In this country
There are only two options
"To be hungry or to hustle"
And my dad chose the second option so his family will never see the first
Even though it meant getting his hand dirty
That's the kind of man
"Femi adebayo" was
My mom and dad were Nigerian born citizens, but after my mom completed her nysc, her and my dad moved to the United States to find a new life
They found a house which they could easily pay for
And my mom started working at a school
And my dad was working as an office man, but that's what people who were not close to him knew
His true friends knew that my dad was a hardcore drug dealer, working for the highest gangs in Atlanta
But even though he was getting his hand dirty, my dad was still loved in the community, he always threw barbecues every Saturday, and helped those who were in need with money, that's just the kind of person he was
Me and my siblings were always happy when he would come back in the night from a long day of work, only me and my elder brother knew about his second life, but we didn't care, we only cared that the family were together
But as you know
All good things must come to an end
The life my dad had been living finally caught up to him, and on a faithful Saturday we awaited his return like he does every night, instead we were greeted with sad news
My dad was involved in a drive by shooting, sources said he was in a dispute with some of his clients, and they had enough of him and decided to put him down
That day a part of me died and could never return
10 years later
"Toyin, Adeola and bisi, get ready for school, jack would leave without you guys" toyin's mom says
"Ok mom, we will be down in a sec" Adeola says
"Good, at least you guys have stopped your lateness" toyins mom says
We then see a boy looking in the mirror with headsets on while combing his hair
"Fool how long would you stay in the toilet, you're not a girl" bisi says
"Shut up werey, it takes time to look good" toyin says
He then comes out of the bathroom and gives her a smirk
"Idiot you know what you're doing" bisi says as she enters into the bathroom and bangs the door
They all then finish preparing and head downstairs to eat breakfast
"How do you guys like the bacon" toyin's mom says
"It's nice mom" Adeola says
"You know anything you cook is always nice miriam" jack says as he kisses her on the cheek
"Get a room" Toyin says
They then finish their breakfast and head into jacks car
He then takes off
It's been 10 years since my dad died, not a lot changed, my mom married my dad's best friend, I guess that's what he always wanted, my eldest brother femi jr is working overseas as a doctor
Me and my sisters are attending a private high school, a part of me still isn't fulfilled though
It feels like I'm missing something
"Have fun in school kids" jack says
I'm in my last year in school, I guess you can say I'm happy, cause I never liked school, so I guess it's good it will soon be over
"Hey toyin, I haven't seen you in a while" a boy says as he waves at him
"It's only been two months since we saw each other dante" Toyin says
"I know but it felt like forever" dante says while laughing
"We have chemistry Toyin, let's not be late in our first day" Dante says
He then puts his hand over Dante's shoulder and says
"When did you start worrying about class, you that was skipping physics almost all the time" Toyin says
"Shut up that was the old me" Dante says
As they both start laughing and head to class
Meanwhile on the other part of the world
In Nigeria
"You guys should not forget that you're writing mid term exam tomorrow, if you like prepare, if you like don't, nothing concern me, I go still mark am" a man in glasses says while talking to students
The bell then rings signifying school is over
"Haew thank God, i was wondering if I'll die in school" a boy says as he starts packing his bag and is getting ready to go
"Wait oh David where do you think you're going, you're forgetting we have waec lesson" a girl says as she drags his hair
"It's true, Nawa this waec sef" David says as he sighs
"It's you that said you want to write from ss2, so bear your cross" the girl says while pointing at him
"I know Jennifer, but I have a very good reason" David says
"And that would be ?" Jennifer says
"If I tell you I'll have to kill you" David says
"Fool I don't have time for your jokes, let's go" Jennifer says dragging him by the hand
David then finishes his waec lessons and heads back home
"Mama I'm home" David says as he removed his shoes
"Momsi no Dey David, but come here first" a man says as he is sitted on the dining table
"Ah brother Joseph, I thought you were going to Ibadan and not coming back till next week" David says
"David sit down first" Joseph says
David then takes a seat
"Wha-, wha-, what happen" David says as he stammers
"What happen to the two grams of cocaine that was in my bag" Joseph says
"Brother Joseph I can explain" David says
"Explain what, just tell me where it is, before I get angry" Joseph says
"It's gone" David says as he shakes
"Gone to where, I don't get" Joseph says
"I sold it" David says as he brings out 500,000 naira from his bag
"Wait, wait David, you're the one that made this money" Joseph says
"Yes, I sold it to the Backstreet Boys, one of my classmates said they needed a few grams of coke, so I thought I'll take some sell, and then give you back the profit" David says
"My boy, come here" Joseph says as he goes over to David and ruffles his hair
"Ah brother Joseph you're not angry" David says
"Who says I'm not angry" Joseph says as he hits David's head
"What did you do that for" David says as he holds his head
"That's for stealing from me, but at least you came back with profit, so you weren't stupid" Joseph says
He then throws 50k on the table
"That's for you, go and enjoy yourself"
"Ah brother mi thank you" David says as he hails his brother
He then heads into his room to freshen up
"On his first sale, this boy made 500k, it's like he has potential" Joseph says
David then freshens up and heads over to his friends house
Ever since our dad died in a car accident, brother Joseph took it upon himself to raise both of us and our mom, he became like a father to me, even if that means sometimes en Dey get his hand dirty,
I told myself I won't hold him back, I need to learn something myself
That's why I'm learning how to cook what he sells
"Eyyyy my nigga hafa" a white boy with dreads and bandana comes and shakes David
"You no suppose call me that sha, but I go leave you quinn" david says
"Ah big boy, you don come back from school" a man in a gas mask says
"Brother miracle you're cooking without me" David says
"It's not my fault David, that your waec lesson Dey take time" miracle says
"Hope your brother no know you Dey here, he will cut my head if he does" Quinn says
"Nah nah, he thinks I'm at a friends house" David says
"Bad boy" miracle says
"Oya grab a gas mask"
"Ok" David says
They then start teaching David how to cook cocaine and other drugs
"You're learning pretty fast" Quinn says
"Very soon, you'll be producing by yourself"
"Heyyyyy calm down, you Dey go to far, he still has much to learn Quinn before he can produce on his own" miracle says
"Are you just Saying that miracle, cause you know I'm better than you" David says as he smirks
"Whatever makes you sleep at night small boy David, Oya go back home before your brother starts looking for you"
"No issue, I'll see you guys tomorrow" David says as he runs out of the condo
"You're sure this is a good idea" miracle says
"Yeah I'm sure, the boy get potential, in case anything happens to us, baba will like him" Quinn says
David then comes back home
"David my son, where have you been" his mom says
"I've been at a friends house mom" David says
"Ok ohh" his mom says
"Come let's have dinner"
Joseph, David and his mom all sit together at the dining table
"Oya Joseph pray for us" his mom says
"In Jesus name" Joseph says
Joseph then prays and they all start eating
End of chapter one
I'll continue writing later