Original Image by engin akyurt
Valentine’s eve had me laying on my eight inches Hara foam which was sprawled on more than half of the portion of my small room with my eyes closed. Though my self-contained apartment was small, it was more than sufficient and comfortable. The wind blew in soft whispers, caressing my bare thighs soothingly. This singular act of nature made me feel more relaxed as I savoured the serenity of the evening totally unperturbed.
A light thud on the wall across where I laid flicked my eyes open instantly. I hated insects - roaches especially. I could smell them from a distance and my soul wouldn’t rest unless I found it and killed it. As I looked towards the direction from which I assume the sound emerged, I saw nothing. I’m guessing the insect just perched and flew, I wasn’t sure.
My attention was drawn to the portrait on the wall. Taking a few steps forward, I brushed my fingers across the frame with so much affection, tracing the cheeks, jawline and beautiful eyes of the beauty in front of me. The artwork was a gift from a beloved - one I missed greatly. I smiled at the memory of how we got here. Daily as I set my gaze on the moon and stars at night, I prayed to the heavens that his heart is still with me as mine is with his.
____
January 2008
It was a chilly morning and Lagos city was already bubbling with activities. I could hear the honking of cars, roaring sounds from spoilt motorcycles which the owners have decided to not fix, school children were chattering on their way to school, everyone was up and doing but I really wished on this day that I could just sleep in the entire day but life’s circumstances just wouldn’t let me.
I had an interview with a private school in about forty-five minutes and lateness was inexcusable. I needed to make a good first impression.
I went to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Thankfully no one was in already. As I started pouring the cold water over my head, I heard a humming of Sia’s Helium. It was no other person than Caro.
Caro is one of the tenants in the compound I’m living in currently. Actually I’m squatting with an old classmate - Sonia. I can’t quite find the right words to describe Caro. Troublesome? Yes but not entirely. Maybe defending is a better word because most times the poor girl just tried to shield herself from bullies such as Yaro, mummy Efua and Tofunwa.
On the day I first arrived at the house, I witnessed a fiery argument between her and Yaro. Yaro is a tattered looking guy who’s tall in height and likes to think of himself as a cool guy - sagging trousers, wearing worn out boots and leaving the first three buttons of his shirt unbuttoned always. He had this tiny, scanty and twisted hair that could be likened to the marks rice grains left at the bottom of the pot when burnt.
I can’t quite remember what their argument was about but I do remember Yaro calling Caro Ashawo. This infuriated her and the words that followed spelt war.
“Na your mama be ashawo. Bastard child”
“E pain you abi?” Yaro yelled back
“You sabi your mama? You Sabi? Since you be small pikin you dey follow agbero boys. Dey beg small girls for money” Caro shot back.
“You be ash…”
“You dey craze! You dey here dey f*ck small small girls with your tiny oga wey no fit give woman belle. You dey follow me talk. You wey don give all the mumu girls wey open leg give you HIV, you dey follow me talk, you dey craze!” she added barely giving Yaro the chance to defend himself.
Caro kept on raining insults on Yaro and the fight almost got physical save for a guy who just got back from God-knows-where. He dissolved the fight as it was happening at his entrance. Later on, I learnt his name was Tayo and that was the last time I saw him.
This incident made me avoid trouble with any of the tenants. I just wanted to secure a job and move out to my own place.
In no time I was done with my shower and I stepped out to let Caro in.
“Ah, new neighbour” Caro called out to me smiling. I was surprised to see that she could be friendly.
“Goodmorning Caro” I offered a smile as I responded while walking away. I didn’t want to give her the impression that we could chit-chat. Sonia had warned me against involving in gossip and I intended to heed to that advice.
To Be Continued...
I am a witty, adventurous and nicheless writer who loves to sing, take pictures, teach and travel. I am currently an English Education student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. I am also a young children's teacher who homeschools kids during holidays. I love to share my life experiences through writing with the hope of inspiring as many people as possible on the Hive space.
