OPHELIA

Chapter 3: Bells of the past

I escaped hearing that hadean cockcrow because I was wasted. But don’t get me started about that loudmouth witch of a roommate who squealed and flopped on my back; I could feel my spine crack.

“What is wrong with you?” I retorted.
“Get up sweet 18…you won the prize…a night in that five star hotel." She said cheesily. “Madame Veronica just uploaded the results in the WhatsApp forum. Girl you must be sick to the core… I mean like…Are you human?”
“Go away I’m still sleeping.”

Personally I felt like a suitable cast for one of those roles where you sold your soul to the devil. Sometimes I wondered if I was alive; if I was still the one in my body.
“Madame Veronica has asked for you so wake up.” she insisted
“Tell her I’m sick I can’t come.” I pulled the blanket over my body.
“Take care of your own biz I’m not ready for her cursing this morning.”

Speaking of curses, I was certain my roommate was cursed. Wealthy family, master’s level of education, a fiancé back in her hometown, a completely carved out future but here she was behind the pretense of PHD studies, messing around. Who does that?

“Don't think I have forgotten. Happy birthday smallie.” she said vigorously wearing her perfume. “I’m going to school.” She added.
“School?”
“Exams have started.”
I scoffed. “You’ve never attended a single class why bother?”
“When you grow up, you’ll understand.” She said and hurried off saying “I’m leaving keep my own share of the prize.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”

I took my phone from beneath my pillow and saw a message from my mother.
“My darling daughter, who never ceases to make me proud, Happy birth day my dear Ophelia. In this 18th year of your life, may the almighty God continue to give you success in your studies and bless anyone that blesses you without forgetting to curse any one that curses you. I love you. Also receive greetings from your brother; he says happy birthday too.”

I teared up. I felt so mush distortion in my soul. I wanted to turn back the hands of time to when I was young and innocent before that scumbag took advantage of me. Anger flowed through my veins I needed to pass it out. I needed many more scapegoats, many more ignorant middle aged men. My desire for revenge took a turn up. I took deep breaths to calm down but it wasn’t working.

I drew a black box from under my bed and took out cocaine. I snorted it in so hard I felt my nose would bleed and it did bleed. I held my head and groaned; the blood made a mess on my clothes and my bed sheet as I tried to find where I had tossed the toilet paper…well… I guess the bleeding caused my anger to subside. After it stopped, I looked at the blood stains on my sheets and something about the fact that I was no longer a virgin at 18 pissed me off.

I hoped the reward client would be my choicest but instead it was the usual—a rich old fool. I left Madam Veronica’s office feeling disappointed. But my meeting with my main man Bobga was worth looking forward to.

Saturday Mornings always had the gym swarming with people of all shapes and sizes. I scouted the place for Bob whilst trying to not breathe in the sweat and pungent cologne of the people in there. It was a futile attempt though; the place was reeking with various body odors. Anyways, before I could find him, he found me. He punched my shoulder from behind. I turned around and noticed he stood in a boxing stance so I got ready for battle. I threw the first punch but I  only reach as far as his lower ribs. I'm pretty sure my hand felt like a feather landing on his body.
“Is that all you got?” he said mockingly, I launched a second attack; he shrieked but it was all acting. “Is my punch getting stronger?” I giggled as he threw his mighty arms around my neck.
“You are getting fatter.” I wobbled from the weight.
“No senorita my muscles are increasing….let’s go, I have a gift for you.” We walked playfully to the back of the gym.

“Happy birthday!” He handed me a punching bag and a pair of boxing gloves.
“Wow!” My jaw dropped. “My guy eh…” I was over the moon. I now had my own punching bag. “My G, Bobs, Bobs. This is the best birthday present ever. Thank you so much… I am going to stick Madam Veronica’s picture to it. That ee face don die boxing.”

I tried on the gloves and tested the gift. I hadn’t felt this way in a long time. It reminded me of the presence of hope though I didn’t believe in it.

Bob was never in agreement to my line of work. He tried countless times to pull me out but I was too stubborn. I had my reasons, my plans, my agendas; I had shit to carry out. He even wanted to send me to school but I dared not accept. School was for people who had a future—I sold mine in exchange for revenge.

The reward appointment was scheduled 4:00pm. Rather than taking a taxi, I decided to walk. I needed to clear my mind but what exactly was I clearing? I couldn’t tell either. The road sides were filled with locals trying to make ends meet. They sold all manner of things. Watching them reminded me of my mother; I remembered how hard she used to work after my Dad passed away. In my reminiscence, one of the vendors played a familiar tune.

I. Froze. Sweat ran down my forehead, my chest tightened; I could recognize that tune anywhere anytime. I did my research aforetime; it was Beethoven’s 5th symphony. The sound aroused every fiber of my being in the most unethical ways.

Every second of that night replayed in my mind, I staggered. As it played to climax, there was an insane throbbing in my head. I wanted more sex, more men—I wanted to kill more men. I fell on my knees gasping.

“Mom na weti?” Some people asked but their voices sounded far off. As if on cue, a hand held on to my shoulder and took me away from the crowd of people that were beginning to gather.
“What is wrong with you?” It was my roommate. She tapped my jaw in attempt to bring me back to reality.

Away from the sound, I eventually snapped out of the shock, my hormones came back to normal.
“I’m fine…I’m fine.” My breathing pace steadied.
“I’ve told you to go to the hospital to find out why this always happens?” She said angrily
“No hospital, no hospital.” Ever since my diagnosis, I never went back to any hospital no matter what.
“Thank you I am fine… I have an appointment to catch see you later.” I walked away to avoid further questioning. I still felt weak in the knees but managed to reach the hotel in one piece.
The gate man waved at me. He looked like he was indirectly asking for a one night stand. I was a whore but I had taste.

People said the word whore was derogatory but please what else where we? They made it a big deal to satisfy their consciences but I didn’t have an active one why sugarcoat the word?