33. An Unforgettable Night
I vividly remember the night I had missed the last bus to Ibadan and was stranded at the park. I didn’t know any place or relative in that town, so I decided to stay at a hotel. Behind me were some guys chatting beside an abandoned bus, I approached them and inquired about a nearby hotel. I was patient enough to understand the description amidst their smoking and drinking. Luckily, I found a taxi driver who said the place was a bit far but he could take me there if I agreed to pay extra.
It took almost thirty minutes before we got to the hotel; I paid him quickly and walked towards the reception to ask about the price for a room. I heaved a sigh of relief instantaneously when I got to know it was affordable. I collected the room key and headed for the room. I also recalled the receptionist saying ‘good night’ after I had said thank you to her. Opening the door; walking into the room, I was dazzled by its impressive interior so I concluded it was worth the money paid. Remembering my plans for the next morning, I went to bed. Shortly after, I could hear something crying in the bathroom, feeling sleepy and exhausted I ignored it. Suddenly it started raining; the rain came with thunder and lightning, the main door and windows kept opening and closing, my curtains dancing with the wind. I got up to check the doors – no one was there then when all the light bulbs shattered I became scared, reaching for my phone – I saw three black cats sitting on an armchair meowing at me in the torchlight, I screamed and moved towards the balcony. I stopped as soon as these cats turned to two pretty ladies, and a python. Oh my goodness! My hands and feet became cold. For five minutes, nobody said anything. The first lady in blue gown broke the silence by saying, ‘so you have the guts to sleep in this room: haven’t you heard this room belongs to us, for trespassing - you are going to be dinner’.
What Dinner? What are they talking about, Oh no could this be a dream or a nightmare as I could see bloodstains on the floor. I quickly traced it with my eyes to a human left hand, a female clothing at a corner beside the bathroom door. Raising my eyes, some words were clearly written on the wall in red ink ‘WELCOME TO DINNER’. Those words sent shudders down my spine at the thought of dying prematurely. The first lady went to my bag, brought out my gold necklace, bracelet and earrings; gave it to the second lady in red gown and gold heels, who collected and wore them. How did they know I had jewelleries with me? I pondered. ‘I think we will soon be late for Linda’s party, let’s not forget that’, the first lady said to her colleagues. Then the second said to me ‘you are very lucky, we are going for the party and we don’t want to eat yet’. The python hissed beside my feet for about twenty seconds then they disappeared and the lights in the room were restored.
- Written by Vicke Fred