Guilty Pleasures 6

Episode 6

Cardiff Airport, Wales, UK

One week later...
It had been fifteen years since he'd last seen his father, two years since he'd spoken to him and he loathed him for it. If only he hadn't sent him away, if only he hadn't put his upbringing at the mercy of other people, even extended family, Uncle James wouldn't have happened.

Guilty Pleasures 5

Episode 5

Guilt was a disease invading every part of him more than ever on the morning of Uncle James funeral. It started in his heart and trickled around his body in his blood, infecting his legs and his arms, his neck and shoulders. It made his eyes ache so that he had to keep them either closed or fixed in a downward gaze, avoiding anyone else's eyes.

Guilty Pleasures 6

Episode 6

Cardiff Airport, Wales, UK

One week later...
It had been fifteen years since he'd last seen his father, two years since he'd spoken to him and he loathed him for it. If only he hadn't sent him away, if only he hadn't put his upbringing at the mercy of other people, even extended family, Uncle James wouldn't have happened.

Guilty Pleasures 4

Episode 4

Six years later...
Seye was jolted out of sleep by the explosive sound of a dish smashing against the kitchen wall. He heard the shattered pieces of china rain down on the tiled floor. He lay there, staring up into the darkness and holding his breath. The silence was like that moment after you see a streak of lightening and know there will be a boom rattling windows down to your bone. Sure enough, he heard Aunty Candy's tear filled voice wail at Uncle James.

Honest Illusions 20

Episode 20

She opened her eyes hours later. It was dark, and the light bulbs were off. In the glimmer of light from the hallway that streamed underneath the closed door, she could see her mother's figure on a chair at the foot of her bed.

Honest Illusions 19

Episode 19

UPTH, two days later...

When she opened her eyes, she knew at once that she was not in her bed. The mattress was firmer than hers. She made to get up, but pain shot through her whole body. She collapsed back.

Honest Illusions 18

Episode 18

Pritaso Block B, two weeks later...

Oprah was humming all the way home. She felt so happy and at peace with herself and couldn't remember feeling this way in a really long time. She unlocked her room door and after entering, put on the light. She jumped back immediately when she saw she wasn't alone.

Honest Illusions 16

Episode 16

Convocation Arena, Abuja Campus, two days later...
"Oprah wait!" Chris exclaimed behind her as she walked away. When she didn't stop, he hurried after her and held her hand.

She whirled to face him angrily. "What is it Chris? Haven't you had enough?"

Honest Illusions 17

Episode 17

RCF, Aluu...
Oprah couldn't believe the change that had come over Chris. For the past two weeks, he had been nothing but a gentleman to the hilt. No arguments, no show of jealousy and the most important, no demand for sex. As if that wasn't enough, she had managed to convince him to come for Tuesday service with her and to her surprise, he had.

Honest Illusions 14

Episode 14

Later that night...
Oprah sat on her bed, reflecting on the talk she had with Seye as they walked back home to their lodge. He truly stayed in the same lodge and block as her, Pritaso Block B but Oprah did not know till today. However Seye did because he had seen her around a couple of times.

Honest Illusions 13

Episode 13

"C-Chris" Oprah stuttered, confused.

He cast a malicious glance at the guy beside Oprah. He looked too handsome to be a genuine brother. [i]Must be one of them hypocrites who acted pious in church but committed worse crimes outside church[/i], Chris thought with disgust.

Good As Gold

My House Hunt Wahala

My family had just moved into a decent two bedroom apartment in Ailegun, Ejigbo Lagos and was yet to settle in when we were mandated to move out again. We had just spent one month in the apartment when the agent came to break the sad news to my father that the landlord in America didn't want any tenant in our apartment.

Honest Illusions 12

Episode 12

For inexplicable reasons Oprah felt a bit better as she hurried towards the fellowship centre. The sun was lazily going down and she could see a few people whom she easily recognized as brothers and sisters by their dressing. No skirts above the knees and different types of headgear to cover their hair. The men had their shirts buttoned to the neck, some wore ties and dress shoes. Everyone had their Bibles with them and they were all heading to the fellowship site.

Honest Illusions 11

Episode 11


It was 2:00 p.m on Monday and Oprah still had not got up from her bed. She missed her 10:00 a.m lecture and she still didn't have the inclination to get up from her bed where she had lain since 7:00 a.m.

Honest Illusions 10

Episode 10

Chris had made his way out of his lodge without thinking. He had felt something was wrong when Oprah hadn't turned up on time.
Why his Oprah, of all the girls on campus? Why now? If she had been involved in this born again thing when they met, he would not have touched her with a 50 feet pole. Just when he had begun to settle down, believing he found 'the one', everything seemed to be falling apart.

Honest Illusions 9

Episode 9

Oprah didn't believe Chris had walked out on her for the first time in their 3 months old relationship, but what had she expected really? She didn't know what she expected from him but his reaction had shocked her. 

Honest Illusions 8

Episode 8

Evergreen Lodge, Aluu. 10pm...
Oprah stood by the window staring at the dark night outside. Chris' reaction had confused her. He did not appear to have taken her serious at all. She turned back to look at Chris who appeared to be reading a magazine.

Honest Illusions 7

Episode 7
Evergreen Lodge, Aluu. 8pm...

It was the last day of the Campus Wide Evangelism Programme organized by the Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF). Most of the students that had so far attended were RCFites. Despite the publicity campaigns,other students on the campus didn't pay much attention to the programme. Students often spoke about RCFites as being strict and conservative so they stayed away.

Honest Illusions 15

Episode 15

"Who's Seye to you?" He demanded as he strode into the room immediately she opened the door.

Oprah groaned. "Chris please..."

Honest Illusions 6

Episode 6

Oprah could see Chris underneath the almond tree directly opposite the Student Affairs Centre. He was frowning. What could be bothering him?

"Who was that guy?"

Honest Illusions

Episode 5

Choba, Port Harcourt, a few weeks later...
Everyone in the PS main auditorium looked lively and excited. The rigors of registration had not dampened the excitement of being newly admitted undergraduates at the unique University of Port Harcourt.

Honest Illusions

Episode 4

Ruth and Oprah sat quietly in their mother's bedroom. Oprah looked at her mother. The honorable Justice Georgia Bankole Williams was visibly upset. She was tall, fair, beautiful and of mixed parentage.

Honest Illusions

Episode 3

Elsewhere, at about the same time her younger sister was getting into a relationship, Ruth was getting into trouble. She had left the party earlier with her friend Boye and two boys, Efe and Kene. Efe was Boye's boyfriend and Kene was Efe's friend.

GUILTY PLEASURES (Based on a True Life story)

Episode 3

Later that day,
After the excitement of the day with so many presents to open and so many smiling faces around, Seye was tired and overwhelmed. The absence of his father on such an important occasion as this, gnawed at his insides throughout the day. Maybe his father never loved him and probably never would.

Honest Illusions

Episode 2

Ilupeju street, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi was far from quiet, thanks to the noisy party going on in number twenty-six on the normally quiet neighborhood. The sitting room of a beautiful three bedroom detached house was the heart of the party. In all, there were about fifty boys and girls.

GUILTY PLEASURES (Based on a True Life story)

Episode 2
December 23, 1999

Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.
The venue of the party was festooned with colorful balloons and fanciful ribbons. Music blared from the loud speakers and children of all ages swayed their young bodies to the beats.

Honest Illusions

Episode 1

Oprah turned and tossed that night, restless in body as different things that sounded like mosquitoes buzzed from ear to ear and jumpy in mind as possible bad scenarios flitted in and out of her imagination. Several questions with no answers buzzed around her head.

Guilty Pleasures (Based on a True Life Story)

Episode 1

December 23 1989

Wales, UK.
He drove fast, his tense gaze fixed on the road. He was a skilled driver, and despite the treacherous condition, Suzie felt no alarm, until he braked sharply and cursed at something he had seen on the road ahead.

"Traffic jam!" He said. "I'd forgotten how easily the roads clog at this time of the year. Its blocked solid."

SOLILOQUIES: Diary of an assistant girlfriend.

Hello diary, I'm Dora Andy and sure you're wondering at my brand of crazy to name myself an assistant girlfriend. I guess you will find out soon enough after you have come with me on the long journey through the first time I fell in love...

April 14th, 2012:

Whoever said 200 level would be easy should be shot. I can't believe the number of 7am classes we have for the week and the rigid nature of the lecturers too. Gosh, mid-way to the semester and I'm swamped with school work, God help me. I met my landlord's son today *swoons and blushes, lawd! he's so damn fine!

IJE AWELE 5

She considered running away, perhaps landing at her aunt Umeadi's doorstep. This she knew would hit Mother hard as Mother considered her step sister Umeadi, the only living family she had, as nothing more than a witch who had refused to stop worshiping the idols of her father's house and serve God. But she did not want to leave, she wanted them to love her, and that urgent, frustrated desire was her prison.

 Later that night, she heard her father's raised voice in the study. This was not a new thing but on this night, he seemed more angry than usual, hurling insults and hurtful accusations at Mother.

IJE AWELE 4

 Father had just landed a job at a Finance firm that Mother's connection had helped him secure. She knew this because Mother didn't fail to point this out to father every time she had a chance to. However, there were hardly fights concerning money in the house anymore and mother hummed around the house more often than she usually did. The ministry which was a source of pride to her was growing by leaps and bounds. She was an international minister and televangelist whose ministry was fast becoming a household name and a hideout for all her failings at home especially with her young daughter.

IJE AWELE 3

They barely noticed how quiet and timid she became in the company of people. How aggressive she was towards the maid and her mates. Even her mood swings went by unnoticed.

 Only one person saw the sadness in her eyes and the pain she tried to hide from the world - that she felt like she was the cause of her parents unhappiness. Uncle Kingsley, more of a family friend than an actual uncle, was the one who gave her the attention she sought. 

IJE AWELE 2

A seaside holiday: the beach, long walks and sand castles. Father sat on a deck chair, trying to read. Cold wind was blowing despite the sun. Her mother rubbed sunscreen lotion on her and said you could not be too careful. She told Father to keep an eye on her, she had to go back to the vacation house for her book. Five-year-old Awele was burying her father's feet in sand until Miss Stephanie sashayed to where her Father sat. She said she was on a vacation like them and throughout her light conversation with Father kept out reference to Awele's presence or even the fact that Father was married. Her wide smile seemed forced and long nails painted red looked scary to Awele. She left her father's feet and went further away from them to pick some seashells by herself. Father did not seem to notice as his gaze was riveted on Miss Stephanie's ample bosom that was barely covered with her neon coloured bikini bra.

IJE AWELE 1

As promised, here is the winner of the Leonora Osato 2015 Short Fiction Prize, enjoy...

"I want my daddy," she sobbed as Aunty Lana tried to soothe her. "Where is my daddy?"

 Olanna was at a loss of words as she watched the child lamenting. She was at the brink of tears herself. After all the poor child had been through, this just seemed so unfair.

 "My angel, your daddy is fine, he'll soon be back," she tried to console her.

 "When Aunty Lana? When? That's what you said last night," she said sobbing
.

 Olanna, also called Lana by friends and family, hugged the crying child close to her bosom. It was so disheartening to watch her bony body as it was racking with sobs but for the moment she knew ten year-old Awele was better off with a lie.

The Re-union 3

Eight lonely months passed. In everything black she saw the colour of his hair. She paused on the streets to stare at young men who looked as Nduka had in his prime; she gazed longingly at the backs of tall, strong-looking men with broad shoulders, wistfully hoping they would turn and she would see Nduka smile at her again. They did turn sometimes, as if they felt the yearning hot blaze of her eyes, and she would turn away her eyes, for they weren't him, not ever him.

365 days later...

So 365 days rolled by and we're still here. A lot happened in the past year 2015. The most notable for me is that I finally finished my undergrad programme in Uniport. Next for me is service but in the meantime I plan to take my blogging seriously. No more sporadic and spasmodic posts, I can't promise daily updates but I can promise weekly updates at least. So expect more, more spanking new episodes on Grafted Branches @kellychikezie's blog and exciting short stories series on IK Chikezie's space. Also watch out for award winner Ije Awele