Short stories collection

The Grotesque being

"Oh gosh this is the funniest thing I have ever heard" Laura said as she cover her mouth with her palm in a bid to stop herself from laughing.

"Girlie I support you always but this is plain rude." Daniella scolded as she glared at Laura.

"Come on babe can't you hear what this ugly thing just poured out of his dirty mouth?"Laura asked as she looked at Henry with utter disgust.
Henry looked at her, his eyes red with unshed tears.

"Laura!!!. How can you say that to a fellow human? He did nothing wrong in confessing his love to you for crying out loud"Daniella said her voice a pitch higher than before.

"How dare he? A monkey in love with a princess? Oh I think he is trying to recreate the beauty and the beast story in this 21st century? Wow!" Laura laughed, this time maniacally.

"I apologise unbehalf of my friend." Daniella apologized.

"No problem. I know I don't look attractive and I'm very dark. I know I look grosteque but my feeling for you Laura isn't grotesque."Henry spoke his voice breaking.

"Cut me the crap. You forgot to add that you have long ugly tribal marks. You are not dark dude. You are very black, blacker than the night. Nothing good can ever come out of you Mr black darkness. What an irony. A monkey in love! I don't need your grotesque love. Keep it" Laura spoke askance as she spit on the floor, leaving him alone with her friend.

"I apologise for her silly act. Please don't take what she said to heart."Daniella apologized.

"I'm used to being called grotesque."Henry replied as he wiped a lone tear which was about to enter his mouth.

"You're not grosteque. You're actually good looking. Tribal marks doesn't make one ugly. I'm going to talk to her"Daniella promised.

"Thank you? Thank you" Henry replied with a small smile.

"If you don't come here right now, I'm gonna zoom this car without you" Laura warned as she turn on the ignition of the car.

"Bye" Daniella said as she smiled.

"Henry Adetunji is my name"

"Daniella Crown" Daniella replied. "and I'm a Ghanian" Daniella added when she saw the confusion in Henry's eye because of her name.

"Nice to meet you Daniella Crown" Henry replied.

*******
"Where the hell do you think you are going to dressed like a call girl?" Daniella asked as she assessed Laura's dressing.

Laura was dressed in a see through blouse and a mini skirt. As if that wasn't enough, she complimented her dressing with stilettos.

"I met a new guy via Instagram. He said I look so beautiful and he said we should have a date today. The guy is 6ft, mascular, has six packs and he is actually very rich. He said his name is Desmond Wilson" Laura replied as she wiped the excess lipstick off her lips.

"Where is this date going to take place actually?"Laura asked as she dropped the magazine she had been reading.

"It's in a very big hotel but firstly I'm going to meet him in his house" Daniella spoke in a sing song manner.

"What? How would you go to a stranger's house?" Laura asked astounded.

"He isn't a stranger. We have been chatting and doing video calls for weeks. He even sent 50 thousand naira to me. He said he loves me"Laura explained as she took selfies of herself.

"Lori iro"Daniella replied as she got back to reading her magazine.

"It's not a lie. I don't have time for you. I'm going" Laura announced"

"Make sure you get me pizza and ice cream" Daniella shouted so her voice could reach the parlour for she was in the bedroom.

"Alrighty!!" Laura replied.

*****
"Doctor please we need your help. We have an emergency. A young lady was involved in an accident" The nurse spoke frantically.

"And where is doctor Usman?"Doctor Henry asked.

"He is attending to another emergency. The other doctors are busy."

"Alright nurse Chichi. Let's go" Henry said as he carried his stethoscope.

"Have you contacted her family members?" Henry asked as they walked hastily to the EU.

"Not exactly but I called someone I think is her friend. Her name is..."

"Thank God you are here doctor" Another nurse said as they entered the emergency room.

"Jesus Christ!" Henry gasped with a knowing recognition.

"Doc do you know her?"a nurse asked as others looked on quizically.

"Yes I do and we need to save her life" he said as they sprang into action.

*******
"I'm genuinely shocked and surprised that you are the CEO of LifeSaver hospital"

"Yes I am. Why are you shocked if I may ask?"Henry asked.

"Well, well actually I don't know why. Maybe I kind of subconsciously characterized you the way my friend did" Daniella confessed.

"Looks can be deceiving dear. Let's talk about why I called you here. It's about Daniella. It's good and bad news. So which should I spill first?" Henry asked.

"The good then the bad" Laura replied, panic arising in her.

"Well Daniella is out of danger. Infact she has woken up from coma."Henry paused allowing his words to sink. "the bad news is that her face has been distorted. The accident broke some bones on her face. The left part of her face has been scared, her eye blinded." Henry spoke.

"Jesus Christ! OMG" Daniella screamed as tears rolled off her eyes.

"So I think you are in the best position to tell her" Henry ended solemnly.

*****
"I want to see my face! That can be true! It can't be true! I can't be ugly" Laura screamed like a maniac.

"Calm down Laura. Please calm down" Daniella begged as she wept.

"I want to see my face Ella. Please help me"Laura begged.

"If you really wish to, here is a mirror" Daniella said as she handed a mirror to Laura.

Laura screamed in shock at the face that stared back at her. A mangled lip, a blood shut left eye and a big scar on her forehead. She looked the toxic avenger.
'Ekpo calabar' a voice in her head taunted.
She dropped the mirror screaming like a mad woman.
The woman who stared back at her wasn't her but was a grotesque being.

The end.