Straight Boys 31 One Long Night He ate the food that was made and kept for him. After that, Larry gave him some Five Alive to wash it down, after which he took some water to clear his mouth. He looked and sat up. It was already 1 a.m. Everywhere was quiet now, but the television sound was still on. The room was filled with sleeping noises and relatives of patients who wanted to stay up all night. Then he started without informing Larry. Emma: "I grew up alone with my mother, not knowing who my father was. All I knew was my mother. She did not even introduce me to any of her relatives or anyone from my father's side, so I knew absolutely no one. Sometimes, she traveled to the village, saying she was going to see one of her sisters or brothers, but she always left me alone in the house. "Where she worked, she worked in the mansion of the Francis family. All my life, I grew up inside that mansion. I didn’t know anybody outside of it. Chief Francis himself paid my school fees. He was the closest person I had to call a father. He was the one I knew as my father due to his presence in my life. But I knew he was not my real father because my mother and I slept in the servants' quarters. "But it was very comfortable—it had everything we needed: an apartment, a room, a kitchen. Everything was there for us. My mother spent less because food was given to us from the family kitchen. Though she was paid, she did not pay my school fees because Chief Francis took care of it. "It went on like that until I was about to write my WAEC exams. That was when I lost my mom. She had died of a chronic disease, keeping it to herself for a very long time. I did not know she was sick. She kept it from me, and she kept it from everyone else. "I was like a lost sheep at home, not knowing what to do. Everyone was looking at me, asking me to use her phone to call someone in her family. But, ashamed as it was, I knew nobody in her family—not even a sister or brother. I didn’t know if she was an orphan. I was afraid. I was crying every day. "I was just waiting for Chief Francis to ask the guards to send me out, but I did not want to leave the house on my own without knowing my fate. That was when he came to the door one night, stopped me from crying, and told me that he was now my father and that he was going to adopt me. "I moved from the servants' quarters to the main house, and he continued my education in the same school I was attending. Chief Francis had only one son, which was Dare. He was quite older than me, and he liked to bully, but after a while, we became close friends—even while he bullied people. But there was something different about him that made him like me. "We continued living in the house until Chief Francis passed away. It was not easy for either of us—I mean, me or Dare—because he had lost his mother long before I was even born. So, just as I was alone with my mother, he was also alone with his father. We were left like that. "His father’s sisters came to the house and asked me to pack my things and go find my relatives. The problem was that I had nowhere to go. I knew no one except for the chief who had taken care of me. I was even waiting to graduate so I could get a house of my own and start my life. I was just alone. I did not know what to do. "The day I was about to leave and go into the world—without knowing anyone, anywhere, or anything to do—that was when the family lawyer came in. He instructed the sisters to leave me alone and let me be. Chief Francis had stated that my education would be completed up to my master's level, with everything paid for by him. "But the women would not agree. They found it suspicious and wanted me out. But the lawyer would not have it. Instead, he asked that they be sent out. We were just two young men who had grown up in the house alone without parents, though we were still being cared for. Nevertheless, I was under Dare’s mercy. "He had said that even if the lawyer had asked me to stay, his own decision was to remove me from the house. But he would not do so—because he loved me. And there I was… what could I have done? "I had nowhere to go. I had no one to cry to. I couldn’t run away. I just had to stay there. "And I had to love him too—in the way he wanted." Then, he looked at Larry in the face. This content is the intellectual property of OurStory TB and the author, Whiteman Micheal. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution without proper credit to the author or the page is strictly prohibited. Permission must be obtained before any use. That was how all this started. I am not a gigolo. I am not a hollow soul sleeping with people for money I am just surviving at the Francis Mansion until I get out of this. All the gifts, cars, and money are stipulated to come to me from Chief Francis through his son, who is now appointed heir. But his will has not yet been read. It will be read ten years after his death. It has been about nine years now—one year to go—and I am just in my third year at the university. Who knows what is going to happen when that will is read? But no one is sending me out of the house. I don’t want to go to the streets and start begging. So, to stay in that place for survival, I had to do what I had to do—just like you. That is how I met you. You are very different. I understood that you were also alone until you found family in school. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to take care of you—to be the other family I have, just the same way I was taken care of. The first time I was with anybody other than Dare—the very first time—was with Felix. I just tried before I met you. And now, I don’t want to put up with all this commotion. He threatened to out me to you, and I did not know what to do. Larry: "You wanted to end your life just because of a threat from Felix, the gangster? He’s not worth it. You are worth more. After all this suffering, after all these years, you wanted all of it to just go to waste like that? "It’s one year to go before the will is read. If the lawyers said that you are not going anywhere, it means there’s something in there for you. You have to keep up your act for one year. Maybe in that one year, you will be a graduate. "The chief actually planned for you. It is a well-calculated game. He knew what he was doing before he left. So, you are okay. And I don’t really mind. I am here with you. "Since you said you don’t have any family, you will be my family. You can join us. The boys are my family. Many of us didn’t have anyone, and we found each other. We are trying where we can." Emma: "So you don’t hate me? You’re not going to leave me alone?" Larry: laughs "Emeka practically carried you on his back down the stairs to the road before we got a cab that brought us here. We all thought that you were gone—that you had crossed the great beyond. But when the doctor confirmed you were okay, Tunde went home and prepared this food for you and for all of us. "You see, everybody in this ward, in a major part of this clinic, ate food today because of you. We shared our meals with most people because we came here to spend the night with you. "I was asked to stay. By morning, you will receive all the boys coming to see you. You are not alone, even though you barely spoke to any of us. Because of me, everybody is going to come here to spend time with you. "You are not alone." Tears ran down his cheeks as Larry hugged him on the bed. Emma: "I’m sorry you had to go through all that because of me. I didn’t know that someone could find family even in strange places." Larry: "Family is everywhere. It’s just that we are looking for the perfect people. The moment we understand that no one is perfect, we start to mature. Then we can start having family members." Emma: "I was afraid. I was afraid I was going to lose my reputation. I was afraid I was going to lose everything. I was afraid I was going to lose you. I didn’t know who to talk to." Larry: "See those guys—especially Emeka and Tunde—you can reach out to them. You can speak with them. They will help. They will not castigate you. "For example, when you went to meet Emeka and told him about us, how did he take it? Did he make any funny remarks?" Emma smiled, remembering everything Emeka had said that day, and nodded in affirmation. Emma: "I understand now. They are good guys. He’s a very good guy, and I would like to be his friend. Can you help me relate my story to him? I need someone—a strong person beside me." Larry: "It’s fine. In the morning, they’ll come and check up on you, and everything will be fine. I understand—it’s not easy." Emma: "What is going to happen now?" Larry: "I would say let’s call Felix and report him to the police or something." Emma: "I’m not talking about Felix. I’m more concerned about what he will say and how it will affect everything. I was never, ever going to go and meet him to do anything with him." Larry: "Are you talking about Dare?" Emma: "Yes. Yes, that’s what I’m talking about." Larry: "I think when you have a discussion with Emeka, he will be in a better position to tell you what to do. But from me, I will tell you to end everything with him. "It’s one year to go, and anything can happen. Just follow the process and endure the suffering for the last year. Because whatever his father must have left for you, he will be willing to give it to you—provided you keep doing what he wants you to do. "But if you start fighting him now, he may fight off what is left for you in that place. Hopefully, I’ll have money by then, and we can stay together and start up your life." "Our story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn't make us who we are. It is the rest of our story—who we choose to be." This content is the intellectual property of OurStory TB and the author, Whiteman Micheal. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution without proper credit to the author or the page is strictly prohibited. Permission must be obtained before any use. Was so happy that this problem was not even so hard to solve. He looked at life and wanted to give him a kiss here, but it was a hospital. Even though everyone was sleeping, there was no need to risk that. Same Night at Martin’s Room Obi entered the room feeling a little bit different—overwhelmed—and needed somebody to just hold him. He wished his brother was in the same room with him, but he was growing up and did not always want to need his brother for everything. So, as he climbed on the bed, where Martin was already sleeping naked, he turned this time around to hug Martin. But as he touched Martin, he ran out of the bed. Martin: "Obi, what is happening? Did you drink something? I can't remember any of us taking alcohol. Are you okay?" Obi: "Hahaha! Ahahah! Ahahah! 🤣 😂 😂 😂! I am fine. I just wanted to hold you for the night. I needed somebody, just to feel body warmth." Martin: "Since when did that one start? You, who is always pushing me and shouting at me? You know that I'm not wearing anything, right?" Obi: "Haha! Hahaha! 🤣 😂 😂 😂 😂! Hahah! Ahhaa! And that is why I am shocked. You have always wanted this! Why are you now running away?" Martin: "No, no! It’s not happening! I like you just the way you are. In fact, I love you just the way you are—as my brother. I know that I have been the one pulling the nonsense, but it is not going to happen this time. I am the one saying no." Obi: "Hahaha! Hahaha! 🤣 😂 😂 😂 😂! It's fine. I'm not planning to do anything with you. I just want to hug you for the night, like you have always been hugging me from behind, right? Even without you wearing anything. I just wanted to hold you, like… I just feel like somebody. Why you?" Martin stood in the darkness and looked at him for some time, still surprised and shocked at his actions, but was not willing to give in. Martin: "Obi, me I don't understand what is happening here right now. I don’t know if I have slept and maybe I'm dreaming, but it’s not happening. This is unlike you. Since when?" Obi: "Ooooh, this boy! Hahahaha! Hahahaha 😂🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂! Okay, okay, see what is going to happen—wear your clothes. Let me just hug you and then we sleep together. Or, I will remove my clothes and I'm going to give you a hug." Martin: "Wait, since when did you start hugging guys? I don't understand what is happening here today. Did they give you something to drink when we went to the hospital? Did somebody touch you with something? This thing is unlike you! I don't understand! I have to go and call your brother—ooooo!" Obi: "Hahahaha! 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 😂! Will you stop behaving like a cartoon and get on this bed right now? What is wrong with you?" Martin: "Ahhhhhh! Wahala dey ooo! Obi, did you drink something? What is happening here right now? You’re asking me to climb the bed—Is this real?" Obi: "Haha! Hahaha! 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂! Haha! Martin, I'm actually giving you one minute. If you don't climb on this bed right now, I'm going to stand up and take off all my clothes, and both of us will be running around this room without our clothes until you open the door and run out! Then, they will take us to the hospital—and maybe take us to Yaba Left!" Martin: "Abeg, abeg, no! Please! Because I don't even know how I will start explaining to people that I am normal right now and you are the one that is not normal!" Obi: "Haha! 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂! How is it that I am not normal? This guy! This thing that you have been begging for since—it’s just a hug! I want to hug you, we are not going to do anything. I just want to hug you, and we are going to sleep. I promise you, I'm not doing anything, you're not doing anything." Martin: "Ahhhhhhh! Mogbe ooo! What in the name of Amadioha is happening right now?!" Obi, completely unfazed, starts pulling off his singlet like he’s starring in a slow-motion movie. Martin watches in horror, frozen in place. Obi is now down to just his boxers, waiting for Martin to comply. Martin: "Obi, what in the name of all things holy are you doing?!" Obi doesn’t answer—he just slowly drops his boxers. Martin: "Obi, whatever demon possessed you, please un-possess yourself!" Martin stares in shock, mouth wide open. He looks like he’s trying to scream but forgot how. Obi removed his boxers revealing everything to Martin. Martin: "ahhhhh egba mi! I did not sign up for this!" Martin almost wakes up the entire neighborhood with his screams. Without thinking, he bolts towards the window, ready to jump like a Hollywood action hero. Obi bursts out laughing, the bed shaking under him. Obi: "The mighty Martin who used to chase me around is now the one running! What a twist!" Martin makes a last-second decision and charges for the toilet instead. He slams the door, locking himself inside like it’s the entrance to a bunker. Obi, now rolling on the bed, is in absolute stitches. He’s laughing so hard, tears are streaming down his face. Obi: "Come out, Martin! I’m going to break the door if you don’t!" Martin (from inside): "You’ll have to drag me out like a stubborn goat!" Obi, still laughing so hard his stomach hurts, walks up to the toilet door and knocks softly. Then, with the smoothest voice he can muster, he says: Obi: "Baby, come and give it to me… Hahahaha!" Martin’s soul leaves his body for a moment. He clutches his chest like a Nollywood actor about to faint.. Martin: "AHHHH! My own has finished! Somebody help me!" Silence. The only thing Martin can hear is the sound of his own heavy breathing and Obi giggling outside like a mischievous spirit. After what feels like ages, Martin finally cracks open the toilet door, peeks out, and sees Obi rolling on the bed, looking half asleep. Cautiously, Martin tiptoes to the wardrobe, grabs his boxers, then—without wasting a second—sprints back into the toilet, locks the door, and quickly wears them like a man escaping a spiritual attack. Feeling a little safer, he emerges, now fully dressed… well, kind of. He takes two big textbooks, shoves one in the front of his boxers and the other in the back—his homemade "armor" in case Obi tries any funny business again. Confident in his new protective gear, Martin climbs onto the bed carefully, convinced Obi is asleep. He exhales deeply, finally able to relax. But just as his head touches the pillow—BAM! Obi grabs him from behind, holding him in a tight embrace. Martin's eyes nearly pop out of his skull. Martin: "ahhhhhhhhh! Obi, leave me alone! I am wearing boxers and BOOKS!" Obi just sighs happily, hugging him tighter. Obi: "Shhh… I just wanted someone to hug as I sleep." Martin blinks. Martin: "You mean that’s just what this is all about?" Obi: "Yes." Martin lets out a defeated sigh. He’s too tired to fight. With his book-armored boxers still in place, he eventually relaxes. Obi smiles, finally feeling comforted, and within minutes, they both drift off to sleep—one wrapped in warmth, the other wrapped in textbooks. I entered my room to meet Mustapha on the bed, and I jumped on the bed, releasing a whoosh from the sheets. He turned and drew me close to him. We smiled at each other as we slept in embrace. Tunde, in his room, came out to check if the outside door was locked, then went back as he climbed onto the bed. He noticed it was a bit cold, then remembered that Nat had gone out that night. It was just him and Ejiro. Tunde: "How are you?" But before he could check if Ejiro was asleep, since Ejiro did not answer him, his two hands reached up and grabbed Tunde’s face, kissing him intensely. By Whiteman Michael: Join us on Facebook, OurStoryTb. Morals: There is no problem that is too big for you to take on your life. Do not try to take your own life because you did not create yourself. Sometimes having too many friends can be a big problem, especially when they mess up your stuff and make your life miserable. Sometimes, they make you seem as if you're not important or make you feel too important. They may even be your friends because of the things you give them, not because they really like you and want to be around. But the worst of them all is to be alone without even a single friend. It is not good. Don’t always live a life of loneliness. You are a human being, and human beings are social beings. They exist in groups, not in units. They exist in pairs, not in singular units. Find yourself with friends. Greet your neighbor if you haven’t done so in a long time. Chat with that online friend you have. Make funny jokes. Call them and let them hear your voice. Convert your online friendship to real friendship. You must not add any same-sex element to it—just make sure you have real friends for yourself. Sometimes the things that we want the most come to us all of a sudden, and then we are afraid to collect them because we are shocked and surprised. How could this be? Sometimes even as adults play like kids it brings back memories and refreshes your body. "Our story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn't make us who we are. It is the rest of our story—who we choose to be." —The goat in Kung Fu Panda 2 By Whiteman Michael: Join us on Facebook, OurStoryTb. We have all rights to this masterpiece. Do not copy or use it for yourself without giving credit to the author. You will attract a police investigation. Be warned. Thanks the anonymous sponsor of this chapter we are grateful Dm and be a sponsor. Please don't forget to like and follow our page share too.