Letter Days

Obiageli glanced around the room to ensure she had not forgotten anything. She was to leave for Enugu the next morning and so could not afford to leave any of her things behind. Her eyes lit up when she found the photograph she had taken with her boyfriend: Jideze. She had taken it off from her wall early that morning so she would take it along with her to Enugu. She couldn't believe she had almost forgotten the photo which had been firmly protected in a wooden frame.She grabbed a rag as she wiped the dust which clung  to the picture like a second skin. She ran her fingers on Jideze's face as she traced the lines of his shoulder. Jideze and Obiageli had been in a relationship  for two years. He had proposed to her but had informed her they would only get married once he had found greener pasture and acquired wealth. He told her he didn't want her, nor their children to suffer so he had l

Just few days of working at the canteen, Obiageli had known the regular customers of the canteen. Among them were the factory workers. Obiageli never knew there was a factory few metres away from the canteen and its workers made the canteen their temporary abode.They spent their two hours break at the canteen each day and Chinaza was a very good friend of theirs. She stayed at the same table with them chatting and discussing loudly. Adaobi who was to resume by four in the afternoon resumed as early as two in order to spend time with her boyfriend before he left for the factory.  The factory workers who ate at the canteen were just six in number. Three were elderly while the remaining three were quite her age. Chinaza had introduced her to them a week  of her resumption. One whom  Obiageli knew as Pa Nonso had asked for her name and had introduced himself to her. Some other workers introduced themselves too. Ho

Chinaza totally relieved switched to another topic and they soon began talking.  The workers left after their break hour and Obiageli and her colleagues continued with their works: washing dishes,  cooking,  packing plates and clearing the tables. They divided these works among one another and while some attended to customers, some did the dishes.  Obiageli felt a hand on her shoulder while she was doing the dishes. It was dark already and she couldn't wait for closing hour. She flinched  at the sudden grasp of her shoulder and turned swiftly only to see the smiling face of Ifeanyi still in his factory wear: a yellow helmet, black boots and a track suit."How are you?" He smirked, "How are you doing?"Her jaw dropped in shock as she looked him over."What are you doing here?" She asked him but didn't wait for him to respond before shunning him out of the kitchen.

Ever since Ifeanyi found out where Obiageli lived, he visited every Sunday for that was the only time he had to visit. The factory required all of his days except for Sundays. Obiageli reciprocated his visits some times. Though she complained of his house being quite far, she visited too.Their friendship had blossomed like a flower and it was clear to everyone. Most times, they were teased by the others but Obiageli never took their teasing to heart. To her, Ifeanyi was her best friend - he had gotten that close to her - but her heart belonged to Jideze and him alone. They were currently sitting on the sofa chair in Ifeanyi's room. They had finished eating a nice dish of akpu and ofe-ede soup. They had this special delicacy because they were still in the festive spirit.Christmas had been two days before and they had had a wonderful time together. Obiageli had wanted Ch

"I never thought you could be this ignorant. You're totally a greenhorn. Something that is clear like an open book for everyone to read; something that is written plainly on Ifeanyi's face. Each time he looks at you; love mirrors on his face. I don't  know why he hasn't told you since." Chinaza shook her head angrily at her."I don't believe this." Obiageli muttered, shaking her head defiantly. Chinaza rolled her eyes at her. "I've told you my own. If you like believe,  if you don't like, don't believe.  It's the truth you can't change." She told her as she walked away, leaving Obiageli lost in thought. It couldn't be true. It just couldn't be. How would Ifeanyi fall in love with her?  Why would he? Series of questions kept flooding her mind as she waited patiently to see Ifeanyi and have a good talk with him. She wanted to hear him say it wasn't true so she could relax.  S