23 Sited at the back of the taxi, the Lagos traffic holding her into the dark side of dusk. She kept a wandering but aimless gaze out the window, the light from her phone casting a pale glow across her face. She opened the airline app, tapped through the options, and booked the flight....
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 16
21 Bolaji’s house was quiet, the night air thick with the scent of hibiscus and distant rain. They sat on the veranda, the porch light casting soft shadows across the tiled floor. Tessy pulled her knees up, arms wrapped around them, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know how to face him,”...
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 15
19 Tessy put herself together, lying on her bed for a stretch of minutes then she attempted to call her father. The first few attempts to reach him failed but she kept trying. The call connected just after nine. Tessy sat by the window, the city lights flickering against the glass, her voice low....
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 14
17 The next morning, Tessy woke to start packing her bags, her new apartment was waiting. The morning was crisp, the light soft against the windows as Tessy zipped the last of her bags shut. Adewale lifted the suitcase without comment, carrying it down the stairs while she folded her hoodie over her arm....
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 13
15 The hotel lobby was quiet when she stepped in. Muted carpet. Soft lighting. A man at reception scrolling through his phone. Tessy nodded at him, didn’t wait for eye contact. She took the lift up, the hum of its ascent matching the low thrum in her chest. She was tired. Not just physically....
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 12
13 She walked into the hotel and lingered around the lobby before she decided there was nothing fun happening there and went up to her room. She reached into her bag, pulled out the last of the flight snacks, a crushed packet of plantain crisps, a half-melted granola bar. She ate them in silence....
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 11
11 Tessy got home and stepped into the shower before Chiedu could start a conversation. The steam still clung to the bathroom mirror; their towels draped over the shower door handle. Shortly after, Tessy sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on her shirt, her hair damp against her shoulders. Chiedu was beside...
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 10
10 Tessy lay in bed, eyes open, the sheets tangled around her legs. She wasn’t restless. She was awake. Alive. Her mind replayed the photo, the calm eyes, the quiet dignity, the name that had once flickered across her mother’s phone before being erased. Theo Maduka. She imagined meeting him. Not as a stranger....
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 9
9 Ikenna sat stiffly on the edge of the armchair, his eyes tired. Tessy stood by the window, arms folded, her posture taut. “How’s daddy?” “He’s still critical,” Ikenna said. “They’re monitoring him closely. No change.” She nodded, silent. He looked up. “We’re angry, Tess. All of us.” She turned. “Because I did the...
Purple Lines Don’t Meet – 8
8 The reception lights dimmed slightly as the night shift settled in. The hum of the hospital softened, phones rang less, footsteps grew sparse, and the vending machine stopped whirring. Tessy hadn’t moved. She sat in the same corner, knees drawn up, her back against the wall. Her eyes were dry now, but her...