Yellow Tales of a Nigerian Housemaid (completed)

Chapter Twenty One

I was carefully placing the leaves on the spot when the door creaked open.

Someone was watching me!
*****

I ducked stupidly under a tiny cassava plant and switched off my torchlight. I was enveloped by the sudden darkness and my heart wandered in fear.

Who could it be?

I bit my lower lip so hard till I felt a sharp tinging pain. I unconsciously let out an "aw" sound. I clasped my left palm firmly on my mouth to stiffen the sound but it was already late.

I kept still, listening intensely for footsteps but everywhere was suddenly calm. The darkness was causing more scary thoughts to run through my mind.

I wanted to crawl out but the thought of running into a dark creature stopped me.

Was the person hiding just like me?
Waiting for me to make a move?
What's going on?

So many questions were bouncing through my head. I was afraid of the darkness but was mostly scared of the punishment I'd receive. Maybe it would be better if I can maneuver my way into the house, this way even if I was later caught, I could try lying my way out.

With this decision, I crept out. The notes were still in my hands and the rough sand feeling like a sponge underneath my palms. The thought of touching a dangerous insect and the remembrance of my earlier encounter with a snake made me cringe in fear. Amidst these thoughts, I still crawled like a baby towards the slanted garage entrance.

Then there came another sound.

This time it sounded like faint thudding steps.

I stopped instantly.

I wanted to flash my torchlight to see who it was but I was afraid of what the outcome would be. I ducked yet again, waiting patiently for who it was to show up.

But there was nothing again.

I was certain I had heard something, but I was more confused as to why it stopped. Whoever it was, was making me scared and needed to stop!
I breathed in heavily, my heart still pounding in fear.

Then the faint thuds began again but this time was coming straight up. My heart was pounding beneath my chest as I prayed for a miracle.

Then I saw those eyes, bright and calm. I could see them through the darkness for it shone like a star.

They were dangling above the darkness and made me cower in fright.

But something was odd.

Whoever it was must be squatting. The eyes floated just metres above the slanted pavement and I was certain no standing human living in my house could be so short.

The eyes were fixated at me.

I looked on, waiting for the words, a scold or even an order, but strangely they were calm.

I had been seen.
I was already out in the open and there was no more need to hide. So I flashed my torchlight on whoever it was.

My scary friend raced off leaving me bemused.

It was a kind sheep. A stupid but kind sheep .

I heaved a sigh of relief as I placed my left hand on my chest. My right hand was holding the torchlight and I shut my eyes firmly to assimilate this tiny escape.

But yet I was wasting time. I shouldn't be caught twice in one night. The first might be an escape but the second, might not.

I rushed to the house, the door slightly ajar. Maybe I hadn't shut the door firmly in my attempt not to make a sound. No wonder it creaked open when the little lamb pushed on it. There were few drops of tiny black poop on the floor.