29/05/2026
Chapter One: The Day Before She Knew
The harmattan dust settled lightly over the roofs that morning, coating everything in a thin, tired film. In , mornings like that came with a strange quiet—like the town was holding its breath before the noise returned.
Amara stood by the doorway of her mother’s house, tying her wrapper firmly around her waist. The kettle whistled softly behind her, and somewhere in the compound, a child laughed too loudly for that early hour.
“Amara!” her mother called from inside. “You will be late again.”
“I’m coming, Mama,” she replied, though she didn’t move immediately.
She liked this moment—the stillness before the day began. Before people started asking for things. Before responsibilities lined up in front of her like a queue she could not ignore.
She stepped outside briefly, letting the cool air brush against her skin. The sky was pale, undecided between night and morning.
For a second, she closed her eyes.
This, she thought, was peace.
Not excitement. Not happiness in the loud sense people described.
Just… calm.
She didn’t know then how rare that feeling would become.
By the time she reached the office later that morning, the usual rhythm had returned. Papers shuffled. Phones rang. Conversations overlapped.
“Amara, you’re late,” Chioma teased, leaning over her desk.
“Just small,” Amara replied, smiling as she settled into her chair.
“You always say ‘small.’ One day they will sack you for that your ‘small.’”
“They won’t,” Amara said calmly. “Who will do all the work if I’m not here?”
Chioma laughed. “See confidence.”
Amara smiled but didn’t respond. She had learned long ago that confidence didn’t need to announce itself loudly.
It was during her lunch break that she first heard his name.
“Kelechi is coming this weekend,” Chioma said casually, unwrapping her food. “My cousin’s friend. Very serious guy. Works in .”
Amara nodded absentmindedly. “That’s good.”
“You should come for the introduction ceremony. Plenty of people will be there.”
“I don’t like crowded places,” Amara said immediately.
Chioma rolled her eyes. “You don’t like anything.”
“I like peace.”
“You and this your peace,” Chioma muttered. “One day, peace will run away from you.”
Amara laughed softly, not taking the comment seriously.
If only she knew.
To be continued..........
