Before then conversation between us had ceased, each of us lost in our private thoughts as the bus hurtled closer to our destination. Till this day, I have no inkling why I asked him that question.
Read MoreThe Igbos and Yorubas staged a silent war in the office. Advanced on from the right and left by either Bola or Deola or Ndidi or Ngozi, I craved diversity. Nigeria had so many other tribes. Why were these two hounding me constantly in this former capital of the country?!
Read MoreI heard nothing, saw nothing; my face the perfect poster image of clueless. The only cast member who’d forgotten her part, lost her lines. I couldn’t even ad-lib. Too numb to act.
Read More‘Ok. Do a lap dance or get a pole,’ Trish said, with a laugh.
Naji joined in. ‘You’re a spoilt woman, Trish. Give your life to Christ!’
The other woman exploded into raucous laughter. ‘Isn’t that grand enough? Either one you choose, it will be a complete surprise and so uncomfortable for you plus…yummy, you’ll be wearing only your underwear. Not sure what will happen after you’re done with your routine sha.’
Naji almost choked with amusement. ‘You’re not helping at all. And I called you for ideas.’
Read More‘What are you saying?’ The rustic tones had lost some of its feistiness.
She waved at him. ‘Your stance, your words, Tay,’ she began. ‘You’re battle ready. That outfit says it all.’
‘Because our circumstances have changed overnight,’ he responded. ‘I was going to accept whatever bitter pill you threw at me but seeing you, seeing you lying there last night, I knew I wasn’t going to let you go without a fight this time. The news about the baby, well, it took my resolve a notch higher. I want both of you. So here I am.
She closed the gap between them, lowering her gaze. ‘Oh Tay, I wasn’t…’, she paused, and made another restless motion with her hand. ‘I was coming to tell you that I didn’t want to spend the next 17 years without you.’
Read MoreHer day had been relatively easy-going save for that uncomfortable incident at the hospital. Try as hard as she could to erase the image of Tayo and Adaobi from her head, it played over and again; no matter how much she cluttered it with other thoughts. The kiss had been fervent, similar to the kind she’d shared with Tayo on several occasions. She developed a headache just thinking about it.
Read More‘No, no, no, no, Naji!’ Trish’s elegant nails, polished scarlet and well-manicured flew to her oval, flawlessly made-up face. ‘Not again! You can’t do this to him!’
Read More‘Oh?’ She leaned towards him with a piece of serviette in hand. ‘How thoughtful. Thank you.’ His hand was featherweight at her waist as she wiped off telltale signs. ‘Don’t move, Tay!’ Low grade, mock threatening tone.
He did, closing the space between them and grinning widely. ‘How do you know -?’
Read MoreI have every reason to come back safely. You are all my reasons.’ And tilting his head to the side, he kissed her slowly, lingering on every inch of her mouth as though attempting to create a lasting memory while they were apart. ‘Good night, love.’ He whispered in her ear when they eventually separated.
‘Godspeed.’ She whispered back, then watched him leave, closing the door quietly behind him for the second time that day
Read MoreAu contraire, the time was now and they were all grown up. When the realisation hit Tayo this time, he didn’t scoop her up in his arms but like a sheep led to slaughter; he followed her down the passage to her room at the end, shutting the door gently behind him.
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