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Photo by Rafay Ansari on Unsplash "Good morning, sir," Chioma said as she entered his small, corner office, her eyes scanning the smelly room: a mix of dampened books and roasted fish.  "Good morning. How are you doing?" He responded with amusement; a pool of excitement began to build up behind his bespectacled eyes, like a fat kid who had just laid his eyes on a candy bar. "You asked to see me, sir." Chioma continued as she stood by the door, tightly clutching her bag in front of her. She raised her left heel against the door and held on to the handle still scanning his office. "Yes, Miss Okochi. I asked to see you." He reached for a file from the huge dusty pile on his table, opened it, and gestured to her. "Please, take a seat. Feel at home." "No sir," she responded, her voice very low and shaky, almost a whisper. Her fear was beginning to show up. She worried her fear might not make her win, but she was confident ...

Landing in Lagos on a Monday afternoon was stressful, and she hated it. It was a smooth flight and landing, plus a much-needed ‘me time’ in her cubicle on the plane, with no noise, no music, and no movies, so descending from the plane felt like she had just been eased into a big pot of boiling water, so big that wherever she turned, there was no escape. She felt the heat the tarmac emitted and mirrored it with the time of Noah when water was said to go from the ground up to the sky as rain. The heat scorched her feet in the Nike kicks she wore, and as she struggled to move along the queue that went into the arrival lounge, her hair stuck to her neck. She had begun to sweat.  That was how she knew she was in Lagos. Home, not so cool home. As usual, she was welcomed by immigration officials who, by sight or by sign, wanted something from her, another signal that she had not missed her way. She was undoubtedly in Lagos. On a very good day, she would have considered stashing some thous...

  Like a bird born in a cage, I thought flying was an illness. I was taught and brought up to believe that anything outside of what I knew or was taught was strange, and that strange was bad. There was a limit to knowledge, and if I did not want to go mad like Adesewa, who peeped while the awo cult was having their ritual procession, or become blind like the affluent Koleosho, who disobeyed Bimbi, the goddess of the land, by going into her shrine that was meant for only women, I knew better than to be inquisitive. Baami had always preached against curiosity and exploration: leaving the village, going beyond the almost dried-out yellow tree at the river at dusk to fetch water, asking questions, looking into their eyes or the eyes of any older person when they spoke, being around when they talked to people their age or generally above our age, and even going near the new school around the village square. His brief, rotund self always waded through our tiny corridor as he would call o...

It had been two months since I last heard from 'Lolu, again. Yes, again! He was fond of not keeping in touch and blaming it​ on me. So this time, I was not surprised. I was expecting it, especially after I literally here him out of my hotel room. In an unusual way, I was getting used to it. I was getting used to not having spoken to him in what I considered to be a really long time.   I had been deep in thought after I told him to leave my hotel room that day. A million and one thoughts flew through my head; ranging from how much of Akinlolu's disrespect I had put up with over the years, how it took me so long to realize this to how I boldly confronted him and asked him to leave me and my life.   The deed had been done and thinking about it was not going to change anything, so I turned off my phone and went to bed. Eleven am the next morning, I was on a flight bound to Lagos from Abuja. I was pleased to an extent, that I would be away from Akinlolu for a while.  that I...

'What are you doing here?', was all I could say when I saw 'Lolu at the doorway of my hotel room. I was surprised to see him. We had not spoken in almost two weeks and I had not informed him of the show I was hosting that evening. Running through my mind was how he knew where I was and how the hotel staff let him in, without even informing me. I suddenly realized I was in my bath robe which cut low to my belly button. I let go of the door and held on to my robe. 'Is that how you say hi to your boyfriend whom you have not spoken to in two weeks?'. He paved his way inside and sat on my bed. His right elbow had been on the doorpost with his head down which for a moment had me thinking he was not okay, until he raised his head and came into the room. 'Well technically, you are not my boyfriend', I said as I turned to him. Realizing I was almost naked with the door open, I quickly shut the door behind me. The tiles felt very cold. I did not know if it was the a...

Final Episode Fola was at bay, I was safe and sound with no need for checking the rearview mirror if someone was following me. Work was ecstatic and happiness filled my life again. I now had a driver who I didn't really need. His name is Frank but I call him Ted because he looks like Ted from the movie Ted. I got promoted at work too; Mum had returned home and I now had my life to myself. All these must have been believed to have happened overnight. But nothing, they say happens overnight. Six months is not overnight. Six months later and I was still Segun's girlfriend. Six months later and my whole life was about to change forever.   Tiara was still at her former position but we were still very good friends. Anytime I misbehaved, she would bring up Fola's issue just to put me in check. Chiamaka wanted to finally come back to Nigeria having completed her PhD about two months ago., that prompted me into getting my PhD too, I enrolled at Leeds. Segun, being an entrepreneur...

Episode 9   After service the next day, Mum and I stopped on our way home at a grocery store. I was quite uncomfortable all through the time we spent at the store because oh well...my mother asked the Pastor to pray for me concerning Fola's matter and that didn't just sit well with me. Why would she just divulge my personal life to our Pastor and even ask him to pray for me? Did I tell her I needed prayers? She was an angel just yesterday but right now she is just pissing me off. That's one of the reasons I just didn't want to tell her anything.   'Let's go Toun', the sound of her voice almost took away my anger. I was totally lost in thought. I glanced across the counter to the cashier, then back to the shopping basket my mother was carrying. I collected the basket and headed towards the car. She tipped the sales girl who helped her with the other bags and sent her off. I was about getting into the passengers seat when she handed the key to me and said,...

Episode 8 'Toun, I'm very sorry. I am so sorry for the way I acted yesterday. Its just that you got me really worried and the thought of you being with another man just drives me crazy' he said soberly. Is it just me or am I listening to another psychopath? Did he just say him seeing me with another guy drives him crazy? This guy is going to be really possessive. 'Sit down', I offered him a seat in front of the house. My Mum was peeking out of the window. I could sense it. Is it not my mother? 'Thank you', he muttered then continued 'I was just very paranoid. I told you to call me, you didn't. I called your number, ot was not going through. I left several good mails, no response from you. I was just freaking out. Then you spoke about a guy waiting for you at your house about 10pm in the night...I...it just..it just sounded somehow to me. I felt you were with him and don't want me to feel bad about you dropping me that was why you came up with...

Episode 7  The doorbell woke me, again. The person must have been standing at the door for quite sometime because at first, I thought the doorbell was from my dream. Who could it be? I wondered. It was a Saturday and laziness was taking over me. I just had to shower so I'd have a better nap, about two hours ago. I didn't intend on going out today so whoever was at the door can just go back to wherever he or she came from. I dozed off. The doorbell continued ringing. I was angry and began to mutter some Yoruba language to myself. I was about pulling the pillow over my head when I heard the voice.   'Adetoun I know you are in there. My friend, will you open this door?!' That voice! My mother! My typical African mother! I immediately jumped out of bed and raced downstairs. I didn't have time to rearrange the living room as she was now banging the door. 'Mummy Ekaaro ma', I knelt down fully. When was the last time I even did that?  'Ekaaro kini? Ti mi b...

Episode 6 'What happened? I told you to call me when you get home. Your number wasn't going through. You got me really wo...'  Hardly had I dragged him out than Segun had started to talk. He really looked worried when I saw him, now he's sounding disturbed too.  'Sheessh! Can you keep your voice down please?' I cut in, raising my hands in protest.  'Okay, fine. What happened to you?', he said quietly and slowly.  'It was...I...errrm...I had an accident' I managed to finally say after about a minute silence. 'What? Accident? How? What happened? Are you okay?', he asked examining my hands and facre. The bulge on my forehead had reappeared when I checked it in the elevator mirror, I casually covered it with my hair. I didn't want him to see it, couldn't let him find out. He was about flipping my hair to the back when I yanked his hands off.  'Stop it Segun. I'm okay. It was not really an accident'  'So what w...

Episode 5 'Don't you dare talk to someone else when I'm talking to you...don't you just dare...I'm in charge here Toun and you are subject to whatever I say...I have been waiting here for the past three hours Toun, where were you?...how could you keep me waiting?!...did you even tell me you were going somewhere?...answer me Toun, did you?....Toun, can you hear me?   I inhaled deeply. It was a dream. Thank Jesus it was a dream.   'Can you hear me? Toun...'came the feminine voice. I opened my eyes hazily. A thousand monsters were preparing pounded yam in my head, my feet felt like logs of wood, my lips were dry so was my throat, I was thirsty; all at the same time. It took me a while to figure out where I was, my own bedroom. It looker quite different or maybe its the aftereffect of the slap I received from Fola...   It was Tiara who got me inside the house. I cast a glance at my wall clock, it was 2:30am. I was amazed. 'Tiara, what happened?', I...

Part 4 -  -  -  -  - Present day Soon the date was over and Segun saw me off. Giving me a warm hug, he said 'Be safe. Call me when you get home.' I was about driving out of the restaurant when my phone rang, it was Fola again. He had called over thirty times this evening. Doesn't he just get tired? Why is this guy such an enemy of progress? I hissed and cursed under my breath throwing my phone to the passenger's seat. Driving home was hard, not even because of traffic. Traffic ke? That one is old gist. I'm already used to that element of Lagos. I just couldn't get my mind off Segun. The date replayed in my head like I had just watched a movie in the cinema. It was almost 10pm and I was starting to feel tired and dizzy. Even though my house was not far away, traffic wouldn't just let me be great this night.   From afar, I saw another car in my parking lot. I just couldn't help but wonder who would park there. This is an estate and each house had it...

Part 3 -   -    -     -      - One month ago 8:05am Monday Morning   I just got to the office and I was feeling on top of the world in my olive green skater skirt and grey off shoulder top. My Atmosphere ankle strap heels and leather bag gave a resounding statement that I was feeling good. Everything was working perfectly for me. I just convinced a client to invest in the company and it was a huge deal. Though it was not my job but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. My rebate was important. I was just excited and even my colleagues got a whiff of it. Tiara had to ask if I met a guy over the weekend and probably he proposed. I laughed it off with a sarcastic 'I wish' reply. I dropped my bag on my table, sank in my chair and said a short prayer. My day had officially begun.  12:30pm. Tiara was going for lunch and asked if I was coming. I still had a lot to do so I declined. I was just about going to the restroom when my extensi...

Episode 2 Soon the date was over and Segun saw me off. I was about driving out of the restaurant when my phone rang. Again, it was Fola. Why is this guy such an enemy of progress? I hissed and cursed under my breath throwing my phone to the passenger's seat. You might be wondering why I did that. It sounds uncalled for abi? You might not understand but I'll explain still. ~ Fola was a guy I met at a coffee shop when I was on holiday in downtown New Orleans about two years ago. I went there with my friend, Chiamaka, who was about starting her own business and needed my ideas and opinion. She asked that we talk over brunch and that was how I met this guy. He was working part-time while studying at Xavier University of Louisiana. I ordered for tea and panninis giving Chiamaka enough time to prepare her papers. Fola happened to be the cashier and he offered to pay. That I was suprised would be an understatement. Shouldn't he be working for his survival and even look forwa...

Hi! Its been a long long long time coming. I havent posted in a while, I apologize for that. I recently wrote a story and shared it on my Facebook page. Feedback was impressive and I decided to share it on my blog. Here is the first episode. I won't promise an episode per day but I can promise that I won't let it linger. Episode 1 Segun became my BBM contact after we met at Frieda's birthday party, about a month ago. We started off well and he seemed really cool to me. Well, he's tall and handsome (Trey Songz kinda handsome). Plus, he worked with an insurance company. Who no like better thing biko? After about two weeks of chatting almost every night, he asked for us to see again. I had admired this guy from the first time I saw him at Frieda's party. He was just too cute not to take to Mama. Rewind....Pause! 6:08pm I was at my house on this particular Friday night. I had just got back from work, traffic was mad and I was tired like hell. I had initially p...