At the Gym

It was a cool Monday morning at the gym. A sweaty Kim was seen coming down from the wheels, where she had just finished her last set. She took off her headphones and picked up the towel that was hanging around her neck to dab the sweat dripping down her face. Then she packed up her stuff and went to meet her friend Favor, who was lying on a mat, breathing heavily.

Favor had just finished her own session and looked completely drained.

“Haha! You no fit move again, abeg,” Kim said. “That’s what aerobics did to me. Carry your things, make we dey go jare. Time don go.”

Heaving a final sigh, Favor raised herself up with all the strength she could muster and got off the mat. She began packing her things.

Both friends walked out of the gym, gisting and giggling. As they got close to the road to order a cab, Kim turned to the left and noticed two figures leaning against a parked car.

The man’s hands were wrapped tightly around the woman’s waist, holding her firmly against his body. Their noses grazed as they giggled, and the girl could be seen laughing softly, clearly enjoying the moment.

“Is that not Mercy?” Kim asked, nudging Favor sharply.

“Wait—what is she doing allowing another man to hold her like that in public?” Favor replied, turning to look in the same direction.

“This girl no get sense o,” Kim muttered.

Both girls stood for a moment, staring in disbelief, whispering between themselves.

“Let’s go jor,” Kim finally said. “Leave the babe make she dey misbehave.”

They turned and walked away, shaking their heads.

Outside the Gym (The Next Day)

It was early in the morning, and the gym was already coming alive with people arriving for their sessions. Then came the scene.

Mercy and Kelvin, standing outside the gym gates.

Mercy looked tense. Her arms were folded tightly against her chest, her eyes glossy with tears. She shifted from foot to foot, her shoulders hunched — her whole body language pleaded for calm.

But Kelvin was livid. He stood in front of her, arms flailing in the air as he shouted loud enough for half the gym to hear. His voice cut through the morning chatter.

“You think I’m stupid? You think I don’t see what you’re doing?!” he barked.

Mercy reached for his arm. “Kelvin, please—just hear me out…”

“Don’t touch me!” he yanked his arm away. “You embarrassed me! You were out there letting another man hold you like that? In public?”

“It wasn’t what you think—” Mercy tried to explain, but Kelvin wasn’t listening.

“I’m done! D-O-N-E. Keep your drama. I no dey do again!”

He stormed toward his car, flung the door open, jumped in, and reversed so fast, the tires screeched. The car zoomed off, leaving a small cloud of dust behind.

Mercy stood there, frozen. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she stared down at her feet, fighting back tears. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths. A few gym-goers stared awkwardly before slowly returning to their routines, whispering amongst themselves.