[source]https://pixabay.com/vectors/high-voltage-lightning-arrow-153888/
My ceiling fan has a funny sound it makes when working, if electricity supply is low, you will hear a weak buzzing sound as it rotates sluggishly like a camel nodding its head but when it is working at full potential, ‘ I mean when the voltage is normal’ it makes a whooshing sound that can be heard in the next room.
That night, it sounded like a roaring lion and rotated dangling as if it wanted to fall.
I woke up immediately as the NEPA supplied electricity because of its noise.
I opened my eyes to the realization, smiled, and uttered, “O pe ooo”, which means thank God.
Although, it wasn't a strange thing to see light in the mid-night as we all know the regular light schedule in my area is at night and it is rare to see light during the day although it happens a few times.
I crawled up and took my gadgets which were on a table beside the bed.
Both were drained and were on low battery as the electricity supply was scheduled on one day and off on the other day.
I plugged my phone and power bank and rolled back to bed.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in my room became colder and the fan was rotating at a speed it hadn't before.
“ Shey no be say this NEPA light na over full so” Something signaled this statement in my mind.
I switched on the bulb to confirm the light current but to my surprise, the bulb was looking at me as I was also looking at it and its color was harsh white.
“ Who cares so far it doesn't burn?” I ruminated in conclusion and bounced back to sleep already feeling dizzy.
“ I will enjoy my sleep tonight” I soliloquized, put the blanket on my body, and slept like a baby.
I woke up in a short time and I thought it was just five minutes later.
I wanted to continue sleeping when I noticed the bulb was off and I couldn't remember turning it off either.
"Why don't you check the time" my mind asked me.
I took my phone and looked at the screen and I was surprised to see what I found out.
“ So it has been five hours” I said whispering to myself before hissing then my eyes darted to the phone’s battery.
“ Fifteen percent !!!” I uttered loudly and screamed, “As how naa” as my eyeballs almost fell out of its socket and I jumped up knowing that I had one hour left or a little more before the stability of the light would be upheld.
I quickly carried the power bank and confirmed that it didn't charge either.
“ Ohh !!! This light don burn my charger” I said and something erupted in my mind.
“ What if I put on the pumping machine, that should reduce the voltage” I ruminated thoughtfully and went to the store to put on the pumping machine.
I was so confident that I was successful that I brought out my backup charger and plugged it into my gadgets.
I stood up sluggishly, yawning and smiling at accomplishing the mission, and walked to the bathroom to wash my teeth then all of a sudden, I heard ‘PUUF’ and the sound came from the socket, as I rushed up there, I heard another ‘PUUF’ and quickly removed the chargers which were exuding smoke as if they were burning grass.
“ What a morning” I said after unplugging my phone which was not affected.
I looked up at the fan which had given me the signal of danger earlier and I knew that I had failed to follow my first instinct.
Then I heard a familiar sound from outside and went outside to confirm that the tank of water was filled up and water was spraying out from the overflow pipe and as I wanted to switch off the pumping machine switch, I saw that the light was gone.
I smiled knowing that this significance signaled that there is no more electricity for the day or else a miracle happens.
Although, I have no solar light or working generator as backup.
I have water to start the day with and for my phone, I will go to Uche who sells chargers and also visit the market to see Adamu, the man who charge phones for fee and I hope the high voltage changes if electricity is brought at night and if it doesn't then I will not fail to adhere to my fan’s signal because it is said that ones bitten is twice shy.
