IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE

PTE

IBOM STA

w raising dust in the air. She even took a little bottle of coconut oil inside her hand bag because she didn't want to look like the season. Intermittently,she'd pour a

ed to visit divers places of interest in Lagos state and she'd all these written down on her wish list. At 22 she had only been to the southern states basically to lend a helping hand to her relatives. Mr Uwem her uncle who lived in Calabar had pleaded

he termed ungodly. How would someone be taking a so called girlfriend out in the name of celebrating christmas,he used to say then he would shrug and snapped his fingers over his head. Eti Ima was unbothered,all she cared about was her happiness and she didn't mind whatever way it would come. She was by the school gate waiting patiently for her friend to show up aft

e can't even apply ointment on their body,why is she looking like a maid, how much is cream,she muttered. The dark complexioned skin girl whistled behind her and started walking down to where she stood. Mfon was thin and tall and she had a liking

ce? No one applies a powder during this period mama.

I didn't mean to m

ses. Alway

roblem. I'm sor

en did you last ta

led. "Are you se

y. I'm ve

bag?" She igno

all." She took out

's ok

en to the main road and keke riders with their vehicle queued in a single file. There were homeless little children who begged from those trooping in and out of the school gate and mad men and women moving up and down in dirty rags,some were resting

rest in that angle." Eti Ima pointed to w

ed,the cows and the men are

d a scar running from the middle of his forehead down to his left ear. Mfon whispered

mornin

rning ho

dey go It

dro

es

ched his head with his keys and s

uppress the nausea feeling building up within

The man a

undred naira?" Said Eti

ndred naira.

market. If you were going to Itam market you should be very careful with your bag else you would return by foot and empty hands,they didn't forget that. After they'd reached,they paid off the man and walked into the market. The smell of rotten fish greeted their noses,Mfon scuffed. They wal

t man's vehicle? Mfon who was really

ble rider,would'nt you want to survive? Take risk..yesss..take risk. It makes you stronger. I stopped

Wh

iculated with two fingers on her forehead. "A

t you kept that

ys taking bad news around

a mark? An accident? Definitely not!" She adjusted her bag to the front and felt it by pressing into the bag to confirm her cellphone was intact. Eti Ima remain

couldn't see her because the dangling clothes had covered th

seller's voice. "The red gown is nice,a lot of

en bleaching,her green veins stood out on skin like a map, and she had colourful marks on her knuckles and toes. Eti Ima out of concern was quick to introduce her

ave my shop, your eyes should have been on the dresses and not on my b

said that Eti Ima, yo

e looked? She is just an ingrate. S

kay we have l

on screamed. She was surprised to see Lucy, her elder brother's ex course mate. She wondered why she should be selling

miled. "It's been a

d how ab

good

a bid to stop further exchange of pleasantries between them or she felt tha

ize." Lucy took the dresses out of the hangers and

them. "Don't take it off,it fits you so well my dear." She said as if the dresses were not to be purchased with money. After they had paid Lucy,they stood

and moi moi?" He

it in the marke

some guys were on the field. Some were jogging, the dance team were also practicing in the other end near the school's community center while some were playing football in the mini stadium. Mfon stopped to peer, she was searching for Benedict but couldn't find him. Eti Ima dragged her a

ent and give you a lantern, I tell you. Stop this thi

ood to my table?" Mfon

Ima raised her br

ost intelligent in their school but now sells clothes to survive. She further explained how tideous i

he sad situations of others could equally get to you. We are d

the fried potatoes they got on their way into a flat plate. They sat facing each other,a

ways has the best,her

,her sauce is gross!" Mfon held her nose. "I think she wa

es but her potatoes

s a bigger shit."

he fellowship to turn out for morning prayers. Eti Ima struggled to sit up on her bed,her feet were resting

rat had jumped down from her box and brushed

idn't mind calling Mfon,she knew she wouldn't even give her a listening ear or wake up even. Eti Ima was known to be a prayerful young lady,she could pray for hours and some even gave her a name. But when ever she remembered the deat