Oyedotun Damilola Muees

Two years after Aunt Nkiru’s marriage there was no issue. Her mother-in-law called her barren more times than a rainfall in July. She finally put to bed, yet, her husband’s family wanted a male child.

Aunt […]

Two years after Aunt Nkiru’s marriage there was no issue. Her mother-in-law called her barren more times than a rainfall in July. She finally put to bed, yet, her husband’s family wanted a male child.

Aunt […]

Grandma gave up the ghost at 98. I remembered her hollow cheeks and shriveled hands the last time I came to the village.
She was always smiling. Mother said grandpa was calling her, it was a sign that she would […]

Tijani was tired of the ill-happenings that befell his family. His wife, Romoke, had given birth to four children – all of them died before the age of ten. He called it quit.
Romoke moved on and later married […]

Three years ago in my father’s backyard, I remembered Fechi and I playing with sticks – we used it as guns. We played police and thief. I sometimes thought of owning a real gun so that I can get rid of the […]

We agreed to carry out our plans on the fourth market from today – everyone would be busy selling their wares, they won’t even notice us.
The thought of eloping with her was one that gave me sound sleep each time […]

‘Tell them the water we use to cook is the same one we wash our clothes in and pour in our shit. Before I forget, please add that our children have potbellies and blown out ribs and smelly sores under their feets […]

Alhaji Balarabe’s visit was becoming an habit. It wasn’t as though he doesn’t come to our house, but these days we were seeing more of him in terms of gifts and cash.
I caught him one time stealing gazes at my […]

I remember vividly the day Mama’s stomach protruded. Her pregnancy was overdue and fear hauled our pectorals.
Mama eventually put to bed. We saw so much tears in her eyes – she gave birth to a girl, […]

Sunkanmi and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. Mother says we are inseparable. Sunkanmi was there the day father died. He had a way of comforting me with soothing words.

It’s been two years […]