Life and Love in Times of Ebola

Ever since news broke out about the scourge of the deadly contagion, things have not quite been the same again. It didn't help matters that the one recorded case into the country had been contained albeit unsuccessfully treated. The people are now a paranoid lot, one can't be too sure if somehow an afflicted person had managed to slip through the radar undetected. Read about how the lives of four individuals are affected as they try to live and love during this time of growing mistrust, uncertainty and overcatiousness…

Omoregie, 37: Ikoyi, Lagos

He thought about his wife, his two kids and how he had been an absentee husband and father for the past six months. He couldn’t even remember the last time he kissed Efe or helped Omoregie jnr. with his homework. Maybe this was for the best he pondered. Yesterday, Nora his work colleague and mistress had returned from Monrovia, Liberia where the company had commenced plans to open a new branch.

Nora was the consulting manager in charge of expansion and had spent only two days there; the trip was cut short as a result of the Ebola crisis. But two days was enough for Omoregie, in fact it was more than enough to reflect on his marriage, his shortcomings as a father and more importantly…his health. He wanted to remain healthy. While he sat at the office desk, looking at his family portrait, he concocted various ways to break up with Nora.

During Lunch break, she came excitedly into his office for their usual afternoon romp. He looked up from his desk without even standing:

“Hey Nora, we need to talk”, He began…

Chiggy ‘the gee’ Chigenye, 20: Maryland, Lagos

It was another Sunday at Happy Campers Bible Church; the praise and worship session was more fevered than usual and the prayer warriors were all over the place, kicking and yelling their veneration in full force. Chiggy sat at the end of his pew, a good several meters from the next person, observing in detail the spectacle before him.

He was in church for the second time this year; his motivation was not salvation or the fear of eternal damnation but love. Chiggy had come to church because of a girl. Unfortunately for him she seemed absent today but he waited with optimism. Minutes later, the pastor announced from the altar:

“Look at your neighbor, shake their hand and welcome them to church!”

Chiggy watched anxiously as a happy ‘camper’ approached him with a smile and open arms but he would have none of it, instead he maintained his distance and performed the ‘peace’ sign followed by a ‘thumbs up’ and bumped his chest twice with a fist in true ‘gee’ fashion. God would understand he reasoned, after all heaven helps those who help themselves. When will people realise that Ebola is real? He scanned the church perimeter once again wondering when Nnenna would show up.

Iya Risi, 50: Obalende, Lagos Island

She was the envy of other food vendors. Her stall boasted of the tastiest assorted meats this side of Lagos; grass-cutters, alligators, antelope, monkey… you name it, everything and anything was available at Iya Risi’s stall. People came from as far as Festac to enjoy her famous spicy delicacies. But today was different.

Today, Iya Risi’s usually crowded stall was a shadow of its former self. It was empty and for the first time in twenty years, her large matronly hips could pass between two tables without knocking over someone’s head. She was worried.

Across her stall, Iya Badejo, the fish vendor struggled to maintain the crowd at her stand. What has happened? She wondered; has everybody suddenly become vegetarian, abi her kini don expire? But she saw Baba Ifa Karade just few months ago. As she watched the bustle at Iya Badejo’s stall, her worry soon turned to anger and that was when she made up her mind to visit her hometown Ile Ife once again, for the Baba’s wise consult…

Jenny, 29 and Vincent 31: VGC, Lagos

“What do you think you are doing?” She asked recoiling, as he leaned forward to peck her. It was a long day at work and he needed her warmth.

“Honey, I just had a tough day…can I at least kiss you?”

“Not before you have a good shower”, she replied.

“By the way Aunty Ebi stopped by with the Dudu Osun soaps as promised. She said they are even more effective than those cleaning agents at your hospital”.

He hated how she believed every word Aunty Ebi said over his, yet he was one of the smartest surgeons in Lagos. Shrugging, he dumped his clothes in a plastic tarp at the back of the house. Jenny always insisted that they had to be separated from the other family stuff for washing. After showering with the smelly black soap, he came down for dinner and…surprise!

“What is this?" He asked, confused.

“Cous cous…Aunty Ebi says we should avoid meat and similar foods this period. Did you use the hand-sanitiser after your bath?

Arrgh! If he heard that name one more time he would lose it. The food was insipid but he ate it anyway. Later in bed that night he attempted to cuddle his wife but she withdrew.

“Sweety, can we not try for a baby tonight? I don’t want to get pregnant this period; Aunty Ebi said it is riskier…”

At that point he zoned off and left the room. He wondered who was more dangerous to his life right now: The Ebola virus or Aunty Ebi…

THE END