Moving Forward By Oseremen Iwayemi

GENRE: SHORT STORY TITLE: MOVING FORWARD WRITER: OSEREMEN IWAYEMI, NIGERIA REVIEWER: JOSEPH ODURO, GHANA

‘Moving forward’ connotes the fear we countenance in taking a leap to rejuvenate our lives. The writer presents to us how impossible it may seem to be unparalleled with the thrust that keeps one in harmful relationships. Mostly, we are beguiled with the efforts we have invested in ensuring the betterment of such relations only to result in unimaginable nightmares. Lillian and Tayo’s represent the kind of relations we work tirelessly to entangle ourselves with. We fail to remain resolute in taking the time to choose the right persons to influence our lives. We are deluded by that which our senses desire. We heed to our impulses and lay down our defences only to be raptured into our worst nightmare.

The Lillian character remains numb without a sense of opting out from her relationship with Tayo despite the numerous torture and trauma she was subjected to. She feels resentful as there is a consequent decline in her self-esteem. On hearing her pastor’s sermon, she’s struck with this self-introspection. She reflects on how better her life was before she met Tayo. She finally recognizes her need to rejuvenate, to exit the toxicity which has been poisoning her for far too long. Meeting with her boyfriend after that moment of self-introspection, she gathers all the courage she can and faces Tayo as she breaks loose the chains that anchored her to the relationship. Tayo is struck by the sudden morphing Lillian exhibited which reflected her despise for his tyranny.

The writer defines rejuvenation, not as a process of giving new energy but rather nurturing the courage to overcome toxicity that relishes in our lives and those traumas that serve as hurdles that prevent us from becoming better versions of ourselves.