SWEET REVENGE Written by Nickkie'maf Sitting on the dresser, I gladly remove the make up covering every mark and scars present on my once beautiful face. Staring back at my reflection I wasn’t surprised at the woman staring back at me. Dark and swollen eye bag, deep gash adorned her forehead. Her lower lip has a thin cut, her cheeks puffy and red from too much tears. I’m accustomed to seeing her every time I stare into the mirror, two years ago she would have made me cry but now I’m stronger. I stopped crying and now I’m bracing up and fighting back not for myself but for the woman in the mirror, for Tom and for Kiki cause they need me. The ringing phone brought me back to life. I took a peep at the caller, its Barrister Chucks my husband greatest enemy who is my newly found friend. “His he back?” I heard from the other end. “Not yet” I reply curtly. “Get prepared, it ends tonight my dear” he said as he chuckles. “And I’m happy already. Don’t be late, I will need help packing” I smiled genuinely for the first time in 7 years. Wait, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m not that that kind of woman but its said that your enemy’s enemy is your friend so Barrister Chucks is just my friend. Okay, now I got you confused. Let me tell you my story and then you tell me where I went wrong. I am Selena Williams, second child and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chijioke. My parents aren’t wealthy neither are we poor. My elder sister, two younger brothers and I attended very good schools. We were trained in the way of the Lord. We never had luxury of freedom. Even when I gained admission into the university my parents must never hear me talking about the opposite sex, No, it was a sin for my siblings and I. I remember when a guy came looking for my elder sister from her university. All hell was let loose by papa even though she was 22 years then. The university gave me the freedom I never had. I made few friends, went partying and dated a couple of guys. The fact that I didn’t have the chance to mix with people other than my siblings made me have low self esteem. Papa will criticize us for everything while mama will always compare us to the other church kids. We grew up feeling and knowing that we will never be good enough. I met Alfred Williams when I was in my third year in the university. He was in his final year studying Law. He is a charming young man who stole my heart at first sight. I had a crush on him the first day I met him at a party but he was way above my league. I knew getting a guy as cute and charming as him was impossible. Everyone knows of his extravagant and spoilt lifestyle but who cares about that not even I, with my level of home training. Alfred was a spoilt guy but he showed me love. Spending lavishly was his lifestyle which I wasn’t comfortable with, his friends will call me too local and his fling of girls hates my guts. He had gotten into too many troubles but I never left him to his cross. I had bore every pain he made me pass through cause I felt he will change, even after sleeping with my roommate when I was serving. I didn’t know he never loved me. Thank God his parent had caught us in his apartment doing it because he later denied getting me pregnant. Yes, he asked me to abort it like the previous three but the doctor said I could lose my life. I went to plead with his mother who I later love so much. I’m doing whatever I’m doing now because those loving parents left me with their monstrous son on earth. She accepted me quicker than expected and they got us married. If I had known, I would have preferred to be a single mother than the life I’ve lived for the past seven years. Well its okay now, it all ends tonight. Alfred was never ready for marriage; he felt I had trapped him with the pregnancy. It was my fault I should have known better after her denied me the first and second time but I felt no guy will ever notice me. I’m not good enough; he is just trying to manage me so I should be grateful to him. Marriage should be the greatest happiness of a woman, waking up to meet the love of your life next to you every blessed day. Cuddling next to the one who cherish and adore you. I was married to a big shot, a Barrister who holds a prominent post at 35 years of age in Rivers State government. An activist and human advocate. He is the perfect husband and dream man for every woman out there. Only if they knew, how I wish they could know but they can’t know. Marriage to Alfred has made me realize that some things are not meant to be no matter how hard you try to fix it. I am the real example of an abused and smiling wife, I was dying and smiling. I know most of my husband’s concubine and side chicks because he brings them home and I have to behave or I'll get the beating of my life. I am a victim of rape in my own marriage; he tears my clothes and forces himself on me. But all I needed was makeup to cover every bruises and scars to attend every meeting, interview, parties

UNWANTED PREGNANCY BY: TIANA CHAPTER 1 “Graaaahn! Graaaahn!! Graaaahn!!!” The alarm didn’t have to ring the second time before she jumped off her soft bed and ran to her bathroom. Today is one the happiest day of her life. She is resuming to Star Quest International College, one of the best schools {if not the best}. She had won herself a scholarship in a presidential high school in Lagos. Even though her dad is rich but not to the extent of affording a presidential school, she was just too happy. Fifteen minute later, she sat on the stool facing the dressing mirror as she rubbed her soft skin with lotion. She picked her phone and checked the time, it was 5a.m. “yeee!” she jumped off the stool and ran to the kitchen. “what essence will it be if the food is not ready on time” she complains to herself as she prepare rice and fish stew for breakfast, singing and smiling happily to herself. 6:30a.m. she was done, served breakfast and packed her siblings lunchbox and ran to her room. She could hear Mateen and Mahada ’s voice in the living room. She quickly dressed up in a blue denim jean, black long sleeves, off shoulder top, low heel sandal as she powdered her face and applied lip gloss. “Yes” she smiled as she looked into the mirror “Am good to go now”. She couldn’t help but marvel at her own beauty. Yes she is extremely beautiful, the real African Barbie with her skin color. She is a Nigerian but with a foreign skin and hair, sometimes she wonders if she wasn’t switched at birth. Maheera is tall, slim with curvy hips, very long dark hair, oval face, a pointed nose to compliment her looks and a dimple on her right cheek which gives her a killer smile. Even at just fourteen years she has a long list of guys who would die just to date her. She was still checking herself out when her father called her. “Maheera, you want to be late on your first day right?” Amin said “and you know I have to return to work today” “Almost ready dad” she shouted from her room as she picked her school bag and ran out of the room. She met her dad, step mum and siblings. “Wow” Mateen exclaimed “you are so beautiful, if you weren’t my sister I would have married you right now” he said and Amin and Maheera burst out in laughter. “You sure say things way bigger than your age” Amin said. “Morning mum, morning dad” she greeted and knelt down. “Morning” they both replied her as she walked to the dinning to make tea for herself. “Mummy I don’t want to wear my uniform” Mahaada complained “See Maheera is not wearing hers and Mateen said she’s beautiful” she said trying to pull off her uniform. Ayeesha gave Maheera a scornful look, she didn’t know why she just hate the girl right from when she married her husband. “Is that how you’re her going to school?” she questioned with a raised tone. “Yes, I will just get my uniform today” she replied politely looking at her shoes. Mahaada tried to complain again but the look she got from her mother was enough to keep her quiet even though she was just three years old while her brother was six years old. Maheera and her dad left for her new school at 7:45a.m. Amin mouth was wide agape when he saw the massive building erected in the name of school. After spending 10 minutes at the school gate due to the number of cars entering and leaving the school compound “Wow! This school is so beautiful” Amin exclaimed “you can say that again dad” Maheera said glancing at every possible angle she could lay her eyes on. The school was very big, like a colony with different buildings all painted in white. There are two three storey buildings which were very far to each other. Different bungalows and the school hall will never go unnoticed as it was the largest building in the school, a very tall and long building. The walk way was decorated with different species of beautiful plants and flowers. Metal seats were erected in different angles. It was just the most beautiful thing Maheera had seen even though she wasn’t seeing the school for the first time. After seeing the school Principal and making every necessary payment, Maheera was given stacks of books. “Thanks so much Mrs. Allwell” Amin said shaking hand with the principal. “I really appreciate this” “It’s a pleasure” she replied with a smile. “Feel free to ask for help anytime you need anything, you will really enjoy this school” she said to Maheera who was smiling sheepishly. A female student entered the principal’s office. “Good morning Mrs. Allwell, Good morning Sir” the girl greeted politely, bowing her head slightly. “Morning Miss Johnson, this is a new 10th grade student, Art class. Take her to her locker and please show her round the school. She is your responsibility now.” Mrs. Allwell said. “Do have a nice day Mr. Salam” “Thank you so much ma.”Amin replied and left the office with Maheera and the other girl. “Be a good girl baby” he said and pecked her forehead and left for the car park. Maheera couldn’t help but notice