Inevitable

2. Levi

18 January
Tuesday

Waking up to the sound of my alarm is usually bad, but something about the cool Zimbabwean mornings changed that. The alarm is set for six, an hour before the rest of the camp wakes up. Its same constant ringing has imprinted itself in my brain. Even after it rings, I still hear it.
      I hauled myself out of bed and into the very small bathroom. The bathroom only consisted of a toilet and basin. The showers were outside. I felt a little uncomfortable at first, but the fact that each shower cubicle had a lock, sort of comforted me. Just not one hundred percent.
       The one thing I am thankful for though, is the running taps. That way I don't have to go out in public to brush my teeth or wash my face. I put on some joggers, with a white T-shirt.
        I grabbed a towel, soap, shampoo, a change of clothes and shoes before heading out to the showers.
      The cold air brushing my skin immediately as I exited my apartment. The lonely walk felt relaxing and therapeutic. Different from how it is in Sedgeton. There, everyone is at my throat, watching my every move ready to call me out on a mistake.
       My father is the most 'spoiled brat' (easiest way to put it) He thinks everything should go his way. Being here is like having everything I want. Which doesn't happen very often.
        Before I knew it, I was at the showers. Opening the big wooden door didn't take too much effort, considering somebody had probably been here already. I took a left to the gents showers and entered in, mindful of the water underneath my feet. And just as I had suspected, somebody was here. He was singing some Christmas carol...in January.

       "Oh the weather outside is frightful..."

He is definitely old. The steam from his cubicle rising and fogging the air,

       "But the fire inside is so delightful...."

   His raspy old man voice had a lot of youth in it.

         "And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...."
      OK. Wow. Moving on.

*****

I finished my shower pretty quick, but not that quick. I got out the cubicle and the 'Let it snow' guy was still there. Man, he takes long. He got out his cubicle seconds after me with nothing but a towel, a huge grin and a handful of clothes. I've seriously got no words. No words at all. None.
        "Hello there young man. You must be doctor Philip? I can tell by the way the women so proudly speak of you. The say you are a fine cookie. And I do believe them"

       "And you're doctor weird?"

This is the freedom I wanted. I can say what I want to. Do what I want to. Nobody can hear me. Then I realised what I said. To a possible governor.
 

    "Not that there's anything wrong with that. What I meant-"

        "No son. Relax yourself. I'm having a good day," he started changing his clothes on the spot.

"I feel like complimenting peo-"

     "Stop." I squeezed my eyes shut and turned around real fast.

          "What? Complimenting you?"

       "No. That. Change in your cubicle. Someone could walk in any moment.

       "Well you do have point there Dr. " His voice sort of fell there.

         "Yes I do. Now please go." I waited until I was sure I heard the click of his cubicle before turning around.