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December 12
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"I went out of the exam hall," Goodness said. His eyes seemed to move around as he studied the exam paper in his hand. Today was the day we wrote our English exam and though I feel it was quite easy because I studied really hard but I can't be sure that I passed very well because of the kind of person my English teacher is. It is true that I am still nursing the wounds caused by a good essay that had failed me in front of everyone in my class. What do you expect me to do?
"How did your exam go today?" Goodness asked, not in his usual I-know-you-nailed-it accent, but in a new how-did-you-survive-it accent that struck me and made me laugh a bit. I reached out for my bag not looking at Goodness' face, the face that seemed to beg me to answer him as soon as possible.
"The exam was standard," I said.
"So it wasn't difficult for you?" Goodness asked.
"Yes it wasn't."
I saw some people curled up together and crosschecking their answers to see where they h
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Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger December 21
The place i went to visit this afternoon with Uncle Max was huge. It was like a stadium or a battle field enclosed in a wall of brick. It was filled with trees, plants and steel cages with guards at its entrance. Inside the steel cages were animals of different descent. For the first time in my life I saw the tiger and I saw the lion whose mighty roar nearly scared me away. By the side of the cages were beautiful flowers. They were hibiscuses and roses lining the hedges at the wall of each cage in a carefully tended array. There was also a statue that excited me, guarding an open field of trimmed grass and the offices of people who managed the zoo. Adjacent to the offices was another building designated for people who worked dirty. People who ensured the animals were properly fed and taken care of. The world of the zoo was completely different from the world that I lived in. I could see animals with treacherous glances, begging to be set lose in order to bring horror to the human ra
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger December 25
Christmas is a festival that is done in honor of Christ. Although I am not a Christian anymore, I still enjoy Christmas in the same way that every Christian enjoys it. After all, I was once a Christian too so I know what it feels like to celebrate the Christmas festival as a Christian. Uncle Max had wanted me to return back home to spend the holidays with Dad and Mum. I also wanted that too but with the recent events going on in my family, I don't think that is going to be possible. Mum is still really pissed at Dad and the other time we spoke on the phone, she called Dad's child a bastard. She said his child would never live to see a bright day. In as much as I am not in support of Dad bringing a child into this world with another woman, I am also not in support of Mum laying a curse on an innocent baby that had nothing to do with their marriage. I don't know how to celebrate Christmas alone and this would be the first time I would be saying Merry Christmas to someone without Chris
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger December 31
It was a perfect day for celebrating the end of the year. It was a perfect day for celebrating the end of a boring year. Uncle Max was as happy as a man who had seen heaven. Miss Bisi was glad she was finally getting the attention she deserved. Dad and Mum were still avoiding each other and were not phoning Uncle Max as often as they did before to ask about my condition in Enugu. It was as if they had totally forgotten about me. Danny was still with Mum. Christle was still in campus, obviously sending requests for more money even when her University were on holidays. I wish that my family were all together. Dad standing at the centre of the sitting room. Mum trying to watch TV. Christle checking for social media updates on her phone while Danny running around like a hunted beast."I am going to your school today. I am hoping to see you at the top of your class," Uncle Max said this morning, "but then, anything can happen and my desires may not be fulfilled.""I thought
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger January 1
Wow! I finally made it to a brand new year and I am so excited about it. Yesterday is gone. It is gone forever and will never find its way back to my life. I can't explain how it feels to finally know that you have finally made it to a new year even though you felt you didn't deserve it. Some of the people I know died last year. Clag was one of them. Also, a few hundred thousands of people that I don't know also died last year. It is sad when you think about death. It is sad when you try to embrace the reality of life. When I was a child, I never thought of death. To me, it never existed because all the people I knew that were around me all looked as if they were never going to die. They looked as if they would spend eternity in this world and never leave me. But things changed when i grew older. As it is commonly said, we put away childish things as we grow older. We put away our toys, broken Teddy bears and run to embrace the sombre truth of reality. I am glad that I made it to a
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger January 2
Uncle Max came back home today after two nights of sleeping outside his house. Merely looking at his face, I knew he had done a lot of adult things with Miss Bisi. Things he wouldn't be willing to tell me about."Good morning," Uncle Max said to me as he sat down and turned on the TV."Good morning. How are you?" I asked."Tired. Yesterday was the best day of my life," Uncle Max declared."What made it the best day of your life?""You know the reason, Perer. Of course, it is Miss Bisi. That woman is an angel sent from heaven. She will forever be in my life because I will make sure she doesn't go anywhere far from me."I sat down close to Uncle Max in a way that would made someone to think that I was about to counsel him on some important issues."Do you really really like Miss Bisi?" I asked Uncle Max."Yes! I really really like Miss Bisi and I want to be with her forever.""Then ask her to be your wife. There is n
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger January 4
When Uncle Max came back home today, I noticed something different about him from the way he talked and laughed. I noticed something different about him from the way his clothes had Miss Bisi scent all over it. Within me, I knew Uncle Max had done something special with Miss Bisi. It is easier to say they had sex but would Uncle Max accept that they had sex? Would he be bold to open his mouth and tell me that he slept with Miss Bisi when they were yet to be seen as married couples in the public? Uncle Max always supported sex after marriage and not the other way around. He always wore a serious face whenever the issue of sex is brought up in his church and a man stands up and tells the congregation proudly that there was nothing wrong with having sex outside marriage. His voice would grow louder like the sound of thunder and then he would pounce on the man before letting him go."How is Miss Bisi," I asked Uncle Max as he asked me to get him a glass of water to drink.
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger January 5
The woman blew a whistle in the roundabout. The boy sat alone in the rickety, jerky bus. The girl raised her voice and shouted at the driver for over speeding. I shook my head as we passed a large billboard."Are you mad?" The police woman yelled."I am not mad, madam. You just occupy the road with your stick and you are not giving appropriate instructions," the driver complained."Before I lose my temper, get down from your vehicle.""Madam, I am not going anywhere.""I will not repeat myself again. Get down from your vehicle, young man."The driver removed his hands from the steering wheel and pointed at the police woman."You are not the one that is supposed to be controlling the traffic here. What is a police woman doing in a roundabout that was created for traffic wardens?" The driver asked."Are you trying to insult me by indirectly saying I am not authorized to do this job?""I did not say so madam but if that is
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger January 11
It was very early in the morning when Uncle Max's phone buzzed in my blazer jacket. It was 6:30am sharp. Who would be calling me so early in the morning? I know it wasn't Mum even before I pick up the phone.When you have lived with someone your whole life like your parents you tend to end up knowing when it is them calling and when it isn't them calling. Mum would probably be snoring at that time with Danny and her new husband by her side. Dad also would be sleeping at that moment with Sarah and his new wife. I was very sure that it was neither Mum nor Dad who was calling me so early.I was right that it wasn't Mum calling me when I answered the phone. From the voice of the person calling me, I knew it was Christle. Her silk-thin voice that was at the other end of the line made me smile so much that I couldn't remember when last I smiled up to that extent. She told me that she was waiting for me at a parking lot and that she had secretly came to visit me in Enug
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Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger About the Author
Chibuzor Victor Obih was born in the southern part of Nigeria. Delta State to be precise. His writing includes essays, poetry and short stories. He likes to play soccer, read, study and above all, write. He is currently a fourth year student of a renowned public university in Nigeria. The University of Port-Harcourt is where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger is his second book and his second attempt to explore the beautiful world of a novelist. To stay connected with him and his works, you can follow him on Instagram using the account name, Chibuzor Victor Obih or follow him on Facebook using the account name, Author Chibuzor Victor Obih.
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger August 31
The pathway to heaven is rough. The streets are not tarred. The bells are not ringing. Where is God?Apart from the sound of the water dripping from the tap in the bathroom, I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't even hear my heart beating inside my chest."This is going to be my last attempt," I said to myself.I tried to turn around as I felt the impact of the drug I took. I tried to move my limbs but I couldn't. I closed my eyes and saw myself dying. It was terrible. Then, suddenly, I saw Jesus Christ looking down at me. His feet, white as snow. His hair, colorful as gold. He took my arm and told me to get up."I will give you another chance, Perer," he said."Why?" I asked, confused."Because you deserve it."I didn't know what else to say. I just stood there, shocked. I stood in front of the son of God I had condemned most of my life and I couldn't say anything. All I could think about was my book. The diary I had writt
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger August 26
"The first time I have ever thought of killing myself was in Port-Harcourt. I wanted to make my death quick. Less painful! I wanted to pass any sharp thing through my body and bleed till I was dead. I didn't realize how painful it was until I grew older," I said to the therapist."Where were your parents when you were going through all of this?" The therapist asked."What can I say about my parents," I said, thinking. "Dad stayed with us until he divorced Mum some months ago. Then I was sent to live with my uncle here as if I was the cause of their divorce. Dad was always thinking about life. He constantly joked about God. For your information, Dad hates God. I don't know the exact reason why he hates God, I only know he hates God. Anytime someone mentions the name of God, he gets pissed.""Do you think your Dad's hatred for God is the reason why you hate God too?""I don't think so," I swallowed hard. "My case is different from Dad. I only want answers t
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger August 23
For days, I have been pondering about the meaning of my life and I can tell you that I haven't been gripped by the fear of it even if it is the slightest bit of it. Have you ever been scared of dying and as well feel you are not afraid of living? Only two days did I hear a preacher speak of eternal life and it resounded in my ears for as long as I could remember. It was the first time a person read a bit of my mind without knowing me. Do you think I am slowly turning to God?For so long I have dreamt of Clag and Danny. And for so long I have demanded an answer as to why I was brought to this life, but yet, there haven't been any answers. For some reasons, I reckon, I am but only a roaming lifeless mustard seed enclosed in a showcase and packaged in a nylon called life. To prove my point, think of an empty space with an empty sack lying downwards. Can you imagine that?I left home today to visit Goodness. A newness of
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger August 20
"Thank you for coming today," the therapist said. "I was afraid you wouldn't come because of the way you sounded when you left my office the other day.""Can we continue from where we stopped. As you can see, I am already getting tired of this introductions.""I understand. I understand, Perer."The therapist turned my file to the next page."I thought I would never say this about you but you are an incredibly smart person. You deserve a good life.""Almost everyone does," I replied."Some, more than others. Those who set goals, work very hard, stay out of trouble and complete their education deserve a better life.""Can we get on with this, ma? I am trying hard not to freeze to death.""Are you cold?""No! But I am freezing yo death inside of me.""Give me time."I watched as the woman looked at my file, raised it up, turned it over and placed it back on
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger August 13
"Seven children?" Miss Bisi repeated. "I am sorry, you want us to have seven children.""Yes!" Uncle Max smiled."And you mustn't apologize all the time. It is permitted for couples to share diverse opinions on children. As long as there is love, there is unity.""And you want us to have peace in a home filled with seven children?"Uncle Max didn't mind having lots of children even if it was a dozen because he had spent most of his whole life being alone. The fact that Miss Bisi wanted less than seven kids was not going to change his mind."I was thinking," I interrupted, "with the rate of inflation going on in Nigeria and with the way jobs are getting fewer, how are you guys going to raise seven children in an unstable mixed economy?""God will provide," Uncle Max smiled."Yes! God will provide," Miss Bisi added, supporting his statement. "What is on my mind is not giving birth but being referred to as a married woman. I want people to start
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger August 9
"I want to help you, Perer," the therapist said. "We agreed to meet two days ago. Why did you delay?""I can't answer that, ma. And you can't help me. I am already a lost cause who is swimming on the surface of the earth. My time will come and I will soon die.""I understand," the therapist wrote something down on a book. "Any memories of your childhood you might want to share with me? Since the conversation about the people you care about last time did not lead us anywhere, I thought it would be best if you tell me about your childhood.""There is nothing to talk about in my childhood. It was a moment that has passed. It can't come back again even if I want it to."“Are you happy with the way your life is right now, Perer?”"Happiness is a subjective question, ma. It can mean a lot to a lot of people. Some people are in a relationship not because they are happy about it but because th
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger August 1
My day started almost in a haste. It started with the early morning sun shining in a rush before the rain started falling slowly from the sky. The rain fell like fine sifted unwanted powder thrown from above. I was still in Enugu and I was still at Uncle Max's house, acting with utmost perfection as if everything was alright with me. Not for one single time did Uncle Max wonder if my silence was a new found habit or if it was a cage I had deeply fallen into. The lack of communication that started between us two weeks ago was still growing everyday as if it had an unquenchable hunger that needed to be settled. The lack of communication bothered me as I counted the number of days remaining for the year to end. One hundred and fifty two days!"Miss Bisi is coming today," Uncle Max said as he served me a plate of rice and stew. "She has been asking questions about you and I have been finding lies to tell her. What is really wrong with you, Perer?"I felt my jaw drop but I
Perer Ford: Diary of a Stranger July 31
I did not talk. I could not talk as I sat on the white plastic chair. The therapist repeated the question, and again, instead of a response, all she got from me was a bland dying stare."Perer, relax. I want you to relax. I hope the plastic chair is comfortable?""Relaxation is not something that I fancy these days. Say what you want to say. I will answer as much as I can answer.""Alright," the therapist wore her glasses. "Perer, it may interest you to be informed that I have read your file over and over again and I still don't understand what your problem is. You said you are not suicidal but yet you are depressed. Do you care to explain what you mean by that statement? I will give you time to think about my question while I go through your file. I have decided to not charge you because I admire your courage to seek help. It is not common for young people of your age to admit they are suicidal. They see it as a crime!"I inhaled softly as I climbed into
