18/08/2025
🌸 1. Love at the Keke Park
The evening rush in Ojuelegba was always a madness of sound and color. Kekes honked impatiently, passengers argued over change, hawkers weaved between buses selling everything from plantain chips to phone chargers. Ngozi stood at the edge of the park, clutching her handbag, frustration growing with each passing minute.
A keke finally pulled up, and just as she stepped forward, another passenger tried to squeeze in at the same time. Their shoulders bumped.
“Ah, sorry!” he said quickly, his smile disarming.
Ngozi raised an eyebrow. “You nearly pushed me into the gutter.”
He chuckled, scratching his head. “Then allow me to make it up to you. Please, take the seat. I’ll find another keke.”
Something about his politeness softened her irritation. She shook her head. “We can both sit. No need for drama.”
They squeezed into the backseat together, the keke rattling noisily as it sped off. At first, they sat in silence, both pretending to be more interested in the passing traffic. But soon, a joke from the driver about Lagos traffic made them both laugh. Their eyes met, and suddenly the chaos outside faded.
By the time they reached her stop, he had asked for her name. “I’m Chuka,” he said, offering his hand.
“Ngozi,” she replied, shaking it.
He hesitated, then asked, “Can I see you again? Maybe outside of keke madness?”
Her lips curved into a smile. “Maybe. But only if you don’t push me into another gutter.”
They both laughed, and as she stepped out, Ngozi realized something unexpected: sometimes, love begins not in quiet gardens or fancy places, but in the noisy heart of a Lagos keke park.
Wait for another story 😁
