‘Tell me, I’m losing my patience here? ‘Well, mother, father, it was really nothing that huge. You don’t have to fret. It was just a couple of boys trying to be irresponsible.’ ‘How do you mean irresponsible?’ Her father who had been silent all these while finally spoke. ‘Father.’ Nkem continued. ‘I had closed from work and was returning home when a group of boys accosted me. But, I promise you nothing happened.’ She concluded. ‘You’ve got to be careful, my daughter. By the way why did you return home late today aside being accosted on the way? He asked rather impatient. ‘Yes father, my boss wanted us to finish a contract she had which was already getting behind schedule. I would have closed from work as you all know by 5:30 PM but for this reason, I had to stay an additional one and a half hours.’ ‘I think you have to tell your boss what happened today so that she doesn’t make you stay late again.’ Her mother commanded. ‘I will mother, let the day break.’ ‘Okay. Now go in an

‘You smell so good and fresh.’ He opined, still basking in the feeling of smell of wild flowers. ‘You-u-u?’ She stammered. ‘Yes, me.’ He uttered. ‘Please, can you let me go?’ She begged. ‘You don’t practically know how good you look. You’ve practically mesmerized me, girl. You’ve swept me off my feet my love. Couldn’t sleep all through last night, you know? Haven’t felt this way before. In fact, prior to this moment, I’ve got no feeling for no girl. Tell me; what do I do with you?’ ‘I am quite fascinated at your feelings.’ Nkem found herself saying. Seems she has finally found her voice. She was no longer terrified but feels pity for this lost soul. ‘How can you really fall in love with someone you are just meeting at the first time?’ By now, it was beginning to get dark and because it was a cold evening as a result of the heavy downpour earlier in the day, people were scanty on the roads. The coldness of fear had enveloped her once again, and she became restless to rea

I will have to run away by dawn, I can’t be here being helpless. Tomorrow history shall be made once again. She shuffled her feet to the direction of the bed, and lay her exhausted body on the bed awaiting the breaking of the new day. She stood in front of the bungalow, she didn’t know if she should go further or backward. She looked at her wrist-watch it was eight minutes past six in the morning. She was apparently not ready to go in; she had become indecisive. What to do? She had left home at exactly 5.00am. It was her decision to leave before daybreak to avoid being stopped by her parents and to avoid drawing the attention of the neighbours. The name at the gate read: LITTLE ANGELS MOTHERLESS BABIES’ HOME. She swallowed the gulp in her throat, grabbed her baggage tenaciously and knocked softly at the gate to avoid waking up the little ones. No one came to her rescue immediately or were they afraid of the stranger knocking by that time of the day? She leaned on the gate hoping to g

One should note that if one has a responsibility to provide parental care to one’s child, one must: Name your child Provide a home for your child Protect and maintain your child Discipline your child Choose and provide education for your child Determine the religion of your child Agree to provide your child with any necessary medical treatment Allow confidential information relating to your child be disclosed where necessary You must also support your child financially Sandra allowed herself to be in that illusion where children sometimes lose their first line of protection – their family. She felt the reasons for the separation could be displacement, inability of families to care for children due to poverty, disability, domestic violence, abuse or neglect, addiction or other forms of substance abuse, or death of parents. She felt that every child has the right to grow up in a supportive, caring and nurturing family environment. Despite the growing body of evidence relating

After few minutes, she felt the urge to poop again. She gave one sharp push, and there she was, another cute angel. Just then, the midwife cut the placenta and cleaned her up. She always wondered if she could see her other daughter ever again, not that she wanted to take her, but it would be ideal if she could know her mother. The conversation between the two sisters had taken a great deal of their time that they hadn’t realized how the time flew. They both looked at their watches at the same time. ‘Wow! I have to get going. My older brother and the wife are expected home today from their honeymoon.’ Mirabel exclaimed. ‘Really? You don’t say. You have an older brother? There’s a lot I have to know about you and your family.’ Sophia gushed. ‘Yes, sis, I do. Mum will be waiting for me to return home by now. We have planned a surprise welcome home party for them the next day. Perhaps I shall invite you over.’ ‘That will be lovely.’ Sophia grinned. ‘Alright, may I have your ph