This is an Amazon exclusive short story by the noted Nigerian author. In fact, this is her latest work of fiction post the acclaimed novel Americanah.

You can call this as a short story, a stand-alone work of fiction or even a novella due to it’s form; but whatever you would like to classify this as, the small work of fiction packs a punch. This tiny glimpse into this revered author’s mind is enough to prove her prowess as a master storyteller.

It’s the story of the namesake woman, originally hailing from Nigeria but now settled into USA. Like all developing countries, her parents’ aspirations were for their children to be settled in the developed countries like USA. So, her path is already chosen by her father and her mother helped her preparation to study abroad. As planned, Zikora arrives in USA; studies to be a lawyer and gets into the elite society of Washington DC where she meets Kwame.

But she is well aware that not her education but rather the wealthy Nigerian background has opened the doors for the exclusive access to Kwame (& his parents’) inner circle. He, at age 37 being two years younger to her, comes across as the suave and sophisticated man from a mix set of parents. Someone who is considered an aspiring role model in his community and cherished by his family as an ideal son. Therefore, it’s only naturally that he fits into her expectations as a model boyfriend; to be considered as a suitable fiancé by her parents, no less.

The real shock is the way when Kwame shuts himself from her; the way he flinches by any kind of commitment, just walks away from the responsibility of being a father to Zikora’s son. Our story starts from this point and we see the world falling apart for her while Zikora is in labour delivering their son.

What this pregnancy and later birth of her son makes her realise about her family, her parents relationships with each other and especially, her stiffness towards her mother’s emotions is worthy to read. The nuanced way in which the backstories unfold and we get more & more details about Zikora’s past; her well-off childhood marked by her father’s departure from their family home, her coming to America, her first pregnancy, her struggles to fit into the corporate life is worth reading in author’s own words.

To sum it up; a terrific short story, worth your time and attention. Just pick-this-up & make sure you have added her other works in your TBR list, too.