I WAS ALL ALONE

Friday the 13th 

Eniola had promised me to come back home and not leave me home alone, so I enjoyed the day until I saw the day turn dark and I was getting worried. We almost had a little quarrel, so I was wondering could that be the reason she decided not to come home?

I just wasn’t sure of what to think of until I saw her text message “I’m not coming home tonight” I replied and said “ok goodnight” but I wasn’t okay. I wasn’t sure I could survive the night in such big, void and lonely house.

Oh! As usual I toughened and convinced myself that, well I am old enough, 20 is enough years to be bold and courageous. So I left my room and walked confidently down the stairs using my right hand to lead the way as I was murmuring “Jesus.. Jesus.. Jesus” then, did I realize that I wasn’t even confident at all.  I got to the compound through the kitchen door and I went to the generator house. I was trying to kick-start the generator but it just wouldn’t work. I tried twice and gave up.

Then I scrolled through my phone sorry my tablet (very embarrassing thing I call a phone) and I called Ifeanyi, a guy that lives next door and so he ran to my rescue. A big time basket-baller like him, I was certain the gen would kick. Oya generator kick naw it refused to kick o. After hours it came on at 9:27pm on a Saturday night. I was still unsure that I could sleep alone in this house so I called Harry.

Harry, my true friend…

Harry answered me and offered me whatever help I suggested. He gave me options like; Do I send you a cab to anywhere you want to go to? I promised to get back to him but when I told him what I settled for he didn’t smile at it.

I decided to go back upstairs as I locked the gate behind Ifeanyi and told him goodnight. I walked pass the kitchen, approaching the stairs, I heard the escape door making beats. It sounded like drum beats. I felt fear kiss my skin and freeze my nipples. But because I am black and not white I didn’t bother going to find out if I was hallucinating or someone was actually trying to show a talent. Instead, with speed I ran up the stairs and shut the door behind me.

I put on the television to help the noise fade and that’s how the generator went off oh.    Jesus have mercy those were my exact words. I started regretting… the rest of my family was at redemption camp why didn’t I go?

Oh no! Friday the 13^th a horror day what was I gonna do? I don’t wanna die I told myself. But it wasn’t even a Friday neither was it a 13^th Then I realized that I had only let my mind dribble me just because I have never been alone my entire life.

As for the drum beats? Don’t worry, I heard enough at church today and only in church would I hear more biko. No more tricks dear mind of mine.

Well I guess next time won’t be a big deal. Thanks Eniola because I wouldn’t mind sleeping home alone next time. Thank you Harry because I would have considered sleeping next door if I wasn’t discouraged.