VESSEL

  RAGE “Demi, food is ready, come inside, it is raining,” “Yes Mummy,” Bidemi Dairo jokingly answered. She smiled as she moved past his stretched hand that was extending to grab her closer.  “Abeg come and eat before the food gets cold”. They ate while watching the heavy rain serenade the community with its beauty.  They could hear mothers shouting for their children to stop playing in the rain, and also hear doors hurriedly shutting to avoid the heavy downpour waltzing into their homes. “How has work been, you haven't been able to catch a break lately,” Demi asked with a little frown and concern clouding his face. “It has been a lot sincerely, but I will soon be done, the event is tomorrow and then I am free, it is a blessing to cater for a big company like Lions Globe Company, we have successfully completed the contract for the 24th May, so the 27th of June own is tomorrow Orú mé (my head, my crown). Demi gave a nod of disagreement “ you run a full capacity factory, yo...

  GARDEN She had really meant tea when she had spoken to Bugo over at the filling station. What she didn't add was that they won't be alone. She knew Bugo might not be so keen on the idea but knowing the little she could tell from her brief experience with Bugo, she knew Bugo would not hold back from being honest. As the ladies spread out the picnic mat on the soft grass, their laughter mixing with the gentle rustle of leaves, they began arranging the saucers, teaspoons, and a small collection of teas. Everything was neatly tucked into a beautiful handwoven bamboo basket, its earthy scent blending with the fresh aroma of the garden. The mat was a bright checkered pattern that added a cheerful touch to the greenery around them. The saucers clinked softly as they were placed one by one, while the tea packets: chamomile, hibiscus, mint, and lemon, were fanned out like a colorful deck of cards. Atinuke took a slow, deep breath, letting the crisp garden air fill her lungs. The scent...

  TEA Pa Kem's Filling Station, the only existing one in the whole of Luwe Community, was indeed cashing out this season as everyone queued up to get fuel. The rate had once again increased and while banter and distasteful comments flew from the people who surrounded the station, no one has a choice but to buy. "When will you change this car?" Atinuke laughed, a light chuckle escaping her lips as her gaze landed on Bugo. Bugo stood by the car, a toothpick hanging from the corner of her mouth. She shifted it back and forth, working it between her teeth with a focused expression, clearly trying to dislodge a stubborn piece of meat that had gotten stuck. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she twisted the toothpick, her lips pursing as if she were solving a quiet puzzle. After a moment, a flicker of satisfaction crossed her face as the meat finally came loose, and she relaxed, the toothpick still dangling from her mouth. “Good evening to you too Bugo”  Bugo hissed. Although Atinuk...

BACKSEAT She kept it at a minimal, Bugo wiped her face with a detox facial wipe, the cool fabric a small relief to the warmth of her skin. With a quick swipe, she applied a glossy lip gloss, its sheen catching the light as she dabbed it on. Her eyes, tired and distant, were bathed in the remnants of mascara, the uneven streaks from last night's hasty application now partially dried and stubbornly clinging to her lashes. She grabbed her only nice dress, her floral adire mini gown, its vibrant colors a stark contrast to the dullness of her surroundings, and pulled it over her head, feeling the fabric settle against her body like a faint promise of something better. Bugo exhaled deeply, a sigh of both frustration and confusion.  What had possessed her to speak with Madam Atinuke in the first place? More so, what had led her to accept the invitation? A wave of regret washed over her as she grabbed the flyer from the broken-legged dresser. Its edges were curling, but the words were stil...

BUGO She sniffed, her nostrils curling as the pungent stench of rotten eggshells oozed from the overflowing dustbin near the gas pump.  The foul odor hit her like a slap to the face, sharp and nauseating, clinging to the air around her. With a muttered curse, she grudgingly hoisted the heavy, bloated bin, its contents sloshing against the sides as she made her way to the back door of the restroom.  The rancid smell followed her, thick and unbearable. As she stepped outside, a new, nauseating stench hit her, the bitter stale scent of cheap cigarette smoke mixing with the decay. It made her stomach turn. And there, near the back of the station, she saw him, Musa, the culprit. She knew that smell too well, the unmistakable burn of a cigarette, paired with the lingering scent of trouble. He was at it again.    "Musa, well done oh, by 12pm you dey smoke, so until the dirty flood station before you go know say na you suppose clear am, abi?" The fair skinned scraggy looking...

       FRONT ROW "We believe that our God is faithful and through his faithfulness, we enjoy the manifold gift of grace," the Guest Pastor pranced as he delivered his message titled 'The Manifold Grace of God'. Her rosy cheeks was her distinctive feature as it enhanced the big round glasses that reached the tip of her nose, With her elfin height, Mama Thembe jumped, held unto her pink feather straw hat before it could jump off her cornrows and chorused "Hallelujah! ! ! The Word works, Glory."  Mama Thembe and her hats of many colours and styles was a spice to look forward to every Sunday Service, Atinuke retraced her focus on the sermon.   "A, Wait up," Mama Thembe moved easily through the crowd that had gathered immediately after service. "Where are you rushing to na, don't you know it is wrong to put Mama T out of breath? You women walk so hurriedly out of church, how do you expect a man to catch up ehen?" Her prayer team lead said ...

    NO 0789 The black dress with transparent lacy sleeves from TOW by Tete Ayemet fitted like a glove as she took her tag, No 0789 , from the front desk officer at Lions Globe Company.  She glanced at it briefly as she ascended the elegant spiral staircase, its gold-veined marble steps smooth and cool beneath her feet. The wrought iron railing, simple yet graceful, curved upward, catching the soft light from the crystal chandelier overhead, she made a note of thanksgiving for having opted for her pink Nike sneakers and not the open toes stiletto she had previously considered. Her silver drop earrings glimmered as it got a ray of sun that pierced into the conference room, "Lord, you are in control" She muttered and went in. "Good morning Mrs Atinuke Dairo, you are rather quite early, please do have your seat," Giving a perfectly rehearsed smile, she accepted the bentwood chair drawn out for her by Mr Gbenga, the Operations Officer in charge of the Fruit Deliverables ...