As the year gradually drew to a close, a particular story came to Nkem’s mind. It had happened several years ago but she felt compelled to share it.
Nkem was a successful banker but her life had not always been easy. She was an orphan and had moved from one relative’s house to another, never truly feeling at home. That changed during her service year when she met Atim.
People often called them twins. They looked strikingly alike and it amused them to see the confusion on people’s faces whenever they heard their names— names from entirely different tribes.
The resemblance was uncanny but their bond was even stronger.
They remained very close after their service year. With support mostly from Atim’s parents they pulled their resources together and rented a one-bedroom apartment in the central part of town while job hunting.
For the first time in her life, Nkem lived in a place where she was comfortable—where she could relax, let her hair down and exist without fear of criticism or scolding.
Atim was the sister Nkem never had. As much as she disliked the NYSC program, she remained grateful for it because it gave her the gift of sisterhood.
Their hard work eventually paid off. Nkem rose steadily in her banking career while Atim became a brilliant and successful pharmacist.
Years later, Nkem met Dandy and fell deeply in love with him. However, Atim disapproved of the relationship. Her approval meant everything to Nkem—without it, she would not accept the marriage proposal Dandy was planning.
Atim felt there was something about Dandy she did not like but she could not quite put her finger on it. It was an unease she could not explain, yet it refused to leave her.
Dandy on the other hand did not like Atim either. He felt she was intrusive and jealous because her friend had found love while she had not. He was particularly upset that Nkem was willing to call off their relationship simply because Atim disapproved.
Determined to clear things up, Dandy decided to visit Atim to convince her of his intentions. After all, she was the only thing standing between him and marriage to his sweetheart. He hoped their conversation would go well.
Imagine his shock when Nkem told him Atim was dead. There had been a break-in at Atim’s home. The intruders took their time, stealing her gold jewelry and foreign currency before killing her. The police believed it was a robbery gone wrong.
It was a devastating time for Nkem but Dandy stood by her. He supported her, comforted her, and gave her a shoulder to cry on. Nkem could not understand why Atim had disliked such an amazing man. If only she were alive to see how caring and supportive he was.
After Atim was laid to rest, loneliness crept in. Nkem eventually accepted Dandy’s marriage proposal, believing love and kindness had finally found her.
Marriage, however, changed everything.
Dandy became a completely different person. Nkem soon discovered that he had lied about being an importer of Spanish and Italian tiles. The “office” he claimed to own turned out to be a shared space with a friend who eventually chased him out because Dandy could not pay his share of the rent.
He became a house husband, living entirely off Nkem’s income. He loved expensive clothes, luxury items, and parties, spending freely without contributing anything.
It was at one of these parties that he met Nancy.
He had left Nkem at home that night. When he arrived at the party and saw Nancy, he froze. For a brief moment, he thought she was Nkem. She looked remarkably like her. Curious and intrigued, he approached her. They connected instantly.
Nancy became his side chick. She was bold, feisty, and exciting—everything Nkem wasn’t. She was new in town, having recently returned from abroad and lived in a short-let apartment while she tried to settle in.
Her apartment became their secret meeting place. Dandy spent most of his time there. To him, Nkem had become boring; the only thing he still liked about her was her money.
Nancy brought excitement into his life. She awakened things in him—both physically and emotionally—that he believed he had been missing all along. Soon, he convinced himself that Nancy was the missing piece of his life.
He began planning to leave Nkem.
To fund his new life, he sold Nkem a carefully crafted business idea. She was delighted, believing her husband was finally ready to be productive. The plan seemed solid and she supported him fully.
Nkem made several withdrawals from her personal account and even took a loan from her bank for Dandy.
Every naira ended up with Nancy. Dandy’s intention was to drain Nkem financially. Then, suddenly, Nancy disappeared—vanishing with millions of naira. Dandy nearly lost his mind. For months, he could not sleep or think properly.
He ran out of lies to tell Nkem about her money and the car Nancy had borrowed “for a quick errand” but never returned.
He tried reaching Nancy but her phone was switched off. It was then he realized he barely knew anything about her—only her name, Nancy Shagaya. He knew her family lived in the North and that she had been staying in a short-let apartment. Even the police could do little with such limited information.
The house became unbearable. Nkem gave him an ultimatum: return her money or face arrest.
Then it happened.
One night, a few days into the new year, Nkem’s car drove into the driveway—the same car Dandy had given to Nancy.
The car stopped. Nancy stepped out and walked elegantly toward the house. Nkem and Dandy were stunned.
Nancy walked in, greeted Nkem familiarly and silenced Dandy when he tried to stop her.
She told Nkem to brace herself for what she was about to hear.
Nancy explained that she had been sent by Atim to protect her and to prove that her suspicions about Dandy were right.
Nkem was confused. Atim was dead—so how could she send anyone?
Nancy revealed the truth. She herself had died in an accident about a year earlier. Her body had only recently been recovered, and she had been hovering, unable to move on because she had not yet been buried. Atim needed a vessel for her mission, and Nancy agreed.
Atim also wanted Nkem to know the truth about her death.
It was Dandy who killed her.
He had gone to convince Atim to give her blessing for the marriage. When she refused, he struck her on the head with a heavy metal object and then strangled her. The break-in had been staged.
Dandy fainted instantly. Nkem followed shortly after.
Nancy waited calmly for them to wake up.
They awoke terrified and hysterical. Nancy managed to calm Nkem, returned her car keys, transferred all her money back, and warned Dandy to turn himself in to the police—or face far worse consequences.
Suddenly, the wind picked up. Curtains billowed. Fog filled the room.
Nancy stood and announced it was time for her to leave. She warned Dandy to watch his back—there were others like her, and they only needed a signal.
The door opened on its own. Nancy walked out. The door shut by itself.
Nkem fainted again.
Dandy stared down as he wet himself. His body trembled violently; his legs could barely support him.
His phone vibrated.
He almost screamed.
It was a message from Nancy.
With shaking hands, he read the words:
“You have work to do. Your time starts now.”
