19 17

"It came with all the joy in the world, the joy that I didn't know would be short-lived."

F.A.B.

The look of shock was clear on her face, but she quickly wiped it off and asked,

"Why and since when?"

"Both long stories that I don't want to talk about," I replied with my eyes down, I still don't like making eye contact with people for any reason, and this isn't ever going to be an exception.

"I understand you Fiyin, I'm also an atheist"

What?

I looked up and she smiled at me in confirmation, I was about to ask when she continued,

"It's also a long story I'm not willing to delve into," she winked and flashed a toothy smile at me.

I frowned at first, then respecting her need for privacy, I nodded my head. We both have our past experiences that have disoriented our images and given us a smudged look at everything else...which must be why we're not willing to dive into the sea of sorrow once more. She probably has trust issues like I do...so...why push her? She didn't push me.

We ate in silence and I offered to take the dishes to wash them and she showed me the kitchen, and I'm just wondering; "can't I ever stop getting surprised by this house?" The kitchen had a wide worktop counter in its centre with a hob in its centre, the floor were of marble and they reflected the glow of the fluorescent bulls. The refrigerator was so large with a deep freezer right by it. I looked around before setting my eyes on the sink which had a dishcloth, the usual tap and well...all what should be found in a kitchen. I washed and dried the dishes before leaving the kitchen and I found her in the living room examining my paintings.

"Your works are fascinating." She commended.

"Thank you...it's practice"

"Keep practicing, you can sell these at great prices you know?"

"Yes, but I've never had the thought cross my mind of where to."

Mainly because I don't go out much.

"There's an art gallery in town"

"I didn't know that."

There's an art gallery in town? I'm definitely going there this week.

"Okay, I'll take you there next Sunday"

"Really?"

"Yes, you need to see more artworks"

"Oh thank you thank you "

She just chuckled and I couldn't hide my joy...joy...I felt happy...this woman is a ray of sunshine in my life....

"Come with" she spoke as she got up, and I followed.

She led me into a room...a room of art, it contained paintings and various artworks of clay and I was baffled, it was like art heaven... all in the room were solely dedicated to art, art is life, I saw so many sketches, paintings, works of clay and even paper mache, this is my safe haven, this my life.

I stood in front of one exceptionally large painting, it was like all the light in the room shone on it and I can't lie...it's beautiful, it was...okay, this might sound weird, it was a painting of a girl "painting". I found each and every detail easy to relate with, the blank canvas, the girl's colour pallette, the girl herself, and even the scenery she was about to paint...I love this house.

I collected my paintings and was about to leave when she told me.

"Put your initials on your paintings before next Sunday, you might sell some at the gallery."

I couldn't hide my happiness as I nodded and walked out of the house imagining just how great it would be for me to have my works in the homes of people all over the town or even all over Nigeria, that would be so dope...dope I say. I can't even wait till Sunday, I'm so excited right now.

I walked out of the house and smiled at the beauty before me, the moonlight cast its beautiful glow on each tree in the compound, like I said, art is life. Good thing she doesn't have dogs...I'm not scared of dogs or something but I know they'd be barking furiously at my dark figure that's walking across their pavement and that can get me on edge.

Facing the familiar building that is my hostel I smiled and walked in, at least nothing stupid can happen tonight, people should be in their rooms, except for the crazy ones that'll be doing freaky things in the dark corners of the compound. School life...such a bliss. I never watch romance movies, I don't even watch movies at all...why? Some scenes in movies like adventure or comedy or whatever genre there is, will always remind me of my trauma, yes, I'm not ready to face that difficult part of me, yes I'm not ready to forget about it, yes I'm scared to try to tackle the problem...but I haven't failed to embrace the reality because the reality keeps hitting me squarely in the face, it's just strong headedness and will power that has prevented me from crying, but I dread the day I would have to let it all out because it would be water works non stop.

I got to the front of my door and Shola came to meet me, seems he was waiting for me...gosh, this boy is some huge piece of paper work.

"Now what do you want?" I asked as he got close.

"I...I know you wouldn't want to talk since you don't relate with anyone here, but, can you read this?" He handed me a paper which I eyed and asked again,

"What the hell is that?"

"Uhh...it's something I wrote for you Fiyin, you should read it...please?"

I reluctantly collected the paper and glared at him before opening my door and stepping inside, I could feel his pleading eyes on me as I walked in, he really is something.

I placed my paintings back in the box I keep them and removed the paper he gave me from my back pocket, I sat on my bed and looked intricately at it, I won't read this, it's probably some godly stuff, then I hissed and stood, I won't throw it out, so I put it inside my drawer, away from sight.

I threw on my PJ's and flopped on my bed getting ready to play N.O.V.A Legacy when an obnoxious text came into my phone which made me hiss even more.

" You're very beautiful poppy."

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