THE MIRROR IN YABA

Chidi bought a full-length mirror from Yaba market. Very cheap. N7,000.

He took it home to his one-room self-contain.

First night, he noticed something. His reflection was 1 second late. When he raised his hand, the reflection raised after.

He thought it was his eyes. Tired.

Second night, his reflection smiled when he didn't smile.

He covered it with wrapper.

Third night, 2am, he heard tapping. _Knock knock_ from inside the mirror.

He removed the wrapper slowly.

His reflection was standing there, even though he was lying on his bed.

The reflection said, "You are living my life wrong. Let me come and do it better."

Chidi ran out that night. Slept in his friend's shop.

In the morning, he went with his pastor to break the mirror. When they broke it, they found a faded old photo stuck behind the glass.

A man who looked exactly like Chidi. Same face. At the back of the photo, written in pen: "Chidi Okoro, 1978-1979. Return me."

Chidi never bought anything used from market again.