I open my bag for some change to pay the fare. It’s missing something- my purse. My little one is looking at me as I ransack the small leather thing, upturning its content on my lap. A piece of wax crayon rolls to the floor. She doesn’t pick it up. I look at her and say with my eyes, where’s my purse? She looks innocently back at me. I take her bear-shaped bag...
SINCERELY, NONSO BY OMOWERO AGBOR Sade’s greatest weakness will always be her expectations. She expects her friends to see through her thin attempts at happiness and still let her be. She expects that kindness and inquisitiveness will speak for interest and determination. She wants her lovers to be kinder, her reflection to praise, not haunt. She hopes the books she reads will heal her; the shows...
UNRAVELLING THE LAYERS OF SELF HATRED BY OLUWASIKEMI Self-hatred It feels like a familiar ride. I’ve been on this ride a couple of times, and I know the sharp bends and turns like the back of my hand; it no longer phases me. Unlike the “stages of grief,” this ride doesn’t come with stages; it’s a loop of relentless spinning and jumping out is a gamble. Will you land safely, or will the impact...
My brother was going to be beaten to death today, and I wish I didn’t have to go home to watch this. Jama was always quiet but he was life itself. He would laugh at every joke, funny or not, and smile 5 minutes into a conversation with anyone. Mind you he wasn’t trying to be nice or considerate. It was just who he was and everyone loved him for it, everyone but him. My father. He considered Jama...
Dani is sat in a train unsure of whether he is doing the right thing or not. You see, the thing is that Dani never does anything merely half thought of or only one foot in but recently he has been possessed with the spirit of trying to reach for something. Three days ago, his world started to spin and felt so small and claustrophobic. He was confused because he had had this life for eleven...
In January 2024, Pazqal Eriq came to us with an offer we couldn’t refuse: produce a debut anthology. We agreed and so for the first quarter we worked on this wonderful body of work and now, here it is for you. This collection is empathetically written bursting with stories of our every day romantic. It is a breeze through the shoes of a person trying to love, what connects us all more than...
GUESSING GAME BY TOLU FOWOWE Suddenly out of the blue and into the empty classroom came the dashing damsel herself, as ever with her flowing brown hair and those eyes, sure fire proof that a God must exist. And if God existed, what she did next seemed to constitute sure fire proof that He despised me, when she ambled around the room briefly before deciding on sitting at the exact desk I was sat...
PICTURES OF STONY FACES BY URHURU “See this picture” Kamsi handed it to Gold. Gold took it and went back to the wardrobe, her eyes fixated on the picture. She studied the people in it, each face glowing with happiness. Suddenly, she tossed it aside, she wanted to make a remark to counter any impression that she was interested in the picture but decided against it, there was no need to...
FOR DAYS BY VICTOR SESE There are days when the only place I want to be is beside you Days when I beg you not to get out of bed Because then the cuddling ends and the warmth leaves with you Days when I shudder at the thought of being overwhelmed by the cold Because I fear the warmth may never return But I’m glad today isn’t one of such days Today, for the first time in a...
My Relationship Saga by Raheemat Jimoh Popping pills everyday Because I can’t find a better way I’m a drug seeker seeking drugs for healing I know what you’re thinking and you’re right I’m an addict But not of marijuana or cocaine, but of folic acid and OPIOIDS Addiction takes many forms, and mine wears a mask of healing Like a vampire, I take blood too From sack to...
