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Chapter Five
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2020-10-07 22:48:21I took my time looking around the estate. I always do this each time I came visiting Joyce. It was too spectacular, not to take a minute or two to admire the arena. I noticed they’d planted more species of botanical shrubs at both sides of the estate. This served to build an aura around the area, an aura of beautiful colours that were kept in their top-notch condition. No matter how you strain to catch a sight of weed, none was in sight.
Behind the vast scenery, were different types of buildings sitting firmly on the interlock road. Each building had its gate, serving as a form of privacy to other neighbours. These buildings were a bit old but kept in a great condition adding to the exotic appeal of the place.
“I’m going to get a house like this one day.” My voice came out in a dreamy whisper.
I pulled out of the way for a Toyota Camry that was
moving at a full speed by stepping onto the pedestal. Crazy drivers everywhere. Three words that I knew were true.No matter how influential you may be, I have come to realise that everyone was always in a hurry, going somewhere. Cliché but true.I kept my pace light but firm, taking time breathing in the air of the place. The weather here seemed different – clean and clear. My ankle still throbbed but I fancied I would be fine with a shower over at Joyce place.
No one was outside right now. Maybe, they weren’t back from their respective place of work. The only thing that made the estate look inhabited was a little gateman’s shack at the left-hand side of the place.
Joyce had confided to me that she oftentimes sat there to beat the boredom at bay if she wasn’t allowed to go out of the estate. It annoyed her that she resulted to that but seeing that she has no choice, she had to take what she can get.
Joyce always seemed to me as an ungrateful person. I doubt she’d still think that way if we happen to swap places. I didn’t tell her that though, there was no need.
I finally stood at the black gate that protected Joyce and her family. I was here now, at number 14.
I stretched my body, then bent down with my butt facing up. I could hear the sounds of muscles crying in relief and smiled.I stood upright after feeling another muscular whine around my waist and tried to peer through the gate. As usual, I couldn’t see the house from here thanks to the gate, I was super tiny right now. Why can’t I be a bit tall, eh? Well, this wasn’t the time to mop about my height.I let my left hand fall from the strap that I’ve been holding tightly and pressed the doorbell attached to the wall. I could hear the shrill sound as it sounded. Two more tries and footsteps echoed from the other side.
“Who dey press the bell?” Hamza’s voice sounded strained as he stuttered out pidgin English.
Hamza is the new gateman that was employed three months ago and always seemed to fail in keeping in Joyce. I know I should stop calling him new since it’s been three months but I’m used to it and moreover, it was my inside joke.
“Adanna.” I offered simply.
“Adanna.” My name sounded off when he called it.
“Yes.” I agreed again.
The sounds of muffled steps and clicking bolts greeted my eardrums. I shifted a bit so he wouldn’t collide with me when he opened the door. I know it’s weird but Hamza had a degree in clumsiness and I didn’t want to injure myself further.
Just on cue, the gate was thrown wide open and Hamza stumbled forward. He would have hurt himself if he hadn’t held on to the pillar. His signature smile grazed his face in spite of this. That was Hamza, nothing could beat his cheerful demeanour or the constant smile that seemed to be stamped on his face.
“Na you. Eh, long time o. You no dey come to our side again? You just forget your friend. E no good o.” He complained on behalf of Joyce.
I shook my head, smiling a bit. “I’ve been busy Hamza but now I’m here to spend some time with you all. Let me enter.” I added for effect.
I could stand here for hours with Hamza bombarding me with questions and thrilling me with stories if I didn’t tell him I was in dire need to enter into the house.
I watched with anxiety as he walked back into the compound, hitting his leg on the gate in the process.“Please, take it easy o.” I said softly.
“No worry o. My leg go put me in trouble one day. E no dey do wetin I want make e do.” He whined cheerfully.I stepped into the compound carefully. “Don’t talk like that. You’re making negative proclamations to yourself. You just need to be more careful, that’s all.” I admonished him.
He threw his head back and laughed like I said a joke. “Prokamation...You no go kill person with all these English. Shey you know say I no go school.” He laughed again.
I couldn’t help smiling a bit. “You didn’t go to school.” I teased.
“My papa no rich like una.” He said cheerfully.
“It’s well. What I meant before was that you should stop saying negative words to yourself.” I explained calmly.
“Na wetin be prokamation?)...I don learn something today o. Adanna go come dey teach me for here everyday o.” His voice showed his excitement.
Not wanting to damper his mood by replying in the negative, I changed the topic. “Joyce is inside, right?”
“Yes.” He said simply.
He went back to the business of locking the gate while I walked further into the compound.
They kept the custom of gardening that I saw outside in this place. The flowers were fingering the vast plot of land as it fell from the sky while at far end of each wall was a perfectly kept garden that stood tall and firm...they comprised of mostly roses and lilies.
It’s not like I’m seeing all these for the first time but it always succeeds each and every time in taking my breath away. It was beyond beautiful. Back home, we had a modest home that wasn’t really maintained or decorated to fit the modern-day design. So, you can imagine how thrilling it is for me to come to a place such as this. It was like inhaling a glass of juice from a distance...completely addicting.
I let my eyes skim through the house itself. Now that I was in, there was nothing obstructing my view of the building. It was a duplex and it also had an old air to it but it was still beautiful. Old is gold is very true for this building. The building was painted a light brown but somehow you could see some cracks in between the walls. It wasn’t that bad but it served as a reminder of its age. When you ignore that, it’s actually a charm. The porch was spacious providing a sort of sophistication to the black bannister. There was just something about spaces.
I resumed my movements again, for my ankle hurt a lot. The porch seemed to be the answer to all my needs and I had to get there quickly. I finally did, not without hearing some laughter inside that resounded through those walls. What would they be doing and who was the new laughing bubbling human that didn’t know when to stop? Well, the only way to find out was to enter into that house.Stepping onto the porch, I tried to catch my breath but the door swung unexpectedly open. My left palm flew to my chest in an attempt to stop my frightened self from dropping dead on the floor.
“You look like a frightened rabbit right now.” Joyce teased in between her laughing spree.
I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my breathing in a comfortable pace. It was like my body has turned to jelly all of a sudden. I hated being frightened, and Joyce had succeeded in doing just that.
Joyce kept laughing at me. “You need to stop being such a baby sometimes.” She giggled.
“Shut up.” My voice came out raspy.
She continued laughing in spite of my visible irritation on the subject. “You do know there are no demons lurking around the shadows trying to get you, right?”I pretended to turn towards the gate. “I’m leaving.” I waved her off.
My breathing had become regulated by now but I was still a bit shaken. I felt her soft palm come in contact with my arm, stalling me. I could see she was still battling her laughter. At least, she was trying but I wouldn’t tolerate her mocking me any longer.
“Don’t try playing such jokes o.” She said softly.
“Don’t try mocking me either.” I countered.
“I will try.” She promised.Both of us knew that was claptrap. Joyce loved teasing me most times. I liked it too but sometimes I wanted to stuff her mouth with glue or maybe dye would be more appropriate.
“I almost didn’t come,” I told her for added effect. I turned to face her, her expression was priceless.
She glared at me. It looked comical on her half-hearted painted face. She was a bad makeup artist, actually but she would never let up.
“Ada, I’m glad you’re saying that as a joke because if you’d carried it out, your ass is going to get busted by me." Her voice went low for added effect.
“I wish there was a mirror here. You’d find that you’re looking like a clown.” I laughed...
