That night, in Martin’s room, we helped her cook by pounding, cleaning, and doing other chores. She made salad, white rice, fried rice, and jollof rice—all in one night. We were so happy and ate a lot that night before the main day. After the ceremony, we returned, knowing the food was mostly for us. Some of Martin’s classmates, whose families hadn’t come, joined us to eat. She even sent me to buy packs of drinks to fill the room, which I did. She was so happy her son had found someone to mentor him, but at the same time, I sensed her concern. Just as the day was ending, and since she was leaving the next day, she took me outside to thank me for looking after her son. Mama Martin: "Emeka, God bless you so much. God bless you for me. I’m so grateful that my son found you the very first day he came to this compound. Thank you so much for being there For him, he told me that sometimes you spend the night with him in his room to keep him company, and I am grateful for that. As she was talking, I was afraid. I thought she was going to say something that would make me go crazy, or maybe she didn’t understand the type of company her boy needed from me. Me: "ma, it’s no problem. We thank God for everything. I thank God I saw you, ma. Please, I have one problem I need to share with you. I don’t mean to pry, but it’s just as you have said it, so that you will know I am not trying to over use him." Mama Martin: "What is the problem?" Me: "My younger brother, who was supposed to join the matriculation ceremony, got delayed. So, he’ll be coming tomorrow. As my room is already filled, and I already have a roommate, we are three and he’s alone. I just want to take permission that sometimes I may have to stay in his room. My brother, who is in the same level and almost in the same department but the same faculty, might be staying with him for some time—just for a few nights to sleep. Then, in the morning, we come out. We don’t intend to disturb him, but if you don’t want him to have any roommates, we will respect your decision." Mama Martin: "No, that is even better! I like the idea. Your brother is a 100-level student like him; he will have a friend. You know where he grew up, he has always been alone. My happiness is that he’s mixing with people and having friends. You know it’s not good for a young man to just be alone all the time. Thank you so much for telling me. You see why I like you? Because you always say the truth. Please keep him company and don’t allow him to follow bad boys. I don’t want him to smoke or join all those bad gangs that drink. Please, always take him with you to church, eh? Thank you, my son." As his mother was giving these declarations, he came out, smiling. I understood the meaning of his smile, but she didn’t realize that this boy had become wild. As his mother walked into the room, I followed her. Then he followed behind me and spanked my bottom. I didn’t know who did it at first; I just burst out laughing. Mama Martin: "Eh, what is it? Why are you laughing, my son?" Me: "Nothing, ma. It’s just Martin behaving like... what I don’t know." Mama Martin: "You boys are funny. Come, let me show you—I have left a good pot of soup for you so that you both will eat it for a very long time before you start cooking again. And the rice—you can actually put the remaining one somewhere and keep it in your refrigerator. You have a fridge, eh?" Me: "Yes, ma. I have a refrigerator." Then she called all of us in and prayed for us before she left, telling us goodbye. As she went downstairs and headed to the gate, the boys had already entered Martin’s kitchen. They took the remaining pot of rice and rushed it to the passage—not only the guys in our room but also the guys downstairs and from other rooms. Everyone came with a spoon, trying to scoop at least a spoonful of rice to eat. I closed the door after them and started cleaning the room. Martin got back and entered the room. Martin: "Omo, there is hunger in this land ooo. I haven’t even been gone for a minute, and they’ve taken the pot. They should not use a spoon to dig a hole in my pot oooooo." Me: "Go and tell them. I don’t have anything to say." Martin: "What do you mean you don’t have anything to say? The woman has practically handed me over to you. You are to do with me as you please. I am now under your control, my lord." Me: Laughing "🤣😂🤣Abeg ooo, Martin, abeg na. Abeg." Before I could say anything, he stole a kiss from my mouth. Then, lifting the basketball singlet I was wearing, he started sucking on my nipple, but he stopped shortly after. Martin: "Please spend tonight with me. Your brother is coming tomorrow, right? Why didn’t he come before the matric? Now he has missed the whole celebration." Me: "Trust me, as far as my family is concerned, he didn’t miss anything. You still have your matric gown, don’t you? Don’t return it yet. When he comes, I’ll take him to a studio where he can take pictures with it. That’s just all. There’s nothing left in the matriculation ceremony to enjoy. Focus on the clearance. And oh, you’ll have to help him with that." Martin: "I know you plan on letting him stay with me. I know you want to ditch me and throw me away. But before he comes, spend tonight with me. I’m begging you. Don’t say no." Me: "Can I say something?" Martin: "No, don’t say anything. I know you want to say something like, ‘If I stay tonight, I’ll never come again.’ You just want to use sentiment and emotional guilt to finish me." Me: "When that boy comes tomorrow, you will see him. You will know that both of you are almost the same, and then you will understand why I look at you the way I look at you." Martin: "I know I’m going to see him tomorrow. But before tomorrow, let tonight be just for me and you. I beg of you. Let me have my first time with you, and I’ll be off your back." Me: "I don’t believe you. Do you know the reason why I even avoid you sometimes? It’s not because I cannot be with you. It’s because you’re doing something that I did a very long time ago when I was young. And now, like you, I fell in love with a guy. I practically suffered myself to do everything for him, then he messed it up by discussing it with his friend." By whitman micheal Martin: "I am not that guy. I am also not you. I am Martin. Let me just be Martin. And one thing you said is correct—I’m in love with you. Don’t make me go crazy without even having to test that love." Me: "Martin, if you do this once, there’s no going back. You will want to do it again and again and again. And I know you—you’re insatiable." Martin: "You don’t know me, and I’m not going to ask you again. I’ve finished asking you. I don’t want you to look at me like I’m weird or something. I’m not going to mention it to you again, but I’m going to prepare for you tonight. Please, go away. Go to your room. I’ll wait for you tonight." Me: "Are you pushing me away? You’ve never done that before. You’re not acting like you." Martin: "I’m not pushing you away. I want to clean the room. I’m going to arrange everywhere, spray perfume, and light some candles to make it all look beautiful. I’ll wait for you tonight." Me: "Okay, let me help you clean the room, then I’ll go." Martin: "Just go now, please. Just go and come back when I ask you to come back." Me: "Are you giving me orders? I don’t understand." Martin: "Leave now. Hahaha." He was acting strange, and surprisingly, I was just obedient to him. I didn’t know what to do or say to him again. I left. I was really planning on not going to his room. I didn’t know what the worst thing that could happen would be. At most, my brother Mustafa and I would share the room. But I didn’t want to get on Martin’s bad side. I had never seen him angry or anything like that, but he was nice. Then I got a call from my mom. She told me my brother would be coming the next day. I inquired why he didn’t come on matriculation day. She said she wasn’t ready—she didn’t cook anything and didn’t want to buy food. But she had spent the whole day preparing a lot of food, so we shouldn’t cook anything tomorrow because she was bringing everything. When I entered Tunde’s room, where everyone was lying down after finishing the rice from the pot, I told them we wouldn’t be cooking tomorrow because my mom was bringing different food. They all started dancing, shouting, and celebrating. Mustafa brought the empty pots, and they started making different types of songs, using the pots as drums and spoons as drumsticks. Morals Your family is your family. No matter where you go or what you do, always go home and visit your family. They are the only ones who will stand beside your grave. People who are not your family will not travel to where you are buried unless you’ve done something extraordinary for them. Forgive your family. Families make mistakes, but you can forgive them. Maybe you can’t forget, but you can learn from their mistakes and ensure they don’t repeat themselves. Respect yourself. Don’t let anyone take you for granted. Have self-respect and establish your value wherever you are. Don’t entertain nonsense; always maintain your dignity. By Whiteman Michael Join us on Facebook @ourtorytb Like, share, and comment. Thank you!