I was smiling happily. We were at the market place – myself and my mum. I was just fourteen and we were coming from my grand mum’s place – No, my grand dad was not dead then, so we were also coming from his place too, and with that you can just tell why there … Continue reading A Beautiful Slap
As soon as Bade saw the policemen coming from a distance, along with the men who had gone to fetch them, he abandoned his exercise. Running towards the other two, he placed his right hand on Koko and his left hand on the accomplice, and within seconds, they disappeared into thin air. The policemen and … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 Disappear: Part 7 (Final)
Bade laughed a warm, hearty laugh and told the man that it would not come to that. His confidence must have reassured the man who assumed a relaxed pose and obeyed Bade’s instructions. Bade told him to clap his hands and circle around the woman three times. He did. He had barely circled her the … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 Disappear: Part 6
This was not the first time Dotun had seen a creature like this. He was aware of two major reasons people kept such animals: as pets, and for food. However, what astonished him was that this man in Sabo market was not using this animal for either of those purposes. Instead, from what he … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 Disappear: Part 5
Dotun’s father, Mr. Ogunleye, was a farmer in Isare-Remo, that peaceful town in Ogun State. He was also a palm-wine tapper, but neither of these two trades fetched enough money to take care of his family of four. His only son, Dotun had been apprenticed to several tradesmen so many times, that Baba Dotun … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 Disappear: Part 4
The arrangement was that Mama Joy would complete all her chores during the day and return to her home at the end of every day. Since her home was a walkable distance from Mrs. Phillips’ house, she had no need for transport fare. So, she came every day, cooked and cleaned for Mrs. Phillips, ran … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 Disappear: Part 3
“Which Dauda? Isn’t that the name of Otunba Adekunle’s gateman?” Mrs. Phillips asked in a voice that was devoid of empathy. “N-n-n-o-o-o, ma,” Gloria stuttered. “Dauda na de mechanic wey dey–” `A quick slap across the face ended Gloria’s explanation. “You got pregnant for a mechanic?” Mrs. Phillips asked, as if she felt that getting … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 Disappear: Part 2
Twice it had happened that morning, and Mrs. Phillips was losing her patience. She had called this boy almost five times, before he finally answered. Dotun had only worked for a week, and she was already counting down to the day when she would kick him out of her house. Yes, she had a date … Continue reading 1, 2, 3 Disappear: Part 1
Sharpness Precision The knives got all that These chickens screaming know about that Even so because sharpness and precision have formed a terrible alliance with the skill of the chicken slayers; to lay waste the bodies of all these citizens from the chicken republic. It’s amazing to see the blades slither through skin that … Continue reading The Chicken Slayers
By Ochuko Tonukari When I was very young, way back in the 80s, one of the few places that filled me with a sense of wonder and curiosity was the Sapele market. I love it at all times of the day, in all its moods; crowded and gay in the afternoon, deserted and mysterious … Continue reading The Sapele Market of my childhood