What’s a man to do when the world's pressures are on his shoulders? Who can he talk to?

I was thinking about a story I’m writing called ‘Something For The Boyz’ when this short story popped up in my mind. If ‘Something For The Boyz’ had a prelude, this would be it.

A short story about how a failed relationship can change a person. This story was inspired by a prompt shared in a writing group I’m part of and also inspired by my first fictional piece, Train Stories: Peckham Rye, Platform 3.

A little nostalgia for you! The good old days.

It’s 2020, and the breaking news around the world is about Covid-19, the lives it’s taking, and the ones it’s yet to claim. The pandemic, or “The ‘Rona”, as nicknamed by black people, is disruptive - nothing is the same. Nita, a young city worker, isn’t immune to the impact of The ‘Rona - she’s barely coping, and evidence of her struggle is reflected in her appearance, specifically with her hair. However, on 4 July 2020, restrictions on hair salons have eased in the UK, and Nita has courageously booked an appointment at “Heritage Style - Natural Hair & Beauty Salon” for the same day. Could this be Nita’s chance for change? Will she get more than she paid for? Follow Nita on her brave journey as she narrates her appointment with Miss Heritage.

What should have been a joyous occasion quickly becomes a moment of regret. Embarrassment, shame and anger consume one of the wedding guests who should be the happiest, but how can she be happy when her foolishness is exposed? "Their First Dance" is a short fictional piece inspired by the song "Lessons" by Eric Roberson.

The week seems to be getting worse for Bola, bad news after bad news, she even concludes that she's had a part to play, after all it's always been her fault, right?

Bola is tired physically, mentally and spiritually and now, with everything going on she feels like God has her on a wild goose-chase around Lagos. She hates that the 'chase' has brought her back to the home where all her troubles started.

Will it ever end?

Oru Mu is the Yoruba phrase for “it’s hot” - the heat of Midday has passed and the dimness of the Sun Setting has overwhelmed Bola, will she ever get to rest to see the Sunrise?

The week seems to be getting worse for Bola, bad news after bad news, she even concludes that she's had a part to play, after all it's always been her fault, right?

Bola is tired physically, mentally and spiritually and now, with everything going on she feels like God has her on a wild goose-chase around Lagos. She hates that the 'chase' has brought her back to the home where all her troubles started.

Will it ever end?

Oru Mu is the Yoruba phrase for “it’s hot” - the heat of Midday has passed and the dimness of the Sun Setting has overwhelmed Bola, will she ever get to rest to see the Sunrise?

It’s been a crazy week for Bola! First, her super star friend, Sharon shows up with a revelation, followed by her ‘moment’ with Prophet Godwin. It doesn’t help that Duro isn’t saying the right things either - so she thinks.

Bola doesn’t know what to make of the past few days, but she can’t help but feel like more is coming. Truthfully, Bola doesn’t know how much more she can take. 

The perfect life she envisioned for herself is crumbling right before her eyes, and it seems like everywhere she looks she is reminded of what she doesn’t have.

Oru Mu is the Yoruba phrase for “it’s hot” - however what will Bola do should the Sun eventually Set on her desires? Who will she run to when it gets dark?

At the top of her game, the God-fearing Bola Ifetomi is the person everyone wants to know - she's connected and successful, all this despite her unfavourable upbringing. Not only is her career thriving, she’s been married to the best of the best - Duro Ifetomi, for five years. Bola has the perfect life, she has it all!

But Bola doesn't believe so - she thinks her life is incomplete and imperfect, how long must she wait? Just like her upbringing, everybody she knows has something she wants, it’s almost teasing.

Oru Mu is the Yoruba phrase for “it’s hot” - will Bola be able to withstand the sudden heat when her perfect life begins to show imperfect lines?

How far will Bola go to obtain what she wants most and at what cost?

The saga continues now that Sharon Starr, Nigeria’s biggest AfroPop sensation is back after being reported missing. NJ The Producer, her husband and manager wants his Sharon back, will she go back to him?

Now the couple get to talk to each other, the journey is still an emotional one that explores the impact of upbringing, perceptions, and beliefs and very importantly, if reconciliation can exist when trauma has been experienced.

Sharon Starr, Nigeria’s biggest AfroPop sensation has gone missing just before the start of her international tour. A few days have quickly turned to months and nobody knows where she is, including her husband-manager, NJ The Producer.

We find out more about the couple and their journey through the eyes and ears of Doctor Wole, their therapist. It’s an emotional journey that explores the impact of upbringing, perceptions, and beliefs and very importantly, if reconciliation can exist when trauma has been experienced.

Sometimes, I Tie Gélé is a story about identity, insecurities and the need to belong. We follow Sophie "Soso" Badmus on her personal quest to make sense of these things.

Sophie is experiencing the stages of life through the discussions she’s had so far, Birth, Accomplishments and Marriage. Now she learns about herself through the celebration of Life, both for the living and the dead.

Sometimes, I Tie Gélé is a story about identity, insecurities and the need to belong. We follow Sophie "Soso" Badmus on her personal quest to make sense of these things.

In order to start her journey Sophie knows she must first talk to those she loves, Mayowa, Doyinsola & Taraoluwa.

Sometimes, I Tie Gélé is a story about identity, insecurities and the need to belong. We follow Sophie "Soso" Badmus on her personal quest to make sense of these things.

This Prelude is the beginning of Sophie, it’s the reason for her journey.

It’s been a tough year for Segun since “The Incident” at Chidi & Morayo’s wedding last year, and although Segun has come to know Christ, his year has been turbulent still. Back in Nigeria for his cousin, Adeiye Adetide-Cole’s wedding, Segun is having to confront all his fears - the ones he knew of and the ones he’d soon discover. Is there any hope for Segun? Will he ever live up to his name?

His ego would not let him say no to her. The whole night they had teased and flirted with each other it was bound to happen with the way she commanded his attention as she swayed her hips to every rhythm and beat that blared out of the banquet hall speakers. He wanted her. What he did not know was that this was all a part of her plan.

Remembering Mama was never something she did willingly. Any time a thought of Mama crossed her mind she’d rebuke herself and ask the thought to return to its sender - herself? Possibly.

Why was it that on this hot February day, God insisted she remember Mama - she could not rebuke her today.

He misplaced love, and he wish nothing more than to have her love again. Will she show up so they could talk? If she didn’t show up, he couldn’t blame her. Anxious and nervous, he remembers the words spoken to him as a child, this was the worst time to remember such moments.