Writers 
After the call that night, I gave up.
I gave up on trying to be friends with Chioma. I didn't go to the bar for a whole week. It was just home to work and back home again.
Then, one night, I got a call, but I didn't pick it. I was at a football viewing centre, and the match was intense. I ignored the call, deciding I would call back later.
When I got home that night, I took my bath, ate, and was watching a movie on my phone when I remembered the missed call. I called the number four times, but no one picked up, so I eventually gave up and went to sleep.
Life continued the same way.
Then, one Friday night, my friend Daniel called and told me he was getting engaged soon. I was so happy for him, and he said he wanted to celebrate with his friends at Mama Chi's bar.
I didn't want to go back there, but I didn't have a choice.
By 8 p.m., I was there with five friends. Our table was filled with bottles of beer and plates of pepper soup. We gisted, joked and laughed.
Then, suddenly, everywhere became quiet, just like the first time I had come into the bar.
She approached the stage.
Same moves. Same smile. Same body. Same cheers. Same atmosphere.
Different outfit. Different song.
But that was when I realised I truly missed her.
My stomach fluttered, and I felt strangely happy just seeing her again.
My friends commented on her body, her beauty and her dancing. I smiled and agreed with them, but I didn't mention anything about knowing her.
For a moment, I felt like she could see me. She looked in my direction and gave me a little smile.
I quickly waved the thought away, convincing myself it was all in my head.
Soon, I was tipsy, just like my friends, and I went outside to pee. I didn't want the stress of going to the toilet, so I went to the back of the building and relieved myself.
That was when I heard Chioma's voice.
I followed the sound and crouched near the window, listening.
“I don't want to marry him. He's old enough to be my father.”
I gasped.
She sounded sad, like she was on the verge of crying.
“He's a good man. He'll take care of you,” Mama Chi said calmly and persuasively.
“You won't have to dance again. Just be a good wife and give me children.”
“I don't want to! You can't force me!” Chioma yelled.
Then I heard the sound of a resounding slap.
“Shut up, you little slut! Oh, because I gave you a chance to talk, you think you can talk to me anyhow, abi?”
I could hear Chioma crying, and my heart broke.
“I took care of you when your useless mother died giving birth to you, and when your stupid father married me and abandoned you with me,” she bellowed.
“I raised you. I suffered for you. I gave you a life, a better name and now, a better future. And you're telling me no?”
I heard another slap, and Chioma whimpered in pain.
“Clean your stupid face. You have men to dance for and money to make. You'll be getting married next month, and you have no choice. Get out!”
Mama Chi's voice was loud and frightening.
“Get out!” she commanded again.
A moment later, I heard the door close.
I quietly walked away and returned to the bar.
“What took you so long, guy?” Daniel asked as I sat down.
“I was on a call,” I lied, then joined the conversation they were having.
But my heart and mind weren't there.
A lot of things were suddenly making sense.
Mama Chi was Chioma's stepmother.
Chioma was an orphan.
Her life was in Mama Chi's hands.
And now, she was being forced to marry an old man.
I felt sad for her.
That night, I made up my mind that I would do anything and everything I could to help her.
