UNFAZED (continued)

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At first it was hard trying to see in the dark, gradually my eyes adjusted to the darkness. As I made my way through the streets i began to wonder if the people outside knew how late it was to be so busy outside, but then again this is Lagos, a city that never sleeps.

I was really tired, I found an abandoned store. The ugly stench of urine and cigarettes greeted me, the area was dimly lit. I managed to find a ‘clean' place to stay for the night, the mosquitoes were not welcoming. I should package this day and tag it broken and discomforted.

Crushed, hungry and alone , crying seemed to be the only option. I cried until I fell asleep. It was very bright by the time I woke up, confused on where to go or what to do, I sat for a while. Crying wasn't going to solve my problem, I wondered what was going on at home, the thought of going back home made chills run down my spine. I was sure Going back would be the death of me. I walked with hope I would find something to put in my stomach as I had not eaten anything since the day before. My body was covered with dirts and dust, I didn't mind , it was nothing compared to how dirty I felt inside. I turned to the street on my right, I noticed a small market. Exhausted, I sat on the floor, crouched up in a corner, people barely aware of my presence...

‘Hello?' I looked up to find the most angelic face staring at me.

‘Are you okay? What are you doing here alone? Or did you come with someone?' she asked, she spoke so softly. Her voice reminded me of a teacher that once came to teach at my school.

‘I'm alone', I answered

‘Why?' , she asked. Her face showed so much concerned as she dropped another question, ‘What is your name?'

I told her my name but i couldn't bring myself to talk about what led to me wandering around, after much persuasion I narrated my ordeal to her. She stared at me teary eyed. It was hard to believe a mother would act this way to her child. She excused herself to make a call. I wanted to run thinking she might have called the police or someone that knows my family. One foot forward and blackness.....


I couldn't see at first, then it was blurry , I heard voices. It felt like someone was using the local grinding stone to crush my brains.

‘She's awake'

‘Where am I?' I looked around and could only recognize one face.

‘Nne we are at the hospital, you fainted' she answered looking at me worriedly.

I couldn't say anything, the pain was unbearable. The doctors say I have a tear and that I would heal.... physically. Other tests were carried out and everything seemed fine. I was given pain relievers and other drugs.

The doctor discharged me the next day, the woman whose name I learnt to be Karis brought fresh clean clothes, I had a really small body so it wasn't hard to find my size. She came just after I finished changing clothes, she asked;

‘How are you doing, nne?'

‘I am fine Aunty'

‘The doctor says you're free to go now', she paused ‘Do you want to go home?'

I shook my head vigorously, as far as I was concerned I had no home. Maybe I was overreacting, I guess I'll never know.

A middle aged man strolled into the room

‘Ah, Chizara? How are you feeling?', he asked casually hugging Aunty Karis.

‘I'm fine sir'

‘We would be leaving now', he announced. Aunty Karis told him she planned on letting me stay with them for a while, he shrugged and smiled at me. I wasn't sure this was what I wanted, going back to roam the streets wasn't safe. Going home wasn't an option, slowly I hated myself for running away, I hated everyone.

 The drive to my ‘new' home wasn't nice at all. All I wanted to do was sink inside the leather seat.

Aunty Karis and the man, Ndu whom i figured to be her husband drove to the island, they had visited egbeda where I was found. Ndu's parents live there and she was only at the market because she wanted to prepare something for her in-laws before going.

Unlike everyother day the road was surprisingly free. I looked out the window imagining what it would feel like getting crushed by one of those trailers by the road side, I wondered if my family was looking for me. I didn't feel the need to exist anymore, I closed my eyes and hoped I would find peace in my sleep.
********
Dayo was there grinning devilishly, he pounced on me and used his teeth to tear my skin away. I fought and cried, someone was shaking me vigorously.

‘Nne wake up!' it is just a terrible dream!
I opened my eyes to see Aunty Karis holding me, the car was parked at the side of the road, just before third mainland bridge. They both waited for me to regain full consciousness. We got to Lagos island which looked different from the mainland where I lived , it felt like I was in another country as it was very beautiful. We drove into a magnificent house at parkview estate, Ikoyi.

Uncle Ndu parked his car , we had gotten to their home
‘We are home', Aunty Karis said

I managed to smile, still feeling weak. I was take .to a room so big  it had to be five times bigger than my room. To tired to notice the beautiful interiors, I fell asleep. I had no idea how long it will had slept, the sun was just setting. I felt hurt, deeply betrayed ....every I'll feeling there was to feel.

(To be continued :))

N.B This is a fictional story, created out of imagination.


Do you think Chizara did the right thing by running away from her home? What do you think she should have done? Is Chizara to blame for her misfortunes?  Don't be shy, share your opinions.

Kisses xx