THE PAST
Ijeoma Chidubem
I still regret it,I still regret betraying my my best friend. Rose was my very best friend, I shared a room with her in our university school day,she was very nice to me.
Emeka was my friend too but we were on different levels,my father worked in his fathers company. My Mom was close to his mom but they were never friends. My mom always complained of how his mom belittles everyone just because of the money they had. I loved Emeka but the feeling was one sided,he only saw me as his friend. Emeka felt he was better than everyone, to him his ideas were the best and yet I still loved him.
Rose saw a Job opportunity in my state,she told me about it and I advised her to come stay with me. She said it was okay if she didn't have the job but I insisted,telling her not to l
CORNROWS AND COLOGNESLILLIAN My hair was rough, I had carried my cornrows for three weeks,my hair smelt bad. It reminded me of the old days,days when I visited Jemima and sat on a stool for her to lose the weaving, she would complain that the attachment was too long. I remember how she would start the conversation. "Lillian,why don't you stop all these unnecessary things you add to your hair, relaxer kills hair" I would laugh and she would adjust my head before I replied. "Abeg,I cannot handle natural hair,it is too thick and difficult to comb" Jemima would laugh and her voice would echo. "That's why there is something like natural hair care products,for someone like you, it's very cheap" "Unlike you, my hair is short and empty" Jemima would hiss and say
SKIN CUTSAda Adichie Tamara visited my house with this reaction on her face that I couldn't understand. I was alone at home reading a book,it wasn't interesting,I was glad when I opened the door and saw Tamara. She smiled faintly before coming in. We went to my room to have our discussion as we always did. "I visited the Teacher's office for counseling" Tamara said before dropping her little bag on my bed. We both knew that no book can fit into the bag, it was just for fashion, crazy fashion. "Why did you, what did you have to discuss with her?" I asked smiling. "I wanted her help and somehow we discussed about you ". Tamara told me,she was waiting for my reaction but there was no need for me to get angry until I hear what she told the teacher about me.
CATCH A FLY "Good morning teacher" Ada said. This was sure not the right time for Ada to approach Lillian,they were both angry. Lillian still had the anger she didn't pour on Mark inside of her. Lillian still concentrated on the books she was reviewing,she answered Ada without looking at her. "Good morning, sit" we could hear the anger from Lillian's voice,if only Ada would take a hint and come another time. "I didn't come here to sit" Ada told Lillian. "Then get out of my office" Lillian gave Ada a long look and focused her gaze on her. "Just because Tamara told you about my situation doesn't mean I will come to your office and hear your blurts" "I asked you to get out of my office since you didn't want to sit down. I'm not ready for some rats this morning" Lillian got irritated by Ada manners,
AFTER THE PARTY LILLIAN I hate the fact that I cried,that the warm stream flowed. I want to forget but it won't leave my mind, it pierces my heart constantly. I was alone in this room,far from Mark I think. How could he,how could he say those words to me. My Mark is such a Darling, he wouldn't do so,but hearing him tell me,my leg lost its ability to stand and I hated the fact that I fell down. It started that day,the day he smelt of mixed colognes and food but he would not agreed or was I wrong? Did it it start on the birthday night? So this is what happened. Mark told me his mom was going to celebrate her birthday, that was something the Mrs Ade I knew will never do,but it was her birthday and her choice. It was annoying that Mark told me two days before the party but I chilled my anger, I had a little misunderstanding with his mom. &
BUILD A WALL LILLIAN everyone looks happy this afternoon,except me. The students are excited about the two weeks mid term break,no more early wake and the teachers are free from their stressful jobs. But nothing seems amusing to me ever since Mark said those words,I still don't get it. Will a "first" be added to the wife when he wants to introduce me? Nothing in the hallway stole my attention from my greedy thoughts. "Ma'am" That ma'am brought me back from the jungle of my worried thoughts. "Teacher Lillian, having issues?" He asked,I understood but I laughed myself out of the question. "What are you going to do for two weeks" I asked changing the mood. He told me he was going to travel and that idea gave me an idea to travel,visit Jemima and talk. Whene
Baby comforts me LILLIAN I sat in a bus for three hours,I spent three hours thinking about Mark and me,if I was ready for a divorce but that wasn't even a question neither was it an answer because I know that I wasn't ready to leave Mark. Jemima waved at me,she looked fatter,she stood afar from me in the park. The moment I saw Jemima, I wanted to run and hug her tightly, I wanted to be lost in her chubby body,to hide from everyone. But instead of doing that,I walked briskly to her. "Lillian, I've missed you" "I've missed my rare gem too,I said" she smiled. I knew Jemima knew that I was burdened with something, the way she looked at me and smiled."Why didn't you bring baby,I thought I would see her here" I said. "I left baby with my neighbor,this park is too crowded,I don't have have the energy to carry her or drag her in such
JUST MESSY JEMIMA I've know Lillian for long,she was and still is a friend I always can rely on. That day she called me,and said she was visiting me,happiness visited me that morning. Ever since I moved here,I always missed her. Even with her,sitting in front of me,I'm still missing her. "What ya thinking?" Lillian asked me. "Don't let those fried plantains get burnt o,how can you be cooking and still yet you're lost in your thoughts,this girl" Lillian cracked the eggs. "I'm sorry that we have to eat plantain and eggs instead of melon soup" I pleaded with Lillian. "I'm okay, Jemima" I know she understands but that answer was for another question, she answered a question that she knew I would ask her. "Are you really okay" I asked
IT BINDS US "Lillian,where's your wedding band?" Jemima asked "I dropped it at home,it wasn't on purpose, just a mistake. " Lillian told Jemima and searched around the living room for baby. "Where's baby?""She's asleep,I guess you didn't noticed when she went to her room" "She can do that by herself now" Lillian asked,adjusting her self to sit properly. "I told you, she is no longer a baby" Jemima told Lillian. "I told him I wanted a divorce,but it's probably a mini charade I acted. I don't want to. I don't want to be known as the first wife who can't have a baby. You know,the one that loses her husband's love when the second wife gives birth to a child" Lillian laughed and continues "Just like in the movie" "I've heard movies are scripted life s