The sun almost reaching the west and becoming orange. The day becoming dimmer, temperature getting milder, breeze increasing and birds flying in groups back to their nests. This was a simple means of telling that dusk was setting, without the use of a clock. 
"When I was a kid, I sing to those white birds with my peers when they soar above us in the evenings" Roselyn said to Richard as they were strolling to the front of the compound. Roselyn was holding chiamaka's hand because she couldn't let go. 
"Well, my case is not so similar. I didn't really socialize as a kid. but most of the things i did as a kid was watching action movies and afterwards practicing it. My favorite movie stars were Jackie Chan and Spiderman"
"That means you didn't play outdoors much. In my house, my family prefers Nigerian sorrowful and occult movies. Very scary but very educative. When we are left alone we watch cartoons and other kids movies. There were many children in our area and we often involve in one thing or the other"
"As a kid I had friends only in school. we played football, hide and seek and some education related stuffs" 
          Both were conversing with their faces facing forward. While the little girl followed them happily and quietly. 
"Chiamaka come back, aunty is going home. You can't go with her" This was Richard's mother calling her little daughter back. She was standing at the rails on the frontage. Chiamaka didn't want to return but Roselyn made promises with so much conviction before she adhered. And before she and Richard could leave she delved into her purse, slipped out smaller currency and offered to her. 
           Richard told Roselyn he would be going for his evening training, there and then Roselyn was invited, she accepted and followed him. As they were riding on the busy road a powerful bike flashed pass them swiftly. The speed caught everyone it passes attention. It was Susan and Fatima on it, calling on her giving her gestures that they will see her when they return. Roselyn didn't respond. She was just staring at them as if she doesn't know them. 
"There's a saying that birds of a feather flocks together, but I wonder how birds with different feathers happens to be flocking together" Richard said. Roselyn understood where he was heading immediately.
"Me and my friends right?"
"So you know? By the way, how did you become friends? How did you meet and what led to your friendship?" 
"mmmh... Susan is an old friend. We were class mates in junior secondary school so when i came here, I met her, the old memories brought us and rekindled what we had. To be frank, a lot has changed about her but in spite of that we can't part. She is unavoidable"
"How about the slim one?"
"Fatima is Susan's best friend. I met them as friends so... We all became friends"
"They are very arrogant, reckless and sybaritic. I'm surprised they haven't been able to influence you"
"Not everyone can be influenced. Even though we are friends i still caution myself"
"You have really tried but that ain't enough. You just need to space from them, since you can't completely stay away from them"
"Recently we have not been seeing each other. See they know our differences. There are things they don't involve me or talk to me about knowing that they will be igniting something they would regret afterwards"
         Discussion continued as they rode gently on the tarred road, they stopped at shop, it was a small local market. Richard went to check his friend, to know if he would be going for the training or not.
"Hey, thief!" Roselyn's voice was heard. She kept yelling. Richard returned hastily.
"What's it?" He asked.
"He took my purse. My phone is there"
"Wait here" 
           Immediately Richard took off. The thief was running from one corner to another. Many tried to stop Richard but they couldn't. He already knew they were one gang of thieves. They usually burst out immediately and start asking questions so as to delay the victims. When they saw that Richard was a very fast runner and has refused to stop, they all met at a hidden place and waited for him. Three in number. 
             He did not fear, he stood boldly wanting to face them. Was he not taking a risky step? What was his plans? Was he intending to wrestle with them or what? He could be jeopardizing his life, why don't he withdraw? This were bad boys known for their ruthless behaviors.
               Few seconds later, Roselyn showed up with some other guys. She saw Richard with her purse standing in front of the guys, all panting. 
"You the form James Bond abi? No wahala. we no where to get you" One of the boys threatened. Richard didn't speak, he was still swelling with rage. 
"I told you to stay there?" He raved at Roselyn, not because he was angry with her but because he wanted her to stay off the violence.
"What if something had happened to you? This are bad boys. They have no conscience"
"Were you coming to fight alongside, wonder woman? Let's go" He gave her back the purse to confirm her belongings. her phone was still there but the little money in it was gone. 
             The boys have already left by then. Roselyn still did not understand what transpired. How was he able to get the purse back? Did he fight? Not possible!  one against three, yet winning? She must ask him how.
"How were you able to get my purse from them?"
"They think they can mess with everybody and go scot free"
"Did you fight them?"
"They asked for it and they got it"
"I don't understand. They were three. just you. How? Did they propose an agreement of giving you back the purse if you fight one of them and defeat?"
             He looked at her and chuckled, meaning that her assumption was wrong and assured her he would tell her later. Roselyn kept wondering the kind of person Richard is. He seemed gentle and loving but somehow possessed something opposite. Following the thief alone was a brave move and getting back the stolen stuff after facing only-God-knows what happened was also a misery.
           When they returned to the spot the bike was not there.
"You see why I asked you to stay here?"
            Roselyn was speechless. She was feeling so guilty and scared. She was the cause of all that has happened. It was certain that Richard won't possibly say hurtful words to her or ask her to pay but how will he begin to see her? As a bad luck or what?
             She was still confused, not knowing what to say or do. Roselyn noticed it and was worried too.
"Calm down" The word was very convincing. She could see the sincerity in his face as he stared at her genuinely. 
"How can i? It's all my fault"
"It's not. It's nobody's fault. The bike will return. I'm not worried that I have lost it but for the fact that it's not in my posseson"
            It was difficult for her to understand this. 
"Do you know who took it?"
"No"
"How then do you know it will return?"
"Don't worry" 
              Richard shifted a bit and made a lengthy phone call. it was about the missing bike. When he was done he came back to Roselyn, took her hand and they moved.