There were five of us that headed for the stream that hot afternoon. Mixed-raced Chibu, who came in from Abuja the week before – who would rather whistle strange-sounding tunes and giggle than participate when we argued at the top of our voices. But he knew things that the rest of us loud lot didn’t. … Continue reading Reliving Christmas
Driving down from the island to the mainland was unusually crazy. Every other Friday, the human and vehicular traffic was more likely in the other direction – from the mainland to the island. The obvious reason, of course, was that night crawlers and revelers made their way in droves to night clubs and various hotspots. … Continue reading A Nightmarish Dilemma
Zainat laid stomach-down on her bed, watching a pornographic movie. It was about 11 a.m. that weekday. She had lectures that morning, but she did not feel that was as important as the meeting she had that evening. Her countenance depicted full concentration on what she was doing. On her left hand was a cigarette, … Continue reading A Second Chance
I was seven years old, when I learned how not to be told To politely say “no thank you”; to a cup of bubbly coke, so cold. But aunty Hafsat kindly beckoned, so I searched for Mama’s opinion Her smile was warm and friendly, as an angel solidly behind me. I zoomed in on her … Continue reading The voice in the eyes
I am gazing aimlessly out of the window next to my bed, watching the heavens cry tears that I cannot. Memories flood my mind: a disturbingly dark mosaic of inadequacy, humiliation, neglect and malicious voices. The concerted effort with which all of these haunt me is quite impressive. They come in waves, each one gaining … Continue reading Born to Die
What keeps you sane?What motivates you?What makes you happy?What gives you satisfaction?Is all that enough? What are your deepest fears?Its been badIts been scary. What is the essence of living?Why do we have dreams,hopes and aspirations?Only to have them snuffed out in one day? What makes you sleep well at night?Do you still have a … Continue reading For Me, You and They
Strapped heels, lacy corsets, g-strings, nude bras and perfumed bodies, all part of what was going to be the embodiment of the clubs tonight. Tara looked at her face in the mirror over and over again as she tried to figure out if the dark blue mascara and blush hid the shadow in her eyes. … Continue reading Confusion
First published HERE Yesterday, I had a rather interesting Internet chat with another writer friend based in Aberdeen. The chat was a spill-over from a text message he sent me earlier on during the week to comment on my new short story, The Last Pill, on halftribe.com. While his comment was flattering and positive, it … Continue reading Plot-driven stories vs. Character-driven stories
(A State of Temporary Madness) My heart sings in songs of doubtsAsking questions in gypsy tonguesIn spinning turns do my thoughts singAs i ask me questions that Heaven says i do not seek. The day i was born, She came in Silken DrapesAn Elegant Night Protruding all the StarsA Star had been born, as Wise … Continue reading What If God Lied
8 The interior of the bank was a cool respite from the scorching heat outside. Sam walked to the water dispenser, gulped down three cups of blessedly cold water, and smacked his lips with pleasure. He felt good. He had already decided to deposit forty thousand naira in his account and go with ten thousand; … Continue reading Road Safety (4)
The sun smiled with intense pride, a very hot afternoon. Outside, a hen basked on the carpet grass, together with two of her seven chicks. I think she was teaching them something. And they seemed to enjoy the weather. I picked up a broken mirror from the dressing table; one of the pieces from my … Continue reading Entwined (1)
LONG BEFORE THE FINAL WHISTLE He never wanted to be Governor. Providence, cloaked in the habiliments of strife between the sitting Governor and his much–favoured deputy, catapulted him to the front burner of the state’s political mish–mash. He had been the trusted, loyal and dedicated Chief of Staff to the outgoing Governor for eight years … Continue reading Long Before the Final Whistle
He is known for his eye-catching big head. He proclaims it is filled with wooing lyrics and intellectualism… He calls himself ‘Sexy Johnson’, and claims to have a collection of accolades from many of his sexual encounters. ‘What are these accolades?’ some of Johnson’s acquaintances always ask. ‘Female underwear..!’ Johnson always screams with a smirk … Continue reading Smirks Of A Rapist
It is my last night as a bachelor and I am drunk and dancing with all sorts of women. There are fat women, slim women, short women, tall women, fair women and dark women for me and my best men. The music is so high. My fingers feel the hips of these women I will … Continue reading The Wet Dreams Of A Wife
“Your works are aggressive always prompting readers to want to rebel, and do you think your readers will ever want to go that road? Why don’t you just entertain the minds of your writers, let them enjoy life and forget the sorrows wrong politics has imposed on them?” The above was a conversation I overheard … Continue reading When Writer Should not Dance