Renting Hearts

fourteen- partnership

Jadesola

I woke up to my head pounding like a drum and my body feeling like it wasn’t mine.

Getting past the feeling of my aching joint, I moved my hand around the bed. Blinking against the sunlight which was pouring into the room through the crack of the curtains, I tried to recount how I ended up in this state.

Wait…

It was my wedding yesterday— my court wedding. And what did I do? Did I get drunk on my wedding day?

Hold on…

I snapped my eyes open. Where on earth did I end up? It didn’t smell like my bedroom. As my eyes darted around a space which was twice the size of my bedroom back home, I took in everything around me.

I was lying on a majestic king-sized bed dressed in a flowery pink bedspread and a matching blanket. There was a vanity table suited to the wall and a night lamp on the nightstand beside the bed.

The ceiling above me was stunning. It had ornate mouldings and a massive chandelier that sparkled like a thousand diamonds. It felt like I was staring up at a piece of art.

Slowly, I shifted my gaze down to my body and on noticing I was in a set of pyjamas, panic awoke in me. My braids were in a bonnet and from the pieces of memory floating in my head, all I could remember was Jonathan carrying me out of the reception venue.

I sat up straight, the blanket that covered me earlier falling to my thighs. Did Jonathan…? I gasped.

No. No. No. It can’t be.

There was a sudden knock at the door, startling me. Breathing deeply, I placed my hand on my chest, my eyes snapping to the door. How was I going to face him? How much of my body did he see?

When the knock came again, I stilled at a spot. I didn’t want to open the door. I wondered how long he would try if I stayed silent. The door wasn’t locked, since I couldn’t remember locking it last night. Actually, I couldn’t remember a lot.

He could come in if he wanted to, and I only hope he wouldn’t. Before I could think of how to get to the door and lock it without being noticed, the door slowly creaked open and I slumped on the bed, ready to play a pretend sleep.

I couldn’t get a chance to do that, not when I heard a female voice call out, “Ma?”

Slowly, I opened my eyes to a girl, holding a black dress in her hand and standing in front of the bed, smiling.

“Good morning, Ma,” her smile grew even wider, and I couldn’t help but wince at the discomfort I felt by being addressed like that.

Recognising who she was, “Good morning to you, Adaeze,” I said, sitting up. “Can you please address me by my name? It’s Jadesola,” I added, hoping she would not protest, but she did immediately.

“I’m sorry, madam, but that wouldn’t be possible.” She moved closer to the bed and carefully placed the dress on it. She continued speaking, “Oga said you should prepare and wear this. He’s waiting downstairs.”

When she turned to leave, I rushed out, “Wait, Adaeze.” She abruptly halted in her steps and turned to me.

I darted my gaze down to the bed, preparing myself for what I wanted to ask. I needed answers and maybe she would have one for me.

Slowly, I shifted my gaze back to her, “Do you work here every day?” I asked.

“Yes, Ma, I am the only oga’s worker who lives here.”