"I'm coming!" She yelled for the third time, as the doorbell rang again, she grimaced in front of the mirror. She tried removing her hair from the electric hair stretcher , and it touched her scalp "shit!" She cursed. Obviously annoyed, she stomped to get the door. It was her birthday and Chioma, her long time best friend was supposed to take her to lunch. So if she's the one at the door, that would be odd because Chioma prefers banging on her door instead of using the bell, purposely to annoy her, and it always does.
She opened the door and the look on her face became murderous as she saw him.
"Happy birthday dear, I wanted to be the first to...
"What do you want?!" She interrupted him.
"I .. I got you a present.." she eyed the parcel with disgust etched on her face. She reluctantly collected it, mumbled a thank you and tried closing the door, but he blocked it with his hand " Zara please, can I at least come in?"
She hissed as she slammed the door on his face, tossed the parcel to one side of her room and walked back to the mirror.
Putting finishing touches to her makeup, she heard another knock or rather a bang on the door. She knew it could only be one person; two more bangs followed in quick succession, with a frustrated sigh, she got the door
"I've told you to use the bell and stop banging my door, bitch!!"
With a hearty chuckle, Chioma said "That's no way to greet your mama hun!" Spreading her arms for a hug, she gestured towards Zara " Come hug Mama, happy birthday baby girl".
Laughing now, "you're just crazy" Zara hugged her and pecked her cheeks."thank you dear".
Playfully pushing her away now, Chioma looked at her with a frown and said "hold on! I thought I saw Kaycee on my way in, and girl! he looked dejected. So what did you say to him this time?"
Zara rolled her eyes, sighed and bent down to buckle her shoes, ignoring her Friend.
With a concerned expression now, Chioma admonished " babe I think you should give this guy a chance na, he has tried for you o! Despite everything you're doing to him, he still..." That was the much she could say before Zara angrily replied her " Abeg, abeg!! I've had enough drama for one morning please! Are we still going on this lunch or not??!!"
In mock surrender, Chioma raised her hands in the air and said" Okay, okay! I'm ready when you are. But I still think you should consider this guy". That being said, they both strode out of the room.
*******
"So that's it o! Femi hasn't called, texted or chatted me since then, and it's been three days now! Abi should I call him? After all, this whole thing was my fault." Chioma concluded with a downcast expression and almost immediately, Zara shot her a furtive glance "Call him for what? It's been three days abi? and he hasn't called, so why should you be the one to call first?!"
"But I started this whole mess now, It's only right that I make amends" Chioma reasoned.
Zara snorted " babe, men have a very stupid and unnecessary pride! If you call him now, it will look desperate, besides that your Femi guy sef looks like somebody who's up to no good".
"That's my boyfriend you're talking about like that! and he's not like other men!" Chioma said with a pained look on her face.
"It doesn't matter" said Zara, "Men are scum and.."
Now angry, Chioma poured out her fury on her friend " Enough please!! I don't know what your problem is, men are this, men are that!! It's not even as if you have a man in your life to relate to my problems! Maybe because of this your pessimistic attitude, nobody wants to date you! And the one who wants to, I pity!! Forget your past and move on! Stop punishing yourself and other guys for the wrong done to you by one man!!"
She got up and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Zara couldn't believe it!! Like did Chioma just said those words to her?? A part of her life she had taken care to sweep under the carpet and forget, her best friend just casually mentioned, insulting her in the process, all because of a man!!
Men are really scums! She thought.
It was a Friday, and they both had plans to have a girls night out. She hated clubbing because the scums were always bugging her, so they decided to go to a Chinese restaurant. Apparently, that plan was already cancelled because of their little spat that evening. She was livid with anger, as much as she tried to pretend to herself that she wasn't hurt by Chioma's words, the pain was undeniably there, like a stab wound on her chest. Whether Chioma knew it or not, she struck a very solid cord in Zara, and Zara didn't find it funny.
She curled herself into a tight ball on her couch, drawing her blanket closer to her body, and took her phone. Logging on to WhatsApp, she saw that Chioma already updated a picture of herself with her boyfriend on one of their happy moments.
She felt a nagging pain on her chest, and she had the urge to hit something or better still, yell out her anger cum sadness.
Almost immediately, her phone buzzed, checking the caller ID, it was Kaycee! Without even thinking, she slammed the phone on the floor and it came crashing.
Her tears were blinding her now, hot and salty, she closed her eyes and then came the soothing arms of sleep.
*****
Zara never liked Winnie. She felt the girl was a "friend-prostitute", always jumping from one person to another. Anybody who flies first class, wears designers or wears the latest hairs automatically becomes Winnie's friend.And that Winnie girl most definitely, is a gossip. The several times Winnie has tried to famz Zara and Chioma, it always took Chioma's intervention for Zara not to tell her off.
So it wasn't surprising when Winnie knocked on her door. She must have heard about the beef between her and Chioma and probably came to know if she could famz her way into Zara's life. "Some people have no shame at all" Zara mused.
After she let the girl into her apartment, she kept chatting about this and that, about this person and that person. Zara kept replying with sighs and grunts, hoping to frustrate Winnie so she can finally shut up and get out of her house.
Winnie, knowing the strategy Zara was using, determined not to back out now, knew there was only one topic Zara would be interested in, approached it coyly.
" Ha!! Finally o!! I'm so happy for Chioma!! Can't wait for the wedding date to be fixed!"
Her arrow hit the target as Zara frowned a bit, looking confused, asked her " what are you talking about?"
Knowing that she finally has Zara's attention, she decided to bid her time.
"Zee baby!! You don't have to continue pretending you don't know what I'm talking about na! Chioma's engagement to Femi is all over town!" It's goodnews...
Something exploded inside Zara. She didn't know what it was but she was struggling to keep her cool. At that point, she just wanted Winnie to leave. She needed to be alone to process the information she just heard. She needed to think.
When Winnie finally left, Zara had a myriad of emotions swirling in her. First she was sorry, sorry because her beef with Chioma was entirely her fault. But pride won't let her admit it. Secondly she felt betrayed, that her best friend could get engaged without telling her, and she had to hear it from somebody like Winnie! Of all people!! Next she felt angry; angry that a man could come between her and her longtime best friend!! Then she broke down in tears.
Countless times she picked up her phone, which she recently replaced, to call Chioma, but she'ld change her mind. She finally came to the resolution that if Chioma could disrespect their friendship like that, she could as well do the same. She dropped her phone and went to sleep.
*****
As Zara got down from her car, a very sleek Mercedes Benz E350, one she gifted herself as a birthday present the year before, she strode like the boss-chick she was, into her office building. She wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth, so she worked really hard to get and put that silver spoon in her mouth, and she hoped it to remain there.
All her staff gave her one look as she walked in, and knew immediately that all wasn't well. So since nobody wants to get on her nerves because the consequences were dire, they mumbled greetings and scurried out of her way. The relationship between her and her staff was best described as cordial; like employer-staff relationship. She wasn't too friendly with them and she cared less about their personal lives, so long as it doesn't affect their output at work, although she does the best she can if any of them mustered enough courage to open up to her. So they all knew when the boss is tensed up, and when to get out of her way.
In her office, she settled down and buried herself in work. Her online sales representative was on maternity leave, so she decided to sort through the online orders herself, and get the dispatch riders to deliver the goods.
Her company, reputed to be one of the best, if not the best, was one she put in all her heart to. But as much as she liked to deny it, she knew she wanted something else; to love and be loved. No matter how hard she tries, a part of her just refuses to cooperate.
With eyes glued to the screen, she flinched a bit when she heard the knock on her office door. She thought she noticed how all her staff moved out of her way when she came in, so she figured that whatever might have made this one person to knock on her door, must be pretty important.
"Come in" came her reply without looking up from her computer screen.
The door opened and the person entered. Without looking up from her screen, she knew immediately that it can only be one person who loved that coconut flavored cologne.
They haven't talked in a while, with each party thinking herself the victim, and waiting for the first move from the other party.
"Yes? What can I do for you" she said, eyes still glued to her screen.
Chioma sighed, rolled her eyes, then sat on the swivel chair" you know you shouldn't use that formal tone on me, and you know it".
Zara now looking up, sighed and said , with feigned impatience and indifference "Chioma, I'm busy here".
There was a moment silence between them, each wanting to say something, but guaging the effect and trying to figure what the other was thinking.
"Look, I'm sorry about everything I said to you. It was stupid of me and...
It's okay!" Zara cut in "I'm sorry too about all the assumptions I made".
Silence.
" Um, I got engaged..
"Ya, I heard it. Congratulations". Zara said with a cold voice without even looking up from her screen. "Winnie told me."
" See, Zee, I'm so sorry you had to find out the way you did. I felt you were always against my choice of a boyfriend, and I really loved him and..
"It's ok! My bestfriend is engaged and happy and I had to find out from someone who isn't even our friend! So dear, it's fine, it's ok!!
She hesitated, then she fixed her gaze on chioma, and asked her " Do you think I'm ok?" With a very cool voice she went on "Do you think I'm normal?? Why can't I just be like other girls??".
Chioma reached out across the large oak table, and held her hands " There's absolutely nothing wrong with you,you have to move on baby, you really have to. I think we should see a therapist".
Two tiny tear drops fell from Zara's eye, with a breaking voice she intoned " You think?? Can they help me?". "I'm sure,they can help you out. You deserve to be happy girl, you really do" Chioma said as she wiped her friend's tears.
*****
"It happened in our compound. We had this neighbor; Uncle Kas. He was always calling me his wife, and I was just six years old. We usually snuck out to Uncle kas's apartment to watch action movies because my parents wouldn't allow us watch the movies in our own apartment; they said it was too violent for us. One day, Uncle Kas asked Nkem and Charity; my friends, to go home and do their assignments,and asked me to go outside and buy groundnuts for him, that if I come back, he will let me watch the new action movie he bought. I obliged. I happily ran outside to go and buy the groundnuts. When I came back, Uncle Kas closed his door and asked me to lie down. It wasn't unusual because when I came with my friends to watch movies in his place, he would tell us to sit or lie on the floor, so we don't spoil or stain his chair, as our feet were always dirty from playing out in the mud. I lay down and continued watching the television, then he came to where I was lying down on the floor, told me not to open my mouth or else he will beat me.
He removed my pant and he raped me".
At this point, she broke down. Hot tears were streaming from her eyes, and Chioma held her hands in assurance. The therapist; Dr Anne, dry-eyed, though with concern on her face, sighed, took a piece of tissue paper, and gave Zara. She collected it, dabbed at her eyes then blew her nose.
She continued " when he finished, he said if I told anyone about it, that he would kill me and throw my body in our soak-away pit behind the house!".
"I left his apartment, limping in pain and in tears. When I got home, I quickly changed my clothes and went to sleep. I cried myself to sleep, and I never breathed a word of it to my family. I felt odd, I was scared and ashamed. Growing up, on more than one occasion I wanted to tell my mom, but I was scared she would beat me, I was scared and ashamed of how she would see me. The only person I told was Chioma, and I made her promise me not to tell anybody. Uncle Kas packed out of the compound some months later, and I was happy about it. But the whole incident made me hate men! I hated Uncle Kas with unimaginable passion! I hated every man who try to come close to me, who professes love to me!! And then I hated myself!! I hated myself for allowing it to happen! I hated myself for not doing anything about it! I hated myself for not being able to stop it!! Then I hate myself for hating myself, knowing it wasn't my fault! Now I can't even be with a guy without seeing him as a potential rapist! I'm twenty-four, and I've never been in a relationship because I'm scared."
When she finished, they all heaved a sigh, not realizing they've been holding their breaths.
There was silence for a while, before the councellor spoke up " the first step is forgiving yourself. You're angry with yourself and you hate yourself for the incident. Forgive yourself and know that whatever happened back then wasn't your fault..."
When they got back home after the councelling session, Zara spoke up, after thinking for a while "you know, I feel so much lighter and better now".
Chioma looked at her with a smile " you've not spoken about it for years now. Maybe that's just what you needed."
"I have a confession to make to you Chioma" Zara said as creases appeared on her forehead "I don't really hate Kaycee..it's just that...I'm scared of getting hurt!" She said in despair. " I as a matter of fact have feelings for him!" She looked up to her friend to see her reaction, and she was met with a mischievous smile " I knew it!! " Chioma thumped the air in triumph.
" Knew what??!! Common shut up abeg!" Zara said laughing shyly.
*****
" Guy, I don try for that girl matter!! She just keeps treating me like trash" Kaycee complained bitterly to Tobi; his friend.
Tobi, took a sip of his drink , hissed and said " Na you dey fall your hand na. I've told you to fashe that girl.you no gree. That girl dey feel say her parts no dey market, just being arrogant."
Kaycee, with eyes fixed to the wall, after a deep thought, concluded " I'll just give it one more shot, and if nothing positive happens, I'll let her be. Even God know say I...
Knock!! Knock!!!
Kaycee got up to get the door. When he opened it, he couldn't believe his eyes, he felt like he was in a trance.
"Hi, can I come in?" Came her velvety voice.
At that point, he knew for sure, that hile was going to be a happy man for a very long time.
THE END.
✍️ Obianujunwa.
Saturday, 9 March 2019
Sunday, 13 May 2018
Saturday, 12 May 2018
THE MISERABLE LOVER
(A short story)
It was a situation as old as time,..
I was pining for this special someone and years matched on like a beating heart, I couldn't bring myself to let him in on how I felt,i watched and loved him from a distance,.. He didn't even know that I existed,.seeing him with other girls was a horrifying experience that always leaves emotional scars that might never completely heal,..I cried in my closet and even went as far as making him a prayer point,.I never stopped believing and hoping that one day we could be together,.
And one day my prayers were answered, I was invited for a wedding 👰 by a friend 🐶 and he was a guest as well, my heart was beating 💓 so fast,.it was like I was about to have a heart attack 👊, of course he didn't even notice me, after the wedding I still couldn't bring myself to walk up to him, so I just watched him leave, after he left, suddenly the atmosphere wasn't so pleasurable anymore,.
As I was coming down the stairs to leave, someone bumped into me so hard that I staggered backwards, but the face I saw as I looked up was the most marvelous sight,.I still can't explain that feeling, it was him,.my crush for 3years,.we exchanged contacts after long talks and apologies, the following days sparked off like a shooting star ✨ in the sky 🌈 luckily he wasn't in any r/ship, the moon suddenly became so mysterious and romantic we went out a couple of times and bonded so easily, I have never been so sure of anything before like I was in the moments with him, I could swear I see love in his eyes when I look at him,. Until I made the greatest mistake of my life by telling him how I felt, suddenly everything changed, he started distancing himself, stopped texting and calling,I never wanted him unhappy and I thought he wanted same for me, so I stayed away 🏃 for a while hoping he'll come around. after about a month of silence we bumped into each other again at the mall 🏬 and he was with another girl, we exchanged pleasantries and went away, he called later and said he was sorry about how things turned out,. He wanted me as just a friend, someone he can call and hangout with when he's lonely and bored and i took things too seriously.....
Its almost 6months now and it has never stopped hurting for a minute,.. Whenever I think about it, even breathing hurts, so I just hold my breath to stay alive,.. The moon also looks different now, its not as mysterious or romantic as before
My heart 💞 has long searched for a place 🕋 to nest
But the memories wouldn't let my heart rest
#fiction
#Diariesofalonelyintrovert
#Mhiz Favourite
©
It was a situation as old as time,..
I was pining for this special someone and years matched on like a beating heart, I couldn't bring myself to let him in on how I felt,i watched and loved him from a distance,.. He didn't even know that I existed,.seeing him with other girls was a horrifying experience that always leaves emotional scars that might never completely heal,..I cried in my closet and even went as far as making him a prayer point,.I never stopped believing and hoping that one day we could be together,.
And one day my prayers were answered, I was invited for a wedding 👰 by a friend 🐶 and he was a guest as well, my heart was beating 💓 so fast,.it was like I was about to have a heart attack 👊, of course he didn't even notice me, after the wedding I still couldn't bring myself to walk up to him, so I just watched him leave, after he left, suddenly the atmosphere wasn't so pleasurable anymore,.
As I was coming down the stairs to leave, someone bumped into me so hard that I staggered backwards, but the face I saw as I looked up was the most marvelous sight,.I still can't explain that feeling, it was him,.my crush for 3years,.we exchanged contacts after long talks and apologies, the following days sparked off like a shooting star ✨ in the sky 🌈 luckily he wasn't in any r/ship, the moon suddenly became so mysterious and romantic we went out a couple of times and bonded so easily, I have never been so sure of anything before like I was in the moments with him, I could swear I see love in his eyes when I look at him,. Until I made the greatest mistake of my life by telling him how I felt, suddenly everything changed, he started distancing himself, stopped texting and calling,I never wanted him unhappy and I thought he wanted same for me, so I stayed away 🏃 for a while hoping he'll come around. after about a month of silence we bumped into each other again at the mall 🏬 and he was with another girl, we exchanged pleasantries and went away, he called later and said he was sorry about how things turned out,. He wanted me as just a friend, someone he can call and hangout with when he's lonely and bored and i took things too seriously.....
Its almost 6months now and it has never stopped hurting for a minute,.. Whenever I think about it, even breathing hurts, so I just hold my breath to stay alive,.. The moon also looks different now, its not as mysterious or romantic as before
My heart 💞 has long searched for a place 🕋 to nest
But the memories wouldn't let my heart rest
#fiction
#Diariesofalonelyintrovert
#Mhiz Favourite
©
Saturday, 29 April 2017
Thursday, 1 December 2016
The four who survived the colombian plane crash
Chapecoense crash: The four people who skipped the flight
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