I was happy she broke up with you. You came back to me and I thought the sadness would at least make you notice me. But you still didn’t.
I Do | a CỌ́N-SCÌÒ short story by Sesugh Iorliam
‘It’s too early to get divorce papers! The next time you see me, it would be about time.’
Through Thick And Thin | a CỌ́N-SCÌÒ short story by MaryAnn Ifeanacho
But that is his job as a father, isn’t it? To see me as perfect despite the apparent alarm in his eyes when the car genuflects as I climb in.
Neneh | a CỌ́N-SCÌÒ short story by Ekweremadu Uchenna
When Neneh has gazed at the photo for up to two or three minutes, her left hand will rise to caress the long scar that stretches from her hairline to her left cheekbone. And then, the events of that fateful day will start coming back to her in hazy flashes.
BEHIND THE PODIUM | a CỌ́N-SCÌÒ short story by Aminata Talawally
“My voice is pleading to be heard by a room crowded with people. It doesn’t care if their faces are frightening or happy. It just wants to engulf the room and be listened to.”
A LETTER TO AUGUST | a CỌ́N-SCÌÒ short story by Jola Praise Ademola
The letter was addressed to her. Written simply on the cover, in a bold script, was: ‘A letter to August’ and on the inside: ‘I know what you did’. She lifted off the lid from the box. Lying there was a bloodied finger wearing a wedding band.
SERENDIPITY | a CỌ́N-SCÌÒ short story by Popoola Ololade Aderemi
You see the barely noticeable smile on her face. Her face. In a split second, you sweep your gaze over it and rest your eyes on the birthmark above her eyebrow. You wonder if this is what love feels like.
THE DOLL | a CỌ́N-SCÌÒ short story by Brigitte Poirson
If this was what was lurking at the back of his mind, what was the point of taking the time to reflect on the situation? If you trust someone, empower this person with your loving care, accompany him/her along toil and dreams, and (s)he still looks askance in a quest for ‘other loves’, why should you stick to that person at all?
NOTHING WAS LEFT EXCEPT THE ASH | a short story by Daniel Echezonachi Maxwell
A mother’s hopeful farewell to her son, who dreams of success abroad, turns tragic as he returns as ashes after succumbing to illness. The story poignantly captures the pain of loss, the harsh reality of unrealized dreams, and the mother’s unending love and sorrow as she holds onto his remains.
IF ONLY HE WAS A GIRL | a short story by Maria Oluwabukola Oni
Sodiq once told him that putting strands from his eyelashes on his father’s footwear could make him forget to flog him. He didn’t believe it, but Sodiq was Alfa Sulaimon’s son and what better time to test the hypothesis than now when he faced imminent agony?