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A ROBBERY
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2021-07-21 17:28:16The first time I was in the biggest and most famous bar in London neighborhood was about four years ago. I was twelve, childish, exuberant and careless. Layo and I were in our second year at the London Secondary School. It was when the annual ghetto festival was introduced. The news spread round the school like a wild fire. “There will be loud music, dancing competitions, free drinks and meat.” The students at school kept saying. Children are not allowed access to Razzi beer parlor but Layo and I were determined to sneak in and we did. We witnessed the entire event and stayed till dawn. From the erotic dance sessions to the free drinks that kept roaming the entire place, the place was filled up with people, old men with their young mistresses, young men accompanied by their girlfriends and bachelors too. Layo and I were the only children there. We were on a hide and seek mission throughout the event. The stench of alcohol was all over the place. We stood all night and the vanity sat
SADUWOFetty has just saved her mother's bar from demolition. Do you think this will close the recent gap between them?
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DAWN THE NEW NEIGHBOR
It is a new day. Each day in London reminds us of the usual hustle and bustle. We call it ‘The everyday struggle.’ Everyone is always in a hurry in a space so small. Our neighborhood is said to be overpopulated which is a fact. There were households who lived in a one room apartment and the lucky ones had a two room apartment. It is possible to find seven or more people in a room. During the raining seasons, London becomes inhabitable, filthy and prone to illnesses. When it rains harder or when storms come, some roofs get pulled off, houses are flooded and living becomes a difficult activity. The lowest class of people are found in London. From the shoe repairers, laborers, drivers, local traders and so on. It is also a fact that the money earned in London is spent in London. The Greenland brothel and bars take a huge portion of the neigborhoods earnings. The people work like social animals and feed on crumbs. It was evident poverty dwelt with them. I will say London people are the
Last Updated : 2021-07-24DAWN A FAMILY AT A GLANCE
My mother and I ran as fast as our legs could carry us. We got to the London Clinic exhausted and anxious. We hurried to the reception and we were directed to the Doctor’s office by the receptionist. She looked at us and I knew she has seen more confused people than us besides it is a hospital. People are always running helter skelter here around here. We knocked on the hard office door and we heard a female voice asking us to come in. On the usual seat Dr. Charles sits was a young woman in her late twenties. She was fair, beautiful and had a veil tied round her head. She smiled and there was a sense of sweetness and tenderness radiating around her. From her looks, it was evident she is a Muslim. “Hello I am Dr. Amrah.” She said while signaling us to sit. “I am new here. I just replaced Dr. Charles.” She added. It then dawned on us that Dr. Charles has been transferred and we never knew. We nodded and she continued. “How can I help you?” she said while adjusting her v
Last Updated : 2021-07-26DAWN AN ALLIANCE
We reached the clinic entrance then Layo squatted so Tami could hop down. “Thank you” said Tami. “Free ride huh?” I added. We all laughed and hurried to get a seat at the reception. Layo left. At the reception, there were few people seated there. This is obviously because we came very early. The clinic is always opene but the doctor comes in at around 9am. People who are always in a hurry come early so they could leave sooner. We were already seated with some other patients who were awaiting the doctor’s arrival. It was few minutes past 8pm. In London clinic, there is a receptionist who directs people, facilitates bill payment and schedules appointments with the doctor. There are two nurses who assist in running the clinic. One comes during the day and the other comes at night. One time, there was a cholera outbreak in the neighborhood. The entire clinic space was filled up. There was only Doctor Charles and the two nurses. They worked round the clock throughout the entire per
Last Updated : 2021-07-30DAWN A LEAP OF FAITH
"I am no stranger here. " replied my father. "What? " screamed my mother in anger. Meanwhile, I was marveling at his audacity. Before KiKi could spill the beans, I interrupted. "We should all go inside. It is late already. " I said. "Yes of course. " said my mother quickly. "You guys need to sleep and besides there is school tomorrow. " she added. "But tommorow is Saturday. " retorted KiKi. "Why don't I tell you guys a story. " said my father. "Yeah. "Screamed my siblings in excitement. "Are You kidding me? " I muttered silently. I knew my mother couldn't stand the scene so I intervened. "Mother go Inside and get some rest. You look tired. " I said. "Of course replied my father. My mother hissed and went inside. Tami was already in our father's bossom. "I will tell you the tale of a man in a strange land. " began my father. "Seems we will be hearing tales of Libya today. " I said. He chuckled and continued. In his tale, he told us how a group of men left home for a futile journey. H
Last Updated : 2021-08-01DAWN TRAGEDY
“Your daughter is my neighbor.” I began after sipping the cold water I was given then immediately dropped it on the little chair beside me “We share the same compound with your daughter. “ I added. The woman was on edge and her eyes kept rolling all over me. She wanted to hear more. “You know she has a daughter?” I asked. “She was two months pregnant when she left home. Her father and I never got to know the baby’s gender.” replied the woman. “Uhmm I see. She has a beautiful girl... Ajabo.” I said. “I have a granddaughter?” said the woman happily. “I will love to meet them but …” she stopped talking and peeped at the large room close to the living room. I instantly understood what she was doing. She was ensuring her husband wasn’t aware of the entire event going on in the living room. Mama Ajabo once told me of how strict her father is, how her mother was terrified of him and how he vowed to never allow her set foot in their home after she threatened to elope. I knew I had to leave
Last Updated : 2021-08-06DAWN TRAGEDY
“Your daughter is my neighbor.” I began after sipping the cold water I was given then immediately dropped it on the little chair beside me “We share the same compound with your daughter. “ I added. The woman was on edge and her eyes kept rolling all over me. She wanted to hear more. “You know she has a daughter?” I asked. “She was two months pregnant when she left home. Her father and I never got to know the baby’s gender.” replied the woman. “Uhmm I see. She has a beautiful girl... Ajabo.” I said. “I have a granddaughter?” said the woman happily. “I will love to meet them but …” she stopped talking and peeped at the large room close to the living room. I instantly understood what she was doing. She was ensuring her husband wasn’t aware of the entire event going on in the living room. Mama Ajabo once told me of how strict her father is, how her mother was terrified of him and how he vowed to never allow her set foot in their home after she threatened to elope. I knew I had to leave
Last Updated : 2021-08-06DAWN DETECTIVE FETTY
My father was buried amidst tears, wails and prayers. He was laid to rest in the London cemetery at the outskirt of the neighborhood. At his funeral service, the reverend consoled us with words from the scriptures, my mother was the first to bid him farewell with a hand full of sand as his coffin was lowered into the grave. She cried, stating how she has forgiving him and cursed his murderers. My siblings just discovered that the new neighbor and their favorite tale teller is their father. They cried uncontrollably and Tami our little brother, he cried because everyone around him cried. We were accompanied home from the cemetery in our black apparels and for a long time, no one said anything. While my father was being lowered to his grave, it dawned on me that I was never going to see him again. This journey wasn’t like his trip to Libya. He was going to a land of no return. Ever since my father was murdered, I kept blaming myself for being unreasonable, for being too rude to him an
Last Updated : 2021-08-08DAWN HAUNTED
I held my father’s diary and the weight of the content was making me sink in a literal way. “Lock the door let us go.” said my mother finally after several minutes of silence. I locked the door and my mother and I went to our room. “What should we do Fetty?” said my mother in a confused tone. I felt elated the moment my mother asked me what to do next. I never knew a moment will come when she will have to seek for my counsel. I sat by the edge of the bed then said “Before father died, he tried to warn me.” I began. “He said we were in danger and he moved in to our compound for a reason but I dint listen….I wish I did.” I lamented while rubbing my forehead with my left palm. My mother moved closer to me, held my hands and said “We will be fine Fetty.” “I know why you ignored his warning. The circumstance wasn’t favorable.” She added. “I will open the diary but you must promise me mother.” I said with fixed gaze. She nodded in affirmation.”Whatever outcome the content of this diary pr
Last Updated : 2021-08-11
Latest chapter
DAWN DAWN
CHAPTER 60: DAWN Peter and I danced and had fun. He got us some soft drinks and we enjoyed the event till day break. We talked about lots of things enjoying each others company till it was time to leave. Peter will spend the new year with his grandmother so he left London that morning. My mother fried some sweet potatoes known as potatoe chips and complemented it with a meat sauce. According to her, the new year will usher us into bountiful yeilds. We sat on the mat in our room. My mother, Osifa, K**i, Tami and I formed a circle while we ate the delicious potato chips and sauce. While we ate, we joked, laughed and drank the soft drinks my mother had kept for us in her fridge at the bar which made them cold. After our new year breakfast, our mother went to the bar while we began packing. We will be going to our village the next day. What a way to begin the new year? I thought. We have contacted Uncle Awang earlier notifying him of our desire to grace the village and he assure
DAWN NEW YEAR
CHAPTER 59: NEW YEAR Dr. Amrah was gone and the Christmas day ended in bliss and sadness. I can’t deny the fact that I am going to miss her a lot, however I could call or text her whenever I wanted to and she promised to also keep in touch. Tonight being the 29th of December unable to fall asleep by 1am, my mother and I sat on the mat in our room reviewing how the year had been so far. In this year, I lost my father just when he had returned to us. In the same year, I made acquaintances, learnt a lot of lessons and saved the community from the ills of the demolition. My mother’s bar had recently been progressing and the peace she made with her family is enough to declare the entire year a blessing. “Fetty we have been through a lot this year” began my mother. “And we achieved a lot too.” I said. She nodded. ‘Previous years were worse.” She said. I nodded in affirmation. Our lives had improved and was way better than it used to. In a place that seems like a
DAWN CHRISTMAS
Christmas in London rings a bell. Despite the poverty that roams around like a wild fire, the people here make Christmas the memorable event that it is. Around the month of October and November, people troop into the town to purchase Christmas foodstuffs and clothes for their children. A child without new clothes on Christmas day will definitely feel out of place so parents place all hands on deck and ensure they save up for the annual event. On Christmas day, there is an exchange of food among neighbors. For instance, my mother cooks and gives to T.K and Mama Funke while they too give us. Such is the tradition. Food and drinks are shared among people celebrating the birth of Christ with love. The children roam around from one house to the other carrying out a ritual which is “Christmas dash” whereby people hand out sweets, gifts or money to the children who knock on their door for Christmas dash just like halloween. At night, teenage boys blow knockout an
DAWN FINAL EXAMS
I woke up feeling anxious. It is the day of the final Secondary school examination. I have been studying for a long time and today, the hour has come. Yesterday, I had ironed my school uniform and gotten new pairs of stockings. I was ready but somehow anxious. "You'll be fine. " assured my mother after she must have noticed how tensed I was. I heaved a sigh and nodded then dashed to the kitchen to make breakfast. According to the examination time table, my first paper will commence at exactly 9am. Three days ago, Layo and I spoke and he kept apologizing. I knew tears were flowing down his cheeks they way they did through mine. He told me how far away he was from London, how many villages and towns he passed to get to the state university and how developed the buildings there were. He also told me of how Peter had connected him with a guy that will help him sort things while he is there. We ended the call after he wished me the best in my forthcoming
DAWN REINVIGORATION
I hurried out of the library without signing out. I kept dialing Layo's number but it was unreachable so I took the route to his house. I met his mother cooking inside their compound. "Good morning Ma. " I greeted her panting heavily after a long trek. "Morning my child. " she replied offering me a stool. I sat and said "Where is Layo? " "He is gone. " she immediately replied with her eyes on the firewood that was burning with her cooking pot on it. "I don't understand. He texted me that he left. Left to where? " I asked in a confused tone. "School. " she replied looking at me. "Wait. Layo left for school without telling me? No that's a mistake. " I said confidently. "I pleaded with him to tell you but he said it would better if he didn't. He felt the pain of you guys departing will be less if you are unaware he is leaving. " she said. "Is he crazy? " I yelled. "Why would he take such a decision? " I added with my eyes welling with tears. "I am deeply sorry Fett
DAWN A CALL TO ORDER
When I got home, I entered our room after throwing off my heels by the door. I saw my mother sitting up on the bed reading the holy bible. Tami and K**i were already far away in dream land. "You are back. " she said. I nodded without uttering a word then went further to take off my dress. "So tell me how your day went. " said my mother. "Fine. " I replied rolling my hair up with the aim of putting a hair net on. "That's a lie. " she said. "If it went well as you alleged, you would have filled my ear drums with news about the event, the dresses people wore, those who had ugly make ups on and the rich fried rice. " she added. I changed into my night wear and sat on the mat. "It was a disaster. " I began. "Really? Tell me about it. " my mother said. "I don't even know how to start this. The thing is, people fought and it was over me. " I revealed with my head lowered feeling awkward. My mother laughed then said "You still didn't tell me what happened. Start from the top.
DAWN BOYS AT WAR
Peter drove us to the Greenland open arena and he parked his car where the staff in the brothel park theirs. He was a VIP after all since his father owns the damn brothel. Julia quickly got down from the car and Peter hurried after her. Emjay went to collect a seat number from the ushers around while Layo and I stood waiting for directions. If we were there alone we would have gone to the ushers, gotten our seat numbers and sat awaiting the opening of the grand event. "Madam Fetty. " began Layo in a shrill voice. "Oh boy! " I mumbled knowing he was up to something. "You just made one girl jealous you know? " he said. "I don't know what you are saying. " I replied adjusting my hair which laid on my back. "But I like the arena you know? The car arena. You should have seen her face when Peter said you looked perfect." said Layo who moved very closer to me. "Shut up. " I replied. "Seat 21" said Emjay while walking towards us. "Look Peter is calling us from the
DAWN GREENLAND DINNER PARTY
They say London has a way of pleasing everybody. It suits the wild and the calm. The Greenland dinner is an annual event just like the annual ghetto fiesta. However, this event is more calm, a bit sensitive and kind of boring as others say. It is an event where young men and women dress in fine apparels like suits and gowns then spend the night eating, talking and meeting people. Unlike the annual Ghetto fiesta that houses people from different age groups, this event is for the teens and youths. Two weeks to every Christmas, the events takes place. During every event that I have attended so far, Layo had always been my date. We've been barely spectators so we purchase the tickets which was very affordable because according to Razzi, it was his way of appreciating the youths in the community so the tickets are afforadable then we dress up, have the sumptuous dinner of fried rice and chicken and watch the event till it ends. During the event, there is jazz playing, a piano man played
DAWN TWO BOYS AND A GIRL
I hurried home after Emjay told me he was around our compound. It's been seven months since we last saw each other and hadn't spoken ever since. He never called so did I. He went to study abroad so why was he back? I thought. I had imagined he would take four years to study and come home maybe once a year. Judging by his excitement months earlier, I never thought he could return this early. When I got home, Emajay was seated on the bench outside our door. There he was. Same old Emjay. Nothing has changed about him. He still looked the same. In fact, he got darker. Normally, my heartbeat would quicken at the sight of him but here I was feeling normal. "Hey! " I said hurrying towards him. I sat close to him on the bench and he greeted me with his warm smile. "You are here. " I said. "Yea, av been in London neighborhood for two days now just that I didn't get out till now. " he said staring at me. "Oh really! " I said. "He nodded, lowered his said and said nothing. "So how is sch
