When Emelda entered the line that demarcated her village from the other, she knew it was time to brace up for greetings. One reason she had told the Okadaman to drop her at her father’s compound. Not before, not after. But straight to her father’s abode. The Okadaman refused. And watched her eyes sag in frustration. He could see the loads she would carry all by herself. He looked at her and looked at the load, and urged her to carry them as they were only a few clothes in the luggage. What of those older women that carried heavier loads on their heads? Were they stronger than her? He turned his engine on to leave but stopped to hear her last words. Again. She implored him and promised to pay him better but he still refused, saying that the road was bad and the wheel of his motorcycle was shaky and blah blah blah. Emelda wondered why he had said that. Did he think she would believe him? He just didn’t want to drop her at her destination. She might believe the road was bad, anyway, b

Emelda was disordered; she was not focused. At all. Since Ben left her office, she had been deeply remorseful for what she had done. Was her sanity still intact? She was asking herself. The other day she had left very early on Sunday morning to see Ben. And she knew what she wanted. She saw the surprise on his face when she entered his room as if being pursued by an unknown spirit, and in a twinkle of an eye started smooching him. The pleasure was interrupted though; they couldn’t finish what they started. And she was full of guilt thereafter. She had left home that day full of regrets. The memories were incomplete but she could still remember that it didn’t stop there. Something happened some days after. It took place at her home and it was the day Ben visited. She just didn’t plan for it. But how long would she have endured? It was all her fault, or was it Donald’s? She didn’t know whom to blame. She had restricted him from touching her since he hadn’t paid for her bride price

Ben’s tallness attracted massive eyeballs as they passed by to a more secluded place. What was this tall guy doing with this short lady? The inquisitive eyes must be wondering. He hadn’t prepared for this outing but had to agree because she had been forcing herself on him somehow whereas the person he needed had been forcing herself on someone that didn’t deserve her, he thought. What a life. Where mystery and reality were intertwined. And one had to wonder now and then. It was Emelda that occupied his mind even while they sat close to each other exchanging words. “So, are we officially dating?” Evelyn said but would have withdrawn her words on discovering that it was not a smart question. If she thought they weren’t dating, she should make it look like one and that was a similar thing to what she had done. By convincing him to go out with her. So why the hell was she asking? She felt defeated. “Do we look like we are dating?” Ben asked. He loved that she was good in bed; h

Donald was reading a newspaper with his legs straddled on a stool when he saw the call. He contemplated for a moment if he should concentrate on reading or give the call an answer. He picked up the phone, put it on silent, and dropped it. It was a strange number, but he guessed who was calling. “Samson,” he called one of the gardeners. “Sir,” he answered where he was trimming the flowers. “Come and see” Samson was surprised at first because he was at home today, sitting around, and second, because he lowered his voice instead of choosing to shout. “Have you read today’s paper?” “No Sir,” he said. He couldn’t remember the last time he was given the freedom to relax and read anything in the palace. The last time? He didn’t think he had ever done anything like that, not in this palace. His job had always been to cut overgrown flowers and leave. Sometimes sleeping in the boys’ quarter if need be. “Look at what they are saying; go to the advert section instea

Donald’s mother noticed they had been beefing about each other. She heard Emelda accuse him of cheating on her, and her son had said the same thing. She called them together this Saturday morning and told them that if they were ever going to get married and stay married, they should trust themselves. “None of you have concrete evidence to prove your suspicion true,” she said. “Hence, all accusations are watery” “But mum, I was told she kissed Obinna in public. From a reliable source,” Donald said as he crossed his leg. “Will you shut up and listen?” his Mum howled and stood up. He had been the only one interrupting her and this made it look like he was innocent. “You are such an ingrate, son. And I am disappointed in you,” she was still standing, glaring at him. “Aren’t you tired of fake, worthless women around you?” “You have a real woman right before you, and you can’t appreciate her. All you do is come up with stupid allegations so that she would get tired and leave you…so t