WAZOBIA: A Tale of Two worlds

Twenty Three

A soft knock woke me up again that evening. The door was locked. My sleep was far underaged for 'peaceful' - it was anything but.

"Who is it?" I asked

The human didn't answer for a while; then said something in a mutilated voice.

"It's Kosi"

"What do you want? Are you done clearing and cleaning up my room?"

"Yes ma," he said.

"I'm coming"

I got up like someone battling from a partial stroke and put on my sneakers again. I hadn't changed since I got back home and caused a scene. I dragged my feet across the door till I opened it.

He wasn't there anymore. Good. I didn't want to see his bleached face and blackened lips - black from smoking. I went back and picked up my bag from the floor, then stepped out, locked the door and trailed to my room.

I pushed it open. It still smelled of wretched boys but it was manageable. At least it was clean and the bed was well dressed. I hoped the toilet was perfect too. If not I'd make him come back and clean it all over again.

I used my palm to cover my damp face so I'm case anyone was spying on me they wouldn't know I'd been crying. Then I slipped myself into my room and locked the door.

I quickly removed every single item of covering I had on me, turned on the AC and lay flat on my cold bed, naked. The windows were closed and everything. I just needed a little peace of mind. Maybe the only I'd have for the rest of my long stay. I'd ignore every call and just lay there; and if the AC got colder I would still lay there - the cold brought more comfort than any other thing...I realised. I drifted slowly into an icy sleep.

*   *  *

Midnight was when I woke up again. I'd slept too much. I scolded myself for it, then almost slapped myself when I realised I was supposed to be awake to protect mama from any backlash she would receive concerning me. Nonso and his cohorts of elders could do anything they wanted to me. But it would get bloody if they involved mama.

It came to my notice that I was still naked; and my body was already as cold as a fridge. It took me time to generate a little heat inside of me to get up at least halfway. My thighs hurt and my feet had that prickly sensation of when they'd been static for too long and there was little or no blood flow...something like that. My heart seemed to beat a little faster than normal and I thought the chest area between my breasts hurt unnaturally. I was in nothing near comfort. My head throbbed a little; and when it did, I remembered the guns in the trunk. I jerked dangerously and then searched all over my clothes that littered the floor and finally found it in the left pocket of my joggers, the car keys. I let our a sigh, then sat for a few minutes, staring at the litter of clothes that were on my body minutes ago...then decided to get up, get dressed and get out.

I met Nonso standing in the parlor, looking up at me as if I was exactly what he was waiting for. Anger boiled and wrung my intestines. I looked at him also, as I came down the stairs, then diverted to the left towards Mami's room. I opened the door and she was sleeping. I silently thanked God that at least she was okay - I just prayed she was mentally. But that wouldn't be possible.

I watched her for a few more minutes and turned back; to go to the kitchen this time; I still saw Nonso on the way, still looking at me.

"Simbi," his voice was firm and demanding.

I continued to walk.