Novels by Ndukwo Moses Kalu (Max)

It's been a worrying three days of silence between me and Brian, Ihudiya, and Sophie. I can only imagine they're feeling hurt and confused by my absence. Especially with Ihudiya, our friendship stretches way back. Ignoring them feels like a betrayal of that bond. There's a chance Ihudiya's criticism holds some truth, but right now I'm struggling to navigate those mixed feelings. Taking a step back from friendships seems necessary, even though it stings. Hopefully, with some time and space, I can approach them with a clearer head and mend the bridges I've let burn. Guilt gnawed at me, a relentless rat in the cage of my chest. A phone call felt like the least I could do, a tiny balm on a gaping wound. Yet, my heart, that usually resolute diamond, couldn't quite ignore the growing crack within. But a twisted part of me, deep down, almost welcomed the ache. As if being bad was somehow easier, a perverse comfort in the face of this relentless guilt. There's a strange comfort in bei

His sudden arrival is unexpected, but perhaps there's a reason for it. It's hard to ignore the intense connection we share. There's an undeniable spark that ignites whenever we're in each other's presence. It feels like there's something much bigger at play, a force that brought us together from the very beginning. Maybe it's destiny, maybe it's just powerful chemistry, but one thing's for certain - it's exciting and a little bit unnerving. A thrill shoots through me at the sight of him, a jolt that races down my spine. Yet, a nagging voice whispers in the back of my mind, urging him to hold off a little longer. Maybe another week, that sliver of time feels like an eternity right now, would grant us the clarity we crave. A chance to untangle the mess of emotions swirling within us, a chance to solidify our feelings before diving headfirst into this. Because the last thing I want, the absolute last, is for one of us to get swept away in the current and end up unintentionally hurting t

The car finally pulled up in front of my place, the engine grinding to a halt. Still, a thick silence filled the air, heavy with unspoken tension. Neither of us spoke, and I felt my unease simmer like forgotten tea on the stove. Finally, unable to bear the pressure any longer, I let out a sigh and mumbled, "Anything you want to say?" I covered my face with my hand, feeling my cheeks burn. Brian remained silent for a moment, then turned his head briefly to look at me with a flicker of what might have been an annoyance. "What exactly do you want me to say?" His voice was low and laced with hesitation like he wasn't entirely sure what he was feeling. He turned back to the steering wheel, the silence returning even thicker than before. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke again, his voice gruff. “You know what you did," he said bluntly. "I hate to break it to you, but your conscience is probably having a field day right now.” “I beg your pardon!”I exclaimed, my tone fi

"Is something troubling you?" Brian inquired, his words whispered directly into my ear, grounding me in the present. Evidently, I had been gazing for too long at the individual I'd mistakenly thought was Adrian. The bustling crowd obscured any certainty about his identity."No," I replied to Brian, attempting to push thoughts of Adrian from my mind and erase the lingering echoes of our past encounter, which had left a traumatic mark."Are you certain you're okay?" he inquired, his concern deepening as he gently gripped my shoulders."I assure you that I'm perfectly fine, nothing is amiss," I reassured him. However, with the music ceasing, I saw an opportune moment to take a break, perhaps heading to the restroom to collect myself before risking a potential collapse, which would be quite embarrassing. Reaching our seats, I politely excused myself to visit the restroom.Upon finishing in the restroom, as I prepared to leave, I couldn't believe whom I now encountered. Tension surged with

The soft strains of a violin filled the air, adding a melodic touch to the ambience. The groom, dashing in his impeccably tailored suit, couldn't contain his smile as he saw his beloved walking down the aisle. His heart raced with anticipation, and a tear of happiness glistened in his eye.I glanced at Brian, who appeared genuinely delighted for his friend. A smile graced my lips as I struck up a conversation with him. "I love the bride's gown. Whoever designed it is truly an expert.""Probably," he teased, his fingers gently finding mine on the table. We locked eyes, gazing directly into each other's souls, a moment that felt like an eternity, until the enchanting sound of the violin brought us back to reality.The bride, on her father's arm, took each step with grace and purpose. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of nerves and excitement, but with each step closer to her beloved, her doubts faded into the background. Love shone in her eyes, reflecting the love in the groom's eyes.

I positioned myself by the door, watching as Brian made his way back to his home. A surge of nostalgia overwhelmed me; the vivid nightmare I had experienced the day before flooded my thoughts. I began to contemplate the possible significance of that dream, and how it might impact not only me but also Brian and his abode. Unfortunately, my musings yielded no rational insights. As I delved deeper into the dream's details, I found myself transported to an alternate reality. In this enchanting realm, our house was a marvel of wood and brick, nestled amidst the beauty of nature. The surroundings were adorned with an abundance of flowers and trees, gifts from Mother Nature herself. It was an idyllic and dependable haven for Brian and me, where children played joyfully in every nook, painting the scene with the colours of a blissful family we had forged. "See you later," Brian's voice broke through, pulling me back from my reverie, a dream I yearned to one day become a reality. "Goodbye,