The front door swung open, and Maryann stepped into the living room. Tari, who had been pacing the floor, turned to her immediately.   “Thank you,” Tari said, relief evident in her voice. “Thank you so much.”    Maryann barely acknowledged the gratitude. Instead, she waved a dismissive hand. “I didn’t do it for you […]

The car moved steadily through the still-dark streets, headlights cutting through the early morning fog. Inside, Mrs. Ebele Johnson sat stiffly in the back seat, her arms crossed over her chest, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. Beside her, Tari, was half-turned in her seat, clearly trying to reason with her.     Godwin, […]

Amarachi dragged her feet, exhaustion creeping into every muscle in her body. The journey from the Jordan River to Cana of Galilee had been long and draining. She could barely take another step.     She wiped sweat from her brow and glared at Timothy. He was walking beside her, upright, completely unbothered, as though they […]

Amarachi folded the last of Ziora’s clothes into her small travel bag, glancing around the room with a sigh. The air felt thick and warm, the faint hum of the ceiling fan struggling to combat the Lagos heat. The living room was a clutter of travel items: a box of snacks for the road, neatly […]

Amarachi sighed in relief as she finished tidying up the kitchen. Ziora sat at the table, a small bowl of oatmeal and akara in front of her. The little girl was eating slowly, peeling bits of akara apart and nibbling on them.    Yemisi perched on a stool nearby, clapping her hands in amazement. “Amarachi, […]

Amarachi stepped outside just as the first rays of dawn pierced the sky, a light mist clinging to the air. The neighborhood was waking up, the sounds of a new day already settling into a familiar rhythm. Somewhere down the street, a vendor was shouting about bread, his voice breaking the morning stillness. The occasional […]

Timothy walked into the study with Maryann trailing behind him. His eyes quickly scanned the room and landed on Aunty Tina sitting by the window with a little girl beside her. The girl looked no older than four, her big, curious eyes gazing out the window, jumping excitedly with a smile.   “Oh,” Timothy said, […]

Timothy sat at the dining table, absentmindedly stirring his tea, his eyes fixed on a spot somewhere beyond the window. Across from him, Tari studied him closely, her chin resting on her hand. She hadn’t said much since she joined him, but his gloomy demeanor wasn’t something she could overlook.   “For someone who’s usually […]

Timothy didn’t know how he survived all the greetings and backstage networking with the other artistes. It was entirely out of character for him. He wasn’t the social type, but he had done his best to smile, nod, and respond politely, even as frustration simmered beneath the surface. Somehow though, it wasn’t as unbearable as […]

Amarachi unlocked the door to her sister, Adanne’s apartment and stepped in quietly, carrying her four-year-old daughter, Ziora, on her hip. The house was still and dark, with no sign that anyone else had woken up yet. Ziora, half-asleep, rested her head on Amarachi’s shoulder but occasionally babbled softly, her words unclear and jumbled. Amarachi […]