Rekya's Flavors

Sometimes, it feels like no one cares about you. It feels like you don't even matter to them. It feels like you are an afterthought. And you feel bad because you are the type to worry about everyone, you show how much you care for them, you give them so much of you... It definitely will hurt bad if they don't accord the same courtesy to you when you need them to. But it's alright. Truth is, people are not always going to be there for you, friends and family will disappoint you, even when they swear that they will be by you always, and when that happens, you may feel lost and alone. But you need to know this, that inside of you is the kind of warmth that no mortal can give you. What you do is this, you wrap your arms around your body and focus on the warmth within you. Let it generate from its place within you. Let it permeate your entire being and you will understand that even though no man is an island, even though we need people in our lives, even though another ...

Some people are confirmed time wasters. They have nothing to do with their time so they have no conscience in their intrusion on yours. They get you to believe in them only for them to keep you hanging. They are selfish, they only think of themselves and what they will benefit from you all the while having other options. When they find someone with more benefits than you, they toss you aside and only remember you when they need something from you. They recognizable by their flighty attitude, they change their mind at will, they are unfocused, they change plans often and are so unpredictable. They make other plans and don't carry you along until you notice their absence and reach out to them and that's when they grudgingly tell you what they are doing, if ever. Listen to me, stop being a doormat to people. Be nice and kind to those who are same to you. Stop being a matyr, you will only get stoned to death. Listen to me, if you don't think of yourself, people would hardl...

Sometimes, we look back on a past relationship and we smile, even wistfully. Other times, it is a whole lot of negative emotions; anger, pain, sadness, bitterness or even nausea. Bad things happen, this we know, and most of the time, there's no easy way to tell someone we are leaving them, there's no comforting way to hear it, but no matter how things turn out, if we must leave that person, we really should try to be as kind as possible. We really should learn to not plant grudges in people's hearts for us. If we must leave, we should do so as amicably as possible. If we truthfully tell that person that it is not working out and we need to move on, I believe they would understand. Maybe not immediately but eventually, they will recognize what we did and respect us for it. What are you putting into your relationships? Are you making quality memories? The kind of memories that would evoke warmth after the love is gone? Would you be sorely missed if you left or would yo...

Just thinking about how worthless feelings are, how badly they can ruin a person, especially when you have no control over them. Feelings have cost many people so much. Feelings are capable of crippling the most level-headed person. It can cause the most intelligent person to fail woefully at their best. Logic is the quickest way to climb. The more logical you are, the more successful you are. I have noticed that most successful people hardly ever indulge in frivolities, they discard quickly anything or anyone that would slow down their progress. They come off as selfish, mechanical. The emotional or nice person on the other hand gets burned over and over again because they have their head up in the sky. They shy away from reason. They see it as it is but they refuse to accept it, especially when it concerns them. Oh, do they give the best advice! Which is true of the saying that the people who give the best advice need it the most. These are the people who are always badly ...

Mercy eyes were filled with dismay at the state of the sitting room she had tidied up just a few minutes ago. It was now in disarray, everything out of position. The centre table was upturned, the cushions were on the floor and to worsen everything, the contents of a cereal box was lavishly scattered on the centre rug. And the culprits, two little boys, George and Mickey were standing in the middle of the room, grinning sheepishly. They were covered in cereal. "Which kain tin be dis na? Wetin I do una wey make una hate me like dis? Why una dey make my work hard like dis na ehn?" She lamented, her arms flailing wildly. Mickey ran to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He was four years old and adorable. "I love you Aunty Mercy" he grinned adoringly at her. "Me too, Aunty Mercy." George called from where he pulled at the strands on the centre rug. Mercy looked at them and sighed in exasperation. She loved them too but they drove her craz...

Oh my goodness! I woke up with this song in my head. I can't believe I remember every word, I mean I was little then. Does anyone remember this First Bank jingle? 🎼🎶The bank wey start bank business for Nigeria First Bank o, una well done o! 🎷 Bank wey for hundred years dey support awa economy o First Bank o, una well done o! 🎹 Bank wey dey helep business man plus helep farmer o First Bank o, una well done o! 🎻 For sports, arts and culture nko? First Bank o, una well done o! 🎤 Bank wey for hundred years still dey strong and neva taya ooo First Bank o, una well done o!🎶🎼 Gbam gbam! Wow! It's amazing! Lol. 

Who Beta Pass? ***** February 13th After a hard day's work, Okiemute is relieved to come home to his wife and children. As he enters the compound, he sights his neighbour, Oshare running into the latrine. Okiemute: (under his breath) With dat big yansh wey dat man carry, dat tohlet go full today. He gets to his front door and makes to bring out his key but the door flings open to reveal his wife, Alero. Okiemute: (smiling pleasantly) my darling Alero: (hugs him) honey, wehcome. He removes his shoes and enters the room. They live in a Face-Me-I-Face-You house. Their room is one of the large ones, large enough for them to turn it into a room and parlour. An old but clean curtain serves as a wall between the sitting room and the bedroom. The place is neat and tidy. A wonderful aroma emanates from the bedroom area. His dinner is ready. He looks at his wife and smiles again. Okiemute: My love, my one and only selected love, how you dey na? You fine die! See as ...

There's really not one perfect person for anyone but there is that one person who wants to DO right by you. When you find that person, you will begin to laugh at all you had to go through in the hands of those who weren't ready to do right by you because the picture you've always had in your mind of true love is finally being played out right in front of you and by you and your amazing co-star. Wait for it. Be strong enough to let go of what is NOT working and patient enough to wait for what you deserve.

Be happy. Like a child, be happy. Seek no reason to be happy. Just be happy. For when you are happy for a reason. There's going to be trouble When the reason is no more. So, just be happy. Enjoy your bed Enjoy your family Enjoy your friends Enjoy your work Enjoy music Enjoy food Enjoy drinks Enjoy treats Be happy in your peace and solitude Be happy in your chaos and companionship Be happy in your relationship Be happy in your single hood. Enjoy this morning, today For it will not come again. Enjoy your going out Enjoy your coming in. Be happy in loving Be happy in sharing and giving Be happy in accepting and taking Be happy in asking and answering What will be will be Whether you fret or not Be happy instead That's the way to go! Be happy like a flower too.

So, I attended a wedding last weekend and I saw a whole lot of friends I hadn't seen in a very  long time. Friends from church. It was a lovely affair, very gay. When it was time for the couple to dance, we all got on the dance floor. Usually, I just move my feet a little bit, spray the couple and run back to my seat but this time it was different. Maybe it was because of all the old faces I'd missed seeing or because everyone else, ladies like myself, were dancing, whatever the reason was, I boogied seriously. As in, e get one step wey I give dem ehn, my friends look me begin dey shout, 'Ehen! Mama Bubu!!!!' Bubu is Jesse's nickname. We called him that until he firmly stated one day that his name is Jesse, not Bubu. Lol. I no send those women o. I didn't ask the DJ to play one of my favourite songs, "Adaobi" by the Mavins. I sha rock the song wella. Lol. I was actually going through stuff at that time, and that dance helped me realise again t...

Hope is what you hold on to when you feel it is impossible for you to achieve your dream. When it's out of your hands, you cling to hope. When all else seems not to be working, you look up to hope. Sometimes you want to give up because you are certain that it's all gone, that it will never happen, that the door is permanently shut. But if you are brave enough to hope, if you are courageous enough to look fear in the eye and take one more step forward- whether its faltering or heavy- then you are halfway through. Then hope becomes tangible. It becomes flesh in your hand and then a solution shows up because your faith is stirred up. Don't ever give up hope no matter how dire your situation seems. Let hope burn in your heart always. It will give you that solution you need. It will awaken that dead business, that dead marriage/relationship, it will restore you back to that exalted position you once occupied, it will make all things new. Why? Because, hope makes everything ...

A man in love wants his woman to know he loves her. If he is not good with words, he shows her through his deeds: his thoughtfulness, consideration, kindness, generosity, protection, commitment. He is romantic with and attentive to her too. That is a man who is in love. It's not the same as when a man is fond of a woman. He holds her in high regard, thinks she's a fantastic person even, but he's not burning for her, he's not trying to keep her. He's not going the extra mile for her. He is emotionally detached, somewhat dispassionate towards her. He could be there but once in a while, that's it! He just doesn't love her is all.

Man, I just dig love matters too much! Even though I haven't really found the kind of love that I'm looking for, I still believe in it so much. I am hopelessly romantic. When I'm in love I don't care about me anymore. It's all about doing the other person good. I completely forget myself. It's so with my friendships too. If I love a friend, I will do almost anything for them. I'm amazed that I haven't run out still. Lol. Sometimes, it works out and other times it doesn't. It has happened to so many people. It has happened to me. It has happened to you. Heartbreak, it hurts. It's a setback- emotionally, mentally, physically, financially. But it is worth it. No matter how badly it ends, I am ready to start again. If I have to get down the No. 1 bus, I am ready to get on the No. 2. I will not give up on love. I am still waiting for my one true love. But I've gotten wiser. If it's not what I want or something close to it, I am not ...

Dayo and Sonia met at a friend's wedding one Saturday afternoon. During the bouquet toss, Dayo had stared at Sonia in amazement as she idly flipped through the wedding programme, boredom written on her face as girls squealed in excitement, each scrambling and pushing the other to get to the bouquet first. She hadn't seemed interested at all and it had intrigued him, so he'd walked up to her to say hello and they got talking. Dayo asked her out on a date and she accepted and after a couple of dates, they fell in like and in no time they connected deeply. A few more dates later and they both knew it was time to take it to the next level and an opportunity presented itself in a dinner date at Dayo's place. They ate and afterwards had drinks and made small talk. But they both know they would be having sex that night. And then they started making out. It got hot and so urgent. And then the clothes came off and the lights went out. They got into bed, touched and ta...

I see you struggling I feel your pain I see your tears Falling faster each day. I truly wish to take it off you Even if it's just for a day To have you breathe freely To lighten your heavy heart. Oh, that it were possible I would take it all from you. I would wear your sackcloth I would sit in your ashes. But for some reason, I cannot So, I will just sit here beside you I will hold your hand I will put my arms around you. I will listen to you I will cry with you Here, my shoulder's broad enough Come rest your tired head on it. I am here, quiet and undemanding Void of derision and judgement. I am here for you, open and steady Take all you want, dear friend.

When a woman is loved she becomes fearless. She has no doubts about the man. She puts her entire trust in him Knowing he would never disappoint her. She laughs harder, smiles brighter. She is an epitome of peace, of calm and of unshakeable faith. She will face the most turbulent storms of their lives She will stand by him in all things, she will face dangers for him.

Each time we speak, You say something special. Each time we meet, You do something special You come in all the hues of the rainbow. You are all shades of special.

Sometimes, I marvel at how quickly a Christian loses their temper or is impatient with a fellow Christian. When I get to heaven, will I find anyone there, or will I sing to the Lord all by myself? Will I be incredibly lonely there with no one to talk to? When I get to heaven, will it be unbelievable quiet, with only my voice to disturb the deafening silence? Will I be free to play with the animals which I took no time to be kind to during my sojourn on washed away earth? Will I dare seek the shade of the same tree which I watched with disinterest as it was hacked down for my comfort? Will I be bold as to touch the same petal which I never took the time to watch bud, to smell, but which  I absently and carelessly trampled upon in my haste to meet with schedules, routines, appointments, targets on far forgotten earth? Will I dare stand by the sea for the waves to dance at my feet when I never had the time to let it when I could have? Will I wrap my arms around myself...

'Let's go somewhere..  ' he said, his eyes alight with mystery. 'Where?' She cocked her head to one side. 'Come on!' He spoke with urgency. She got up and followed him. He walked briskly and she had to hurry to catch up with his long strides. They arrived at the place. It was a stall by the roadside where casual Senegalese dresses were displayed. A woman sat in front of the stall. 'Good afternoon, Madam' he hailed her. 'Ah, good afternoon, Sir. Good afternoon, Ma' the lady greeted. 'Good afternoon, Ma'am' she smiled pleasantly. 'Did you keep it?' he asked the lady. 'Yes, I did' the lady said, standing up. 'Okay, good. She can try it on, right?' he looked excited. 'Yes Sir. Please, come in' the lady ushered her into the shop. She threw a questioning look at him but he just smiled and motioned her to go in. He waited outside for her. She went into the stall and the lady br...

A grown man should not have to be "taught" how to treat a woman (or any other person for that matter) with basic human consideration and respect. This he ought to have learnt from his parents when he was a little boy. To treat a woman right is a "No Brainer." You don't hit a woman, you don't yell at her, you don't make her feel less than she is, you don't order her around, you don't do things that will make her doubt a future with you, and if you know there isn't going to be a future with her, you don't string her along. You tell her how it is in the most respectful way possible. Ladies, a man's actions will always tell you how you stack up in his life. A man who truly wants to be in your life will do everything to stay in it and the one who doesn't won't stay no matter what you do. A man who truly loves you will never be too busy to see you as often as possible, he will always find a way to spend good quality time with y...

I think that the reason why we are broken when we lose someone dear to us is because a part of us leaves with that person. That part of us that housed everything about the person. The memories; every touch, every word, every impact that they made in our lives, every smile, every laughter, every tear... We can no longer touch them, feel them physically, and when we try to reach that part, we find nothingness. We find pain and despair. In trying to offer us solace, concerned family and friends say words of encouragement, of cheer. We nod absently, half-heartedly and without a shred of conviction to promises of a better tomorrow without our lost loved one. And then life goes on, as usual. We go back to living our lives even though we thought we would never be able to anymore. We get back to interacting with the world as best as we can because we still have life and so must live it. We move on to other times and people. This does not mean that we have forgotten about the one we lo...

It's been some funny past couple of days now. I even laughed at myself at a point because it seems like everything has happened to me. Mine is a helluva story. I love reading stories. I love telling them too. I may not be a perfect writer but I sure am a fabulous storyteller. I have my own story, in mine own head. I know the weaves, twists, plot... I know how it begins. I know the in-betweens. I know how it ends. I know my story. So when I find myself in the wrong one; where the characters, plot, setting, twists and pacing are distorted, I leave quietly because that is not my story. I know my story too well. There have been many twists on this journey but I get stronger with each one. I survive each one because I am an extraordinary woman. I am brave. I am courageous, I am strong and I have strength within. I do not break easily. That I do not. My anger comes once in a lifetime because it's like a flood in its coming. It takes along everything, so, it's sparsely re...

Phone rings... "Hello, good morning" "Good morning. Is this Joanne?" "Yes, this is she. And you are?" "My name is Sandra. You don't know me." Joanne: Okay, Sandra... Sandra: Well, I am Jason's girlfriend. Joanne: Jason's girlfriend... Sandra: Yes, you know him. I found your messages in his phone. Joanne: Okay... Sandra: Yes, so I wanted you to know that he has a girlfriend. Joanne: Okay. Sandra: Okay. Silence. Sandra: Because I saw all these messages where you called him "darling" and "love",  that's why I called to tell you he has a girlfriend so you'll not put your hopes on him. Joanne: Hmmm. That's very thoughtful of you. Thank you. Sandra: You are welcome. Joanne: Hmmm. Can I ask you a question? Sandra: Fine. Joanne: How long have you known Jason? Sandra: Long enough Joanne: Er... I don't think so. Sand...

Sometimes, we try to make sense of a particular issue. We search in our hearts for a solution. We try to think it through, to think up a way out. We try so hard but it doesn't happen. Then we have a conversation with someone. We listen to what they are saying or not saying. It could be just a word, a sentence, a gesture, a smile or a laugh. It could be anything, but that anything could illuminate that dark patch of the mind. We really should mind each other every now and then.

Sometimes I act crazy And say really bad things I yell at you I push you away I give you killing looks I hiss loudly at you I pretend not to care When you feel hurt I throw a tantrum Just to have my own way I refuse to cook for you When I am upset with you But remember you love me Remember all the things You say you love about me You love how I snore softly When I am fast asleep You love how I smile happily When you walk through the door You love how I moan When you kiss me in my secret places You love how well I fit in your arms Remember that I love you too And all the things I love about you Remember your arms are the only place That I feel safe in Only your kiss can ignite my fire Your hands leave me trembling Your voice is the only music I know It lifts me up, it soothes me I love how you care for me When I lay in bed sick How worried you look When I shiver from a cold I love how you smile with your eyes When I say you are my wo...

Sometimes after a break up/divorce, you grieve and mourn the relationship. You miss the person terribly and wish things could be different and at other times, it's just good riddance. Not every lost relationship deserves to be mourned. Some just happen for your liberation because you truly were in prison, you were terribly suppressed and tightly wound up. Sometimes, you don't need to cry over a heartbreak. Instead, you laugh because you are free, you get your hand back. You raise your standards and you do better next time.

Aramide opens her eyes to find her husband's head on her chest, his arm around her belly and his right leg thrown across her legs. As usual. The positions always varies but for the same purpose; to be aware of the time she leaves their bed, or "tries to escape" as he puts it. 'Seyi!' she smiles to herself as she carefully wriggles out of his pin hold. Seyi: (opens an eye) And where do you think you are going?' . Aramide: (laughs, as she gets out of bed) To take a shower. My alarm's gone off' Seyi: (grabs her hand in protest) Hey, I didn't hear it ring! Aramide: My mental alarm. Seyi: (matter-of-factly) That doesn't even count. Aramide: Why doesn't it? Seyi: If you are the only one who hears it, then it doesn't count. Come back to bed, baby' he pulls her back down and wraps his arms around her. Aramide: (half-heartedly) We need to start preparing for school run and work, honey. Seyi: (kisses her lips) In a bi...

Any relationship that is founded on lies and deceit is doomed from the beginning. Lies are always found out one way or the other. The person who is sharply intuitive will find you out as soon as they make up their mind to do so. Some people can present multiple personalities to multiple unsuspecting victims. It is disturbing to be this way. It speaks of a deep personality disorder or it can just be pure evil. Being who you are is hard enough with everyone around you wanting you to be who they expect you to be, let alone pretending to be who you are not. Your guard is always up. You need to count your words before you say them. You need to maintain a stainless record of all the lies you have told lest you slip and are found out. It is hard work. Too much hard work. You are on a leash, my friend. You are all wound up and if you are not careful, you will explode into a billion pieces. There is no feeling like being free to be who you are. Free to make mistakes, free to laugh, fre...

Every now and then, we meet that person we are sure we want to spend the rest of our lives with. We fall madly in love with them and do everything in our power to show it. We sing all the love songs we know to them, write the sweetest poems for them, try to look nice for them, say all the silly stuff to them. We effortlessly do things to make them understand how much we care. Sometimes, it works out and other times it doesn't. When its the latter, we cry and try to get them to change their mind and love us once more but sadly, it doesn't happen. Then we try to move on as best as we can. We pick up the pieces of what's left and try to go on. Now, two things happen; we either forgive, forget and move on while holding on to the lesson we learned or we don't forgive, don't forget, never move on and allow that person live rent-free in our minds. Oftentimes, a genuine love comes around and because we are still caught up in the past, we fail to recognize it. If ...

Arab Prince At The Salon One Day ... Betty:(flipping through the pages of a magazine) chai, chai, chai! Which kain tin be dis? As I sit here ehn, I can smell this man's money! Dorcas: Which man? Which money? Betty: This Arab man Janet Jackson got married to oh! See as the man get money ehn? Dorcas: Arab man ke? No be muslims dose people be? He's a muslim now? Betty: Ehen? And so what? Dorcas: Janet Jackson na Christian na! Betty: And your point is? Dorcas: My point is a Christian must never marry a non-Christian. Betty: Dorcas, so if I decide to  marry an Arab prince, you will preach this nonsense to me? Dorcas: If you decide to marry an Arab prince that would mean you would be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. Betty: And that's bad because ...? Dorcas: Because you will go to hell. That's what the Bible says. Betty: Hmmm. Okay. And we're supposed to live by the Bible, right? Dorcas: Yes... Betty: Well, the Bible says that if a woman has a husband w...

Some girls are waiting to meet their partners before they start living their lives. They put everything on hold, they refuse to live, to have fun and look forward to the future because the guy hasn't arrived yet. These kind of women never know who they really are. They never get to explore the person they are inside. They usually live other people's lives: like a best friend, a cherished sibling or a parent's. They're never their own person. So when the man eventually comes, she will live his life, do his bidding and if a day comes when she finds her self, problems arise. She becomes "obstinate and unsubmissive". Some women jump into marriage without any idea of what they need and want in a man. He just proposes and that's it! Please, live while you wait. Find out who you are so you can know what you want. Have fun with yourself. Travel if you can. See the world. Get knowledge. Please. Don't settle for less, too many people out there already hav...