Author: Olú Abíkóyè

At times, I’d wait for my mother like a hawk. As soon as she arrived, I’d play back every single thing that went wrong from the moment she stepped out of the house until she returned. My mother’s sister knew I wasn’t just as intelligent as my brother; I was more—I was downright dangerous.

During that particular year, my mother could have petitioned for me to be transported on an ostrich’s back if it meant I’d participate in age-appropriate activities. I just couldn’t fathom why children were subjected to so much. I mean, my class teachers were already pushing their luck by urging me to study every day; why add this stress labelled ‘extracurricular’? And birthdays, don’t even get me started on the fuss over parties.

As usual, it was quiet and serene until I was jolted out of my thoughts by this grumpy woman who brushed by me hastily and attempted to spit at me, but it fell on the floor right before my feet…quickening my pace till I caught up with the woman just by the traffic light that made us stop before the road to Madalena’s church. What I really wanted to do was spit at her face, but what I found myself doing was saying, ‘desculpe’ and ‘obrigada’ in succession, meaning ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’ in a weird circle of politeness.

Dear Diary, it’s all about boundless love September 1, 2023 Today was a truly beautiful day in church. It was the 8 a.m. mass, and something extraordinary unfolded before my eyes. As I took my seat, a group of five people walked past me and took their seats in one of the front rows before…

Dear Diary, March 22, 2023 The hands of God! So, I stood near a girl waiting for my order at the Cafeteria. By mere coincidence, our hands were placed side by side. She is the whitest of the whitest girl I have ever seen in my life. Sooo white I almost compared her with a…

The weather has been unbearable. If anybody greets me now, I will check the weather first to be sure I want to respond with the “good” part. All through this week, I have been tempted to think that boya I have committed a sin to make the sun come after me with so much vengeance….