¶¶The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

When Joel had asked Isabelle if she hated him, at that moment, she honestly had no answer — for him or herself. But the day after, when they arrived at school, she had been sure of what to say.Many times, people did and believed in outrageous things not because they wanted to, but because it's that belief or thing — no matter the source — that gives them a sense of normalcy. There was no doubt Joel had done something wrong by keeping his mouth shut. If he had spoken up, maybe Tope would have led a better life.Or... Maybe if he had, Tope still would have carried on without giving him a listening ear.But they could never really know for sure and it'd be wrong to keep dwelling on the past.If we all could try to look beyond the wrong done and, rather, look upon the apologetic heart — as Loveth had done in the hospital — we'd not only cease to save for ourselves the rot, called 'anger' but also

Eighteen (18). The golden age every teenager awaits. The age where freedom is believed to be offered on a platter of gold. A time when smoking and drinking is allowed; and decisions are to be approved of, even if disagreed with. Emily had been anticipating her eighteenth birthday; but even after it came and passed, she felt nothing. She felt blank. Hollow.  Her best friend hadn't gotten her anything and had only come with buckets of apologies. Even her parents, whom she despised, had gotten her gifts as requested. It was obligatory, but at least they had done it.  The door opened and she looked up from her phone — where she had been dialling James' number countless times — to see Jide enter through the door with two glasses of wine. Once normal classes had ended, Emily called Jide to pick h

The more time it took for Joel and Isaac to arrive, the more water Isabelle gulped down to ease her tensed state.It was finally Friday afternoon, and the girls had come over to wait for the guys, who said they'd come to pick them. Isabelle knew Joel didn't have a car but wasn't sure about Isaac (since he also took the bus to school), so she wondered why the wait.Loveth, who had been watching her gulp down water from the glass cup in her hand, started laughing. “Relax. You look like you're going to the altar.”Isabelle scowled at her. “Should I wear my hair up or down?” Jemina asked as she packed up her braids and then lowered it.“Down. And lose the glasses,” Loveth said and took off Jemina's glasses.“I can't see without it!” “I'll guide you. You're not ruining my swag with this.” Loveth kept the glasses in her purse.Isabelle had tol

Loveth's loud voice had attracted curious glances from a few of the guests.“Loveth, it's okay,” Jemina pleaded.“Daniel, I suggest you leave before you call for a crowd,” Joel stated. “I wasn't planning on staying.” Daniel eyed them and left.“Oh, God.” Loveth bit her finger and pointed at Joel. “It's because of you I'm calming down o, if not! Isaac, you know me na.”Isaac nodded and came to her side. “And that's why we're begging you to calm down. You know what? Let's step outside for a moment.” She was still eyeing Daniel's back when he turned her around and headed toward the door.“I'm truly sorry about that,” Adam said as the maid arrived with their water.The girls collected theirs and directed her to Loveth outside.Joel sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “This is why I didn't want you guys coming here.”