Oh Miss Day

Chapter 11

Like a babe who had just been born, Sarah lay immobile on the very bed that she has been occupying for six, excruciating days. Save for turning her head.

She has been bouncing in and out of consciousness for that duration. Her immobility worsening her feelings of utter helplessness. For six days, her mission has been to at least move her hands or feet. She either cried her frustrations away or just stared off into space, hoping for some miracle.

The woman that has stayed by her side, for six days, brought with her a comfortable warmth that spread to the parts of herself that she could feel. It was as if her nerve endings only came alive when the woman was close by and they could pick up her comforting spirit.

A sudden sound of pain cut through the silence, Sarah turned her side to the left where a rocking chair was occupied by a woman was now bending awkwardly. Another groan forced itself out of her lips, as she forcefully thrust her chest forward, causing her shoulder blades to lie abnormally close to each other. Almost rubbing against each other.

She continued bending in extremely awkward positions and all Sarah could do was watch, from the corner of her eyes because her head refused to move any further, as all this took place. Worry consumed her senses as she tried to at least open her mouth and ask if the woman was okay.

Said woman groaned louder and suddenly started clapping her hands in a way that her palms were not touching, only the corners of her hands were. A booming sound, slightly deeper than that of normal hands clapping, reverberated throughout the room.

Inaudible chants escaped her lips, accompanied by the occasional growl and groan. The sound of the beaded dreadlocks slapping against each other added to the mysterious energy that seemed to float around the room. The temperature rose steadily with her chants, swirling with air that was heavy with something Sarah could not quite place her hand on.

The moment dragged on till eventually, the woman's body was worn out. She collapsed on the mat under her feet unceremoniously. Sarah's heart was beating wildly and she hadn't realized that a few tears escaped her brown eyes until they trailed down her neck.

What if the woman was dead? Who would feed her, bathe her and ensure that she had enough blankets? Would she rot in her own pool of urine and faeces until someone stumbled upon this place somehow? Her stomach seemed to turn inside out at that thought and she tried to breath slowly to try and calm herself down.

As she looked at the heap of black, red and white clothes, guilt consumed her whole body. Spreading from her beating heart to her immobile toes. Rushing through her veins as if trying to find an exit, only there was none. Here she was worrying about what would happen to her, what about the woman?

What would become of her family, her kids if she had any? She mentally slapped herself and hung her head in shame. In her panic, she had forgotten that another human being could be dead right next to her. And all she was worried about was who would assist her! Shameful!

The woman startled Sarah by jolting upwards suddenly. Her electric blue eyes frantically searching the room until they came in contact with hers. The woman rushed over to her and placed her cool hands on Sarah's arm.

The hands trailed up the length of her arm and fell into her very pronounced collarbone that almost looked like someone had dug some skin out. Sarah almost released a shiver as the cooling sensations seemed to reach her bones. The woman continued running her hands all over Sarah, chanting in a language that sounded foreign to Sarah's ears. All she could do was watch and wait. For what, she had no idea.

She didn't have to wait long because when the cool hands finally settled on her chest, a blue glow appeared. Swirling around her chest, it rose as the woman's hands lifted from her chest slowly. When she could clearly see her hands and the bright glow under them, the woman thrusted her hands forcefully downwards, as if to force the strange glow to penetrate through her chest.

The glow shot through her whole body, and she felt herself getting lifted from the bed slightly. Only to drop down abruptly. A curse flew out of the older woman's mouth and she tried again. This time with her eyes closed, Sarah's body lifted in the same manner and dropped just the same.  Her heart was pounding furiously as her mind tried to comprehend what was happening. What in the hell is going on?!

"Oh for heaven's sake!"

The older woman's eyes lifted to behold the younger ones', willing her to work with her, only Sarah did not know what was happening. The woman released a deep growl that made Sarah's eyes widen in fear, it sounded like it came from deep within her belly. The air from her heavy breathing hit Sarah continuously.

She placed her hands on her chest again and began chanting, summoning the presence of the blue glow that almost resembled the electricity that seemed to course through her eyes. With gritted teeth and all her strength, she slammed the blue glow into the body and watched as it spread all over her. Lifting her up easily, as if she weighed close to nothing, only to drop her again unceremoniously.

The woman collapsed on top of her, causing a wheezy 'oomf' to escape from Sarah's chapped lips. The woman's head lifted tiredly and her half closed eyes glanced up at her. Sarah's hand flew up to her mouth in surprise.

As it neared her mouth, her eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. Her hand can move! A hoarse scream escaped her lips and she slapped her hand over her mouth and looked at the woman who wore a small smile. Her ethereal beauty shining as her eyes lit up her whole face.

She looked up to the ceiling and threw a big smile. She then turned her head towards me and clasped my hands in hers.

"Welcome back, ntombiyami"

______

"Anywhere the wind blows, is where we'll go"
- Mikateko