Aderonke Adeyeye's Blog

  Dear Younger Me, #Takesadeepbreath. There are so many things I want to tell you, but where do I even start? #sighs Let me start by telling you that you're one of the most amazing persons that would ever grace this earth. I want you to know this and put this at the back of your mind always.  Because a lot of people might want you to see yourself as less. Hence, you'd need this reassurance in every phase of your life. Also, I want you to know your worth. The world is full of inauthentic people. But make sure you remain a gem. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. And when you do, don't hate yourself like I hate myself now. I have made a lot of mistakes and Instead of forgiving myself, I punish myself for them. Don't be like me. Forgive yourself and move on! I want you to spend more time with our parents. Love them. Cherish them. Make memories with them. Take a lot of photographs with them. Don't be like me who has no single pictures of our dead parents, and who puni...

  The Thin Line Between Love and Hate - A Memoir There is something people say when they are trying to sound wise: they say that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. I used to nod along politely because It sounded neat. Clean. Safe. Then I lived long enough to know better. Love and hate share a border. Not a fence. Just a narrow strip of emotional land you can cross without noticing, until you look back and realize you’re no longer where you started. I learned this not from books, but from people. People I loved in ordinary ways first. It was in the way I noticed how they smiled. In the way I remembered their silences had different meanings. In the way their name softened inside my mouth when no one else was listening. Loving them felt like choosing them every day, even when it was inconvenient. Especially when it was inconvenient. Love made me generous. way too generous. But when hate came.. it did not arrive loudly. It came as a disappointment at first. Very slight...

 Dear Future Husband, My King, My Crown, Enibiokan Mi (the one after my heart), Ìfé Ayé Mi (the love of my life), Ìdùnnú Mi (my happiness), Àyò Mi (my joy). I know it sounds strange that I am calling you all of these sweet names even before I have met you. And I know that it sounds stranger that I think I'd ever meet you despite all the shege that your gender has shown me. My Love, life and love has dealt me  so much heartbreaks and hurts, that I have almost wanted to hang my dating boots time and time again. But the thought of who you would be, fills me with so much excitement and curiosity, and keeps me hoping and praying that you come my way swiftly. And when you finally come, My Jewel, I promise to love you unconditionally, deeply, sweetly, fully and wholeheartedly.  I promise to come to you healed and ready to be your wife and the mother of your kids. I promise to be your lover, your prayer mate, your own private 'ashewo' (lol), your mother, your friend, your confida...

  Dear God, we need to talk... Dear God.... Like bitter leaf, my heart is bitter, Like walnuts, the ache of my life is getting tighter and harder to crack... I am tired.. I have been tired before now, But this, this is worse. Worse than anything I have experienced before. I am hurt.. I am depressed.. I cry.. I fail.. I AM TIRED. They say "talk to God", but each time I close my eyes, tears drop from my eyes and no sound comes out of my mouth, except for wailings and sobbing. And when I eventually summon the courage and will to talk to you, you seem far away, And like the harmattan wind, my prayers disappear. Dear God, We need to talk... Tell me, Why do I struggle, while others thrive? Why do I languish and toil, yet nothing works? Why do I toil like an elephant, and eat like an ant? Why am I trying to live a just and righteous life, yet hardship and pain are my constant companions? Why? Is it fate, or just a cruel joke by you or your angels, or is this karma for the bad things...

   "Iya..." Girowa’s seductive voice boomed from the doorway of the master’s bedroom, a forlorn look on his face. '‘Yes, Girowa.'’ Iya’s soothing voice trailed like a nightingale on a cold winter night. She turned from the dressing mirror, to look at him. ‘'Iya, you know that i won’t bother you if i dont need this money badly. And you have to convince Baba to give it to me." ‘'And what do i get in return?’' Iya cooed, moving towards him like a swan, her bewitching smile cutting through Girowa's soul like a cold sword.  She placed a cold palm on his cheek, her eyes piercing into his soul. ‘’What do you want? I’d give anything. This business means the world to me.’’  ‘’Then, bring your girlfriend over for the party this evening. It is high time we met her.’’ Girowa was taken aback. He stepped a bit away from Iya, his dark owl eyes searching hers. "Is that all?’’ He croaked softly in disbelief, a part of him wanting to believe Iya and the other...

  THE SOON THAT NEVER CAME  A Sad smile played on Ilori's face as he looked towards his young children, Ilerioluwa and Tiaraoluwanimi, laughing and giggling as they play in the children's section of the restaurant. His heart constricted at the wholesome sight before him - his children all happy. His gaze locked with that of a smiling 6 year old Tiara. Tiara blew her father a sweet kiss, which Ilori caught and placed on his heart, causing Ileri and Tiara to giggle some more before turning on their Merry Go Round. Then Asake’s voice shattered the moment: "What do you mean you're going back tomorrow? You just arrived last week, the children are just getting settled in your presence, and you're talking of going back already?" Asake shrieked, a little too loudly, causing some of the patrons to look their way. "Keep your voice down... Please." he replied softly, trying to hold her hands. Asake wards off his hands, glaring at him angrily, her eyes begining ...