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BETROTHED (14)

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“I remember you saying you don’t stay too far, so I decided to visit. It was actually Amena’s idea.” Mena stared at the two beautiful ladies standing at her doorway and could only mumble in embarrassment. “I’m surprised you have no reply,” Amena said with a smile as she studied Mena’s shocked countenance. Mena was still wrapped in a faded sleeping scarf that struggled to contain her sharp-edged 4C puff. A toothbrush hung awkwardly from the corner of her mouth, white foam of toothpaste betraying the rush in which she had opened the door. Behind her, Papa burst into laughter. Mena instantly knew he was part of the setup. She finally gathered enough courage to step aside and let them in. She flashed Papa a knowing smile as he gently excused himself from the parlour after exchanging pleasantries with the ladies. She had been a constant ringtone in Papa’s ears lately, complaining about how bored and unhappy she felt. She had no idea how Papa arranged this surprise visit, but she was gratefu...
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BETROTHED (13)

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A concrete bungalow with a zinc roof, potted plants on the porch, a roughed-up bicycle leaning against the wall, a swept dirt path with patches of green grass, all of it told her she was standing in the place she now called home. Ziba was grateful for the holiday break and already knew she would stay shut in her room. But knowing Mama Yola, and now Amena, that would never be possible. Amena had kept things light on their first day of meeting, and Ziba appreciated that. But she knew the doggedness of Mama Yola, and she also knew there was a strength still coming, one not yet revealed. Amena had asked to see her again a day before she travelled. Ziba kept wondering why Amena was keeping it so cordial, as though they wouldn’t cross paths again in the village. “I have to pack up. It’s a long break, after all,” she said, looking at Mena, who had continued to disturb the waiter for another banana bread crust. “Please, I just need two hours to discuss some personal matters. Mama Yola is only ...
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BETROTHED (12)

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Mena poked suspiciously at Amena’s phone as it beeped on the cafeteria table for the umpteenth time and asked, for the umpteenth time, "w hy aren’t you picking Bro. Chima’s calls?” Ziba smiled awkwardly at Amena and mouthed a quiet, “I’m sorry." When Ziba had agreed to lunch before travelling in two days’ time, she had failed to mention that Mena would tag along. Ziba had invited Mena as a common ground. Th ough she hadn’t told Mena why she wanted her to come along, Mena was more than happy. For her, it was confirmation of acceptance into a friendship with Ziba. Mena had been surprised when she received the text:  “Hey, it’s Ziba. I’m meeting up with someone. It’s uncomfortable for me, but necessary. I would appreciate the emotional support. Thanks." Ziba didn’t add, “ …emotional support from a friend ,” but Mena felt the unspoken. A s she dressed, she chose a floral, mid-length pinafore gown. Her radiant, medium-deep brown skin glowed beneath the burgundy fabric. Her fu...
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BETROTHED (11)

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Ziba left as soon as assignments were dished out and attendance was taken by the class rep. She sighed at the sight of the road leading into the University of Tenja. It was always busy. Dust hung lightly in the air, stirred up by motorcycles, old cars, and the constant movement of people going in and out of the campus.  On both sides of the road, small wooden stalls were arranged closely together, selling fruits, vegetables, grains, and everyday household items. Traders called out to passersby, their voices blending into the noise of engines, footsteps, and conversation. Motorcycles moved in and out of traffic, carrying students, traders, and workers. An old green car pushed forward slowly, its horn sounding as it tried to make space through the crowd. Students walked in groups, some in uniforms, others in casual clothes, talking as they made their way toward the campus. In the distance, the semi-new buildings of the University of Tenja stood clearly. The halls were still fresh wit...
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BETROTHED (10)

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She had kept up her end of the promise with the picture of Ziba her mother had given her, but time was running out. The holidays were coming up, and she knew she had let Mama Yola down. Their last conversation had left Mama Yola sad and bothered, while she had reassured her that God would not forget His own. She took a shortcut from the Agriculture Department to get to Life Science and then turned abruptly to cross the road. A car blared in anger, and she raised her hand to apologise as it sped past. Her focus shifted back to the road as her shoulder gently brushed against another lady.  She hurried to the other side and continued brooding. She hated disappointing her mum, but she also felt a knot of worry, what if Ziba rejected her offering of sisterhood? Amena sighed as she entered her borrowed course hall, the last one before the school holidays commenced. Deep down, she also didn’t want to extend the friendship; she was already known by a lot of people she hadn’t planned for. “...
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An Ambivert at ELEVATE 1.0: Rested, Rich & Restored – A Modern Woman’s Guide to Balance

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  Did I ever tell my Sunny Wednesdays and Vessel Blog readers that I’m an ambivert? I am. And it was actually my husband who helped me understand the word while we were courting. An ambivert is someone who naturally balances traits of both introverts and extroverts, comfortable in social spaces, and equally comfortable in solitude. So last Saturday, I decided to step out of my comfort zone, put on my slay corporate mama style, and attend: ELEVATE 1.0 – RESTED, RICH & RESTORED: A Modern Woman’s Guide to Balance. It was held both onsite and online, and I was privileged to be among the 25 physical women selected to attend the live event. The Slay Before the Slay 😌 The convener, Mrs. Adetutu Ogunsanwo (Boss Lady Global), a full slay yummy mummy had us in a community group. I was thanking God there was no dress code… only to be shocked 😭 She didn’t just pick a dress code, she also shared style inspiration pictures. As the non-slay community babe that I am daily trying to escape f...
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BETROTHED (9)

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The University of Tenja was made up mostly of children from neighbouring villages, with only a handful of students who had travelled in from faraway places. Amena often wondered what would make anyone journey so far from civilisation just to attend the University of Tenja. For people like her, children of the surrounding villages, Gumba Village and Tenja had always been their only access to education. Now that Gumba Village lay in ruins, the younger children had been left without a place to receive even their most basic schooling. She knew her mother would already be searching for solutions, thinking of ways to help the villages secure a place where the children could read, learn, and write. That burden was no small feat, and it made Mama Yola even more recognisable, so recognisable that Amena found it impossible to blend into a school she had hoped to quietly disappear into. Questions followed her everywhere. “You look like Mama Yola. Are you Mama Yola’s daughter?” “Are you from the R...
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