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I’m Tobi, 22, just back from my first year at uni. Life was simple before, lectures, football, no drama. But now, every time I walk into our living room, Aunty Funmi, Mum’s best friend since polytechnic days, is there. Smiling too wide, eyes lingering too long.

It started innocently. “Tobi, you’ve grown so tall!” she’d say, hugging me longer than before. Then the compliments escalated. Last week, she patted my chest while we chatted in the kitchen. “See this broad chest! University girls must be falling for you left and right.” Her hand stayed a second too long, fingers pressing like she was testing something. I laughed it off, but my skin prickled.

She’s always around now, dropping by “unexpectedly,” bringing food just for me, asking about my girlfriend (I don’t have one). Yesterday, she cornered me alone while Mum was out. “Tobi, you’re a man now. Any girl catch your eye?” Her voice dropped low, eyes locked on mine, hand brushing my arm. I mumbled something and escaped to my room, heart racing. Is this aunty affection, or something wrong? Now she has started spending the night and I am more terrified than ever.

She’s 45, divorced, glamorous in a way that turns heads. Mum trusts her completely, “She’s family!”, but I feel trapped. If I say anything, it’ll explode our circle. If I ignore it, what if it gets worse? I lock my door at night now, but her knocks echo: “Tobi, sleep well o!”

How do I handle this without breaking Mum’s heart or my own peace? One wrong word, and everything unravels.

Nma’s Diaries….Life…Lessons…And everything inbetween