CHAPTER FIFTY Kike watched Lola and Kemi as they arranged the shop in preparation for the arrival of the customers. She couldn’t understand why her niece employed them after everything the Phillips put her through. At times the girl acted as if she was the one that gave birth to Jesus Christ. As a … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 50
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE Remi and her daughters sat on a bench outside their apartment. It was past six and the last time they ate was that morning. They all shared a loaf of bread and filled their stomach with water. Father and son left the house in search of job opportunities. Remi hoped that one … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 49
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT Bukky carried the bucket of wet clothes out of the bathroom and headed out. She strolled to the back of the building and searched for space on the long line. She moved some of her neighbour’s clothes which were already dried and began to spread hers. A smile spread on her face. … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 48
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN The Phillips sat in the sitting room watching their favourite television programme, Super Story. The door-bell rang, but, they all remained seated. It rang again and again. The couple exchanged glances then turned to their daughters who were seated on the rugged floor. “Someone is at the door,” Remi addressed the girls. … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 47
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX Gbemiga returned home from work tired and hungry. He had a cold bath, changed into a sleeveless shirt and a pair of shorts, and went to the kitchen to make himself a meal. About twenty minutes later, he strode into the sitting room carrying a plate of noodles, fried eggs and plantain … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 46
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE Mid-May, the Phillips travelled to Ibadan to meet with the Da Silvas for the introduction ceremony of their children, Abisoye and Gbemiga. They arrived a day before the D-day and lodged in a hotel close to Abisoye’s parents’ bungalow. Gbemiga called his fiancée and informed her that they were around. She promised … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR Bukky and her aunt sat on a long bench outside the two-bedroom flat picking beans. The twins ran in circles playing a game of ‘tag’, locally known as ‘Catch-you’. Out of boredom, she decided to spend some time with her aunt. She would have gone to Ikorodu to visit her parents, but, … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 44
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE Gbemiga returned home for the Christmas holiday and moved his family into a three-bedroom apartment in the same area. The Phillips’ family were joyous. They thanked God for surprising them and bringing their dreams into fruition. They loved their new apartment. His parents took over the master bedroom, his sisters shared a … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 43
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO Gbemiga’s parents and his siblings gathered around him in their self-contain apartment. He was home for a few days and they listened as he narrated his camp experience. He met young people from different parts of the country. He made new friends and went on a tour in the capital city. He … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 42
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE Chike lay stretched out on the bed in his boxers, scrolling through his Blackberry Passport phone. He opened his numerous emails one after the other. He replied some and deleted the rest. Most of them were junk mails. While he browsed, a new email came in. It was from one of the … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 41
CHAPTER FORTY Bukky sat on her neighbour’s car, outside the gate and watched a bunch of kids running around in circles, screaming and hitting one another on the head. It seemed they were playing a sort of game, but, a few of them were already getting irritable. She sensed a fight coming up. “Hello…” … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 40
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Bukky got down from the motorcycle and paid the bike driver. She closed her hand bag and walked into the compound through the opened gate. It was three days to Christmas. Three was no sign of her fiancé and she wasn’t even sure if he would be coming to Lagos for the … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Bukky dropped the text-book on the chair and yawned. She was tired of studying. She wished the SSCE examination would come and go with the speed of light. She missed her fiancé. Assuming he was around, he would have revised with her. He didn’t come home for Easter, but he promised to … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 38
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN She wiped her wet hands with the towel, dropped it on the sink and walked out of the kitchen. The knocks on the door persisted. “Hold on…” she sauntered to the door and unlocked it. Chike stood outside in his singlet and boxers, “Where you sleeping?” She shook her head and looked … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Chike and Bukky sat at the high table, amidst friends and family. It was their introduction ceremony. His parents and siblings stayed back in Lagos after his convocation, so that they could prepare for the D-day. His younger brother stayed with him in his self-contain apartment, while his parents, his elder brother … Continue reading Bukky Alakara 36