Something to Ponder;
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
But should every dream come true?
She woke up startled, with beads of sweat cascading down her face, like rain drops all the way to her neck, chest and other parts of her body. She was drenched in a pool of her own sweat as she sat on her bed with legs folded, arms wrapped around her legs, rocking her body like a little baby and darting her eyes which were almost popping out from their sockets, from wall to wall.
That dream again …
***
On that fateful night, when the night owls were hooting fiercely and the crickets were making screeching sounds, Ola knew that she had to see her uncle, who was also the village chief priest because she was beginning to hallucinate again.
Only this time, it was more severe and intense. Despite the fact that she was scared to the bone marrow due to the pitch darkness outside, she summoned courage to leave the confines of her isolated hut and pay a late night visit to her uncle. She believed that he would proffer a solution to this cankerworm that was eating away her peace and comfort, one day at a time, all in the name of hallucinations.
He had promised her earlier that he would always be there for her if and when she needed help. He was all the family she had left now after losing her parents and siblings to a mysterious flu outbreak some years back.
And now, she knew that she needed his help because this time around, she had unconsciously sleep walked an extra mile further from home and when she returned to consciousness, she noticed traces of blood on her hands and clothes. She only hoped she had not injured another human this time. Her first victim was still in a critical condition.
As she treaded the bushy path carefully into the night while holding an oil lamp in front of her, she couldn’t help but reminisce over her life so far. She has indeed seen a lot for a 21 year old.
It all started at the age of 5, she still remembered vividly how she had been asked by her mum to fetch a cup of water. She had gone to get the water and hovering beside the water calabash which was behind their hut, was an image- a mystic one- which had the shape of a miniature mermaid. It beckoned to her and even called her by name, but when she tried to run or even scream, she found herself transfixed to the spot as if in a trance. She couldn’t shout out loud or even utter a sound no matter how hard she tried.
The image had told her that she was paranormal and had been bestowed with supernatural powers which would make people do her bidding always. In return, she had to always pay homage. After that, the image disappeared and that was when Ola was able to scream as hard as she could, a loud piercing sound that filled the air with a blood curdling effect on all who heard it.
Hours later, Ola opened her eyes to see her little family which comprised her mother, father and little brother, huddled up over her. Her mother was sobbing softly while dabbing her forehead with a cold washcloth which she rinsed and squeezed out every few seconds.
Her little brothers were crying gently while their father was placating her mother and summoning all the courage he could muster.
“Mama, Ola is awake!” squealed Ike, her little brother.
He laughed gleefully with so much delight as he sprang up quickly and out of his father’s arms. He ran straight to Ola’s bedside and started to push their mother out of the way. Her mother and father were equally as excited as she was and they were all almost talking at the same time. They thought they had almost lost her. Her body temperature was still very hot and her head was banging terribly as she fought to keep her eyes open. It was a futile attempt to keep it open for up to 5 seconds, so she just shut it back and welcomed the cuddling effect of the blackout that followed…
…To be continued!
From a chapter in my Pash Series, ‘The Dream’… Coming Soon!
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XOXO,
Yours Truly.
