Love

How Love Turn

by
How love turns

I still get this question to date, “How did I fall in love?” I still remember the day I met Matthew like it was yesterday. I was unpacking boxes in my new apartment, trying to make sense of the chaos around me. The doorbell rang, and I wiped the sweat from my forehead before making my way to the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone so soon. I opened it to find a charming smile and warm eyes. It was strange how my heart responded to his appearance. “Hey!” “Hey, I’m Matthew,” he said, extending his hand. “Welcome to the building.” I shook his hand, feeling a spark of sweetness. “Thanks, I’m Richard. Nice to meet you.” I admitted within me that he had the best soft hands in the whole world. A few days later, we met each other at the bus stop, waiting for the bus. We sat next to each other and that was when it all began. As we chatted, I couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. We talked about everything from our jobs to our favorite TV shows. I found myself looking forward to our subsequent conversations. ALSO READ: Religion creates no boundaries in love It wasn’t awkward. I felt good. I really wanted to have more discussions with him. I could shake off the feelings that I had for him. They were sexual feelings and I hoped he felt the same way. One evening, Matthew invited me to a party. “Hey, Richard, I want to come with me to Alex’s party tonight?” he asked, knocking on my door. I did not hesitate. I agreed, and we spent the evening dancing and laughing together. As we talked, I realized I was having more fun than I’d had in weeks. Matthew was easy to talk to, and I found myself opening up to him in ways I never thought possible. As the night wore on, we found ourselves lost in conversation. Matthew told me about his passion for photography, and I shared my love of writing. It was like we’d known each other for years. We blended and the moments were golden. I will forever cherish them. Then, suddenly, he locked his eyes with mine. I melted in the seat. My heart throbbed, I felt it At one point, Matthew turned to me and said, “Richard, can I tell you something?” I nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation. “Yeah, come on.” He answered giving him a smile. “I think I might have feelings for you,” he said, his voice low and serious. My heart skipped a beat. I looked into his eyes and saw something there that I hadn’t seen before; a yearning and a desire. “Matthew, I have feelings for you too,” I said my voice barely above a whisper. Richard’s face lit up with a smile, and he took my hand. We sat there for a moment, looking into each other’s eyes. Then, he came closer, tilting his head, and went straight for my waiting lips. We kissed. It was mutual and we loved it. What was strange was that I thought Matthew was straight. He had a girlfriend, one he had told me about. “I want to be real to myself and to every other person out there.” He responded when I asked about Emmie, his alleged girlfriend. As the days turned into weeks, our relationship blossomed. We explored the city together, holding hands and laughing. We tried new restaurants, visited museums, and even took a weekend trip to the beach. One evening, as we sat on the couch watching the sunset, Matthew turned to me and said, “I’m so glad we met, Richard.” I smiled, feeling grateful. “Me too, Matthew. I never thought I’d find someone like you. I don’t deserve you.” His smile was contagious and I could never have enough of it. I drew him closer and planted a kiss on his lips and as I looked into his eyes, I knew that I had found my forever love. We talked long into the night, sharing our hopes and dreams. We laughed and joked. As the night drew to a close, Matthew leaned in and kissed me. It was a soft, gentle kiss, but it sent shivers down my spine. “I love you, Richard,” he whispered. “I love you too, Matthew,” I replied, my heart full of joy. And as we hugged each other tightly, I knew that I had found my soulmate. How love turns! I did not know it could be better with the same gender.

Religion Creates no Boundaries in Love

by
Religion Creates no Boundaries in Love

Everything’s fair in love… and religion. I uncannily discovered this, or dare I say, through the unexpected love story that I witnessed. It was a lesson that unfolded before my young eyes, challenging the beliefs I had been raised with and opening my mind to the unpredictable nature of love. It was about Aunty Zino. Aunty Zino lived in the only self-contained apartment in our compound. Single, alone, rich, beautiful, and quiet. She worked with PZ Cussons and loved her hair cropped low on her head. It seemed long flowery gowns caught her fancy because she had many of them and wore different designs to work every day. My family used free PZ products because of her. She would bring them home sometimes and give them to us. In those moments, we felt rich as we used the Elephant extra detergent, Stella pomade, and Imperial leather soap. We became the happening tenants because of her. She seemed to like us more than other tenants. for some wonderful reasons, She would come home from work and come over to our flat to gist with Mum, sometimes they would stay on our verandah or hers. Mum would always invite her to our numerous special church programs and Aunty Zino would accept or decline as she deemed fit. She never returned the favour and never invited us to her church. Mum would cook on special occasions and include Aunty Zino’s portion which she would serve in one of the big white ceramic plates we owned with matching covers. She would then put it on a tray and ask me or my elder brother to go and give it to Aunty Zino. That always caused a tiff. We all wanted that golden opportunity to go to Aunty Zino’s apartment. Such visits were always rewarded with money, so my brother and I would fight to go and deliver the food. Those squabbles prompted Mum to create a timetable so we could take turns running such errands. One day, Aunty Zino came home and told us she was getting married. My mum was elated and told her how much she had been praying for her to meet the bones of her bones. It was not right that she was still single, a beautiful Christian wealthy woman like her. We were happy for her and jumped on the invitation card she brought later on. It was when we opened the card and read the names that we saw the difference. Deborah Zino and Ismail Mubarak Which one is Ismail? Is he a Muslim? Our questions were left unanswered as we watched Aunty Zino go about her wedding preparations. Mum helped out in any way she could as her wedding fathia drew close. She indeed married a Muslim. That was the first time I was witnessing a Christian marry a Muslim. The day she came to pack all her belongings, she told Mum hurriedly, “I know you would be surprised at my decision. I am 43 and not getting any younger. Ismail is the only man who has shown great interest and love for me. I want a husband and children if I can still have them at this age. I want to be a married woman. Don’t worry about the different religions. I will still be a Christian, we will respect each other’s religions and live peacefully. He loves me and I love him too. I think that is all that truly matters.” My mum only smiled as saw her off to the packing van outside of the gate and waited till it pulled out of our street. READ ALSO: Embracing Love After Life’s Hardest Trials

Embracing Love After Life’s Hardest Trials

by
Embracing Love After Life’s Hardest Trials

Mike and Miracle’s love is tested by the cruel hand of fate—cancer, infertility, and heartache threaten to break their bond. Yet, in their quiet moments together, they chose love above all else, finding beauty in each other and the strength to keep going. It wasn’t an easy journey, but Mike took the lead, and gradually, Miracle began to open up to him. One such moment unfolded in the intimacy of their home, where Mike followed Miracle to the bathroom, eager to continue their conversation, having no intention of letting it end just yet. Miracle, conscious of his gaze, slowly removed her clothes while continuing to contribute to their discussion He sat down on the chair he had brought into the bathroom. “For gists and the likes,” he had said when he bought a chair specifically for the bathroom. Their discussion didn’t have to end simply because one of them needed to bathe. The other could simply follow and the discussion could continue. He actually did this. Miracle found it awkward after their wedding to just sit and talk and watch him bathe. He, on the other hand, enjoyed it and most times either joined in the bath or offered to scrub her back. Now, she was so sure he was watching her even as he talked about his colleague, a professor who got a student pregnant and forced her to abort the baby. She panicked, her hands shook as she slid her underwear down her legs. She turned her back as she was about to take off her bralette. “What are you doing? Why are you turning away?” Mike stopped her quickly and stood up from the chair. “I just wanted to take off -” He didn’t let her finish and said, “I’ve told you to stop turning away from me.” The tears welled in her eyes just as her breathing got laboured. “I’m sorry,” Miracle said. “Its fine,” he responded and helped her unhook her bralette. Her left breast fell slightly against her chest. Where her right breast once occupied, stood a straight patched line which appeared after she healed from the mastectomy. The surgery humbled her just as the cancer did when it came. Having just one breast to boast of her femininity made her feel so small and made her hide, especially from Mike. She stopped hugging him, didn’t want his body touching or feeling the absence of one of her breasts. She wore big boubou gowns even in the house and wouldn’t let him touch her as he used to. With time, she recovered and accepted her fate just as the surgical line left a permanent scar on her right breast area. Other parts of her didn’t recover: her womb couldn’t house a baby even after all attempts. They had many speculations and tried different medications but none worked. Their very last attempt was In vitro fertilization, and that took root. They were elated, and just when it was time to receive their baby, she pushed him out, dead. Then the cycle began, again and again, they both watched their hope rise and fall with each miscarriage until there was no pregnancy at all. Miracle had imagined he would find her unattractive after all she had been through. Mike had loved her body and looked at her like she was a prized possession. She loved that very effect she had on him and always found ways to tease him and bring him to do her bidding. Initially, she fought the cancer badly, determined not to be overthrown by the deadly disease, but it came hard as well. She shrunk under its gaze, her succulent body shriveled up, her hips gave way for gaps, she lost a good amount of her hair, and lastly, it took one of her breasts. Then infertility came for her, it broke her further, and she hid even more She hated her body and hated the things it was doing to her. It birthed low self-esteem and it crushed her spirit daily. It broke Mike more. He was clueless and did not know how to help her or help their marriage. “Just talk to her.” It sounded crazy when Pastor Ifemi told him to just talk with his wife daily and build true friendship away from their struggles. So he started talking every day, he called her at intervals during the day, and when he was home, he ensured he took the lead to talk and tell her stories. So he started talking every day, he called her at intervals during the day and when he was home, he ensured he took the lead to talk and tell her stories. She began to open up then. Their devotion returned, she prayed with her voice raised and started singing in the house again. In those moments, he assured her that she was beautiful and he loved her body just as he did when they got married and before their struggles began. And it was then he told her never to turn away or try to hide her body from him. Their devotion returned, she prayed with her voice raised and started singing in the house again. . . He helped her into the bathtub and went back to the chair. He remembered they were having a conversation about his colleague in school and continued from where he stopped. READ ALSO: Scars That Break Us

A Story Of Unrequited Love

by
A Story Of Unrequited Love

This is a story of unrequited love between two people, Emeka and Adaobi. In the vibrant city of Lagos, where the streets thrummed with life and the air was thick with the scent of spices and ambition, lived a young man named Emeka. He possessed a quiet strength and a soulful gaze that spoke volumes without uttering a word, his presence commanding attention wherever he went. Emeka was a man who kept himself busy, studying engineering at the university, spending time with friends, and nurturing dreams of a future filled with possibilities. But amidst the chaos of his daily routine, one constant presence lingered in his thoughts like a haunting melody – Adaobi. She was a vision of beauty and grace, her laughter like music to his ears and her smile capable of lighting up even the darkest of nights. They had been friends since childhood, their bond forged through years of shared experiences and mutual understanding. But for Emeka, their friendship was a source of solace and torment. For five long years, Emeka had harboured feelings for Adaobi, feelings that he had kept hidden away, buried deep within his heart. He watched silently as she moved through life gracefully and confidently, her magnetic presence drawing admirers like moths to a flame. And every day, Emeka’s love for her grew stronger, an unspoken truth threatening to consume him whole. How could he explain the depth of his longing for her, the ache that gnawed at his heart each time she treated him like just another friend? How could he convey his resentment whenever she laughed at another man’s jokes, oblivious to the pain it caused him? And how could he articulate the jealousy that simmered beneath the surface whenever she turned her attention elsewhere, leaving him to wonder if he would ever be more than just a friend? But despite the turmoil within him, Emeka would have done anything for Adaobi, his love for her driving him to lengths he never thought possible. He showered her with kindness and affection, hoping against hope that she would one day see him for the man he truly was – the man who had loved her unconditionally, even when she couldn’t. But as much as he tried, Emeka struggled to find the words to express his feelings, his tongue tied by the fear of rejection. He watched helplessly as Adaobi moved through life with careless abandon, oblivious to the storm raging within him. And then there were his desires, the forbidden yearning that consumed his thoughts day and night. He longed to feel Adaobi’s lips on his, to bask in the warmth of her embrace, but he dared not act on his impulses, afraid of ruining the delicate balance of their friendship. But even now, as Emeka sat alone in his dimly lit apartment, the sounds of the city fading into the background, her image lingered in his mind like a haunting refrain. He cursed himself for falling so deeply for her, for allowing his heart to be held captive by someone who could never reciprocate his feelings. But amidst the pain and heartache, there was a glimmer of hope, a tiny spark of possibility that refused to be extinguished. Deep down, Emeka knew that love was a force more powerful than any other, capable of transcending even the greatest of obstacles. And so, with a renewed sense of determination, Emeka made a silent vow to himself – he would find the courage to confess his feelings to Adaobi, to lay his heart bare and risk it all for the chance at true love. For he knew that no matter the outcome, he would rather live with the pain of rejection than spend another day hiding his true feelings from the world. As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the city, Emeka rose from his bed with a newfound sense of purpose. Today would be the day that he would finally lay his heart on the line, to tell Adaobi the truth that had been weighing on his soul for far too long. READ ALSO: Journey Away From Home As he stepped out into the bustling streets of Lagos, his heart pounding with anticipation, Emeka knew that no matter what the future held, he would always carry his love for Adaobi like a burden he could never fully unload. But perhaps, just perhaps, it was a burden worth bearing for the chance at true happiness.

A Good Day

by
A Good Day

Today just has to be a good day, Derick thought to himself as he left the room of his on-campus hostel. It was a cold Tuesday morning, and compared to other days, he felt pretty good. Today is one of those days when the sun just doesn’t seem eager to pop up from behind the clouds. The sky had a dark, moody feeling, and no big clouds existed. But it seemed like it would rain, as the breeze was uncomfortably chilling. It was the perfect weather to stay under the blanket. He did not meet a lot of people on the way. The birds on the tree on the way to his faculty seemed to have taken the hint. There was no loud chattering or singing today. He could hear the crushing of dry leaves under his feet as he walked through the boulevard. Sometimes, he wished he had that kind of luxury—to be free—like a bird. He was going through a difficult phase. One of those phases where you feel life raising you up, smacking you down, and trampling on you. The lectures kept getting more intense (and he was even on his way to another one). He was running out of his monthly allowance, and his dad had told him to hustle through the month’s remaining eighteen days. He was also having issues with admission officers, fellowship guys, and all the shit he had committed himself to. He felt sick. As he crossed the large parking lot of his faculty, he saw some bushy-tailed rodents scrambling around the area. The weather had become more intense, and he didn’t know which one to regret more: his decision to wear a checkered shirt on a black Chinos trouser or his decision to even go to his lecture at all. He had decided to obey his dad’s instruction to not wear black all the time like before. The gentlemanly look he had gone for had seen him choose the trousers that kept squeezing his groins. His poor balls!! But then he retained his cold, uninvolved persona even in this gentlemanly outfit. He wore a nose mask, even though it was no longer compulsory. With the massive flu epidemic subsiding, the mask became an accessory for completing his bad-boy look. He just didn’t have time for people trying to read his facial expressions. He looked around when he approached the October 22 Lecture Theater for signs of his coursemates. He saw some girls about 80 meters away from him; 20 meters from the hall, four of them were chattering excitedly. They seemed to be heading for the theater too. He didn’t know whether they were his coursemates because he barely knew any of them. He took in a really cold one and sighed tiredly. The terracotta bust in front of the hall looked darker than usual. He yawned slowly as he sauntered towards the hall. He had barely slept for days. He nearly fell as he stumbled on a tree root sticking out of the many nearby trees. He cursed. He was now crossing the pavement and about to enter the hall. His loud cursing must have attracted the girls, and they all stopped and looked at him. Fuck it, he thought, I’m not good at this. One of the ladies seemed to recognize him, though, Nonye. He was alarmed. She gasped, faced the girls, and pointed at him. “That’s the guy. That’s Derick,”  she said excitedly. The other three girls gave him a long stare and turned back to her, confused. Derick also took the moment to scan the girls. He froze. In the middle, a few feet from him, was Titi, the girl he had been chatting with anonymously; the other two girls he didn’t know, though. He had seen her during one of the orientations. Slender, light skin, sweet voice. She was like a ray of sunshine. She also had this refreshing appeal about her. He had investigated her and found out who she was. She was Titi Williams. He had gotten her number from the departmental group chat and had been talking to her for four months. She had been trying to find out who he was personally, but he had simply told her he was a coursemate and that he had gotten her number from the class group. Sometimes, he wondered if he wasn’t extremely lucky that she didn’t block him because of that. But she had been nice, though. Heat ran down his face. “Hi,” he waved shyly and glided into the safety of the hall. He could hear Nonye telling them how he was the popular “Derick, the shadow man” and how awesome his critiques and reviews of the student government have been. His cover was gone now. Felix could fish him out and roast him. He had sworn on different occasions to make life hell for whoever the dumbass was that kept poking at his administration. Press ethics could no longer protect him, and he felt Felix might finally get the chance to make good on his threats. It was his own doing. It’s just a slight letup. Despite his elaborate measures, the whole campus is about to learn. He could hear their collective gasps as he walked towards the far side of the hall so that he wouldn’t bump into those chatterers again. Titi felt a strange aura around the guy Nonye told them was Derick. She had seen him from afar when he kept pulling at his trousers. The look in his eyes was familiar. The energy and quiet way he interacted when he came closer were even more familiar. She turned and looked at him as he virtually ran into the hall. Just then, she saw the nasty old lady professor climb the podium. She scrambled hurriedly into the hall.

We Can Make the World Better With Love

by
Love Can Make the World Better

Children, parents, adults, blinds, young and old, soldiers, civilians, politicians, etc. all wish to live in a better world devoid of war, and other atrocities. However, attention is not given to an important aspect of life that would be helpful in achieving peace in the world. This aspect of human life is love. Love can make our world a better place. This article, therefore explores how love can make the world a better place.   Love has been defined in various ways. Good Therapy defined love as “A mix of emotions, behaviours, and beliefs associated with strong feelings of affection, protectiveness, warmth, and respect for another person. Love can also be used to apply to non-human animals, to principles, and religious beliefs”. Love involves powerful emotion towards people, animals, things, ideas etc. Here are some ways that love can influence the state of the world making it a better place: Ways that Love Can Make the World Better Compassion and empathy: Love fosters compassion and empathy towards others. When we love, we are more inclined to understand and feel the experiences of others, leading to kindness and a desire to help those in need. Building relationships: Love forms the foundation for strong and meaningful relationships. Whether it’s love between family members, friends, or romantic partners, these relationships can create a support system and contribute to a sense of belonging and happiness. Resolving conflicts: Love promotes forgiveness, understanding, and compromise in resolving conflicts. When love is present, it becomes easier to find common ground, communicate effectively, and work towards peaceful resolutions. Spreading positivity and happiness: Acts of love and kindness have a ripple effect, spreading positivity and happiness. When we show love to others, it often creates a chain reaction, inspiring others to do the same and cultivate a more harmonious and compassionate world. Promoting unity and acceptance: Love transcends boundaries such as race, religion, and nationality. It encourages acceptance, respect, and inclusivity, bringing people together and fostering a sense of global unity and understanding. Inspiring change and social progress: Love can be a driving force for social change and progress. It motivates individuals to stand up for justice, equality, and human rights, creating a more just and equitable society. While love alone may not solve all the world’s problems, it plays a significant role in creating a better world by promoting empathy, compassion, kindness, and connection among individuals.    

5 Qualities Women Love about Men

by
love romance together men women 4552087

I’m sure you would love to know the qualities women love about men, the qualities that spice up relationships. Are you planning to start a relationship or are you on the verge of marrying your heartthrob? Then, as you advance in your prospect, you need to read this. Without a doubt, women generally love men who treat them with dignity and respect. There are non-negotiable qualities women love that men must possess. Aside from a man’s physical appearance, which is a plus, one of the most essential features a lady notices about a man is his character. Here are five qualities that women admire in men. 1. Funny and Intelligent Women are typically more drawn to men who can make them laugh. Men who have a good sense of humour are more attractive than men who are uninteresting in conversation. To women, being funny is an indicator of intelligence, and is essential for attracting a woman’s attention. Make her laugh and avoid being overly serious about seeing how attracted she would be to you. This lightens the atmosphere around them and makes them cool with you. 2. Care and Empathy Women are attracted to men who have the ability and desire to care for others. When it comes to attracting women, a man who is caring and empathetic has an advantage. If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, research has shown that women prefer men who are generous and selfless to men who lack these qualities. Women stay in relationships because they believe that someone somewhere will go all out and have their back at any time. Men who go all out and are genuinely kind are very appealing to women. 3. Trustworthiness and Integrity You remember when I mentioned character the other time? Here it is. Women prefer men who are trustworthy and have integrity. This is like your signature. Integrity entails acting virtuously and having a strong moral character. This key quality is what holds a relationship together and makes it work. Women want to know if you are honest and fair in all your dealings. They don’t want someone who will cheat and lie to them. This is a quality that every man must have. Make sure you don’t hide your flaws; they will show up if you keep hiding them under your sleeves! Be plain and sincere, this will be your badge of honour. 4. Financially Stable One thing a woman wants to know is if you’re financially stable. She desires to see if you can take care of her. Additionally, your financial stability will give her rest of mind when you bring up the issue of raising a family with her. 5. Plan a future with Her Women want men that are not just into a short-term relationship. If you meet her friends and family, know what she likes and talk about the future, she will like you greatly. All these and more are things you should watch out for. Ladies are very sensitive and emotional beings. You can’t afford to be bland and insensitive to their needs. Be light-hearted, caring, trustworthy, and stable financially and plan a future with her. The list is endless, but here are 5 qualities to start with. Maxwell Orah

Christmas Clothes: The Importance Of Family Traditions

by
Christmas Clothes The Importance Of Family Traditions

The Christmas holiday is one I always look forward to. Apart from the fun and relaxation with friends and family, I always anticipate my Christmas dress. Gifting my siblings and me new clothes and shoes was a tradition every Christmas holiday. This is one age-old tradition that has been past from generation to generation and that I will continually uphold and cherish. The cheesy feeling it brings and the love behind giving us those lovely dresses makes it remarkable. Another family gathering I always look forward to is cross overnight, my whole family is always present as we share, pray, and plan for the new year. Yours might be different from mine. There are certain traditions your parents have instilled in you that have shaped you. I once had a friend who told me that every year, in honor of their mom’s birthday, they visit the orphanage to donate food items and clothing. In turn, this tradition made her regard the less privilege The following are some of the importance of family traditions: 1.  Family traditions carry a special significance for all family members involved. As opposed to family routines which are often basic activities that are necessary to keep the family unit functioning. 2.  Family traditions help to make memories for families that last a lifetime. 3.  It provides children with a sense of security by providing continuity. 4.  It gives family members a strong sense of belonging. 5.  It helps pass on family values, including cultural and religious heritage. Conclusion Family traditions is always something to look forward to as they establish a foundation for family values and serve as special bonding experiences.