Where to find him

AhanaI watch my niece play as I sit in my sister’s living room on Friday afternoon, tears in my eyes as I remember my beloved Muna, once again ashamed about how unceremoniously I exited her life, knowing I could have at least said a proper goodbye to her, regardless of what was going on between her dad and me. I sit through small talk with my mother and older sister, but all the while, my mind remains on the little girl I abandoned in London… and her father who still has my heart.And on a whim, I decide to call. I decide to call him, so I can at least hear his voice again. Breaking away from my family, I go outside and dial Chris’s number. It’s 4pm and there’s the possibility he might be busy at work… or maybe not. But his phone is turned off. I try several times and when it remains switched off, I find myself starting to panic. So, I call Paris.“Hi, Ahana,” comes her voice, which isn’t sounding quite as boisterous or lively. “It’s lovely to hear your voice. You just ran off and Ch

Last Updated : 2025-11-17

Very hard

Ahana“Hi, Chris,” I say, my anxiety making my voice wobble.“What are you doing here?”His unsmiling eyes and deadpan voice make me deflate, as I realize I am not the reason he is in Nunavut after all. But standing there looking at him after so many weeks of missing him, of longing for him, I’m ready to do whatever I need to, to get him back.“I tried to call you but when I couldn't reach you, I called Paris. She told me where to find you,” I answer. “She… she said you came here to sort out some things. I hope everything is okay?”“I came to reach some sort of agreement with Muna’s mom.”My heart crashes even further.further. “Tonia?”A sardonic smile plays on his lips, as if he is amused, but not surprised, that I remember her name. “Yes, Tonia.”“How did it go? I hope it went well.”“It went as well as can be.”We stand silent for a while, with me not knowing what to say and him seemingly unwilling to say anything more.“I’m really sorry,” I finally blurt out. “I shouldn't have act

Last Updated : 2025-11-17

I should have listened to him

AhanaLeft with no choice, I resume at the bank in the second week of July. On my first day back, I have to smile through all the questions, well-meaning and otherwise, not to mention the subliminal taunting, about my premature return.“ What happened? Where you deported?” Amanda takes delight in asking, when she sees me at my desk, ironically the same one I vacated.“Or you have no money anymore ?” Priscilla cackles, her eyes dancing with glee over what she has perceived to be a downturn in my good fortune.“I thought you said you were staying back with Aput,” is Ama’s comment, looking the most concerned of the three.And I give them the same answers I have given everyone. “No, I didn't run out of money.” “No, I didn't drop out. I was on a scholarship, remember?” “I finished my exams and decided to write my dissertation at home.” “I didn't do too well with the cold weather.” “Aput and I broke up.”The last confirmation is received with even more derision.“So, you came back with not

Last Updated : 2025-11-24

Something missing

Chris I receive the signed release and transfer of custody forms from Tonia after paying her the first part of the agreed amount. For the public statement, she gets her friend, Morayo, a very popular London socialite and one of my most persistent assailants, to do it for her, refuting any rumours about my kidnapping our daughter and confirming that I have the legal right to her custody. The post gets plenty of mileage, and I am assured I will not have any trouble from Tonia’s clan going forward.I am arranging to make the balance payment to her when my doorbell rings that Monday afternoon. Muna is at day care, and I am using the opportunity to close things out with Tonia once and for all. “I came to check on the latest celebrity,” Paris hoots, as she walks in. “Did that woman have to put up your picture on her page? I don't think there’s a human being in this town that hasn't either seen or heard of the blasted post. I hear she even put it up on Twitter and Snapchat.”“Yeah, that was

Last Updated : 2025-11-26

Our eyes connect

AhanaI hiss as I read the offer letter from VBC International Bank, offended that, after what I thought was a great interview, they have made me an offer for a Banking Officer position, the very same one I have been stuck on at AFIT for way too long. Their reason being that their salary band is way higher than AFIT’s, and my current salary places meets Assistant Banking Officer level in their bank. So, to them, they have actually made me a better offer. I am incensed that my current poor remuneration has been used as their benchmark, and not my pending Master’s degree, or even all my years of experience. Hissing again, I rip the letter to pieces and trash it. This is just one down. Hopefully, my other applications will be more successful.Not necessarily hungry but needing to get away for some air, I head to the company canteen downstairs. Walking in, I am tempted to immediately retreat when I see my dear frenemies on a table, as usual huddled over a phone and talking rapidly. In the

Last Updated : 2025-11-30

Her happy beginning

ChrisSeeing her again takes my breath away and I can’t help the broad smile that forms on my face.“Never mind. There she is,” I say to the receptionist, whose eyes have widened with surprise upon seeing whom I am there for.Without waiting for any further prompt, I start to walk in her direction, nervous and excited at the same time. Even with a strange blunt bob hairstyle, she is more beautiful than I remember, and I can only hope she will not reciprocate the awful way I treated her the last time we saw. But then her lips part in a smile in response to mine, and my heart soars in recognition of the one it most desires.“What are you doing here?” she asks, light brown eyes twinkling with unrestrained delight.“Paris forgot to save your number,” I answer. “And it wasn't until I was on the plane here that I realised I could have asked Camila or Tayo for it.” I hand her the flowers. “These are for you.”She accepts them with a smile that goes from ear to ear. “Wow! I’m speechless. I do