Category: Short Stories Series

Painting, Art, Spring, Beautiful Colours The Passage…
Fiction · Short Stories · Short Stories Series

The Passage…

jacquelineobyikocha2 Comments

Spring stole in when I wasn’t looking – much like everything else around me that happened while I was in a haze of grief and if it wasn’t for Doreen’s push, I would still be wrapped up in my age-old floral housecoat wallowing in deep cups of self-pity and stale packets of Batchelor’s minestrone soup.

Doreen was right, and as much as I hated my sisters’ cheerful countenance, sage counsel, and witty remarks, she was right. ‘You ought to do something, Gloria, you ought to go out, do things, meet people, get your life together.’

‘I really ought to do something,’ Gloria thought for the umpteenth time as she tried to organize her thoughts on her life – or the semblance of her life. A fresh upsurge of panic made her heart race, and her hands grew clammy. ‘Failing to do something is like dying while still alive,’ Doreen’s words echoed in her mind. ‘But that’s how I feel.’ ‘I’m dying alive,’ she argued. “Stop it. “Just stop it,” she muttered. “You’ve got to get back your sense of perspective.”

 ‘Maybe getting organised or a holiday would be a good way to get started again,’ Doreen suggested.  She knew Gloria too well and knew how her sister had enjoyed a predictable and efficient life. For Gloria, everything was planned, in its proper place and therefore she rarely lost control of things – not until the miscarriage, not until her husbands’ sudden death. He was forty-one. Micks’ death appeared to have taken their plans to the coffin – a plan to buy a house, to start a family, to support Gloria’s fledging home-based business till she got off the ground and now she simply floundered.

To be continued…

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Friday Fiction in Five Sentences · Short Stories Series · Writing

Tomorrow…

jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

Image result for image of african woman carrying basket

Mama counted the coins carefully and tied them in the old handkerchief which she always tucked into her thick cotton half-slip hidden under several layers of wrapper to keep them safe.

I sprinkled water on the freshly harvested pepper and pumpkin leaves, arranging them in the basket; their luscious healthy colour would attract the eyes of good buyers.

With ease, mama balanced the basket on her head, her headscarf formed a cradle and she set off to Orie Ozuda; she would walk tirelessly for miles and that basket would stay put.

‘Nwamaka my daughter, I hope today’s market day will be a good one and if I sell all my goods, tomorrow I will buy you that shoe for running that you’ve been asking for.’

‘Thank you, mama,‘ I replied with happiness ringing in my voice. I imagined my feet encased in the white canvas and I could hear the voices of my schoolmates cheering me on as I raced to the finish line; they always say that I run like 440.

Tomorrow never came. Mama never made it back. Her crushed body was brought back to the compound with her coins still carefully tucked under her half-slip. Nwamadi’s 440 car killed mama. I never ran again.

© Jacqueline

Quick Glossary

Run like 440 – a term used to emphasize how fast she ran.

Orie Ozuda – a market day

Nwamaka – an Igbo name for a girl. It means beautiful child.

 

Creative Writing · Fiction · Love · Short Stories Series

At Long Last! A Husband Found…

jacquelineobyikocha36 Comments

wedding rings

It’s a beautiful Spring morning. Everything shines and conspires in accord with the warmth that flows around.

Staring into the mirror in the dressing room, Tess’s joy overflows. She barely slept more than two winks.

The anticipation of her new life has her lips wreathed in smiles and her brown eyes glow in the bright light.

So does her mothers; who is busy blowing her nose and dabbing away tears of joy yet again. Mother dear, is proud of herself and her baby. She always believed that she knew what is best for her girl and she is taking some part of the good wishes for playing a major role in the matchmaking from the onset.

It’s been a year and three months of intense courtship with Humphrey and today is their wedding day. It had taken several unsuccessful, blind online efforts and an accidental date to find her man.

Who knew that her Prince was the proverbial boy next door or as the case may be, the boy in the Church.

She recalls the near times that she almost blew him off. The time that she was sure she had caught him cheating on her, but it turned out that the glimpse of tenderness that she saw through the jewelry windows was actually not what it seemed.

Her plan to confront him and get to the bottom of the cheating matter went askew when she arrived his birthday party only to see her supposed rival in a close clinch with Humphrey’s mother. She knew the Vicar’s wife did not cotton up to any nonsense and wouldn’t be in support of Humphrey’s dilly-dallying ways.

It was an immense relief to sidle up in the pretext of greeting her boyfriend’s mother and she got introduced to the exquisite beautiful lady of the jewelry store, who turned out to be an out-of-state favourite niece. The necklace that Humphrey was clasping around her neck was a belated birthday gift.

Her surprise was complete when the birthday party turned out to be an engagement party of sorts.

The young man bit the bullet, went down on his knees in front of family and friends and proposed so sweetly that she was saying yes and crying all at the same time.

She admires the gorgeous gleaming single cut diamond stone on her finger for the millionth time, while her ladies -in-waiting fuss around her. It’s almost time to go to the chapel.

We are getting married.

The End.

The the entire series you can follow these links: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

The past couple of days has found me with several new readers and follows and I would like to introduce some of them to you.

Pavanneh: Because I can.

Jerry: 80 Insights.

Mark: Fonzandcancer.

The Bikini Book Worm.

True George.

Bookyglover.

Its all buki, relationship and lifestyle.

A link to my neighbours/Community · Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories Series

A betrayal in the offing…Husband wanted urgently!

jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

black-couple-sad

What the @@@&&&? Tess stared in dumbfounded shock at the image that unfolded before her eyes.

Unbelievable! She stepped back, a burning sinking sensation hitting the pits of her stomach as the scene registered in her brain.

‘Is that not Humphrey that I see?’

She stared through the clear glass of the jewelry store. Watching as he attentively hooked a necklace around the slender neck of the pretty lady with him.

‘No! Her mind silently screamed.’

But his drop of a tender kiss on the cheek of the exquisite looking face and their intimate looking tête à tête was enough confirmation.

The anger pooled inside her as she hurried away. She didn’t just have the stomach for a confrontation.

‘No wonder he has been behaving like a cat on hot coals these past few weeks.’ Goddess’s  voice muttered. ‘I have always been suspicious that he is too good to be true.’

‘He has obviously been tom-catting around town and here you are eating your heart out and driving yourself crazy trying to pick the perfect birthday gift for him.’

Tess gazed in annoyance at the gifts in her hands.

She had spent all afternoon and a little fortune picking out the lovely presents to give him for his birthday.

‘You better take back the presents advised Goddess.’ ‘He can’t make a fool out of you and still get your money as a thank you. No Sireee’ She continued.

‘Wait a minute, Cautious chipped in. ‘Don’t be in a haste Tess.’ There’s probably a reasonable excuse, Cautious rationalized.

‘You’ve been together for over nine months now and he hasn’t given you any reason to suspect him, has he?’ Cautious sagely reminded her.

‘Well, it starts one day and for all you know, he has just been smart about things’ argued Goddess.

The warring voices in her head gave her a headache and for several hours after she felt totally demoralized, mooning around her apartment.

Several hours later, the happy tune of her phone rang and she stared at it in uncertainty. Humphrey’s caller ID face stares at her through the phone screen.

She wasn’t sure she wanted to speak to him but she eventually decided to answer at the third round of ringing.

‘Hey Bae’, his warm tenor pulled at her.

Her curt reply of ‘Hello Humphrey’ wasn’t as warm as usual.

‘I missed you.’ He said. ‘How was your day?’

‘Really? *you lying cheat, go on, sell me another one, she muttered silently in her head* but her lips uttered a very curt and polite ‘Fine, thank you.’

‘Are you busy?’ ‘You sound distracted,’ he asked.

‘No am here.’

‘Good. You sound tired though. Just called to kiss you goodnight. Be seeing you tomorrow at the party.’ He hung up.

Tess barely slept well. Half of her night was spent tossing thoughts around in her head, wondering if she should bother going to the party or not.

She hated confrontations but she needed to get to the bottom things. The lying cheat.

To be continued…Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

I have been busy digging. Enjoy

Some posts like Claremary’s Auld Lang Syne, truly make you appreciate the gift of life

Follow Chape and maybe, just maybe, you can do this.

Sound advise from Success Inspirer.

This post from Diane made me chuckle. Yeah right!

Put yourself in the shoes of a Syrian refugee from Skinny and Single.

The poem New wind blowing from Joy gave me joy and much thought.

I agree with Rose about defining our goals.

Change succinctly said by Koko.

Astrid explains it all to me and I daresay to you too 🙂

How honest are you?

A link to my neighbours/Community · Creative Writing · Fiction · Love · Short Stories Series

Dating At Last!…Husband Wanted Urgently!

jacquelineobyikocha10 Comments

Black couples in love

”Hold it right there.” Tess tried to rein in her runaway trail of thoughts.

”Don’t go getting all mushy right now and seeing visions girl.” She admonished herself.

”It’s just a date.”

”Repeat slowly after me.”

”Just. A. Date.” 

The two voices in her head continued their tussling, as she pursed her lips in admiration of her new cherry, shimmery lipstick that matched the gloss of her new O.P.I nail polish.

”Yeah right! It’s just the 9th date in a line of quick successive dates. Ha!” Snickered inner Goddess

”With the same guy.” Goddesses inner cynical eyes were raised.

”Who by the way is ole fancy pants, pompous Humphrey.” 

”Who would have thought it? That he could pack such a punch in his kiss. Girl, you are so hooked and reeled in.” Goddess proclaimed.

”Hey! Cut the guy some slack.” Protested Cautious voice.

”Okay. Let’s calm down.” Tess interjected into the muddled log jam of the two rioting voices in her head.

”I admit that I was a tad too hasty to jump to conclusions and in summarizing him” She accepted her default.

”I just thought that he was always too full of himself in Church, you know.” As the son of the Vicar, he always cut across like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth and all those choir girls batting their eyelashes and singing out their hearts to him, just made me want to puke.”

”You could see the trail of their eyes and their flouncy skirts swishing flirtatiously and panting after him and I think he knew it too.”

”See, a girl has to keep herself out of such quagmire, you know.” ”I can’t be seen drooling after a fine brother and hanging onto his very last word like my life depended on it.” She concluded.

”Oh, oh! You’ve sure been paying him a lot of attention, haven’t you?” You are practically drooling right now Tess,” Goddess chimed in. You have checked your time like, what? The umpteenth time!”

”Ever since the accidental cinema date, your eyes have gone all starry, you are wearing all the girlie stuff that you have and fussing so much over your appearance. I know that smile girl.” ”Just be careful!” ”That’s all am saying.” I don’t trust all that gentlemanly courtesy and all that fineness wrapped in his sleek BM. He hasn’t even made the expected sleek fresh finger moves. No booty calls. I am kinda worried girl. That’s not the usual way these beaus move you know.” ”I wonder what tricks he is up to?” Sage Goddess queried.

”Hey! Goddess just shush.” ”Come off it!”  ”There are still a couple of good guys out there you know.” ”I have a good feeling about Humphrey.” Said Cautious voice

The little birdie doorbell chimed. ”He’s here.” ”Comport yourself.” She quickly smoothed her skirt and a quick spritz of her CK Contradiction perfume, she opened the door to let Humphrey in.

To be continued.Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

It’s been a bit of a slow week, I haven’t read as much as normally do, but I still tried to dig into the neighbours yards, though a whole lot seem preoccupied. I still managed to find a bit of this and that.

Thoughts by Star Lit Octave.

This photo from Conversations around the tree made me smile.

An inspiring story of The tiny frog from Gchan.

Anand’s 3rd QSM Humor magazine.

Smart Goal Setting by bikini book worm.

5 Inspirational and 2 children’s books from Emma.

Can You Help?

This post, The day after I survived from Tess…

Beautiful pictures from my sis Lucid Gypsy always makes me happy.

Have you sent out holiday love this season, from Damyanti

A link to my neighbours/Community · Creative Writing · Fiction · Humor - Bellyful of laughter · Love · Short Stories Series

No More Urgently….Bridegroom Wanted…

jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

black couple in love

For several weeks Tess has decided not to bother any longer with the online dating hullabaloo.

The ping-pong uncertainty of it all was just not for her nerves. She simply wanted to meet a nice gentleman in a more conventional way and not chew her nails down to nubs from the nerves of dating a total stranger.

She still finds it romantic that her parents met some thirty five years ago at a friends wedding and within the space of a few weeks they knew that they were meant for each other.

”I think I am just going to enjoy being by myself; living and loving myself and letting my harmony flow.”

All the relationship Buddha’s advice about focusing on doing you, doing something that you love, staying in tune with your inner-self, self development, examining and getting rid of the junk in your trunk and growing the feeling of being complete in yourself, so that when the gentleman appears, he only complements the wholesome you, all sounded worthwhile.

She decided to do more fun stuff and not let her life revolve only around work, online scouting, mooning under the duvet reading romantic novels that left her with unsatisfied cravings in the pits of her stomach and yet more work.

She found that indeed there was so much that she could do alone or with a gal-pal and for the first time in some good moons, she felt satisfied, happy with herself and not pressed.

The tinkling ring of her telephone interrupted her thoughts. It was Anna.

”Sorry Tess, I can’t join you for the movies today, can we do next week?”

”Why? What’s up? I was just getting ready to leave.”

”Joe is town unexpectedly and I have agreed to have dinner with him tonight.”

”Girl, you know that’s just a booty call?” She tentatively said to Anna.

There was a lot on the tip of Tess’s tongue to say but she held it in check. She didn’t want it to seem like she was a miserable, jealous friend, but her guts told her that Joe is simply stringing Anna along and that doom would surely arrive one day soon.

”Oh well! Have fun. I’ll still go.” She said and hung up.

The trailer of the The Kings Men was very interesting and it promised to be an adrenaline satisfying watch.

She settled down with her buttery popcorn and a soda in the cinema, whose darkness was only interrupted by the flickers of screen-light and the tiny blue lights on the stair edgings.

Just as the movie started off, a bumbling, hulking shadow picking his way to the seat behind Tess’s row tripped over someone’s feet and his ketchup, mustard covered hot dog flew through the air, landing in Tess’s lap.

She squealed in startled surprise thinking it was a live creature. When she realized it was a hot-dog, she shot daggers with her eyes at the skulking fellow who had mumbled an apology and quickly settled into his seat with all the urgent shushing sounds of other viewers.

It was quite a worthy watch and she soon found herself enjoying the movie and no longer stewing over the startling fright.

Making her way to the ladies with the exiting crowd, a warm hand tentatively settled on her shoulders just outside the doorway and she paused in her strides.

‘‘So sorry about that Tess.”

”Of course! It has to be pompous Humphrey.” She thought uncharitably.

”Its okay!” She accepted his apology with an impatient wave of hand.

”If its really okay, them you must allow me to pay for the laundering and to buy you dinner at least?” He suggested.

”Oh why not?” Her little sensible voice said.

‘‘With such gracious and earnest request, you’ ve got to accept.” The inner tussle continued.

”But it’s boring, pompous Humphrey!” Her inner goddess grumbled.

”It’s just dinner, not a walk down the aisle.” The two voices tussled.

”Okay! Tess said to him. ‘‘Let me just freshen up.”

To be continued…Part 1, Part 2,Part 3,Part 4,Part 5

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

There’s been a lot of harvesting this week from all the neighbours pastures but I will just share these few with you. I hope that you find time to visit them.

Have a good week ahead lovely people.

How your worst fears can lead to your biggest triumphs by Commonsensegal.

Santa has a sweet tooth. Why not find out for yourself 🙂

Alone but not lonely. Detox as recommended by Dr. Yelhispressing

Are you driven by passion? Asks Enlightenment Angels.

All I want from Santa from Diane. Maybe it’s all you want too.

You might be interested in this senior salon presented by Haddon Musings.

Relaxing holiday stress relief from Nurse Kelly.

Stop all the excuses – advice to self by Dialogueftdepths.

Six fantastic tips to help inspire you through writers block, from Dream Big, Dream Often.

Image credit: Pinterest

A link to my neighbours/Community · Creative Writing · Humor - Bellyful of laughter · Love · Short Stories · Short Stories Series

He’s Hung Over….Husband Wanted Urgently!

jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

Black couples 2

It’s been a couple of weeks since Tess bothered to connect with anyone online.

A number of pings had come in, but she was tired of trying to imagine who the real person was; behind the eyes and their best profiles showing off their best angles.

After her last dates debacle, she was a bit down in dating spirit and also leery about jumping back into the fray.

She had no idea what kind of fish she might catch again. Would it be a friendly snapper, a piranha, a barracuda, an octopus or an outright snarky shark. Her man fishing luck hadn’t yet yielded much dividend.

Mark looked like a decent sort according to the online matching criteria and their brief chats whetted her appetite to meet him.

”Okay! This is one more taking a chance. Third time lucky or simply not.”

No dressing to the nines for this particular date. A nice pair of slacks paired with soft flowery cashmere blouse and comfortable pumps, she was good to go.

They had agreed to meet at Mid-Point, a pub favoured by the young and smart.

She waited for twenty minutes in her little car, admired her shiny new nail polish and when she felt certain that he would have arrived, she strolled into the crowded pub.

It’s Friday evening and the happy hour crowd were gathered in little cliques.

She paused for a bit as her eyes did a quick scan of the room to identify the face that had stared back at her over the past few days.

He had proposed skyping but she still didn’t get the hang of it and for some reason the idea didn’t quite gel with her.

”Hello Tess?” A hesitant voice that belonged to a pleasant faced looking chap asked as he stepped up to her.

With her acknowledgement, they got seated in a nice spot which offered vantage view of the pubs goings-on.

”He looks okay.” Her little sensible voice argued with her cheekier goddess voice that thought Mark had no ‘oomph’ about him.

”Well, those ones who have loads of oomph always seem to have baggage of trouble as well, remember Tim?” Sensible voice reminded inner goddess.

Soon enough they had their orders placed and got down to having a chat.

”Hmm! This is really delicious. Thank you for telling me to choose this.” Taking a long sip of the Chipotle grapefruit margarita, Tess expressed her delight with the drink.

”It’s really good right? That’s Shawna’s favorite drink too.” Realizing his gaffe, he quickly tried to cover it up, but, it did not take a long time for Tess to realize that Mark was still totally hung up on his ex-girlfriend.

Every tail of their discussion found a way of swinging back to his past relationship, to his sadness, bitterness and disappointment.

It came as no surprise to learn that Mid-point was Mark and Shawna’s fave pub. He probably kept coming back in hope of catching a glimpse of his ex.

It was embarrassing for Tess to watch as his eyes involuntarily kept drifting around in expectation.

From all indications, he was simply on a rebound and if Shawn changed her mind and came back to him, any unlucky new lady involved with Mark would be dropped like hot potato.

He was a nice chap, from all indications, but he just wasn’t the one for her.

Her heart went out to the nice young man seated before her. She knew what it felt like to love someone who just didn’t love you back.

She had been in such a relationship in the past and had no intentions of investing her emotions anymore in a one-sided affair. She felt sorry for Mark but not sorry enough to be a second fiddle.

Her man was somewhere out there waiting to find her, but she wasn’t sure it was going to be online.

Her nerves couldn’t take all the dating anxiety and gambles like Kate had. There has to be a better way but she is yet to find it.

To be continued…Part 1,Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Like you already know, I love digging in the neighbours yard. One never knows the treasures that may be found within. I present to you this bits that I found:

Tasha has a way of putting a smile on this face of mine with her post blogging buddies.

I think that I am inclined to agree with GP on this issue. Why not take a peek and see what you think?

Just in case you are wondering why it’s snowing on some peoples lot and not on others, my girl Claremary hooked me up. Pretty simple too!

A worthwhile life lesson for children from Two Cents For You.

We will be doing a lot of gift wrapping this season and this insight from snapshotsincursive might be useful.

Staying on top of reading blogs is a problem that we all share. I am glad to know Eric thinks the same too 🙂

This brief quote shared by Amra is self-explanatory.

I think I like Rollingblogger’s thought process. What do you think?

If this doesn’t make you smile, I wonder what else will? Elemental healing.

and From my very own home girl and sister blogger OBA enjoy her lovely Christmas release. Just follow the YouTube link below.

My kind regards to you all and have a good week ahead 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

A link to my neighbours/Community · Creative Writing · Fiction · Humor - Bellyful of laughter · Love · Short Stories Series

Dating Debacle…Bridegroom Wanted Urgently!

jacquelineobyikocha31 Comments

Romantic couple

Tess tried not to feel upset and anxious.

45 minutes…

She has been waiting for 45 minutes and the small sips of her drink had dwindled to the last remaining drop.

”After this drink, I am just going to leave,” she muttered.

”It’s not as if I needed this drink that badly, but I couldn’t very well sit and twiddle my thumbs while waiting for a dude who obviously has no plans of turning up.”

The Goose and Berry was not really her kind of place.

It’s a testosterone filled pub where men stared unabashedly at her, which made her throat tighten in discomfort.

”My mistake not to have taken Kate’s advise to heart.” She chided herself.

As the queen of online dates Kate has quite some experience under her belt.

”Always breeze in 10-15 minutes after the agreed time and if the dude is not seated and waiting, walk out quietly.” ”Never set off on the footing of sitting around and waiting for the guy to turn up.” A very bad trend! Kate advised.

Just as she signaled the waiter for her bill with her lovely manicured fingers, her late date came breezing in and as he ambled over, her internally wired male data appreciation did a quick scan.

He’s not bad looking.

”Tall” – Check

”Attractive” – Check very attractive.

Nicely turned out in his fitted deep blue jeans and light blue checkered shirt with rolled sleeves, which showed off appropriately muscled and brawny arms.

Not bad by half an inch, her inner goddess muttered but he obviously sucked at time keeping.

With a wry smile of apology he drawled an excuse of a meeting running late and battery running low.

He is easy on the eye like Sunday morning and she was willing to take his excuse.

”Who knows? We might hit it off.” She thought.

She felt the stirrings of attraction – on her side at least, and as she ran her appreciative eyes once again from his face downwards, her zoom lens zeroed in on a well placed hickey by his left ear.

She blinked and stared. Yes indeed, its a hickey and even a faint trace of lipstick and powder on his collar.

Maybe it’s an enthusiastic colleague, she excused the hickey.

”My apologies once again,” Tim said. ”So what would you like to eat, have you had something?”

”Hmm!” She thought ”Ah! A guy who likes to take charge of things.”

They ordered and got comfortable in getting better acquainted beyond the online basics and everything seemed to rhyme well, but Tess’s eyes couldn’t stay away from straying to the hickey and powdered collar now and again.

He had her laughing in no time, sending the right vibes up and down her spine.

”He’s worth several more dates.” Her inner goddess sighed in agreement.

”Good sense of humour” – check.

”Seems confident in himself” – check.

She tried to rein in her runaway thoughts, but he stood up suddenly and before she could say Linda, a buxom fireball of a lady descended on them, fireballs stance all taut and poised for a showdown.

”Tim, what a surprise.” Uttered fireball in a voice that dripped with lethal anger and not too surprised.

”This must be your illustrious business partner.” Fireball gave Tess a disdainful look.

Tess was quick to deduce that fireball must be the hickey planter and lipstick owner.

”Close your mouth darling. I am sure you thought I was too stupid not to know that something didn’t add up with your sudden flux of meetings in recent times. I had to confirm my suspicions for myself.”

Tess quickly gathered her wits and her handbag and made a quick exit. She didn’t want to get caught in the flak of an angry woman’s tirade.

”What a philandering Tomcat!” She shook her head as she tried to process the entire scene.

”Why on Earth do I always manage to find the dodgy, cheating characters?” She muttered in resigned sadness.

To be continued…Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 

The links to other parts are attached in case you haven’t read the previous series.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

As you know, I always like to excavate other neighbours treasures and I offer some to you today 🙂

Nutstrok always has me howling in laughter.

This quote by Deb put a smile on my face.

A new cooking discovery at Chez Gharkepakwan.

Lovely pictures of beautiful libraries to visit from Noirfifre.

I am not old by Non smoking lady bug.

Best song for grammar police found in Deb’s backyard.

Helpful tips for those who experience allergic, reactions from Smiling away allergies.

Today’s inspiration from Etta.

Some vibrant Christmas cheer from Lucid Gypsy.

One Love Many Names from Blabberwockying.

Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories · Short Stories Series

The First Date…Bridegroom Wanted Urgently!

jacquelineobyikocha43 Comments

couples in love

Tess took another quick peek at the mirror of her compact powder.

No, there’s no dodgy piece of green stuff stuck on any dentition.

Yes, her lip gloss still shimmered.

Her hair still looked healthy and soft; every strand was in the right place.

A bit of powdering to stop any shiny nose, a second look at the slender wrist watch and it was time to go into the restaurant.

It hadn’t been easy sitting out the past fifteen minutes in her car waiting for the appropriate time to step in. She had tortured herself with all manners of imagined dating debacles.

Any respectable young lady shouldn’t turn up for a first date ahead of the time agreed with the guy, she remembered Kate’s advise. It would make her appear too desperate.

Striking a balance is just the right thing. Ten or Fifteen minutes after the scheduled time, then you stroll in leisurely, in controlled steps with just the right amount of swagger to the hips.

Thistle Bar, just the right kind of place for a first time online hook-up. It was her first time in there and it was quite decent.

It was a high street casual bar which was not too high end pricey and not too drive thru junk-food kind of place. Just a balance of both.

He had said he would be wearing a coffee coloured shirt and she told him that she would be wearing fushia. He hadn’t known what fushia looked like precisely, so she had sent a picture of the dress.

It was one of her best colours and lovely dress hugged her curves in the right places.

That must be him, as a pair of eager eyes lit up in her direction. The face looked recognizable and the shirt was dark coffee coloured.

She picked her way past a few rows of seated customers, a tentative smile plastered on her face.

As she approached him, he stood up like a gentleman and Tess’s heart sank to the bottom of her peep toe heeled sandals.

He was not tall by any standard whatsoever! As a matter of fact, in her opinion, he was hugely short.

She quickly ran through her mind, checking to determine if she had seen an indication of height on his bio.

Was height not important? Was it mentioned or not mentioned? She couldn’t remember but her hopes had just received it’s first dashing.

She liked her men tall and had never dated a guy shorter than herself before.

Patrick was fairly an okay character. He even made her smile a couple of times, but there was absolutely no spark – at least on her own side.

The meet-up was not a bad one at all, though she could not afford to eat out often, but hey, if you want to eat omelet, you have to crack some eggs.

She doubted very much if there would be a repeat date. He didn’t ask and she didn’t suggest.

To be continued. Part 1 Part 2

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

As you know, I like to excavate other neighbours treasures and I offer some to you today 🙂

Would you be interested by Karuna

1 deadly sin for writers by Thomas M. Watt

When random acts find you by izzyasabee

Grammar time from Meg Sorick gave a chuckle or two.

What are we afraid of? From Jennifer Calvert

These 71 tips to awesome blogging that I found in Danny’s patch is awesome.

4 things to avoid doing in your relationships by Wellnessworx

Help from my friends by anonymous outsider.

Feeling confident as a woman from Femininematerz

This visit by Kelly made me smile 🙂dancers1

Have a beautiful day today my peeps.

Now, lets take a moment and dance.

Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories Series · The Daily Post

The Mysterious Sender continued….

jacquelineobyikocha42 Comments

secret admirer 2

“No I don’t think it is a jilted lover!”

“I don’t have any lover!” Sally declared with an embarrassed look flooding her cheeks.

Sheesh! I came here to make a report, not to have an autopsy of my celibacy, she thinks.

“No it’s not a mad, jealous wife out to scare the Bejesus out of me.” “I just said that I don’t have a lover.” She reiterated.

“Family? They are hundreds of miles away.”

“I doubt if my brother will leave his wife and kids and drive up hundreds of miles everyday to leave flowers at my door and disappear.”

“My mum doesn’t get around that much due to her hip problem.” She wasn’t even sure that the officer was paying attention.

After the thousand and one questions and answers the officer said:

“Well Ma’am, we don’t have enough information to go out on.”

He tried to keep a straight face and not show his boredom. There were serious attacks all over the city and the little Miss here complains about an over zealous admirer sending her too many flowers and expecting a patrol to go out on a limb to catch the flower stalker and to hold her hands.

“Just keep your eyes open and your doors safely locked, he advised.” His tone bearing a dismissal note.

Irritated at the condescending attitude of the police officer, Sally left and decided to take some precautions.

She purchased a can of mace, a bowl, some milk, tuna and a can of soup for dinner.

Her new stray cat would require a bowl.

Deep in thought she made her way home.

There he was yet again, the neighbour across the street. In his little shorts, bare chest and the beach towel slung around his neck, puffing away on the patio.

She pointedly kept a straight face and tried to ignore his low whistle of admiration.

Does he do something else with his life? She pondered to herself.

Up the apartments quiet flight of stairs and as sure as gold, there it was. Yet another bouquet, but no longer did the message sound like the previous ones.

This time around it’s cut out alphabets read:

Now I have got you! Now am gonna eat you!

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

The link for the first part of this post is here

The Daily Post prompt An odd trio.

Today, you can write about whatever you what — but your post must include, in whatever role you see fit, a cat, a bowl of soup, and a beach towel.