MIZPAH HEIGHTS

She could almost taste the fresh evening breeze  hitting her face. It was her favourite spot in her favourite beach. Few people came to this part of the beach she called it the corner shed. It's one of the bamboo compartments made close to the water front but this one had no electricity. It was also the last in line, the best view it offered were the giant rocks coating the shoreline. She concluded awhile ago that these rocks were placed by man though they seemed to fit naturally. The gentle whistle in the air brought thoughts of her lover to heart. They had met here that fateful evening when the butterflies stayed out late. It was a night of love like no other. She had really hoped to meet someone special that evening and it happened. It was to her a divine arrangement. It has been three years since that evening and he had taught her things she wished she never knew. They did the naughtiest things together; they did all but rob a bank. She calls him her love, her life

He didn’t look the least bit sick. He sat on the narrow bed with his back firmly positioned on the slanted rest. His beards were cleanly shaved as it had been every day for the past forty years. He had shaved at 6:00am as he had always done. He was clothed in one of the white robes that he was famous for. His smile was wide concealing his brown teeth. It hides his truth nature, deceptive and concealing. He looked normal; the only thing out of place was the location – Lion Specialist Hospital. He had had regular checkups here since his retirement from active duty. Now he is eighty-three and looking younger than his first son. Baba, as he was fondly called, looked at his children’s faces and smiled. “I am glad that all of you could make it.” It was an awkward moment for all. They hadn’t been in the same room since their mother’s death fifteen years ago. They never visited, never called and never spoke to him. The horrors of her death were best left in the past. They knew he led a dan

“O my God!! I will be thi rty-three tomorrow.” He blurted out as if he suddenly realized it. He had decided to stay indoors the whole day. It’s 3:05pm and his thoughts were beginning to take the better of him. He eyes were heavy and his head ached on the left side. He had no regard for food though the hunger pangs kept announcing with audible sounds. His mouth wouldn’t dare betray his frame of mind. His silenced phone had been beeping consistently since 11am calling his attention. He had no desire to speak to man, no not today, he would rather petition heaven. Max Olootu was tall, dark and handsome. Many attributed his beauty to the harmony between his flawless white teeth and his dark face. His teeth had an even spread and all seemed to be of same size and width. It was a rare kind. People loved it. He kept a rich full beard will curls all the way to his chin. He was the kind of guy ladies considered to be a good ‘husband material’ when judging by looks. He had had it goo

All eyes were glued on the flowing gown. Or so it seemed. Its colour: a matchless white with patches gold coloured wool perfectly woven into the Italian lace material. It was floor length and had a slit on the left reaching just above her knees. It was made by the renowned Jigger Bridals. The joy in the auditorium can only be compared with that of heaven, when a sinner comes home. The singing was electric. Every one joined in the singing making a synchronised chorus. Orchard was twenty four. She had graduated top of her class at twenty and is currently the team leader of the Advertising department of Etim International, Africa’s largest cocoa conglomerate. Some found it hard to believe that Orchard was getting married this early but Orchard had always been in time. Her life was perfect. She was beautiful, smart, rich and was about to marry. A joy to behold. The priest asked the groom to raise the veil, he did.   “Marriage is an institution ordained by God…” the priest bega

It was wet, warm and slimy; he swam around with great cheer. This had been his home for eleven months now. The commotion that had been going on for the past two weeks are more persistent this day. “I wonder what that this means” he thought to himself. A strange force kept pulling him down and the noise from outside was getting louder. There was hullabaloo in and out. “Nothing is going to move me from my home, nothing!” he said to himself. The room had a touch of class previously ascribed to private hospitals. The walls were beautifully designed with a gentle assurance to claim even the greatest fears and the room was spotless. Not a cobweb in sight. The new government had been true to their promises. There was transformation in many sectors; the air-conditioning was silently saying it got to the hospitals as well. There were tears in her eyes. She had been in there for four hours. The nurses kept telling them it wasn’t time. The initial composure and confidence had g

It’s pulpit rotation Sunday. The guest minister mounted the podium as the church stood with a resounding applause. From the fifth row where he was Oke noticed the deep tribal lines on Pastor Obayemi’s cheeks, and his missing tooth was revealed as he led a worship song. “Oh! Not again!” Oke retorted under his breathe. “When will they stop sending unlearned preachers to us?” He touched his jeans to feel his phone. “It’s going to be a long service.” He turned and moved towards the exit. As we he was about to step outside, he heard the interpreter’s booming voice “Today we will be praying some strong prayers.” Oke proceeded out of the auditorium; phone in hand, a smirk on his face. From the toilet where he stood examining his phone, he could hear the roar of praying people. He was pacing back and forth, staring at the marble walls. He began to ramble about the toilet. “No one is online, even my ‘goons’ will be in church now. This is unfair! I wish I could leave.” He st