Baskadia

*past life

Afeez

I was outside. The sun shining down on my face. The cool summer breeze felt so nice on my skin. The trees swaying along with the wind. The sound of birds singing.

Yes ma I said to my mum who was calling me from the house. My brother Tj and I were out playing until my mum called us back into the house for dinner.

Hope you boys enjoyed your play outside? Yes mum we both answered her. Good, now you both should go wash your hands. Dinner is ready. We both went to wash our hands. By the time we got back to the dining. Dad was already back from work. Good evening daddy. Good evening champs. How was ur day today. It was fine daddy we both answered him.

My big brother Tj and I are the only kids my parent's have. Tj and I were inseparable. We always did everything together. After dinner, Tj and I stayed back to clear the dining area and wash the dishes. We lived together as a happy family. My mum, my dad, Tj and I. The perfect circle. I was about 10years old while Tj was 15. But everyone always thought we were twins.

3years later, Tj went to college, I was happy for him but at the same time he'd be out of the house and live in another city. I'll definitely miss him. During the holidays Tj came back home. But he didn't return the same. He became hostile, he kept bad company and did alot of bad things. That brotherly bond we both had was gone. He acted like I never existed.

Years later, I left the country to study abroad. I've always loved fashion. Most people thought it was weird because I was a boy who loved fashion. When my mates were dreaming of becoming engineers, lawyers, doctors. I dreamt of becoming a fashion icon. But I never stopped chasing that dream. My mum supported me, she always told me that "no matter what other people say, only my voice matters"

Few years later, my dad called in a family meeting. He was ready to retire and hand over the business to his heir. As the first heir of the family, Tj had the right of becoming the next CEO when my dad retires. My dad didn't want to give Tj because of his mischievous ways but he's a man of his words. Before we got older, my dad always told us that whenever he was ready to retire, he'll hand down the company to his first heir and that was Tj. It was a marketing company which I had no interest in.

Tj promised he was over his evil ways and turned a new leaf. My dad trusted him, handing over the company to him. Few months later, my parent's relocated to the states to spend the rest of their lives there. After college I came back to Nigeria. I decided to stay with Tj. I knew he was over his old ways because he proved it. He became a responsible man. He runs the company so well. But my thoughts about him were wrong. He was acting strange. Always conscious of his surroundings. He had so much security around him.

" I became suspicious"

I sat him down one day to question him. Yoo Tj what's up with you lately. You've been acting weird and what's with all this security around you. He told me everything was fine and I should stay out of his business. But I didn't. I did my findings and found out he was a mafia .

Not just any mafia, the leader of the mafia's. Why would he become a mafia?I questioned him about it. He got so upset that he kicked me out of his house. He told me never to speak to him again. He literally shut me out. I decided to move into a new city to start afresh. I worked in a fashion industry for years before I had enough money and experience to start up my own. I hustled in the city of Lagos like never before but you know how the saying goes.

"Hard work does pay off"

And it did. Now I own the biggest fashion industry in the country today. Everyday, I always think about my brother Tj. How is he doing? Is he out of the Mafia Business?.

I just hope he's doing ok.

I broke out of my trance. Heading into the bathroom to take a cool shower to let off all the steam in my head. It's weekend already, so no work for today. I plan on going for a swim, then head out later in the evening to hangout with a few friends. I made breakfast. I opened my fridge and took out some eggs and milk. I'll be making omelette and hot cocoa. After breakfast, I decided to watch a movie. Marvel studio movies are my favorite. I went for "doctor strange into the multi verse of madness"

I headed to a lounge where my friends and I were to hangout. It's been a while since I saw them. More or less like I didn't pay attention to them. When my brother shut me out. I became devasted for I lost my best friend. Since then I've not really kept alot of company around me. Last night I got a call from deji my long time friend. He said he was in town and wanted us to hang out with some of the other guys. Since it's weekend and I have nothing planned, I decided to tag along.

Yoooo AZ what's up long time no see bruh. It's been a while I saw you last you know. How have you been and how's work. Deji said to me making himself comfortable in the booth we choose. Very fine man. Work is fine. How long has it been since we last saw each other. I think it's about 2years now right? Yeah man it's been up to that. The rest of the guys came in. We got to catch up on old times.

"I've missed hanging out with these guys"