The class had dragged longer than he wanted. It seemed to go on without an end in sight but he couldn’t complain. He was the reason why they started late in the first place. And if anyone was to complain it would be Jare or even the students but that didn’t stop him from glancing at his watch at short intervals and his friend noticed it. When the lessons finally ended and all the students were gone. Jare brought it up. He was about to leave too. “Guy, are you okay? You’ve been glancing at your watch since you came. Is it another commitment?" "Yes, a very important one. I’m afraid, I'm already running late."  Jare nodded in understanding and added just before he turned to leave.  “We should hang out, with the rest of the guys next weekend. It’s been a while. We have a lot to catch up on.” “Definitely.”  Damola nodded.  “See you next week.”  Once Damola was alone, he brought out a laptop from his bag, one specially reserved for what he was working on a...

Yasmin alighted from the maruwa that brought her to the eatery and paid the driver off. If there was anything the accident had taught her, it was that motorcycles in Lagos were danger zones. Back home even the name babur terrified her mother and she would always tell her to avoid them at all cost and use the tricycles instead. Moreover, she only used public transport occasionally. There was always a driver on ground to take her anywhere around town. Chop and drink looks dry! She thought as she smoothed her maxi gown down against her body. Something she had been doing since she stepped out of the house. She had initially thought to go back and change into something else but had decided against it. The day was very hot and the pink and black flowery cotton chiffon dress was light and suitable for the weather but now she regretted it. The weather had cooled down and a gust of wind breeze blew, almost taking off her veil. The skies had also turned cloudy. It looked like it could rain soo...

“You will marry him, that is the best thing for you. Everything we have done for you so far is for your own good.”  Her father said. The finality in his tone told her there was no contesting it. His words were law for everyone in the household and anyone bold enough to oppose them was only looking to incur his wrath but she was not just any other person, she was his blood... his favourite.  “ Amma Baba , I don’t want to. I don’t even know this person. I don’t even love him."  She complained, her eyes searched that of her mother's, pleading for her to intervene but her mother wore a blank expression, it was as if she wasn’t part of the conversation.  “How would you know that, if you haven’t met him? I will arrange for you two to meet here. A first of a few meetings, before plans for the wedding commences.”   She wanted to scream that she didn’t want to meet anyone and that there would be no wedding because she was never going to marry that man or...

The sound of the alarm from his phone was what woke him up. Damola hissed, without looking up he lazily reached out for the phone on his bedside drawer and dragged the alarm icon to a side of the screen. The alarm stopped and he sighed back into sleep. But his journey back to la-la land was short lived as the alarm started to ring out again after only ten minutes. He groaned, this time he picked up the phone from the drawer and brought it to his face so that he could sure he doesn’t end up snoozing the alarm again. The phone began to ring just as he was about to put it down. Damola sighed in frustration. This time it was a call from one of his mentees, David. It’s like the world means me morning. Why is this one calling me this early on a Saturday? He grumbled as he answered the call. “Good morning sir. I just called to know if you are still coming...” David started but Damola cut in before he could finish ...wait, are we meeting today?”  “Yes sir. 10:30”  Damola p...

Asibi rang a number as soon as she exited the building that harboured many offices including the company she worked for. She walked down to the thatched shed that housed a few plastic chairs a few feet away from the building. It used to belong to a telecommunication company that used to be in that building before they moved out but now it was just a relaxation spot for anyone that happened to be in that area. The person on the other end picked after the second ring.  “Babes I’m sorry, I just finished with a customer. I thought I would get something to eat before calling.”  Asibi could have taunted her for her large appetite if she had been in a better mood but today was not one of those days.  “ Ayesha ...”  She started, her voice was shaky and her legs were trembling. She had been standing under the shed but now she grabbed a chair and sat on it.  “I’m done for Esh . I’m holding my sack letter.”  Her eyes burned with unshed tears, any word of s...

Damola glanced at the different constructions going on in the estate as he drove down the road that led to his family house. He couldn’t believe he had missed this much during his last visit. A lot had happened since he left six months ago which he didn’t think was a long time. He had thought it would take a long while before he visited home but two weeks ago he had rushed down here to see his mother. His brother had made it sound urgent that he came and see her. And even though he had tried to get to the house as quickly as possible that day, he had arrived late. His mum was already up and going about her business like nothing was wrong. She had been happy to him though, and wanted him to stay longer but he had apologised and explained why he had to go. The accident had disrupted his plans and he also had the feeling his father would be back that night or very early the following morning and since he was officially banned from visiting by his father he thought it wouldn’t ...

The nurse tidied up the centre table and packed up the medical instruments she had used earlier in examining Yasmin and put them in the big hospital bah. It had been two weeks since she was discharged and the nurse had made sure she adhered to all the aftercare advice.  “Well, I’m sure you can’t wait to be rid of me.” Nurse Kemi said with a wide smile plastered on her face.  Though their relationship was that of a nurse and a patient and it had started that way, Yasmin had come to see the nurse as a friend. When nurse Kemi had addressed Yasmin as ‘Miss Tijjani’, the latter had told the former to discard the formality and address her by her first name as being address formally made her feel uncomfortable. Nurse Kemi had in turn asked that she called her Kemi too.  “Haba, no now. You know I like having you around. The house is usually boring without Lisa around.” She meant it. She was always glad to have Kemi around. She was different from the other nurses she h...

He traced the photograph in his hand with his fingers and sighed at the smooth feel of it. It was the picture of a woman. The face that had been hunting him for years and now graced the walls of his parlour and even sitting on some of his furniture.  Each of the photos captured different moments. Some had her smiling, some in the middle of discussions. There were some of when she was very angry. He still had memories of moments when her anger had been directed at him. He usually did everything to bring back that smile to face. The one that usually warmed his heart and pulled at every strings in it.  How he longed for those special moments again. And this, was his most recent one of her. One of his men, back in Nigeria had taken one of her. In it, she wore a sad look, one that threatened to stir a painful past, one he had tried so hard to bury for years. Her eyes that once had the brightest shine he knew, had dulled and even though he noticed a faint smile or an att...

“Hello beautiful”  Yasmin heard Lisa said the moment she opened her eyes but her throat felt patchy and she badly needed water. “Water.” She mouthed, the words came out like a faintly but her friend heard her and she stood up quickly to fetch her water from the water dispenser at the other side of the room. She came to her bedside and helped her sit before giving her the water to drink. Lisa threw the disposable cup into the dustbin near the door when she was done before going back to help her lie down. Yasmin shook her head slightly before saying.  “I have been in that position for two days. Please, just let me sit for a while.” Lisa was relieved to hear her friend say more words than she had in the previous days. She had been giving her only one word replies and sentences since she regained consciousness.  “I know, but I think you should rest some more.” She suggested.  Lisa had received a call two days ago at her workplace that Yasmin was rushed to the...

The drive to the eatery was a short one. On good days he would take a stroll to it as a way of exercising his legs. Today wasn’t one of those days. The very hot weather was a mere reflection of what he felt inside.  Chop and Drink had a cosy atmosphere. One capable of pulling in different people trying to escape the bubbly and hectic life of Lagos. The small eatery had a calming effect on came there. It was capable of housing twenty five people at most but also had two thatched sheds outside for those who preferred the sight and natural air it afforded. Some customer prefer to eat there but they also had the takeaway option for those who wanted it which by the way was most workers, during lunchtime. The delivery option was another service he thought they should consider. The first time he had been there. A friend of his had come visiting at his new office, and since he just moved in, they searched a few places to find a suitable place to eat and relax. Most of the rest...

  “ Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un! Inna...lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji...’un!! ”  The elderly woman in her fifties cried out. The domestic staff had all abandoned their duties when they heard the cry. What could have gone wrong? They murmured as they rush toward the source of the noise. Her husband, a man  in his mid seventies had also heard the cry and was hurrying towards her. His agility and even his physical appearance did not match his age. One would think he was in his early fifties and very close in age with his wife.  “ Alhaji, ta tafi. She’s gone! ” She said tears threatening to spill. “What are you talking about? Who’s gone?” He asked impatiently.  “Who else? ‘yar ka mana . I did warn that we shouldn’t push her. Now she’s gone. She fired at him. “Where do we even know to look? Na shiga uku ” She continued to wail.  She was not an impulsive child. How could this have happened? Or could she have had all planned out? Alhaji Tijjani Maikudi had w...

"How do I look mum?" Bukky asked after reemerging from her room the second time in two hours that afternoon. "You look better dear. This dress is far more decent than the other two you'd worn." Her mum smiled at her before returning to the story she was reading on the newspaper. "Mummy, why don't you

She had just returned from lectures and is very tired. She expects to meet her roommate at home but gets home to meet a locked door. Thank God she has her key with her she would have been stranded. And the naughty girl texted her earlier that she had finished her lectures and will be home when she comes back. Anyway that is her business