‘Slow down Theo’ Theo had already set out of the car before I could even turn the engines off. I squealed and shivered as I imagined the rain coming down on me. I took a half deep breath, pushed the car door and shut it just as quickly as it had sprung open. I took hurried steps trying to catch up to her. Neither of us expected it to be raining this heavy; we’re in the middle of the dry season. Maybe the gods were trying to make it known that they were on to me, spitting words of disappointment without missing an aim. I knew I had been reckless but now was not the time to be taking shots. The rain soaked through my clothes sticking uncertainly to my body and making me heavy with my poor decisions. I dragged myself through the front door to the reception. I was being careful not to let my mind wander. Tonight was a good night I kept reminding myself. As I leave the reception I see a train of Theo’s clothes leading up the stairs. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life but the greatest has to be intentionally choosing to live with Theo. I have often compared it to living with farm animals. Theo didn’t do anything and I was not sure if it was because she didn’t know how or because she was just lazy. I have never seen her attempt to clean anything all during our years growing and least of all now. I always have to beg her to do her own laundry or to clean up after she makes her toast. I pick up her clothes and throw them at her. She is bending down trying to pick up her towel from the floor. From her waist up she is bare, and nothing but a soft cotton underwear with butterflies on it to cover her girlhood. I was looking directly outside her window and I could see a little beam of light that flashed as though it was a star in the sky. “Please try. I get tired too”, I drop my shoulder slightly and extend my neck to the right. She stands up straight and looked at me in contempt, staring me in my eyes “No one asked you to pick it up, I would have picked my thing myself, bizzy body” She walks into the bathroom slowly with the strut of a kitten. I leave the room feeling very sober that night. I walked into my room which is directly opposite hers and I shut the door, I closed the windows and I took off my clothes and put them in the laundry basket. Maybe I'll do my washing tomorrow. I walk back over to the white chest on the left side of my room, under the window. I open the second drawer and pull out the brown envelope. I pull out the letter in the envelope. "Hadija, My great love. What I would do to be near to you right now. I pray when I come out of prison that we can be together. I pray that you grow stronger everyday that I am in here. My heart hurts now that I am far from you. I pray that this child you hold will be brave enough to love like you. Hadija, I pray that I can see you soon. Ekenne." I fold the letter neatly back into the envelope and returned it into the chest. I walk on the tip of my toes to turn the lights off. The floor feels icy but not slippery because I still have my balance. I lay on my side with my left hand between my thighs and my right under my head. It feels too light to be my own. Tonight is not like the others. The darkness chases me but I am beginning to separate myself from its gaze. The door opens and I see the corridor light coming in. Theo is standing at the door, I do not see her face but I know it’s her because of her silhouette. Sturdy. She moved too quickly but quiet enough for me to not hear the door shut. She set herself behind me and pulled her lips to my ears “Maybe we should do this often” she whispers “kill all the men who molest young girls” “He didn’t molest me.” I said in my defence “You were 14 Dija” “I loved him” I said as I turned towards her so she could understand how serious I was. “Maybe you did, but 29 year old men don’t fall in love with 14 year olds girls. It doesn’t happen. It’s not natural that’s why he got arrested.” “I know that he loved me, it’s difficult to explain. But I know it.” “Then why did you end up killing him if you loved him so much?” “I had to” “Why?” I can’t explain to Theo because she can never understand. Not tonight at least. She’s never been in love and there are some things about love you can’t explain. You just feel. Like pain when Ekene got out of prison and didn’t come to find me, because I waited. I waited like the first time he had asked me to stay behind after school had finished. All my friends ran circles around me, teasing and calling me teachers pet. I wanted to go home with Fatu that day because her mother always cooked coconut rice on Thursday evenings, but I waited. Even when uwar took me to the herbalist to drain that baby out, I grew stronger by the day, only because he had asked. One man had put desperation in my heart. That man has set me free at last. Temi F
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Source: Click Me It normally starts around 1.22am, when my mind comes alive. "I can't believe she's in bed with him" exclaims my best friend. A 5'6, caramel complexion female, who normally delights herself with colourful extensions, but decided to embark on burgundy. I move closer, trying to listen to her conversation with him. Her friend I am unsure of but pretty sure will soon become acquainted to. My emotions are perplexed, as I try to decipher my admiration or jealousy for such friendship. Escapism doesn't come around here to often, the chance to indulge in an innocent friendship with a stranger that takes you away from the norm. Reminding you, your life is not a routine. That indeed some spontaneously resides here, perhaps it is the unexplainable human nature to have companionship. I may never know why I crave such a relationship, but tonight I delight myself in the present, hopeful the new dawn will come with surprises.
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