Night walk

Episode 2

Shola! Yeah, I returned to my body. It was Mr. Femi calling me, but he was alone, the woman was not with him. What were you thinking? Have been calling you, he said. Were you with a woman a while ago? I asked. No, I wasn't he replied. Was I hallucinating? I thought.

I felt a little fear going back home alone. What a boring life I live, got no man of my own, no family, no friends to complain my problem to. I took my shower being conscious of everything around me. Thanks to God, there was electricity. I searched channels for any interesting program, I heard a creak. I ignored it then it became louder, I walked towards the direction and found nothing, the doors were tightly shut. I returned to the sitting room and continued my program. Then I saw a reflection of a bleeding woman behind me on my television screen, i turned immediately and saw no one. I had had enough of this am not sleeping here, I thought. But where would I go? A hotel isn't a bad idea. I hurriedly packed a few clothes, some documents, some provisions, toiletries and rushed out of the house. Arriving at Golden gate hotel by 7:45pm, checked in and ordered dinner. How long would I be staying here? I need to know what it going on.

I wasn't paying attention to my work, was distracted by the past events of the week. Pondered on what could be wrong with me, I was as confused a man trying to choose between two girlfriends he loves equally. Mr. Deji’s tap on my shoulder startled me, Ah ah Mr. Deji you startled me I said. What are you always thinking about? You have been distracted since morning, what is the matter? He asked, with a strong Yoruba accent. He still doesn’t realize he has mouth odour and he keeps leaning close towards me as if I can’t hear him properly. I moved my chair back, trying to endure the odour to avoid embarrassing him. Am fine…..actually am not I have a problem, I think I have been seeing……I was interrupted by my boss. Shola and Mr. Deji these are working hours not gossip time, please face your individual duties. Shola see me in my office in the next 5 minutes he said and left. Yes sir, I and Mr. Deji said in unison. What have I done this time? I asked myself as I walked into his office. Please have a seat, he said. I have been observing you for the past few days, you are always absent minded, and your profit making is minimal. Talk to me what is happening? He asked. I wanted to tell him but I knew he won’t believe besides he is not an understanding person. Nothing sir, just that I have been a little bit distracted. I promise to pick up my performance, I replied. Are you sure you don’t want to share the problem? He asked. Not that o, there’s no problem sir, thank you sir, I said trying to stand up and leave. Ah ah where are you rushing to? Sit down, he asked. I sat down reluctantly then he stood from his chair and sat on his table in front of me, I moved back a little bit. You are a very pretty lady but haven’t seen you with a man, he said. I just forced a smile.  I would like to have something with you, you know…….as he was talking I looked up and saw the bleeding woman coming behind him, I couldn’t move or say anything then I felt someone touch me. Are you okay? You have been looking into the thin air, my boss asked. I looked behind him and saw nothing. Sorry sir, just that I thought I saw something I said. Hmm you are strange Shola, you can return to your corner, he said. I quickly left his office and returned to my desk. It is confirmed that something is wrong with me, still can’t place what exactly is wrong.

At exactly 2:15am, something woke me up. The night was windy and silent except for the cries of a strange bird. I stood up, closed the window and took a glass of water. I began to hear voices murmuring but couldn’t make out the words. I searched the room to make sure I was alone, had to open my door to check if people were at the hallway but it was empty. It became so loud that I closed my ears with my hands screaming Stop stop stop but to no avail. I rushed to my box and searched for my bible, began to pray or something like that because I was scared and confused I didn’t know what I was saying. The murmurings stopped. I opened my eyes and slowly removed my hands from my ears. The night was silent again.

The alarm rung at 5:30am, I turned it off and returned to sleep. I finally woke up by 9:45am and decided am not going to work that day. I slowly had a bath, thinking about last night, trying to find a solution to my problem. Regretting turning down a cute guy few weeks ago because I would have had someone to share my burden to, a little voice in my head was telling me to accept Mr. Jude’s offer in order to kill my loneliness. I knew it was the devil. I sat naked on my bed planning on where to go, I need to shop to clear my mind, I thought. Dressed up for the excitement ahead at the mall, I opened my door and………. Hi Shola said the bleeding woman with a smirk on her face.