From the knocks, it was obvious that two different people were doing the knocking. Shola was not sure of what to do. The room was a very small one with a student refrigerator at one corner of the room, and a small television was carefully placed on it. A small chair was placed very close to the bed, while the bed itself was only a little bigger than the usual students' bed. Which made the whole room clumsy and tight. A pillow was on the bed which suggested it was a room for just a single person. The bathroom door was open, and Shola could hear the continues dripping of water on the floor. The water was dripping every 5 seconds, which made it a little rhythmic. The knocks came again, and this time, Shola knew the knockers were not ready to give up or retire. She tried to stand up, but the pains she felt was so much. Her head ached, her legs hurt, her arms heavy, and worst of them all, her body soaked in her own blood. "I'm coming" She finally said to the 'knockers' as she tried to get up. She used the blanket to cover her body. She could see her shoes close to the bed while her clothes were carefully placed on the chair which showed that Babs took his time to take a good advantage of her innocence and her drunkenness. She peeped into the bathroom to see if she would find Babs, but all she found was a bar of soap and toiletries kept on the window. The pains in her body were so much, but she made enough efforts to get to the door. She pulled the knob, and she discovered that the door was not locked. "But why didn't the 'knockers' open the door?" She wondered. Two men were standing by the door. One was putting on a polo, while the other was dressed in suit. "One of our staff came to call me that he was knocking at the door, bad nobody answered." The man in suit said, pointing to the other guy. "The oga wey you with am gather come don go since, and wen I ask am about you, him say you don tire well well say you wan rest small." The guy putting on polo said. "But as I see say time don dey go, an you no come out, na him I come use my church mind come knock". The guy added. Shola could barely make out anything from what they were saying. She only knew two men were standing before her, and their mouths had taken it upon itself to move at will. A stream of tears found its way down her cheek. "Are you all right?" The guy in suit asked. Shola nodded. Exactly the same time when another stream of tears betrayed her again. "Madam, sorry o." The other guy said. "But, no forget say u must check out before 12noon o". He added. "Keep quite" The guy in suit cautioned him. "Na 5am you wan dey threaten customer to check out?" . He apologized for the insult, and told Shola that she could call the reception anytime she needs anything. "Let's go joor." He told the other guy. "All these ashawo girls sef too dey misbehave." The guy in polo murmured, but he made it loud enough for Shola to hear.
Pamilerin was already worried because it was close to 7am, and Shola was not back. She kept peeping though the window every now and then to see if Shola was coming. Mrs. Ajileye had called the previous night to tell her that she would be coming earlier than she thought. How early is what Pamilerin did not know. She knew what might be the repercussion of what she did by allowing Shola to go for an all night party, and she knew it might cost her the job. She kept on muttering words of prayer as she went about her domestic works. At half past 7, Shola was already by the door knocking. Pamilerin raced to the door to open it, and behold, Shola was looking so worn out and tired. Shola had cleaned herself up before leaving the hotel. She had taken her time to cry her eyes out, and had later decided not to tell anybody what happened. It would be her own little secret, and she would deal with it personally. After all, none of her parents would be willing to listen to her, while her friends would stigmatize her. "Shola, why are you just coming?" Pamilerin asked. "What happened? " "Hope you are fine? " Pamilerin asked more than 3 questions per second. "I am sorry for coming late, and yes. I am fine. Only tired." Shola replied. "Is mum back? " Shola asked. Pamilerin shook her head. "Just as I expected." She said as she head for her room. "Pamilerin !" Shola called out. "If mum care enough to ask after me, tell her I would like to be left alone." She said as she closed and locked the door to her room.
Truly, Mrs. Ajileye did not stay till noon before she returned. She came back with smile and laughter all over her, and she was bearing different bags and gifts for the children. Even her children could notice the sudden change in care and concern towards them. They could see the sudden attention being showered on them by their mother. All of them could, except for Shola who had locked herself up in her room since she returned. Her mother went to her room, and after series of knocks, she opened the door and went back to bed almost immediately, feeling unconcerned about what was happening in the house. The pale look on her face gave her mother a heavy concern, the type of concern Shola had not received in years. "What is wrong? " She asked as she was feeling Shola's body with her hands. Shola's body was already hot, and it was just a matter of time before she started vomiting.
©2015. Austus Ofmat Nwanne
"Train up a child in the way that (s)he should go, and he would give you peace." Well, that's my own version of the well-known Bible verse. The Ajileyes had not trained their child well enough, and the road the child had chosen for herself would not favour all and sundry. What do you think would become the fate of Shola? Join me again tomorrow as we continue the story titled SPILT MILK.
You have always been the one receiving these messages alone. Don't you think it's high time your friends started receiving DAILY DIET directly on Whatsapp too? If you or your friends want to receive the stories via Whatsapp, simply send me a message on Whatsapp via +2348072970850 or send your friend(s)'s number to me, and you can aswell add me on Whatsapp via the same number above. If you want to receive Daily Diet on BBM, simply add me @ 55FD2871. Also, if you have a story you would like us to feature on Daily Diet, simply send it to the e-mail below, and don't forget that your story would carry your full name as the author. Visit my blog for more outstanding articles and stories @ www.tyobstacle.blogspot.com
HAPPY MID WEEK !!!
------------
AUSTUS OFMAT NWANNE (Mr. Tackle)
Inspirational Speaker and Business Consultant,
TYO Konsult Services.
+2348072970850
tackleyourobstacle@gmail.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment