Readersville.

Looking forlorn Nneka moved slowly towards the crib. She was past caring, but the screaming was really getting to her, she peered at her baby and hissed. "What is it? She asked. The baby felt a little bit appeased when she sighted her mum. "What is it? Nneka asked once more raising her voice in the process. The baby looked startled. "I need to rest and all you do is make me distressed she murmured as she lifted the baby with no care. She shoved the baby onto her laps roughly. Her baby made her face as if she wanted to cry. Nneka raised her to her face with both arms. "Don't even dare!" She growled at her baby. That was it; her baby let out a loud shriek and began to cry. Nneka looked taken aback for a second and stood up abruptly. Walked towards the cot and flung the baby into it. She then slumped at the foot of the cot and began to sob. That was the position she was till she dozed off... Uche knew his wife was somewhat changed but attributed it...

At times some things in real life turn out to be like make believe stories, so was the case of Emeka and Amina. Some few months after Amina left with her new husband. Emeka her former husband was deported back to Nigeria. He got into a fight with his live in lover in The States and she reported him to the authorities who sent him back immediately since he had no papers backing his prolonged stay in the States. Obviously, he lied to his wife that he was married to Claude but this was because himself and Claude both planned to get married but things turned sour before they could tie the knot. He foolishly went to his former in-laws and demanded to see his wife and son. Amina’s parent drove him out of their house and threatened to call the authorities whenever they set their eyes on him in their compound again. They did not hesitate to tell him their daughter was now happily married with someone else. After all, his lousy bride price has been returned to his greedy family. It was with p...

Listening to Aduke by Tjan on her cd player, Roli couldn't help but let her thoughts wander....... Memories of Femi kept coming. He loved serenading her....yes, he was that romantic. She remembred the day he sent 50 cards with love professing messages. He sent them with Diana Ross's Album everyday is a new day. Her favorite song in it was Love is all that matters...... she remembered staying up all night to listen to it. Why does love go sour?! Why would something so sweet taste so bitter? Why would a feeling so strong fizzle? Whats all this talk about love not being enough that her friends keep saying? What else can be enough? Isn't it love that leads to one deciding to be committed? What exactly is love? It's so confusing out there! Everyone defining what love is, how to know what it is and it isn't! Do we learn how to breathe? Is love not something that comes to be? Isn't it like a power that takes over one's being? You get into it with no preconcieve...

It has been over a year since when Amina called her husband in the United States and got the shock of her life. A lady picked up her call to Emeka’s phone and she was taken aback when she introduced herself as his wife. She couldn’t believe her ears when Emeka himself called and told her that she should move on with her life since he has decided to start a new life in America. The pain and humiliation was unbearable she had to leave the house she and Emeka both rented. She wouldn’t have had any choice anyway since her mother in-law and her daughters were thrilled that things had gone sour between her and their brother.they happily spread the news around with abandon. They did not even bother that she took Chinedu along when she left the flat. Things were really rough with her initially but with the help of her friend Rosemary and David she got by. David... her thoughts lingered on the man that has more or less wiped out her tears. He has been there for her. It was on his shoulder th...

Phone is ringing. A lady walks in from her bathroom to pick it up. “Hello!” “Hi!” replied the caller “why did you pick my call?” “sorry?” “I said why pick this call, is Emeka not there?” “I beg your pardon! I can pick my spouse’s call if I so wish!” “What?” Amina screamed. “Whose spouse are you?” “Well....” the lady at the receiving end of the phone was about to say something when Amina heard someone walk in and say “Honey what’s that?” Amina recognised the voice to be her husband’s. “I do not know!” The lady with the phone said “But she sure sounds so rude!” she continued. Amina was still in shock when her husband came on the line, “Hello!” “Emeka! What did I hear that woman say you are to her?” “Amina! Did I not tell you not to call this line anymore! I told you I’ll call you when the need arises! He snarled into the phone. “Emeka! Do you realise it’s been over eleven months now that you’ve not called? And you have the nerve to tell me I shouldn’t have called you? Who is t...

“Rosemary, what exactly does David want from me? I really do not understand him o! Haba! I am not so stupid not to know he is seeking my attention! Doesn’t he know am married?” “Calm down! Stop shouting! Remember we are in a saloon anybody can hear our discussion and you kinow how rumours fly around this place!” Rosemary cautioned her friend. “Who cares? Haven’t you been hearing the words flying around that Emeka has ditched me?” “Amina! You of all people should know better than listening to irrelevant gist’s!” said Rosemary. “What do you mean by irrelevant gist’s? Is it not obvious that Emeka has ditched me? Nine months now he has not sent me money for this boy’s upkeep. And he knows his leech of a mother and his two greedy sisters are living with me! How callous can one’s husband get? And remember, there is no smoke without fire!” she said emphasising the word “smoke” and “fire”. “Look my friend!” Rosemary said to her. “I might not feel exactly how you do but believe me, I do un...