A Gift of Sickness
"It was on a Sunday that I allowed my mind to wander, to conclude that marriage held a cloud of dark smoke. My years of poring over microbiology texts came alive and my imaginations widened. I realised that while kissing held love and passion, it could be slippery sunless tunnel leading to exchange of pathogens, offering one a gift of illness. I knew that when I close my eyes to kiss, my testosterone raging, a film of dread would wrap up my skin and I would imagine microbes as I had seen them moving under the microscope, crawling..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-gift-of-sickness?r=twl53&u

... But Certain Things Can't be Escaped Forever

"How do you hold someone you've never met at a high esteem? My admission letter had read Dr. K. F. Fashae, as my supervisor. Strange name, but this strangeness roused my curiosity. The first time someone pointed me to him, my initial admiration widened. There's more to this story, but before then, I was broken by the news that supervisors would be sorted by the department. When I learnt the list was out 2 weeks ago, my fear exploded into restlessness." Have a good read.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/but-certain-things-cant-be-escaped?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The Battle between Evil and Right

"Kwame grabbed Nneka's hand as she danced. She sat easily on the barber's chair's handle, her eyes spewing untamed seduction. Kwame's dark and huge body filled the chair, dark lust filling him. Sitting behind them, waiting to get a haircut, uneasiness fell on me. My young mind was aflame with both anger and desire. I knew Kofi's wife. She had a baby and we were living in the same house. Anger. Will he kiss her in front of me?..." Happy reading.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/the-battle-between-evil-and-right?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

"May be it's the kindness that flows like a calm river, not in furious waves that matters. Ade made my graphics for book advert without a pay, but my memory of him fanning me during Advanced Pathogenic MCB exam, glows, unfading. My sweat pores had cracked deeper. Fiyin introduced me to my writing mentor, a man I now admire, irrepressibly, but there's something soft, kind, soothing, in the way she asks me 'How're you?' that makes me tell her my secrets. I felt my loss of confidence melt as Feyikemi told me my knitting..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/little-drops-of-water?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*A Flip of the Coin*

"Life's not always as it seems. Innocent, I didn't know you could cry, that you cried as life hit you in 2018. I had scanned our class in year 1. You weren't the calm, introverted, nerdy, front-seaters, I wanted as friends. When we were assigned the same project supervisor, I didn't know how to relate with you - tall, bold, pidgin-speaking, Lagos guy. You were one of the big boys in class and that left us on parallel paths. Something terrible happened years later." Happy reading.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-flip-of-the-coin?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*All is Not Well*
"How does a ray of light pierce and persist through a banket of blackness? How could an arid chaos permit a drop of satiating rain? I recall that life had buckled and an emptiness and weakness descended and filled me up. I began to question my faith, the existence God, and what sort of God he was if he existed. This merciless pain had one day shut down my brains and focus and I knew I needed to leave class to breathe, to stay alive to embrace my cross, my helplessness."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/all-is-not-well?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*Memories of Love*
"Your memories resurrect now, but I can't define my feelings that day. Was I falling in love? You were presenting your PhD project, but I can't recall your topic. No, your presentation was stunning and you spoke elegantly. You were born to be a microbiologist, but again, your diction makes me wonder if communication is the ideal path. Your confidence diffused through the room and held the eyes of all. You flung your hair classically like a model. If you had looked at me with your stormy eyes, my heart would have buckled..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/memories-of-love?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*The Weakness of the Strong*
"I think about you now. A wave of regret and weakness sweeps through me. Guilt forces me to apologise, but I'm crippled by your demise. I never knew the strong one sometimes could be weak, that the tough one could break down. I watched illness capture you, but my empathy failed. I wanted you to be strong as you were always. I wonder the agony you went through as I voiced my displeasure at your weakness. I'm broken by the memory of the day you stopped eating and my reaction..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/the-weakness-of-the-strong?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*A perfect Stain*
"Do you make room for other's imperfections? The Holy writ is right, the heart of man is evil. When you trust man, you also make them hide their flaws. I grew up as a favourite child. I heard parents using me as a standard for their kids. I fought to keep this noble identity. When I was sexually abused, I didn't tell anyone. I didn't want a stain. There's more to this story, more about the brilliant church boy..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-perfect-stain?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*In between Hello and Goodbye*
"Some friendships will fade, but there are those angels in human form, whose radiance lights up our universe daily. As the phases of life swing us, we miss the physical presence of these special friends. Like someone said, it's in saying goodbye that we look into the depth of friendship. I knew Ope was leaving the country, but by the time he told me he was boarding a flight, tears filled my eyes, then l lied. I'll confess but it all began when I started my programme, and had no friend and a lot was happening..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/in-between-hello-and-goodbye?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*One Careless Moment, Maybe, Two...*
"I once read that not everyone is replaceable. It's a wonder how strangers bond in a moment, and how close friends become strangers due to little disappointments. Sometimes, even after forgiveness, life never remains the same. The kindness of Dr. James preceded him and my respect for him formed and grew before I met him. I wanted to stay close so I saved his number. When we spoke, I knew he wasn't drunk with the power he was controlling. Something happened..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/one-careless-moment-maybe-two?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

*Que Sera Sera*
"This morning, in a manner of pleading, my roomie said God should not allow what is bigger than us to befall us. I had narrated the story of Horatio Spafford, who lost his four daughters in one day in a ship wreck while listening to a spoken word about the sad event. He wrote the hymn - ‘It’s well with my soul.’ Memories came alive. I had my favourite interview last year. My heart drummed away because my interviewer was a white woman and I needed the job. When I connected on zoom, my throat dried up and I suddenly started feeling hot..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/que-sera-sera?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

*A Meal for Your Enemy*
"Love is tested by hatred. Jesus said even unbelievers love their fellows. Before you pray for your enemy to die, Paul instructed the contrary, give him food and water. It was in my NYSC camp that I met Ife. I had this intense hatred for her because she was so loud. Each time we met for a meeting, my heart burned from this growing hatred. You'll be surprised at the meeting that brought us together and what happened after my camp. Read on."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-meal-for-your-enemy?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*Love Never Fails..."
"Apostle Paul had said, 'Love never fails,' but love begins to fail when we judge others from our strength. Parents expectations from kids, friends', colleagues, and bosses' expectations. We bury our downfalls and nail others on the cross of their wrongs. Jogging down the road with my roomie for the first time yesterday, Paul's words came alive and guilt seized me. Aren't we all meant to be sentenced? Aren't we all guilty?"
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/love-never-fails?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

*Forgive Us as We Forgive Others*
"In the past few days, I've felt the sting of hurt. I fought the thought of sharing a sad news with anyone on Thursday after a call. I realized pain was building a distance. 'Forgive us as we forgive others...' I've been struggling to let go, to be vulnerable again. A broken trust. Ingratitude. Fading admiration and honour. If my friend knew how much I respected him, how a lot hung around him, he would have treated my ignorant weakness better. Like a melted plastic that solidified, things may not remain the same again... "
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/forgive-us-as-we-forgive-others?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

*On a Final Note*
"Writing to various persons, I've seen how much life's about people and God. What is the most important thing in life? Paul had said in the Holy Writ that God has planted eternity in our hearts that we may seek him. Truly, a believer is anchored in the turbulence of life's sea by God. There are great things in life, but even psychology has said we'll always seek new things to fill a vacuum within. Peace in the world is elusive. Here's my greatest note... "
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/on-a-final-note?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

*A Note to my Roomie*
"In the words of Edward Young -’Friendship's the wine of life.’ I'm not a wine taster, but to share a room with you is more beautiful than the taste of the best wine. You created an eternal memory when you sat on my bed at 3 am asking how I was feeling. I had slept earlier without food. I was missing my dad. It was a comfort beyond words. You cared even days afterwards. Guys who sympathize are few. You're a good listener and so it's easy to confide and talk with you. Here's one thing you never knew... "
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-my-roomie?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

*A Note to my Dad*
"A writer once said, 'grief changes us forever.' The day was Sunday, 16th Dec. 2018. I was kneeling next to your bed when the Landlady said 'Your Dad is gone.' You looked the same, but life had tumbled. When I stood, memories gripped me but tears didn't come. I took ill quickly. At the grave, I fought tears. It's been years and I've seen that death is part of life. Recently, my roomie did something and the scar of grief was scrapped brutally..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-my-dad?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

*A Note to Kelechi*
"You've been warned to cherish people and each day. Change is a constant event. An author said endings can be a blessing, but this isn't the case between us. How do you deal with having a friend glowing like a sun only to wake up one day and realise you've become best of strangers and worst of friends? You were kind and cool and I assumed you'll always be around. All I have now is the past and unfulfilled wishes..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-kelechi?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to a Chocolate Girl*
"You know that thing about admiring someone till you lose sight of their imperfections. I admired your personality from a distance till you plunged me into uncertainty and my admiration vapourised. An author has said one should never admire secretly, but I think it was safe I disobeyed. Two friends asked if I had something against ladies last month. You would have thought I've been served steaming breakfast. Nah. Before I tell you about my ways with women, I'll tell you about my drained admiration..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-a-chocolate-girl?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to Priscillia*
"My parents loved you that they started hinting me about marrying you. They wanted you to be the daughter they never had. What kind of parents present marriage talk to their sixteen-year-old child? I'll answer that later. You were the first girl I ever conceived marriage thought with. Now this teenage dream has dimmed like twilight. I was warned, but there's...."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-priscillia?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to my Late Brother*
"How do you miss and grieve what you never experienced? I still wonder what you looked like and what our relationship would be if you were alive. Dad never talked about you. He's tough but grief melted his toughness. Mum said your name was Daniel and you were the most handsome. I'm more stunned now thinking about what mum said caused your death. I wish Dad told his own story. It's mysterious and maybe a myth or was it spiritual? My Igbotic mind tells me you were an ogbanje because..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-my-dead-brother?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to my Angel*
"Hey, beautiful. You know God must have an intriguing sense of humour. We strive to grip our present, yet our future flows in ripples on his palm. I know you're anxious, waiting for admission. I know you adore me for my feats, but life dishes challenges to me daily and I've failed and made mistakes sometimes. Life’s adventurous. I started a new phase of life. Daunting. Will you believe I was..." Happy reading.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-my-angel?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

"How does mystery become reality? In the past two weeks, we've morphed from perfect strangers to close friends. This note is about a recent event. A roomie in my 2nd year in university told me I liked repaying favours and not fully accept kindness. I smiled but I was angry. Was he saying I didn't know how to let others love me? Truth speaks even after years. I'll explain what happened that day I turned down food at the cafeteria. I hope it doesn't ruin things." Have a good read.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-ademola?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to Henry*
"I’m sorry I wasn't vulnerable enough when you told me about your sexual addictions. Your question resonated with me. Why would God allow the raging of our hormones when sex has been confined to marriage by his laws? I was sad that you were giving up the battle against sexual addictions. You felt you had tried your best. You're not alone. Here are two experiences I'm rather ashamed to write." Have a good read.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-henry?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to Mr. Boss*
"What do you do when your proprietor speaks to you rudely and your students come later to sympathize with you? You shouted and insulted me in front of all the students. You forgot I couldn't have acted like you and scream. We were two personalities. I remember a girl angrily condemning your actions later. My confidence was broken. I'm sorry about the aftermath which you..."
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-mr-boss?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Sad Note to Ebere*
"I was told to be careful around strangers, but how do you tell a child to be careful around family? It's been years we drifted apart, but the heartbreaking memory you created stuck. I trusted you so I didn't think you had dark plans when you asked we go to uncle Amadi's house. No one was in the house at the time. You were an older distant cousin. You should have protected me, but you devoured me like a prey. Do you even recall what happened? I do." Read and help some boy somewhere. https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-sad-note-to-ebere?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to Mrs. Sarah - 2*
"Your words became an anthem but it still didn't sit well. "Victor, it's okay to make mistakes," you would say. It wasn't okay. I was supposed to be perfect. I would swim in regret, but my slippery hands couldn't turn back time. I soon began to digest the anthem but that was when what I never conceived came. It was a hot Friday, eve of gubernatorial elections. Cash was scarce. I went to a shop to buy something amidst the crowd trying to stock their homes in case elections morphed to war..." Happy reading.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-mrs-sarah-2?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to Mrs. Sarah*
"My respect for you would have tripled if you were working in a major media station or advertising firm as a Communication and Language Arts graduate. It was my first time meeting a stay-at-home mum. In my judgement, you were super brilliant and confident. Why waste abilities? My thoughts and judgement brewed fiercely. Did you have ambitions? How did life happen?" Happy reading.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-mrs-sarah-1?r=twl53&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to Mr. Reward*
"It's true lecturers can be inhumane. I wish I had told you that although I was in my final year, I had never faced the trauma of failing and rewriting an exam. I felt numb when I saw my Immunology result. I had always wondered where my mates plucked courage to write carryovers. Fear of failure. Melting courage. When I was reporting my ordeal, you didn't see my heartbreak and fears." Click and enjoy.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-mr-reward?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

*A Note to Mr Frank*
"Dear Frank, I wanted to tell you a secret my mum never knew. In my early 20s, my dad was grieving and I needed a shoulder, a mentor. I admired you, sought attention, and visited once but you didn't get the clue. I'm sorry I wasn't open but you know I was shy unlike my confident mates you spoke more with. I envied them. Now you call me your boy but I feel very distant. You taught me a sad lesson unknowingly..." Enjoy.
https://open.substack.com/pub/oduoguvictor/p/a-note-to-mr-frank?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web