// Alli-Joshua is reclining on a sofa, working on a laptop, wearing a simple shirt on shorts.

ALLI: (thought)
Damn, I lost the game again. If I’m so smart, why can’t win a mere computer at chess?

It boggles the mind. Hehe.

Living by myself, talking to myself, laughing to myself.

Pursuing my goals, in my way, for myself. Only taking orders from I, me, myself.

Can this way of life bring fulfillment?

I want to do something that makes a difference.

I want to live forever

-- in people’s minds. I want to be a --

-- super man.

// someone (Mercy) knocks the door of his house and Alli looks up

ALLI (thought):
Why can’t people call before showing up at your doorstep?

ALLI:
Hold on, I’ll be right there!

// Alli sets aside his laptop and goes to open the front door. He sees a young lady with several bags.

LADY:
Is this the home of one Mr. Joshua-Alli?

ALLI:
Yes.

// Lady stretches out her hand to greet Alli

LADY:
My name is Mercy. Maryam-Mercy. I’d like to see Mr. Joshua-Alli.

ALLI:
Ok, you can come in.

ALLI (thinking):
The professor’s daughter is practically a woman already. How time flies!

MERCY:
Can you help me with my bags please?

// Alli frowns at that but helps Mercy with her bags.

MERCY (thinking):
Oh dear, the doorman seems to be offended by my request, though I didn’t mean any harm.

// With her bags safely inside Alli’s living room, Mercy invites herself unto a sofa and looks around.

MERCY:
May I speak with Mr Joshua please?

// Alli sits down beside his laptop and flashes a wry smile

ALLI:
Yes, you may.

MERCY:
Wait a minute, are you the Mr. Joshua Alli I’m looking for?

// Alli nods.

MERCY (thought):
Damnit, he didn’t dress like a millionaire at all.

He’s probably going to throw me out for being rude. There goes my accommodation!

MERCY:
Sir, I’m sorry for what I asked you to do the other time. I didn’t know it was

ALLI:
A few months ago, your father called to tell me that you might be dropping by soon.

MERCY (relieved):
He did?

ALLI:
You couldn’t get hostel accommodation, so you want to stay with me for a while, right?

MERCY:
Yes sir.

ALLI:
I’ll allow it on one condition: you must stop calling me “sir”.

I’m not much older than I look, you know. I am yet to celebrate my 27th birthday.

So please feel free to address me as “Alli”. Ok?

MERCY:
Yes, sir.

// Alli chuckles while Mercy’s face turns red with embarrassment

MERCY:
Can I call you “uncle”?

ALLI:
You can call me whatever you want, ma.

// Alli gestures smilingly towards a passageway

ALLI:
Your room is over there. I hope you like it.

Let me help you with your bags.

MERCY:
Uncle, it would be an insult for me to ask for your help with something like this.

It’s my duty as a young person to run errands for those older than me, and not vice versa.

// Alli smiles and goes back to working on his PC.
ALLI:
You know what? I think you’re right. I’ll just go back to my work.

MERCY (thinking):
This man has no shame. I was expecting him to say, “don’t worry, I’ll help”.

ALLI:
Mercy, your father is the man that inspired me when I was most in need of it.

If you find anything in this house useful, it’s yours.

Don’t forget to check out the kitchen!

After writing this story, I decided to change Ali-Joshua to a woman. The result was:
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-23944.0.html

This story is still evolving. Each time I post a new version I learn something new. Thanks for reading me!

I like Joshua-Alli.
I see some of my characteristics in him.

Let me see the other developemt before I ask why you altered his gender.

Mercy is also showing traits of someone I know.

At 27, he would be tempted to go out with her later.

I like the story nd i've also read "The story of Mary-the great girl"
The stories are unique.