Chapter 4: The Midnight Dilemma.

The road ahead of them was wide and empty, with the gentle sound of the engine humming in the background. Adex was behind the wheel, grinning as he drove into the night. John was in the passenger seat, singing along to the tune, and his laughter mixed with the cheerful song.

Neyo sat in the back by the window, watching the trees rush past rapidly. He sang along to keep his energy leveled while Seun, covered with a warm blanket, gradually fell asleep. His head moved up and down before resting against the seat, and his face showed a peaceful smile.

The car was warm and cheerful inside, and the laughter and singing made it seem vibrant. It was pure joy and freedom that could only be experienced while on a road trip with friends. The world outside faded away, and they were left in their small world of joy as they traveled through the night.

The car tilted a little, and John turned to look at the back seat. Seun was bent forward, his head on the window and his mouth agape. He was snoring noisily, and a harsh sound spread through the vehicle like a cloud of smoke seeping through a closed room.

When the snoring began, John's mood was different. He suppressed a laugh, not wanting to laugh aloud. Neyo sat next to him in the back seat. He turned and raised an eyebrow, relishing the noise. He shook his head and smiled, amazed that anyone could snore so loudly.

Even Adex, who was usually serious, couldn't help but smile. He bent over to John and whispered, "Is he going to sleep through the whole night trip?" They exchanged a glance with one another, chuckling at the absurd moment while Seun continued to snore, unaware he was amusing them.

Neyo tried hard not to laugh. He pressed his lips together and covered his mouth with his hand. But the more he thought about it, the harder it became. He snuffled, then chuckled, and soon, he laughed out loud. He doubled over, holding his stomach, and tears formed in his eyes. "Oh my God, look at your guy!" he gasped between laughs. He sounds like a broken tractor!"

John stared at Neyo, surprised by the loudness of the laughter. At first, he shook his head, trying to keep a straight face, but Neyo's laughter was so loud that he could not resist. His face broke into a smile, and soon, he, too, was laughing, and his shoulders were shaking. He wiped a tear from his eyes and finally said between laughs, "More like an overworked chainsaw."

Adex also raised an eyebrow at the two, watching them as they lost their composure. He tried to keep a straight face, but watching Neyo gasp for air and John try not to laugh was hard. He chuckled before he could stop himself, then joined their laughter. He slapped his knee and shook his head as he caught his breath. He exclaimed, "No, it's like a busted bass speaker at a church revival, vibrating and making noise!"

Seun snorted loudly and shifted slightly while still sound asleep. Making the group laugh harder. Neyo slapped his thigh, John leaned back and shook his head, and Adex held onto the wheel for support. Their laughter filled the room, and each of them struggled to breathe.

Neyo glanced at Seun and then at the others, still laughing as he shook his head. "I told him not to take the last shot," he said with a smile. "Now he's drunk."

John poked Seun's shoulder and smiled. "Wake up! Your ancestors are calling." 

Seun slowly opened his eyes, mumbled some unclear words, and then snorted louder as he returned to sleep.

Adex laughed. "He's not waking up. I have an idea: Let's record this and send it to his crush." 

Neyo pretended to be shocked. "Wow! Adex, that's mean." He paused. "The lady has already expressed doubts about him, and this may jeopardize his opportunities."

They kept laughing as Adex slowed the vehicle as he approached a bumpy road. The road was under construction, and the rough, uneven surface made it hard to drive. He rubbed his forehead in frustration as he glanced around.

Adex shook his head and spoke. "I didn't know there was construction on this road while we were headed to the bar.

John looked out the window at the cones and heavy machinery lined up beside the road. He shrugged. "I saw it, but they did more work today than before." He glanced around again. "You didn't notice it because you're not the one who drove us there."

Adex carefully drove over the potholes and loose gravel. The car creaked a few times, causing everyone to move in their seats. Afterward, he hit a smooth road, stepped on the gas, and was relieved to drive freely again. He kept his attention on the road with a broad smile and said, "We had such a great night! We enjoyed plenty of drinks, we shared jokes, and watching Seun completely lose it was hilarious." 

John laughed and agreed. "Yeah, it was a good night. I enjoyed every moment." 

Adex sighed a little, looking thoughtful. "I wish Lydia could have been here with us. It's not the same without her."

John smiled and touched Adex's shoulder. "Don't worry, lover boy, she'll be home soon."

Adex gripped the wheel, and his mind caught between the lingering haze of intoxication and the anticipation of Lydia's arrival. In the distance, something made his heart drop: a quick sight of a dark, ominous figure blocking the road ahead.

He narrowed his eyes and slowed down the vehicle. He saw a large cemented slab covering half of the middle of the road. His heart felt heavy, and the car eventually slowed down. The obstruction appeared to be dangerous, causing him to tighten his chest. His eyes scanned the empty road for any signs of movement.

Neyo frowned. "Why are you stopping the car?

Adex looked nervous and spoke. "This slab is dangerous, and it could cause an accident."

John's voice was low and irritated as he leaned back in his seat with his arms crossed. His expression was a mixture of exhaustion and indifference, and he barely raised his eyes to acknowledge the obstacle in front of him. His tone was irritated, and he muttered. "Do you really think this is our problem? It's not like we put it there," he stated. "People drive these roads every day. Someone else will handle it. Why should we waste our time debating something that doesn't concern us?" John went on, his tone was firm as he dismissed the issue.

Adex focused on the slab before him, inhaling deeply. He was unsure whether to proceed independently or follow his friend's advice.

Neyo looked at his surroundings anxiously as if anticipating danger. His gaze turned towards the window. "Adex, let's go now!" He yelled.

Adex looked confused as he stared at the slab and said, "Guys, I still think we should move this slab. Someone might get hurt."

"This is a terrible idea, Adex," Neyo grumbled, crossing his arms. "It's dark, that thing is quite heavy, and what if we get attacked?"

"Neyo's right. I think we should leave it and keep going," John agreed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Adex paused, his stomach twisted. Had he been thinking too much about this? Was it even any of his business? His fingers drummed on the steering wheel, and his stomach tightened into a knot of worry. "He began to think about it but then stopped.

"C'mon, man," Neyo encouraged, raising an eyebrow. "You're not seriously considering this, are you?"

Adex remained lost in his thoughts, struggling to control his emotions.

Seun suddenly snorted in his sleep, breaking the tension and making him laugh.

Adex felt relieved as he carefully drove around the large concrete block, which took up half the road. He held the steering wheel tightly and avoided scraping the car against it. After getting past the obstacle, he pressed the accelerator and continued driving. Neyo and John were unbothered by what had just happened; they went back to singing loudly.