Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 49

Ami’s povThe moment my feet touched the ground from the second bus to my village, a strange feeling fell on me. It was an awkward, heavy feeling that made me suddenly sad. Not because of my lost child only, but because I knew what the villagers would think. If I had come straight home when they saw me by the express road months ago, Odion would still be alive. I walked towards my house, driven by the thought of my baby boy. The shame I had tried to escape had cost me a life.I deliberately took the lonely road, the one at the far end of the village. I wanted to come home, but I didn’t want many villagers to see me. Though the sky was growing dark, each step I took made my heart pound harder. The closer I got, the heavier my breathing became. My baby girl rested on my back, and in my right hand, I clutched a bag of clothes. The only money I had left was a thousand naira, and I had been so quick to forget I’d spent some of it on two big loaves of bread.I was grateful that no one seeme

John’s povI never took it seriously. I thought it was just a simple feeling, the urge to buy all the akara and bread from that beautiful young lady so she could go home and rest. It felt unfair that someone like her had to work so hard. My instincts kept pushing me to help, but I convinced myself it was nothing more than kindness.But when I didn’t see her for two days in a row, I realised it wasn’t just a passing feeling. I wasn’t myself. Something was missing, and it bothered me more than I expected.Each morning, I rushed to the construction site in my white corolla. My staff must have thought I was eager for work to start early, but that wasn’t the reason. I simply wanted to catch a glimpse of her. On the third day, when she still didn’t show up, I felt restless. I couldn’t shake the worry, and I knew I had to find out where she was.Following the directions given by one of my staff, I walked towards her mother’s place, where the akara was prepared. Every step I took was heavy wi

Mr. Osagie's POVIt’s been so long since I last saw Solomon. Why hadn’t he come to visit me again? Even during our annual family meeting a few months ago, I reached out to him, but he still didn’t show up. Oddly, my brothers kept asking about him, the same brothers who once saw him as a parasite. I guess they’ve finally realized my friendship with Solomon is genuine.“Are you drinking your coffee or just afraid to put the cup to your lips?”My wife’s voice startled me, making the cup in my hand tremble.“You didn't even notice when I entered the room. What's on your mind?” she asked, stepping closer and sitting beside me as I sighed.“I was thinking about Solomon. Don’t you think it's strange he hasn’t been here for so long? The last time I called him, he said he wasn’t in Lagos.”She only shrugged, clearly uninterested.“Solomon has always been close to me, and I want him to be part of our celebration in the new house on Banana Island.”“Of all people, it’s Solomon you’re worried abo

Omosefe’s povThe first thing that crossed my mind was, 'What will I tell my mom?' Deep down, I wanted John to be the man of my dreams, and when he knelt before me, I didn't realize I was crying until I felt the tears on my cheeks. The joy of that moment was bigger than my fear of my mom."Yes... yes..." I remember stammering. It was the first time a man had ever kissed me. It felt like a jolt of electricity running through me. I couldn't tell if it was from the excitement of being with John or the fear of going against what my mom had always told me."Keep your virginity. No situation should make you lose it unless you've said, 'I do.'"As the plane began to descend into Benin City airport, my heart started pounding. I was sweating, even though the air inside the plane was cool.How would I tell my mom? Would she ever trust me again? She always seemed to know everything, like she could read my mind. She would accuse me of dating John secretly in the village and hiding it from her. Sh

Ami's POV"Emergency!" my daughter shouted just seconds after answering John's call. How did I know something was wrong just by looking at her face? She stayed on the line, mostly listening, while John did most of the talking. The only words she managed to say were,"Okay!... Okay!" She kept nodding until the call ended, a minute that felt much longer to me."What did John say?" I asked, still standing close to Omosefe."John said there's an emergency, and both of us need to go to Lagos.""Lagos? What kind of emergency?" I asked immediately."He did not say," she replied, her eyes searching my face for a reaction. She hesitated, sensing my growing discomfort."He already booked flights for us from Benin City. It will not be a long trip," she added, trying to convince me."Omosefe, I cannot go with you," I said, turning away and heading to my bedroom. Lagos, of all places? The name alone popped up in my mind. I had sworn never to step foot there again, it would only dig up the pain I h