Ini,

i dont have memories, theres nothing for me to flash back on, I barely remember you from school. Your face is vaguely familiar, I remember bukky and bibi and tomi and all your other friends but i really cant remember you, i dont know who you were or wht u were like but for some odd reason i remember your smile, Ini i really do remember your smile, not necessarily your face, or any of your other features just your smile. 

Ini you really really smiled I can remember your essence, I can remember a very happy person that had d happiest smile, you smiled like u had everything figured out like u didn’t have a care and nothing scared u. Oh how I covet that smile.

U never smiled directly at me and I feel terrible abt that I wish I cud go back to when we were in school and do something, say something to earn that smile. I wish I was your sister friend and all this sadness and tears would be justified by the fact that we had moments together me, you, and ur smile. I wish u had touched my life cos obviously that was ur thing.

It seems so freaking sad , its so freaking unnecessary, I see all the comments your friends have made and hw strong they are all being but I really don’t get it. What did your smile ever do to anyone, y did u have to stop smiling for us.

But I guess what they say about God is true, he really is a jealous father, he just wanted u all to himself everyday smiling just for him. but Ini amma represent, am going to fake that smile o il fake it till its mine too. am going to smile as hard as I can for u am going to live like u, loving randomly and caring deeply for anyone that lets me.

It hurts me that ur gone.

RIP Ini.

I miss ur smile.

           You were one of the first friends I made in college; we went everywhere together then. A lot of events took place in college which made me realize how wonderful my friends were as a WHOLE.
            In 200 level we were roommates; we would cook together, you would arrange my wardrobe,lol. Whenever my parents came we would both go out like sisters. Omg! Hospitality dinner, you made me up so well that a certain someone couldn’t get their eyes off of me . In 400 level, alpha semester I would come to your room always to nag and bug you and you would make me feel better. Whenever I had cramps, you would make me noodles and bring it all the way downstairs. So many memories!!!! But one thing stood out; how we had each others backs! We fought all the time that it became a joke; It is still funny how we all clicked at first sight.
            That sad day, I couldn’t hold myself from crying; it hurt so bad especially when pemi said "shes gone dami". I got down on my knees and asked God to give you the miracle I had been waiting for. I loved you that much and I still love you.
I have realized that God knows best and everything happens for a reason. The fact that you are side by side with HIM makes me so happy.
Rest In Peace Ini.

Writin dis is d hardest tin iv ever done in ma life,iv neva felt dis way in ma entire life. it stil feels like a dream n i need sme1 2 wake me up n tel me its reli a dream. Iv known u since 100l tru gbola but we were not close,as faith wld av it we met @
lagos camp,myself,ini,gbola,mobola.bisola,dami,sylvia and we invented a sisterhood club(lol). I rem dos dayz how we used 2 go huntin 4 food @mami market,we al had fun 2geda,ini and i practically shared d same bed after bisola gt anoda bedspace.hw can i ever 4get a day mobola, gbola n bisola had left d room 2 interact with other pple n it ws jst myself n ini dt ws left bhind we had a chance 2 knw ourselves better,we spoke abt so many tins n i found out d true Iniobong Asuquo...u r very kind,a young lady with a good heart n im so grateful 2 God 4 givin me d opportunity  2 get close 2u while u were alive.

Even after camp,d sisterhood club continued,we al stil kept in touch checkin up on eachother,i rem u pingin me on fri evenins 2 find out if ild b goin out n ill b like "ini u like 2 parry" n it became a routine i xpect ur pings fri nite.Mobola had her birthday party n we al attended,tuk pics n it ws like a reunion after camp...3weeks b4 u left planet earth u,mobola n gbola came 2 my house after attendin a weddin @ abeokuta n u decided 2 stay 4 d weekend...ini i rem dt nite u said u were hungry n i was like "wil u drink garri" n u replied "better take care of me cos u dnt knw wen nxt ill b comin 2 ur house again 4 d weekend"not knwin dt wld b d last time.2weeks b4 u departed ws d lst time i saw u,u invited me 4 a weddin n i tld tolu abt it...i met ur mum and ur beautiful aunti Pat @d weddin,dey were so nice n i realised u got ur caring attitude frm ur mum.Its reli sad dt ur gone but u live in ma heart...i pingd u 1st of june 2 come stay 4d weekend n u tld me u were in abuja n i rem tellin u 2 buy me kilishi wen comin bk 2lagos,i stil called u sat nite 2 confirm if u bot my kilishi n u said yes..i was xpectin u in lagos d following day...if only u didnt go 2 abuja,if only u didnt board dt flight,if only ur Cd ws on monday,if only u didnt serve in lagos state but God knws best,he gave u 2 us al n called u bk 2 rest.He knws al things n He is unquestionable.Iniobong Asuquo u will forever remain dear 2me...U LIVE...

It is more than a week today, and I can't still believe you’re gone, like you’re not coming back ever. I see mom and she's so broken, I am helpless, how do I comfort her? What do I do or say?

Hmmmmm!... I close my eyes and I can see you, you are here but in my head. I can describe you from head to toe, my friend, and my sister Iniobong Asuquo. I remember all the good times, how you lived and how we lived life together. You are the only child, but you had many sisters. So many memories Ini, I remember them all, you do too.

People say ‘it would be fine’ but it wouldn’t!

You’re not on this earth anymore,
You can’t take pictures and bend 360 degrees anymore,
Your can’t smile those Red lips anymore,
You’re not here to ginger us anymore, would it ever be the same without you?

Hmmmmm!... But I have to be strong for mommy, she's afraid.

After all is said and done we'll just leave her alone, but you-self you know that’s not possible, the same way we choked you with so much love is the same way we'll choke her with our love. God has now given her more daughters- She’s a true mother of all nations, she lost you, but she has US.

Memories of you will never be forgotten, I love you, but God loves you more. I am not going to grieve like I don’t have any hope and I am not going to limit God; He is limitless, and I know that there's light at the end of the tunnel...

A thorn in the flesh
A poisonous snake bite
A great fall from high above
A nasty slap on the face
Can never, ever compare to death's sting.
Ini, I'm hurting!
My friend, my sister, our Missing piece.
Since u left us, its been a mysterious puzzle, an unending maze, day after day.
Reality keeps hitting me,its punch is overwhelming.
No pain Can compare to death's sting!
Joy!
It will come.
It keeps trying to creep back into my heart.
Where it once was bountiful, We were a happy bunch.
But I'm scared ini, how can I let it?
Bubbly nature, cheerful,composed, we could be silent for hours.I used to come to your room to be silent, then we'd dance to wrap up the day. Gbola and folu were the talkers and moji was the good listner, ini and I would just giggle and laugh all day,except when I'm in the mood to argue, or she's in the mood to annoy gbola. perfect 5 and kelechi.. me at the front, moji in the middle, folu,ini,gbola and kelechi @ the back of class, gossiping . dat smile...our perfect picture moments, Our dance moves, picking what to wear on sunday,remember the fastest to make up game we played, we were always late for morning classes, and then trying to get to CST in 1 minute...we'd end up giggling all the way,"abeg abeg I can't kill myself "u'd say, and I'd say ini let's slow down, then u'd lovingly call me orobo!. Studying for exams, ini would come to my room,peep through the window and exclaim, Ewo! Bukky is reading o!what are you reading? I'm finished!hmmmm, she'd run back to her room and continue. Like that would help. My baby! Remember Project times with Dr Oni? How oloyode would screech"You will not graduate"and we'd do our synchronised *yimu* and you'd say "na so". Smart, intelligent, vibrant, yet calm! And we had one thing in common, always crept back into our shells until someone snaps us out of it, we were annoyingly laid back, but we were hard working,the whole bunch: washing on saturday morning,going to library,window shopping online.lol.  ini you were sooooo Tidy! remember how we used to argue on whose writing was better? Ini *deep sigh* I wish I didn't have to miss you, i've been wishing a lot lately.
Thinking too, maybe its wishful thinking, or just deep thoughts of how we were and how we can't be anymore.
This has to be long, I wish I could go on and on. The way I repeat myself over and over when I'm trying to make a point. well, I'm trying to make one and I hope you get it...ini won't even roll her eyes when I'm blabbing, she'd just smile and say "Bukky I understand"then I'd smile back and say "u sha get". My baby, its funny how I remember how I met everyone but you, maybe cuz we just clicked from the very beginning. My 100 level Ini, with her long colourful gypsy skirts , we were inseparable,you Ife and I then dami, then moji and bisola, then sophia, yeni, pemi and douye, bimbo, folu, ope,ebun,gbola,eky,simi pam, kelechi, lamide, seuN ikotuN (emphasis on the n) bibi and everyone we know today, we kept acquiring more friends, we were greedy .lol. But we stuck close, closer than sisters. What I've learnt from you ini, is that though I'm accommodating, I suck at keeping in touch, something you managed to do so easily! Ini has been to everyone's house! Home and abroad. She'd never ever let go! Never! That's why I know it must have been hard for you to do that all at once. I'd never let go too baby, U'd always be in my heart, close, closer than ever! Cuz that's all I can hold on to, these memories, the last 6 years of bukky, ini and everyone that we met in the course of your lifetime. Your family! ini  say a prayer for them, for me, for us! We miss you so. While I'm lucky to still have life, I'd be a better person, I'd be a better friend, a better sister, a better child and a better daughter to our Almighty father,who I'm sure is holding you close, closer than we all could ever have, and that's all you ever wanted, closure!.I give him thanks,Lord I'm grateful for the life she lived, Giver of life, the beginning and the end, Kabi o osi, "Kabieyesi!!! "Has a whole new meaning, The Unquestionable God! Sigh! On this note I rest my Case, let go and let God.

I remember the Sunday before your NYSC Orientation Camp, that was the last time I saw you; it was months ago but it seems just like yesterday. Ebun had slied us and I had to come get you, there you were with your funny walking pattern, smiling, laughing and cracking me up. We got to the Cinemas late. Folu, Bukky and company were already watching the movie. We sneaked in to the Cinema Hall thanks to Yinka . Tower heist was playing and Eddie Murphy was hilarious. The movie was over, the sun had gone down and it was time to say our goodbyes.


You were a dash of sunbeam that cast a brief but joyful ray of sunlight to all that knew you. The little moments that I was privileged to spend with you, will be cherished forever. I wasn’t expecting the next goodbye to be final, for where is the good in this goodbye?

I’m sorry your family has to go through this,
I’m sorry you had to leave us so soon,
I’m sorry it had to be you,
I’m sorry I’m sending you a goodbye message,
But I won’t be dismayed “a goodbye is necessary before we can meet again and meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for us all”

The Unquestionable is up there and He has a reason for all. May He Comfort the family, friends and loved ones of our beloved Iniobong Asuquo who will be missed dearly.

You were here, now you are gone but you are forever in our hearts. Till we meet again sometime, somehow, somewhere in Heaven, “…For those who follow Godly paths will rest in peace when they die” Isaiah 57:1-2(NLT)…