Into The Dark

7.

A week had passed, Selassi was finally feeling more settled in Ghana but she still felt like it wasn't home.

The cool night breeze flowed through the sitting room as she sat down, scrolling her Twitter feed and unbeknownst to her, Auntie Diane watched her a few moments before striding towards her.

"Let's go out. You have been cooped up in here for too long, it's important to enjoy yourself too. This trip isn't all about grief, my dear." She said, holding her hand out and looking at her tenderly.

" To where? You're not suggesting a club, are you? Coz I don't know about doing that with you" She said with an enquiring tone while staring at her cautiously.

"Ah-ah,  I'm too old for that. I wanted to take you to one of the local bars, it's nice and relaxing" She said in an encouraging tone and convinced, Selassi decided to go. It was definitely a much needed night out, she was slowly coming to terms with her parents' passing and although the funeral was right around the corner, she was less shattered than before.

Scoping through her wardrobe, she decided to wear some ultra-casual; a simple v-neck tee and denim jeans with some glittery sliders that Auntie Diane got for her. She locked her bedroom door and subconsciously turned to the hallway which finally revealed a door at the end of it.

Putting it out of her mind, she went downstairs to meet Auntie Diane and they left the house, walking down the uneven road. It was bustling with life as people walked by, laughing and chatting and when they reached the bar, they sat on the outside chairs.

They ordered a bottle of Supermalt, Coke and some kebab. The music rang out as they waited patiently for the order and as soon as it came, they thanked the waitress.

"This is nice, Auntie Diane. Thank you for bringing me out" Selassi said, looking at her surroundings. There was a sense of relaxation that seemed radiate off people walking by the bar and those seated at the bar.

" It's alright. How's life in London?" She inquired curiously.

"Life's good. I'm thinking about expanding my business with my salon partner. We're getting a lot of clients now so I definitely feel that we have to find a new space for another branch." She said, eating her kebab.

"What about your love life? Is there anybody right now?" she asked curiously, eyeing Selassi.

"Um, yeah.   We've been dating for a few months now and it has been good so far" She said, letting a small smile form on her face thinking about how much she missed him this past few days. When she finally told him the truth about what was going on, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

She feared that he might be scared off with what she was going through but he had been more supportive than she ever managed, checking on her and sending words of assurance whenever he could.

" Where's he from?" Auntie Diane queried.

" He's Jamaican. Why?" Selassi answered, feeling confused by the question.

" Oh, nothing. Just curious, my dear " She said reassuringly. Still unsure, Selassi decided to not press any further to avoid any arguments.

They finished their food and drinks, leaving the bar and making their way back to the house. The night was illuminated by a full moon as they walked towards their road, chatting away.

"I'll never forget that. Mum hated that you spoiled me so much" Selassi said, chuckling as her arm was hooked with Auntie Diane's.

" See your mother, a very stingy woman. She was always calculating what every penny without fail" Auntie Diane said in an annoyed tone which made Selassi laughed harder but that all seemed to stop when something caught her eye.

Auntie Diane remained oblivious as Selassi's heart to race, a strange figure stood near the gate of the house. It's body morphed into something horrific as bones cracked and an unearthly screeching could be heard by Selassi's ears only.

Lost in trance, she found herself unable to move as it finally stood up to its full height.  It backed itself in front of the street light, disappearing and by that time, Selassi was out of the trance and with that she decided to dismiss what she saw. It was all becoming too much for her, she just wanted to do her parents' funeral and sell the house before leaving Ghana.

She walked hurriedly towards the gate and entered the compound but Auntie Diane remained outside it as the figure reappeared, lifting its hand to wave and a small sinister smile etching onto her face, Auntie Diane waved back.

After getting little sleep, Selassi woke up with a pounding headache that she just wanted to sleep off but today was the last day of preparations.

There was no time to mess around as she got ready quickly. She didn't want to spend too much time talking about things would cost too much money.

Before heading downstairs, she looked down the hallway just like she had been doing since the last incident but again it was empty with a visible door.

Reaching the end of the stairs, she saw the senior members of the family sitting and chatting. She wasn't really familiar with either side of her parents' families so she felt the need to tread carefully around them.

Sitting down on a single sofa, all eyes were on her as smiles formed on their faces, introducing themselves one by one. 

"So what else needs to be done?" Selassi asked in a serious tone.

"erm, we will need to hire out more chairs and get more drinks," her uncle said, eyeing with an eagerness that unsettled her.

" Why do we need more? I thought the guest list was sorted" Selassi scrutinised, pinching the bridge of her nose. Noticing this, Auntie Diane attempted to reason with her.

" My dear, there are a few more people who will be coming. It's nothing to spare a bit more money for the sake of your parents'" Auntie Diane state.

Selassi could only chuckle at the way they thought she was rolling in money because she lived in the UK.  

"To be honest, I don't have any more to cover any other expenses. I explicitly said I had a budget and I have fulfilled the payments for all the traditional funeral rites and other necessary items." Selassi said calmly, she saw their faces twinge with confusion as if she was talking in a language in they couldn't understand.

"Your Auntie Diane mentioned you expanding your salon so there has to be more money," her uncle remarked in frustration.

"Did she now? I remember telling her that in confidence but I guess nothing is sacred anymore" Selassi replied in a slightly bitter tone whilst eyeing Auntie Diane, who seemed ashamed to be caught.

" You have to honour your parents properly. Just spare a few hundred pounds and everything will be settled" her uncle said.

" My answer is no because I simply don't have any more money but also because I know you have people want to invite like you're funding this funeral. Respectfully, Uncle, I would like to honour my wishes to maintain the funeral way is." She said, getting up and shaking the elders' hand before leaving the house for a walk.

Thinking about tomorrow, she knew it would be long as fuck but she knew it was time to say a final goodbye.

.............................................................................................................................................................

Hey loves,

Another update.

What do you think of Auntie Diane?

As always, vote and comment, please.

Love,

TamaraMensah