Chapter 4: Sweetness and Shadows

For dream, everywhere warm. No rain—just fried plantain smell and children laughter as dem play ten-ten for compound.

When Pei Yan dey five, e just quiet like now, no be talkative. Small boy wey no dey smile, but always give me big suya if nobody dey look.

Dem wan carry am go city, say better school dey there. Me, I just hear say he dey go.

Pei Yan bone face, turn him round head away. Cheek chubby, stubbornness full him eye. He look me, serious.

He waka come, hold my hand, finger sticky with groundnut paste.

"No separate me from Mianmian." The words come out like oath.

First time I taste real chocolate, joy nearly burst my belle. I dance round compound like festival masquerade. Neighbours laugh say na lottery I win.

I dey jump, no even hear wetin Pei Yan dey talk. I dey lick finger, no care who dey look.

Last-last, both families gree make I follow go city stay with Pei family. Big thing for village girl. Gist full everywhere.

So I fit get better school. Mama cry joy, hug me tight before I go.

Pei Yan squat for front of me, cheek puff. Try look fierce, but e just resemble pouty goat.

"Mianmian, follow me go city." Hand stretch, hope full him eye.

I drag leg. "But I no like city..." My mind dey full of city wahala and traffic.

Pei Yan face fall, he snatch my chocolate, hide am.

"Then you no go chop this one." He stick tongue out, dey do shakara.

"And you no go ever chop am again." Serious threat, but mischief dey his eye.

For chocolate sake, I quickly gree, reach hand. Chocolate pass fear.

"I go follow you, Pei Yan, abeg give me!" Everybody laugh.

"Pei Yan. Pei Yan." Him name turn my promise, sweet like chocolate for tongue.