CHAPTER 2 THE DAY I BECAME THE VILLIAN

Based on a true story. I crashed into my bed exhausted and gradually sleep began to claim my eyes. Then I heard it. A knock landed on my door. I jolted back to life. “Who could that be?”. I dragged myself to the window to peep. Then I saw them. They walked in one after another like three wise men. At the front was Zainab, her dark skin was glowing like “kóró isin” beneath the afternoon sun. Behind her was Aishat, plus size and her complexion was that of a weaver ant that lives on mango trees. Then Daniel followed quietly. Slim, tall, towering above the two ladies like skyscrapers in Dubai City. My heart erupted in joy We had scheduled our picnic for that day, but I couldn't make it to the place. So I thought they had brought me the dividend of the picnic. I opened the door and they filed in one by one. My room was still in disarray “Ola, why is your room like this?” I sighed. “Long story” I didn't want to tell them what had happened between me and her because I knew who they were. I didn't want to be the topic of discussion after. But, I didn't know that they had heard a different version of the story. No one talked. Silence settled in the room. Then Zainab broke through. “Ola, why did you beat her?” The question caught me off guard “What?” “You heard me,” she continued, “why did you beat her?” I scanned their faces, searching for a trace of humour but there was none. The smile on my face disappeared. “Who told you that I beat her?” “We just returned from the picnic,” Zainab replied. “She told us everything.” Everything?! I almost parted my lips revealing my crooked teeth, because how could someone tell you everything without hearing from the other person. “I didn't beat her,” I said calmly. “ We had an argument. She damaged my stuff and I dragged her out. That's what happened.” Before I could say another word, they began to talk over me. “You shouldn't lay your hands on woman” “There is no justification for it” “I never expected this from you” Each word felt like a stone thrown at me. It didn't feel like a conversation. It felt like a verdict. Daniel stood like a figurine. He couldn't say much at that moment. I believed he was trying to stay neutral. His eyes moved from me to the broken award on the floor then back to me. My heart was already beating against my ribs. I clenched my teeth. I wanted just one person to ask me what had happened before jumping into conclusion. “What happened, Ola?” Finally, Daniel asked. The wise one among them as of that time,I suspected. “This is what happened, Daniel…” Zainab and Aishat cut through. They narrated a version of events that had already been written without me. It was then I realized that they hadn't come to understand me but to confront me Something in me snapped. “If you have already judged me,” I said, trying to contain my anger, “ then there is nothing left to discuss and I owe none of you an explanation.” I raised my voice“Get out of my house now!” For a moment, no one moved. Then Zainab stepped forward, her face filled with disappointment. “This is not over, Ola,” she said. “You'll hear from us,” Aishat added. Daniel remained silent. They walked toward the entrance. Just as they stepped outside, one of them looked back. “We will deal with you.” Those words shifted something in me. I could feel the warmth of my blood through my veins. Anger surged in me “I will be waiting,” I replied. The room fell into silence, but it wasn't of peace. It was the kind of silence that comes before a storm. To be continued………@Ola

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