Babatunde ate the last morsel of pounded yam in his plate and washed his hand in the bowl of water at his feet. Sewa came into the sitting room where he was and began to pack the empty plates. “Thank you,” he said. “Did you enjoy the meal?” “Yes.” Sewa frowned, her husband seemed odd.Continue reading Abowu District 13
Sewa and her neighbour, Simbi sat side by side in the small overcrowded hall. There were about a hundred women listening to the matronly woman who was holding a small pamphlet. Behind her, three other women and a man sat fanning themselves with hand fans made out of raffia. They looked disinterested and irritable, theContinue reading Abowu District Episode 12
Sewa couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened in Mr Olasehinde’s office. She led her children home on the way back from church and wished that Babatunde had never brought up the idea of catering. Her lips still throbbed from the assault and she felt nauseated, despite the fact that she had cleaned her mouthContinue reading Abowu District Episode 11
Rose emptied a tin of tomatoes into a black plastic bag and handed it to the small boy holding a kite. “Tell your mother to pay up the debt she owes me, otherwise things will get messy. Do you hear me?” she held the boy’s ear for emphasis. “Yes!” he whimpered as Rose slapped aContinue reading Abowu District Episode 10
Becky watched Toye packing his bag and wondered where he was going to. He had said nothing to her since the day before when she had created a scene in his office. Even though she was relieved because the DPO had assured her that Toye would not hit her anymore, she was miserable because heContinue reading Abowu District Episode 9
Becky was on her knees, her hands held together, muttering fervent prayers. The strong odor of burning red candles filled the room. The woman at the Aladura church had been pleased to see her, her wide mouth had curved awkwardly as Becky recounted her ordeal with her husband and her suspicions about his abandonment ofContinue reading Abowu District Episode 8
Becky was about to wash clothes, she emptied the pockets and threw them into a big bowl of soapy water. Mama Adio’s children were running around stark naked, screaming and holding up sticks. Their mother was sitting a distance away from her, picking vegetables and stirring her pepper sauce intermittently. Becky shook her head deprecatingly,Continue reading Abowu District Episode 7