VESSEL

MENA Her bubbly laughter drifted through the corridor, catching the attention of a few students walking past.  Mena clutched her study bag as she laughed at her father’s remarks, her eyes shining with affection. “Papa, you shouldn’t have done that,” she said. “I will do more,” he replied without hesitation. “The man is hard of hearing. Did I tell him that I cannot take care of my own child? That he is offering support ? We know what that support means, and we do not want it.” She smiled at the we do not want part. “Papa, thank you for choosing me and making sure I go to school.” There was a brief pause, then his voice softened. She knew he was smiling. “My gift from God,” he said. “You will achieve everything—and even more. God’s timing is the best. Remember the daughter of whom you are. God is your Father. I am only a guardian, a middleman in His plans for your life. Do you hear me?” “Yes, Papa,” she replied, smiling. Her father never tired of reminding her who her true Fathe...

AMENA “As you go to this new school, do not forget the daughter of whom you are,” her aunt’s voice rang loudly through the phone. “Do not follow boys, yes, I said boys,” her uncle added firmly. “Because it is only boys that will distract you. A true man, a Godly man, will let you be excellent.” “Amena, listen well in school,” her brother joined in.  “We are doing our best to make sure you have what you need. Keep away from bad friends. Join a Bible-believing church when you settle in. And call us as soon as you reach your room. Do you hear me?” All three voices blended into one steady stream as Amena dragged her two heavy luggage down the narrow hallway of the off-campus hostel. The one-room space she had paid for was just ahead, yet she still hadn’t seen the University of Tenja everyone in Gumba always talked about so proudly. That would come soon enough. “Yes, Aunty… yes, Uncle… yes, Brother Taye… I’m at the door now. Let me freshen up first, then I’ll call you back.” “Hallelujah...

  MENA The beauty of her father’s farm lived in the quiet confidence of his cows and the healthy robustness of his chickens. Dawn had barely stretched across the sky when Mena adjusted the feed trays inside the chicken cages, watching with soft amusement as the birds hurried toward the grain, pecking joyfully as though celebrating a feast. Her father’s booming laughter rang across the farmland,  “Haaa, my Chief! This is the best price you will get for these five cows. I am giving you the offer of a lifetime!” Mena peeked out from behind the chicken house, her gaze lingering on the well-adorned native attire that sat so gracefully on her father’s lean frame. Anyone hearing his voice without seeing him would imagine a robust man with a round belly and heavy shoulders. But Papa Mena was the exact opposite; tall, wiry, and effortlessly elegant in his simplicity. “Excuse me, Papa. I am done feeding the chickens,” she said quietly, holding up the empty feed sack. Her father’s eyes s...

 ZIBA “You are waiting for me to call you the fourth time, abi?” Mama Ziba shouted from the stuffy, clay-built kitchen, her voice filling the entire compound. Ziba scowled. She had heard her mother clearly the first time and already knew exactly what she was being summoned for. Still sprawled across the bamboo mattress, she grumbled, “I am coming, maaaaa.” “It is your father that you are dragging that ‘maaaaa’ for,” Mama Ziba muttered, grabbing the wooden spoon Mama Tiwa had gifted her during the last yam festival. With the stealth of a cat, she crept toward her daughter, who remained deeply engrossed in a shriveled old novel—the kind that had clearly survived several lifetimes. Mama Ziba didn’t miss her target. The spoon landed squarely across Ziba’s back. Ziba yelped, leapt to her feet, and dashed straight into her mother’s room to pick up the dirty plates that needed washing at the stream. “Why did you run? No, come back and tell me ‘maaaaa’ again. You are blessed—my mouth will ...

The days sped by like rushing winds. Graduation loomed closer, and I found myself poring over my yearbook, unable to believe how much had happened within a year. The loss of Mum. The sudden weight of responsibility, being both sister and mother to Chinaza. The countless nights of tears, balanced by God’s steady presence. And in the middle of it all, friends who never let me sink, and Tunde, always there, always steady. At a buka opposite the university, my friends laughed and bickered around me as we shared a fruit salad. Then, like a burst of sunshine, Chinaza rushed in, her school uniform slightly crumpled, her braids bouncing. She wrapped me in a bear hug, her backpack sliding off her shoulders.  I stared at her, pride swelling in my chest. She had borne Mum’s death with a maturity beyond her years. In truth, she had comforted me more than I had comforted her. As I brushed biscuit crumbs off her uniform, I whispered a silent promise to God: I will always look out for her. ...

The rain ushered us into Christmas. Heavy drops drummed on the rooftop, wrapping the house in a cold silence. That night, none of us stayed in our rooms, we huddled together in the parlour, blankets tangled, the faint glow of the Christmas tree painting our faces in soft gold. Six weeks had passed since Mum’s departure. Six weeks of fighting back tears, six weeks of holding on to Chinaza, six weeks of watching my friends fill our home with laughter and chatter so grief wouldn’t swallow me whole. Funke busied herself in the kitchen, the smell of jollof and fried chicken filling the air. Her parents had brought the Christmas tree, and Chinaza had been giddy decorating it. Every time her tiny hands couldn’t reach the higher branches, Alfred swooped her up with a playful groan. He carried her so often that by the end, he was practically the official tree decorator. The house felt alive again; food stacked in the kitchen, laughter bouncing off the walls, and yet, beneath it all, I still fel...