OPHELIA

Chapter 21: Old Entanglements 1!

I increasingly wanted to be somewhere else other than my room. It was safe to say I wanted to, take a walk, maybe make a friend, play a tune, be a butterfly and see the world.

I drew the curtains to let the simmering sun into the room. The backyard looked cunning from my window; its wall was lined with five rooms; each of those medieval looking barn-like doors gave off an adventurous vibe...Perhaps another world lurked behind those locks. Well, that was aside from the classic three stone fire side kitchen-typical of a Cameroonian society. It was the last room on the line. When I first stepped foot into Pastor Man's house, I knew it would be a taboo to see such but Ma'am veronica's work ethics betrayed her flawless chicness.

The rooms tickled my imagination-it could contain baby pictures of the family. Don't get me started on what I imagined Pastor Man to be in his childhood photos. I opened the window for a final touch of fresh air but the smell of detergent drew my eyes to the far end of the backyard-the gateman did laundry. I was still so curious about him.

"Hey..." He startled. "Oh I'm sorry. Did I scare you?" I leaned on the wall.
"Good morning; it takes more to scare me."
"Oh a tough one. Why are you doing this?"
"The washing machine is nuts."
"No... not this this but... why do you choose to be a gateman or boy; yeah boy that's more accurate?"
"My name is Jacob and you are?"
"Forgive my manners. I'm Ophelia."
"So Ophelia, you don't think I'm a man."
"I can swear on it that I'm older than you."
"Really?" His raised brows accentuated his broad forehead and cleft chin.
"Maybe you should call me big sister."
He chuckled. "I never knew you could talk."
"I talk alright; I've just had rough days."
"Yeah I know what it's like."

All along, he tapped his feet simultaneously yet independently.
"Do you do drums?"
"Kind of...How do you know?"
"Your feet are doing their thing..."
"Oh... my feet; since you can tell, I presume you must have something musical yes?"
"You can say that; I play the piano. We should play together sometime."
He grinned bashfully. "I'm not that good."
"There's no better way to get good than to practice right? Rachael sings, I play the piano, you play the drums it's perfect for practice."
"O...kay if you say so."
"I say so."
"So, to who are you related, Mommy or Daddy?"
"I wish I was related to either one of them but I am not."
"That's funny because you do look like Daddy..."
"You're joking."
"I'm not. Haven't you noticed?...but why are you... are you shy?" He chuckled.
"What?"
"Girls...Rachael has the same expression when I tell her she looks like him."
"Aren't you the player... you're just messing with me."
"I'll let you in on a secret...I was just messing with Rachael but you do look like him."
"Whatever."

"What are you guys yapping about?" Rachael threw her hands around my neck.
"I don't like people holding me."
"Yuck! Why are you always so cold? Jesus is warm you know..."
"That's why He is Jesus and I am me. Take your hands off."
She rolled her eyes. I punched her shoulder playfully. "Don't take it to heart my friend." I said
"I'm not friends with you." She smirked.
Suddenly I felt a sting in my lower abdomen. "You guys talk on, I'm thirsty." Thirst? Heaven knew thirst was the least of my problems. I feared the worst. It took a while to carry my body to my room. I lay back in bed taking deep breaths but the more I breathed in, the more it stung. I held my breath...
"Ophelia..." Rachael barged in. "I am going to the store; let's go together...What is it?"
"Nothing, I just feel tired."
"Okay... then you rest."
"No I'm coming; I've wanted to leave the house."
"Great! Let's go..." She pulled me from the bed.

The streets were lively but not as lively as Rachael. She greeted everyone and stopped for brief conversations with some folks that took forever. "Let me say hi to this aunty." She said a couple of times and left me on the street.
"Sorry. That took longer than I expected...Let's hurry before my sister gets angry."
"Whose fault is it if she does?"
"Ahhh they are good people I can't pass by like that."

"Rachael!" A girl hollered from a cake store nearby.
"Naomi..." She waved at the girl. "Ophelia...I'll be quick."
"Don't even think about it." I pulled her.
"Hey she'll think I'm angry at her."
"That's not my problem."
"You need to learn to be friendly."
"And you talk too much. See we walked away. It isn't that hard to walk away."
"Whatever." She rolled her eyes.

It was a fairly big provision store but the arrangement of things made its face value worth more than its content value.
"Knock knock!" Rachael said since there was no one behind the counter.
"Yes..." A man growled from the back.
"Good morning Mr. George. I need a couple of things."
"Crap!" Mr. George was one of my regular customers. I wasn't dreaming. It was him. The old fool winked at me with each item he took off the counters. Rachael gave me a questioning look. I shrugged.
"Thank you very much Sir."
"Are you girls leaving so soon?"
Rachael narrowed her eyes. "Is there a problem?"
"No not at all. Can I have a moment with your friend?"
"Sure. I hope there's no problem."
"Sure? Don't answer for me." I lashed and walked out.
"What did I say? Sorry Mr. George. Ophelia wait! What did I do?" Her steps caught up to mine. "The old man only wanted to talk to you."
"You are really naïve."
"No, you are too serious. Not everyone is out to get you."
"Most of them are."
"Next time you have to apologize to the old man."
I snorted. "There won't be a next time."
"Why?"
"I'm not following you anywhere again."
"You are very difficult."
I exhaled. "So are you my friend." I punched her playfully.
"You really think this your 'my friend' thing pacifies me."
"I know it does. Doesn't it?"
She exhaled. "Fine! I love you too."
"Eww!"

I was concerned she thought I was a difficult person. If I was wouldn't she be fed up one day?
"We should say hi to the cake store girl." I said
"ehhhh...someone is trying to be friendly...you even said 'we'"
"I take it back. You should say hi."
"No...we are going to say hi."

As we walked, a white familiar Lexus almost knocked Rachael down as it came to a halt. "Jesus!" Rachael exclaimed. "Where had I seen this car?" I muttered. Michael Jordan sneakers stepped on the tar. It was Prince.

"You survived." Prince's eyes dug into mine. I froze. "Ophelia... I've missed my feisty angel. Why don't you get into the car; I'll take you somewhere."
"You're not taking her anywhere." Rachael said.
"Were you not taught not to talk to strangers little girl."Prince seemingly roared at her.
"Ophelia...who's this?"
Tears corroded my cheeks; sweat formed everywhere on my skin. "He's ummm... I'll go with him. You go home."
"What?"
"Listen to me he is dangerous... I'll be fine." Prince lifted the corner of his shirt and revealed a gun. My heart sunk. "I'll come with you...You don't have to be cocky."
"You're shaking you can't go with him." Rachael whispered.
"I have no choice."

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