Category: Genre

“Dad, why do you have Jide’s picture and account number in your wallet?” I repeat the question louder, although with a shaky voice close to breaking. Mother’s hand slips out of his. “Julius Kanayo, please answer our daughter’s question.” “Kokoma, i can explain… Please…” “Oh my God.” I put my hands between my thighs, allowing…

“Well, well, won’t you invite us in? Where are the original owners of the house?” Father is already unlacing his shoes while mother begins the questioning. “Why are you here? How long have you been here? Do you know Mrs. Edichie has been with them for a while? How is Tafo doing? You know how…

“She will be fine. It is a threatened abortion. We should keep her on admission for a while just to make sure all is well.” The moment Edi mentioned bleeding and Tafo in the same sentence that morning, my eyes snapped open. If we were all to pull through this trying period with our senses…

So silence can be quite loud. I had my opportunity to exit the room before the bomb was dropped but i did not take it. Now i was waiting for either Edi or Tafo to break the silence. Tafo’s wailing had ceased the moment she mentioned what killed Ovie. HIV. Okay. Kokoma just breathe. Breathe.…

“Mama, that is not yours to say .” I turn round to see Edi leaning against the door, looking sad. The room is dimly lit with the curtains drawn over the windows. But i can still make out the features of his face. The face i had memorized over the years. “Kokoma, let’s talk.” I…

I decide to visit Tafo and Edi. I would be going on my terms and not because one lady thinks she can boss me around. Besides, Mrs. Edichie (Snr) has been a great woman to me. I’d go because of her. I get to their house at Ikeja just as Tafo is driving out. I…

I was confused. What text? I had a foreboding about what it was… The text meant for Kelvin. Koko, how did you get into this mud now? I called him, trying to spin a web of lies about business partners, extra job opportunities and all.. Which, technically, were not exact lies though. The Chief was…

I confronted her the moment we got home from school. “Really? Ovie? You know his member has been in every available diameter in school.” “And? I was horny and drunk. He was available.” “And Edi…?” “He doesn’t need to know.” “Have you and Edi… You know…?” She had walked away, swinging her hips emphatically. I…

My shifts were stable. Most of the month was spent on night duty. I preferred walking back home early the next day and seeing people wonder why i was moving in the opposite direction. It also meant i could spend the day indoors. I had my own apartment in Ibadan. When i told my parents…

But i wanted him. From the moment i understood the fuzzy feeling between my thighs when guys passed my way, i knew i wanted Edi to myself. My parents owned the most popular and populous university Uyo. Although, my sister and i still had our tertiary education outside the country. By the time i was…