Yawning extensively, I stretched forth my hand to the stool beside my bed and grabbed my phone to check the time.
It was just 12:00 am. “What is happening?” I asked myself as I stepped out of bed to the window.
I folded my arms and stood there for a moment, the noise from the insects and birds frightened me.
The compound was quiet, staring into the darkness outside felt like a journey into the unknown, it was like I was outside alone walking on a scary path, so I quickly dropped the curtain.
For the first time in my life, I felt empty, i returned to the bed and laid quiet, hoping to hear my siblings snoring from the other room but but my wishes were dashed into pieces as the only thing I heard was the noise of crickets and other creeping things.
“Will I be able to live in the place?” I wondered as the thought of my mother flashed through my mind.
“But I can't go back, what will people say?” I counter the negative thoughts, immediately.
I let out a deep breath, as I hugged my pillow tightly, "I can do this." I comforted myself and didn't know what happened next.
A reflection of light, like from a distance, was cast upon my face. I tried moving away from it to no avail, so I opened my eyes, and everywhere was bright already.
Wow, “so I slept?” I said to myself, wiping my face with my palm.
I stretched my body and headed for the window. The sun had long risen.
“Good morning,” I said to myself fondly and stepped outside.
The wind blew some chill air, whispering softly while I walked around in the environment.
There are only a few houses, positioned some distance away from each other. The environment is surrounded by bushes and farms, but it is quiet and peaceful, and that is just what I want.
When I returned home, I went straight into the room and laid flat on the bed, and just as I was about to close my eyes, I heard a knock at the door.
I paused for a moment, “Was that my door?” I asked myself quietly in doubt then walked to the door, grabbed the handle and opened it slowly.
“Good morning, sir,” I greeted the tall, dark-complexioned man who looked almost the same age as my father, standing in front of my door.
“Morning, how are you?” he replied, letting out a big smile.
“I am fine, thank you,” I answered, moving my chin slightly, my lip barely parting.
“My name is Michael, and I am the owner of the house behind yours. My wife told me we have a new neighbor, so I decided to come and find out who it is.”
I let out a deep breath and smiled, “Oh, thanks a lot, sir. How is your family?”
“They are fine. I hope you like your new place?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, the environment is okay, but I couldn't sleep last night. It will take me some time to fit in, I believe.”
“That is true. Just in case you need anything, feel free to come to my house. I know you will need water too. I have you covered. There is a well in my compound,” he replied.
“Thank you so much, sir,” I responded, and I walked him to his gate.
After that day, he kept coming around to check up on me whenever he was free; sometimes he brought food for me, and if I rejected it, he got offended.
He became like a father, and his family became like my family. People around complained that he is strict and troublesome, but he was so nice to me, and because of him, I like my new place and soon stopped missing my family.
After spending a year in the community and getting to know a few people. I was taking a walk one of those days when I came across one of my neighbors working on his farm.
“Good morning, sir,” I greeted.
“Morning,” he replied casually and continued pruning palm branches.
I was almost out of his farm when he shouted, “Emreal, sorry, I was carried away by this work. Please come.”
Gosh, I was tired. I just took one of the longest walks since I started living there, “Okay, sir,” I hissed quietly and returned.
It was the rainy season, and there were maize farms around.
“How are you?” The man asked
“I am fine, sir. How about you?”
“Well, I have been good. You don't come to see my son anymore. What is the problem?”
“Nothing, sir, I have just been engaged lately,” I replied.
His son Habby was one of my friends, although we were not very close. Most times when I am free, I visit him, but I stopped for reasons I can't explain.
“Okay,” he replied.
I thought that was all, I started walking out of the farm when he said “Emreal, how's that your neighbor?”
I halted and came back, “Which one, sir?”
He stopped cutting the palm branches and put the axe on his left shoulder, “the one just behind your house.”
“Oh, Mr Micheal, he is fine, but I think he is on duty , I have not seen him for some time now,” I replied.
“That man is very wicked; he thinks he is smart. Do you know that his fence is on the road? I tried talking to him and he ignored me, can you imagine?”
My body went cold, I sighed deeply, and remained quiet.
The man continued, “Seriously, that man is mean and selfish. Do you know that his fence also entered your land by some feet?”
“I don't know, but for the issue of the road, I think he was wrong. He should have adjusted the fence,” I replied.
“I told you,” the man shouted, “Mr Michael or whatever he calls himself is evil, I am just looking at him, but soon he will know who I am,” he replied.
“Well, I think you should report the case to the community leader. We don't know how tomorrow will be, but that fence might become a problem in the near future.”
“Which leader? I will deal with him myself,” he replied.
I sighed again, “It is well, sir. I have to go now,” I replied and left.
Two days after the conversation, I was having my siesta when I heard a knock at the door.
“Who is that?” I shouted and hissed aloud.
“It is me, Lily, my dad asked me to call you,” a feminine voice answered.
“Ah, Lily, sorry,” I jumped out of bed and picked up my shirt.
It's Mr Micheal's daughter.
“Sorry, dear, I was just trying to get some sleep. Let's go.”
When I entered their compound, Mr Micheal was seated under a mango tree, he beckoned on me, but his facial expressions was usual.
Although he has a serious face naturally but the frown on it that day was not normal.
“Good afternoon, sir,” I greeted.
The place was chill, and the leaves of the tree moved as the wind blew.
“Afternoon, Emreal, why are you standing? Please sit.”
“Thank you,” I replied and sat.
“Have I ever offended you?” He asked just as I was still trying to balance on the wooden chair.
“No, sir,” I replied abruptly.
“Then why the betrayal, Emreal?” He asked, then picked a leaf that had just fallen from the tree and began tearing it gradually.
“What betrayal, sir?” I asked, my voice breaking.
“What did you say to Daddy Habby about me?”
My stomach tightened, my breath almost ceased.
“If anyone would say something bad about me, I don't expect it to be you, but it is life, even the ones you trusted the most can turn their backs on you when you need them the most,” he added.
My heart raced, different things ran through my head, I wanted to talk, but my strength failed me, my head became heavy, and I couldn't raise it or even look at his face.
After spending some minutes in silence, I muster courage and said, “Sir, I know there is nothing I can say now that can change the way you feel, but I am sorry. My intention was never to say bad things about you, and I don't think I did.”
“So you mean my wife was lying?” He shouted, his face furrowed. She was at our farm, very close to Daddy Habby’s farm, that day, weeding. You guys spoke so loudly as if the whole world was yours, forgetting that it's a small place.”
Hmm, I let out a deep breath, “I am sorry, sir.”
“It is okay, I do not have anything against you, but always remember that families defend each other and not tear them down.”
Gosh, his last words hit me hard. I came home devastated, but there was nothing I could do; it had happened already.
After a few days, I went to Mr Micheal’s house and I apologized to him and his family. They forgave me, and our relationship continued, although the bond was not as strong as it used to be.
N.B: All Images Were Generated By Meta AI
