CHAPTER 5: THE DAY I BECAME THE VILLIAN

Silence…… Except for the thuds of their footsteps against the ground. Finally, they came to a halt in front of me. “This is the guy— the woman beater,” Aisha said, pointing her index finger to me. I didn't flinch. I picked up my phone and my powerbank, then I rose to my feet. I fixed my eyes on them, moving from one face to another. There was nothing friendly about their expression but I didn't care. I was ready for the worse. I expected them to lunge at me but they didn't.Slowly I turned and walked toward the door. I pushed it open and tossed my phone onto the bed. It bounced from left to right before finally landing face - down. Then I dropped my powerbank on the floor At least, if anything happened, my phone would be safe. I pulled the door shut. The sound echoed through the room, as it slammed against the frame. Then I leaned my back against the wall. One leg crossed over the other, my arms folded across my chest Silence reigned…. Their eyes were glued to me. “What happened?” The tallest among them spoke. His baritone voice cut through the silence No response…. “What happened? Why did you beat her?” He raised his voice, as he moved closer to me. Still I said nothing. I changed my posture. I stood straight, heads up and chest out. I was ready for the worst. “I asked you what happened?” he shouted. We stood face to face. The distance between us was almost non-existent that I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. I cleared my throat, gulping down the lump that had formed in it. “I owe you no explanation,” I replied. My voice was calm but firm and sharp. My heart was heavy and a hot breath escaped through my nose. I ground my teeth and clenched my fist slowly. The guy backed away a little and turned to face them. “See this guy ooo,” he chuckled. “He doesn't have manners. Please finish him,” Zainab responded. Suddenly, he turned back to me. It was as though Zainab words had poured fuel on the burning fire inside him. And before I could react, his palm slammed against my cheek. “Answer me now!” The slap was heavy and suddenMy eyes became blurry. The pain burned across my face. I stood there for a while, stunned. Then something in me snapped. And without hesitation, I lunged at his feet and snaked my hands around his legs. He was caught unaware. They were heavy but I was determined to bring him down. He staggered. “You can't slap me and go scot free,” I muffled under my breath. Then something struck me from behind, snatching me away with force. I raised my head up. It was Japheth. The neighbour who had greeted me earlier. “What's wrong with you, Ola?” “He can't slap me and walk away,” I protested. The other two guys were already charging forward, but they stopped the moment Japheth stepped in. “Let's deal with this guy, bro,” one of them told him. My eyes darted to the corner. The other guy was already coming with a stick that looked like a police baton. My heart froze. I looked around for something I couldn't use to defend myself but nothing was within my reach. Then my hand went to my belt. I quickly loosened it and pulled it from my waist, gripping the buckle tightly. If he came anywhere near me, I was ready to use it on him. But before he could reach me, Japhet stepped between us and held him back. “Please, calm down,” he pleaded. The guy struggled against his grip. “Leave me!” “Just calm down!” For a moment, nobody move. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I tightened my grip around the belt. I was angry. But most of all, I was confused. How had everything gotten this far? A few minutes ago, I was sitting quietly in my room. Now, three guys had stormed into my house because they believed I had beaten a woman. Then they entered... To be continued........... @Àdùní

The Day I Became The Villian

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