BENECCA’S TALES

On the night of New Year's Eve, you would sit there in the danfo bus; make-up smudged, hair dishevelled and your red strap dress torn from the side revealing your black bra. The breeze would slap your hair to your face and then in an attempt to push them to the back of your eyes, you taste the fresh blood from a cut on your lips. Then you will say to yourself “Yemisi, them really swear for you”.  You remembered heels that day. Red long stiletto heels, just the way Zaheed liked it. It was New Year's Eve and what better way to celebrate than having dinner at your favourite Chinese restaurant. And after which, you will melt into his arms letting your bodies go in rhythm and ever which you will both reach climax together.  “Perfect,” you thought as you smacked your lips and adjusted your gown, so your cleavage would be more visible. Comfortable with what you saw in the mirror, you grabbed your purse, stepped out and into the waiting car to have the time of your life. If only you k...

She waited all day for the night to come. Because sleep was the easiest way to escape the truth of what Eunice’s life had become. Now and then, the voices in her head kept screaming, “how did I honestly get here?”. The last time she checked, it was a difficult task getting married because there were so many suitors. But there she was, settling for the barest minimum. A clap of thunder brought her mind back to the present. She got up sluggishly, pulling her hands away from the kitchen slab which she had held on to while she slept. The beans porridge she settled to have for dinner was already stone-cold, and she lost her appetite already. The baby tied to her back soon started crying, so she got up and pace around attempting to pacify him. Suddenly, she felt a watery substance touch her back and after which an odour followed. Her son, Chima had vomited again. Then she looked up and saw her mother-in-law, Ego, who leaned on the kitchen door with arms folded, eyebrows furrowed said, and wh...

“Nneka! Nne Nne! Bring those oranges inside and lock them up quickly. Okwa ifu na mmiri na abia? Can’t you see that the cloud is crying already?” I said as I dabbed off the sweat that trickled from my lower jaw down to my cleavage. The sky was tar-black and the large clouds were moving towards me.  I watched as people ran for cover outside and the traders opened their umbrellas above their stand. The clouds spat out their beads of water. Puddles began plinking as the rainfall became heavier. Supporting my lower chin with my left hand and waving my plastic fan with the right, I thought of the burden of having to get my husband, Dike, out of work early to get me home in his Keke Napep, until something else stole my attention. I grinned and shook my head as Nneka, my 6-year-old child, struggled to gather as many oranges beneath her oversized brown shirt while hunting for those that rolled across the wet ground. Probably they were running off from the bad odour her shirt emitted from t...

I'm tired of worrying, and I mean this in every sense of the word. Before I continue this story, let me ask you, dear reader; Does the law of karma still exist? Okay, that's cliché. I know it exists, but does it bear grudges? Well, save the answer to yourself, for now, It will make sense later.  It's me, Koko. Remember me? It's been 25 years and a lot has happened. Not in a bad way though, my life has been a walk in the park and God has been good. I mean who would have thought, the little smart and outspoken Koko is today, a renowned family lawyer and realtor in Dubai. I know right? Life has been quite fair. To an extent.  After the early days of primary school in Abagana, Anambra state just before I wrote the common entrance examination; my mother passed away, and my father became depressed and starting dealing drugs. In other to protect my mental health and wellbeing, Aunty Chikito took me and Dapo, my younger brother with her to Benin. She was so loving to us and spo...

 Dear reader, don’t you wonder how weird things come in handy? Especially when they are part of your deep little secrets. Well, I will tell you about mine if you promise to keep shut. Over the past few months, I’ve managed to keep my chest flat with a big mummy’s wrapper. It’s my regular ritual that I do under the staircase immediately after I leave for school, and immediately after I get back at the same spot. I’m always extra careful because if big mummy finds out that I don’t wear all the first-grade bras she usually buys from her trips to Enugu-Ukwu; she would use my dinner to feed the dogs. I always keep the bra in my school bag, so she doesn’t go into my room when I’m gone and finds it in my closet. Yes, I’m that careful. If you are already proud of my genius invention, then let me give you a discount for your perception. My secret did not last for as long as I thought it would have. It is all Koko’s fault. Koko. That name still gives me shivers down my spine. I wonder why th...

Jumoke stood transfixed as she gazed at the gigantic crucifix when hung gracefully at the church’s altar. Maybe she was searching for a glint of approval or just a ‘go ahead’ sign from her maker. Her eyes would travel from the face of Jesus which hung at the crucifix, to the wounds by the side of his chest, to the ones on his feet. She wondered if she was making a mistake leaving her husband Dami for good, or she should rather stay back and fight while enduring the pains just like Jesus did on his way to the cross. Staying back felt like the safest option because she thought about the stress of filing a divorce and ‘oh what will people say?’ Her eyes traveled around the church again and settled at the emblem of the three persons in one God. At least it made sense that Jesus suffered for a reason and was triumphant at the end of the day. But in her case, she saw nothing worth fighting for. No feelings, no children, nothing.  Swallowing hard and adjusting her hair tie; she opened the...

Red lipstick on, she smacked her lips in satisfaction of the makeover she had given herself. Despite the fact it was a Monday evening, she decided against an understated look and instead opted for a coral, sleeveless, draped mini dress with deep cutouts on the side. With her long wavy hair running down to her lower back. She dressed just the way they loved her...provocative, sultry, and sexy.  With the silver stiletto heels as high as her standards; Valerie was ready to have another Friday night of her life.   It was weird how everyone wanted her unhappy and sulking always because she was 34 and unmarried. Although she had fantasies, her failed marriage left them all in the gutter. Although she nursed the desire somewhere in her heart, she always gave the tossers that were always in her business something to talk about. From her family to her workplace, church, grocery store, market, mention it! They were always sided talks and whispers. Her mother, who was always v...