Before Kunle - By Okiche Gloria

Written By: Okiche Gloria

Category: Flash fiction

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

We are pleased to feature "Before Kunle," a compelling flash fiction piece by Okiche Gloria, in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. As part of the creative writing category, this evocative narrative invites readers into a world of emotional complexity and personal introspection. Okiche Gloria, writing under the name "Before Kunle," skillfully weaves a story that resonates with themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet nature of human connections.

About the Work

"Before Kunle" explores the intricacies of personal relationships, captured through the lens of a bittersweet encounter between two individuals coping with grief. The narrative is rich with emotional depth, highlighted by the protagonist's internal conflict between past and present affections. Okiche Gloria's writing style is intimate and deeply reflective, offering a vivid portrayal of the characters' shared moments and unspoken understanding amidst their pain.

Before Kunle

Original Submission by Okiche Gloria

Before kunle

Yagazie likes to listen to the rain, sitting on the balcony, smoking his loud. I like to light his smoke and watch him. He always makes an attempt to offer it to me, and I always smile and decline.

Today, I accepted. I took two long puffs before handing it back. I watched surprise escape into his eyes. I haven't smoked in four years, but we're grieving. His girlfriend left him for an older man, so I'll make an exception.

Shantel was the one he ended every phone call with: I love you. That three-word sentence he’s never said to me. It was convenient for both of us.

My boyfriend, Kunle, lives in another state and believes in sexual purity. Rich, handsome, and a talented gospel minister, he captivated me with his beauty and warm baritone. The girls in church were smitten with his voice. So was I.

One Sunday, he told me he'd prayed about getting into a relationship, and the Holy Spirit had given him permission to date me. I remember being surprised that he was even talking to me. Then I wondered why he was telling such a flimsy lie.

Still, I said yes.

Somewhere along the line, I shrank the parts of me that liked sex and smoking loud.

Shantel and Yagazie's connection was different. He met her when we were in our final year, and she was a freshman. Her sister matched them together. He wrote beautiful love poems for her, flooding her DMs until she agreed to a movie date. His eyes always twinkled whenever he told me about their first date, about how much he loved that she didn't play hard to get. She'd made the first move and kissed him.

The year I met Yagazie, we lived in the same hostel off-campus. I'd seen him a few times in the department, but we'd never spoken.

One sunny afternoon, I was coming home from school when I found him sitting by the gate, eating groundnuts.

"Ifechukwu, do you care for some groundnuts?" he asked with an easy smile.

I didn't realise he knew my name.

"How do you know my name?"

"Who doesn't know your name in this hostel? Aren't you the girl who was fighting with the caretaker the other day?"

Embarrassment wanted to finish me.

"Quarrelling", I corrected. "Not fighting."

"Either way," he said with a shrug, "it doesn't change the fact that you were shouting at the old man. Don't worry, though. I don't judge people."

And he never has.

"You're smoking today."

He broke the silence.

"Is that a judgemental undertone I smell?"

A sad smile tugged at his lips as he shook his head.

"You know I don't play the judgement card."

Silence settled between us.

I leant over and kissed him briefly.

"When are you going to leave Kunle?" he asked, almost wistfully.

"As soon as the Holy Spirit tells him to leave me."

We laughed. And laughed some more.

Then, more quietly, he asked again.

"When are you really going to leave Kunle?"

I sighed instead of answering and wrapped my arms around him. Outside, the rain drummed harder against the roof. We stayed like that for a long while, holding each other as though pain could be carried between two bodies.

He stroked my hair, kissed my neck, and led me back inside. What passed between us felt like two lonely people searching for somewhere to put their sadness.

Later, we lay in bed, simply staring at each other.

"I'm sorry Shantel married someone else," I said.

He shrugged.

"I can't say I blame her. After all, I was cheating too."

"I'm sorry I was the person you cheated with."

"Stop apologising." He looked at me for a long moment. "I wish I could say I regret it. I feel guilty, maybe. But regret? No."

After a while, he asked, "Will you leave Kunle and escort me to her wedding?"

I smiled.

Before Kunle, there was Yagazie.

And there will always be Yagazie for me.

I know exactly what I want to do.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating diverse voices in literature. This competition provides an international platform for writers to showcase their talent and share compelling narratives that resonate with readers worldwide. Participants across various categories, including poetry, short stories, and creative writing, contribute to a rich tapestry of literary expression.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Okiche Gloria for sharing "Before Kunle" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This poignant narrative, rich in emotional depth and reflection, offers a profound exploration of human connections. We appreciate the opportunity to feature such a thoughtful piece and look forward to more creative contributions from Okiche Gloria in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.