THREADED

Kemfon muttered as her eyes

d spent the entire day binge-watchi

, this one starring Anne Hath

like this for 72 hours. I'd shave my

a movie," her friend S

wasn't surprised. Trust Kemfon to get completely en

, realizing she

nteresting," she said in

ot pale-skinned people who

away please," Kemf

ways complained she couldn't understand th

ad more to do with the Hollywood models' thin

l these Onyibo films. Their lives are too fast. Before you blink,

fashion, the crisp office scenes. I mean, look at this

said, rolling her eyes. "You can

le, quiet joy wrapped in friendship. The kind of bond tha

denly exclaimed. Kemfon turned to see

ther than brave a trip to the nearby mart-a nightmare for her introverted self-

m sorry, mummy," she teased, gr

x of disbelief and concern. "God help you. I

east now you have some

ered, still staring at the bow

said, dragging the bow

ceiling fan hummed lazily, and the familiar scent of hair cr

ing had never been allowed. Her mother wasn't friendly to anyone-not even her daughter

irthday parties, sleepovers, and anything remotely social. Her mother's

. Once Aunty Eno told her that her mother had

orkor. Aunty Eno described her niece's mother as

t care about her either

mean?" Kemf

beautiful daughter of an Ibibio chief, had bec

ver. He accepted her but could not marry her. She had hoped

l who looked nothing like her-ha

her's resentment began. When she couldn't

child being bullied at the village square. Her own mother had inte

er to her and in years,

ther's pain, Kemfon struggle

ng many shops and properties,

other, a woman her mother despised most. She often

e darker-skinned, shorter, or even plumper. Anything bu

ght, to inherit someone

use he couldn't stand her mother's behavior. Though

ore them without reading. There were phone calls too, cut short

n had was

sketching clothes, even when her mother dismissed it as childish nonsense. She bought her sketchbooks

wisdom. And Seima's friendship. Together, they were her

drifted. She stared at the screen, her thoug

g out again,"

said softly. "

ng. Like, maybe open a sugar jar b

in. "That's... sur

eima said, flipping h

ywood drama and salty cornflakes-Kemfon fe