ONE WRONG TURN
EPISODE 15
This was the beginning of my problem. I scrolled hurriedly throu-gh my contacts, searching for someone to call. I dialed Sarah’s number first. She answered at once. I carefully explained the situation to her. She was as empathetic as I expected, but she couldn’t let me stay at her house. Her parents wouldn’t allow it. I called Hannah next. We could ba-rely hear each other. The sound of loud music in the background was enough evidence that she was no where close to her house. I walked about aimlessly for a while, feeling bitter and sad. I couldn’t just lie down anywhere, I was scared. I sat at the foot of a mango tree, watching pas-sers-by, and thinking about my predic@m£nt. Everyone seemed so happy in my family, everyone but me. My parents had no love for me, they put me in a prison all my life, and now they want to humiliate me. I hated my parents, I thought they were the worst ever. I had run away from home, but I have nowhere to run to.
The sky began to change small flashes of lightning began to appear in the sky. It was going to rain, and I was outside on the streets. It was then the foolishness of running away hit me. I had no where else to go, I had to conceal myself from the rain. So I decided to go home.
I got up, and slowly walked back towards my house. The battering may continue, but I couldn’t stay outdoors at night. On my way back, my phone rang. The ring tone was special. I nee-d not look at the screen to know it was Matthew. His call turned out to be the only silver lining in my dark cloud of misery. I t©uçhed the answer bu-tton, and answered with the meekest voice possible.
“Where are you? Sarah just told me what happened” he asked, almost sounding worried. I explained everything I could, as well as my decision to go back to the house.
“No don’t go, I’m coming to pick you” he replied, and ended the call giving me no room to refuse. I walked back, and sat on the tree, anticipating his arrival. It took quite a while, but he arrived finally.
As soon as he parked, he hurried out of the car, and ran towards me. He pu-ll-ed me up to my feet, and hvgged me so ti-ght. I was weak and exhausted, hungry and tired. He led me slowly to the car, opened the door and let me in. I felt a measure of peace and comfort once again, as he zoomed off into the dark cold night. My parents constantly warned me to stay away from boys. They’ll go to any length to monitor and control me. If only they knew that their action had led me into the hands on a boy, on a cold dark night. Only God knows what will happen over-night at his place.
As we drove towards his hostel, my mind began to wander. I took a careful look at the beauty of Lagos at night. It was the first time I‘ll be outdoors at night. The city was still full of life, people moved about freely as if they’ll never sleep. I thought about my own condition too. What will my parents be thinking right now? Will they be looking for me at all? . Where will I tell them I sle-pt? These thoughts ran throu-gh my mind, till the gentle breeze of nature b!owing in throu-gh the window nurtured me to sleep. A slight tap on my shoulder woke me up. I might have been slee-ping for a while. The car was no longer moving, we had reached our destination. I did not know where we were exactly, but the loud music and busy compound gave me an idea. We were in his hostel.
Matthew c@m£ out of the car, pas-sed round to the other side to open the door for me. I c@m£ out, feeling sleepy and weak. I was hungry too. It was very cold, all I had on me was my singlet, and a loosed Sk-irt I usually don’t wear outdoors.
Matthew lifted me up and carried me in his arms, as we headed for his room, the same room where I lost my vir-ginity a few hours ago. As we approached the room, I looked around once again. The compound was still busy at night. Loud music rented the air, just like the day time. When we pas-sed by people’s windows, I could see shadows of people on t©p of each other. It was like a mini Sodom.
Matthew dropped me at his door side, and fumbled with his keys before getting the door opened. He lifted me once more, and dropped me gently on his be-d. I culled up immediately, to gather up some heat.
“Have you eaten”? He asked, in the most innocent tone possible.
“No, I haven’t had my bath either” I replied. Matthew searched throu-gh his wardrobe and brou-ght out a shi-t, and handed it over to me. The size was pretty big for me, but I didn’t mind. At least it’ll keep me warm. He poured water out of a flask, to make h0t tea for me. I sat up as he handed over the cu-p. The taste of h0t tea brou-ght me a little warmth. I felt more relaxed and comfortable. I brou-ght out my phone again, and pinged Sarah, thanking her for coming to the rescue.
“Make sure your night is worthwhile” she replied.
I knew exactly what she meant, but I am pres£ntly not re-ady for that. But on a second thought, even if I didn’t, I do not have much of a choice. I was going to sleep in his house. Besides, I had lost my vir-ginity hence there was nothing left to protect. I was still busy with the chat when Matthew called out to me to join him in the bathroom. Is he planning to bathe me when am not a baby? Will my foolish-self make me drag my feet and join him in the bathroom?
Hmmm…. What have I gotten my self to.
I was quite shy, it felt really awkward. But I felt I owe him some gratitude for taking me in.
The bathroom was small, ha-rd ly conducive for more than one person. So I gently took my clothes off, and joined him in the bathroom like someone being controlled by a remote. What else was I expecting if a lady and a guy were to be together in a bathroom? Of course its something you are thinking of. I made no effort to resist. Even if I wasn’t sure I wanted it, I was quite sure I enjoyed it, and looked forward to doing it again. Why? Maybe because I’ve never experienced what love was all about if this is love though, or my spiritual eyes were close permanently considering the kind of parent that brou-ght me up.
.
.
ONE WRONG TURN
EPISODE 16
We c@m£ out of the bathroom, feeling fresh and new. I put on his cloths again, and sat up on the be-d, chatting on my phone, while Matthew entered the kitchen to prepare supper.
“Where will you tell your parents you spent the night?” A message c@m£ from Sarah. I had no idea what to say, but I knew I had to come up with a very convincing lie, or else Matthew would be in serious trouble.
“I have no idea” I replied.
“I‘ll figure out something, just keep your phone on” Sarah texted again. I knew I could always count on Sarah to cover my mess, she was like a genie to me. I owed her a lot of gratitude.
I was still in between thoughts when Matthew shoved a tray of food in front of me. I put my phone away to receive the tray, thanking him and feeling very special. Matthew did know how to make me feel special, I always felt like a princess around him. I loved him with all my heart.
The meal was simple. Fried eggs and bre-ad which was my favourite. I ate slowly, savoring the taste of each bite. Matthew was a really good cook I thought to myself. His phone rang, and he answered in my pres£nce. I paid no attention to his conversation, I just focused on enjoying my meal.
“That was Sarah, she wants me to take you to Hannah’s house before daybreak.” Matthew said
“Why?” I queried Matthew had no idea either, so I reached for my phone and pinged Sarah again. She explained everything clearly to me, and I un-derstood the plan. Sarah had planned a lie all the way to the end. She was an evil genius indeed!
I tucked my phone un-der the pillow, as I would have done in my own room. Matthew joined me on the be-d, putting on a pair of shorts. He la-id beside me, and I rested my head on his ba-re che-st, as we both sle-pt off.
I had no idea how long I had sle-pt, but tiny k!sses on my face and a hand moving throu-gh my b©dy woke me up. Matthew was up, and his actions showed exactly what he wanted. I willfully obliged. I had no idea how long it lasted, but few minutes after he was throu-gh, a thought hit me. He was not using a protec-tion! For the remaining p@rt of the night, while Matthew fell asleep, I remained awake. My mind hovered around a lot of things.
Did anyone miss me at home? How‘ll I be received when I get back? Were‘ll I tell them I pas-sed the night? I knew for certain I couldn’t tell anyone I had sle-pt with Matthew, the thought of me slee-ping in a boy’s house would make my parents freak out. Even Matthew will not be free from the complicated situation that will surely follow. Silently, I prayed that Sarah’s plan works out. My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I picked it up, it was Hannah. I looked at the wall clock to ascertain the time before answering.
“Better start coming now” she said, in a hush tone.
“Its still dark, it’s just 4 a.m” I protested, stealing another glance at the wall clock.
“Better come now that everyone is asleep” she replied and ended the call. I never fully un-derstood what the plan was, but from Hannah’s voice, I knew I had to hurry.
I tapped Matthew, lightly to wake him up. “Hannah said we should start coming” I whispered to him.
“This early?” He replied, trying to reach for the light switch. We got up slowly and prepared to leave. I took off the cloths Matthew had given, and wore the cloths I left home with. Matthew gr@bb£d his keys and we made our way outside towards the car.
The compound was much quiet now, everyone was asleep. Most of the lights were switched off, ma-king the entire compound dark. I sort of preferred it this way. We entered the car and Matthew drove off, towards Hannah’s house. Much like the hostel, the city was very quiet and devoid of human activities too, but the street lights kept the roads and surroundings bright.
A few meters away, we could see a group of people, clothed in black carrying t©uçh lights. It was a police checkpoint. As soon as the officers caught sight of the car, they planted themselves in the middle of the road and ordered Matthew to pu-ll over. He parked conveniently at the side of the road, awaiting the policemen. The sight of the policemen brou-ght some chills. I bec@m£ scared as I recognized one of the men approaching. A rather short, funny looking man, He was a friend of my father. I slumped on the seat instantly, staring down with my chin almost tou-ching my che-st.
“Where are you coming from and where are you going to at this time of the night” one of the officers barked. I paid no attention to their conversation, I was busy trying to hide my face from one of the officers.
As they ended their conversation, one of the officers pointed his torch at my face. I faced the opposite direction, and put my hands across my face to protect my eyes from the blinding rays of the light.
“Hey let me see your face” the officer ordered. I turned around slowly, without removing my hand from my face. I put the other hand across my che-st. I was putting on a loose singlet, and some pri-vate p@rt of my b©dy were expo-sed. I was slightly embarras-sed, and feared being recognized at the same time.
“So na ashawo you carry” the officer commented, before ordering us to proceed.
“Why was that man looking at you”? Matthew asked.
That very question s£nt cold shivers down my spine. I could only hope he did not recognize me. Few minutes later, we arrived at Hannah’s house. The compound was quiet, and well lighted, and surrounded by a low fence that made it visible. I called Hannah to let her know that we were outside. Matthew and I sat patiently inside the car, just in front of the gate, anticipating her arrival.
About three minutes later, Hannah emerged from the side of the building, and hurried straight to the car. She opened the door to my seat, pu-lling me slightly out of the car.
“Matthew bye bye,” she said, waving hurriedly at Matthew. He started the engines and drove away. I took a careful look at Hannah. She did not look like had sle-pt at all. She was putting on a pair of trou-sers and a t-shi-t, with a small bag tied around her h!ps. The perfume from her cloths and the make up on her face clearly painted the picture of someone who had been outdoors, probably p@rtying.
“Let’s go, be quiet plea-se” she said, as we ti-p-toed towards the side of the fence. She stood on her toes and stretched across to observe the compound.
“Follow me” she ordered, as she climbe-d over the fence into the compound. I followed her lead, and we were both inside the compound.
The house was fairly big, probably a three be-droom flat. It had the design of a church, with several doors at the side. We ti-ptoed to a door at the side of the house. Hannah searched throu-gh her bag and brou-ght out a key to open the door. As soon as we were in, she closed the door gently, and put the key back into her bag. She fli-cked a switch, and a light bulb c@m£ on. We ti-p-toed into a be-droom close to the entrance and made our way in. Hannah coll@psed on the be-d instantly. She must have been exhausted. It was almost 5 a.m. I crawled up beside her on the be-d and la-id still. There was no way I could sleep, I had no idea what I was doing here, I just had to co-operate and see where their plan was leading to.
The six o’clock alarm buzzed, and Hannah sprang up from her be-d. She tapped me lightly probably to wake me up.
“If anyb©dy asks, we both sle-pt in this room” she said, pu-lling her ear with her hands. I nodded in agreement, like the naive little girl I was. The plan had gradually began to make s-en-se to me.
“Wait I’m coming”, she said as she walked gently out of her room. I la-id back on the be-d, just staring at the ceiling. It would be much easier for my parents to swallow me if I told them I sle-pt in Hannah’s house as compared to them knowing I sle-pt at Matthew’s house. It made more s-en-se to me.
Elsewhere, I could hear slight argument between two people. One voice was Hannah’s, I couldn’t quite figure out whose voice the other was. I sat up too and tried to listen to their conversation, but I got nothing. Moments later the door to the room flew open. Hannah entered, followed closely by her elder sister.
“Good morning ma” I stood up immediately to greet.
“Morning, hope you sle-pt well” she responded. I simply nodded my head in answer.
“Sorry for what happened, it’s not easy to have such parents, I hope you can talk things over with them if they let you in” she said in a friendly tone, p@rting my back slightly. I had no idea what Hannah had told her, but what ever it was I’m glad she bought it. Hannah motioned me to the bathroom, I took a shower hurriedly and dressed up. I put on Hannah’s cloths. I couldn’t walk in day light with the cloths I c@m£ with. She offered me some money, and saw me off to the gate. I waited patiently for about fifteen minutes, before flagging down a taxi heading towards my house. I could feel my heart beating fast this time around as we approached my house. I kept wondering what the reception will be like. I had no idea what had happened the previous night after my “prison break”.
WATCHOUT FOR EPISODE 17