I'll never forget how I resorted to absolute self isolation because I could not again walk freely in the compound as a free soul which I was, without eyes rolling at me, without fingers pointing at me, without tongues lashing at me. The incident changed everyone perception about me and I had to walk on eggshell around everybody excluding my family - They didn't believed the rumours, they knew me better. "Bad News spreads like wild fire" I understood this saying better than anyone after the occurrence.
I love junks but don't forget to add food to the junks,lol.
Apparently, I used to have a large appetite as a kid and surprisedly, that hasn't changed one bit about me. You would always see me chewing, drinking or taking in something - my mouth is usually busy like Lagos roads all day. Money wasn't the problem then as it is now. My parents were there to meet my insatiable appetite and my savings were there to finance my extra intakes (biscuits, lollipops, Juice, etc)
But one day,something happened. An occurrence that almost cost me my self -esteem, self - pride and self - dignity.
What you sometimes love can kill you; Be mindful of what you love.
It happened one fateful night,the weather was cool and the breeze that evening was blowing differently - an omen that something was bound to go wrong but I sensed it not,I was just a child.
As usual, I was in front of my good neighbour's house, I sat on a short wooden stool,crossed my legs, enjoying the weather as I was munching a sachet of *pepper snacks biscuit, his little son, about seven months old was there keeping my company while his mum was busy with the kitchen business.
After devouring the biscuit, I released the nylon on a burning local lantern just a stretch before me. It burnt it and the remains of the burning nylon fell on the ground. Seeing that has been done, I looked away and was distracted my something I can't vividly remember anymore meanwhile, I ought to be watching the little man around me but I let my guard down. Sigh!
Yeheeheeeeeeeehnnnnnnnnnnnnnmmmnn, the loud cry of the boy caught my attentions back and I was petrified as to what could have made him cry that loud. I moved closer to him to see what has happened to him and I realised his palm touched the burning remains of the biscuit sachet as he was crawling about. I quickly removed it and cry out for help.
His mum rushed out and I explained to her what has gone wrong, she was quite understanding and was glad I saved my face. However, the following day I heard the most shocking News have ever heard in my entire life.
She went about the compound, telling everyone who cares to hear that I put his son's finger in a burning local lantern. I was called names as a result of this.
"Fire girl"
"Wicked girl"
"Burning girl"
"Devil's girl" Just to mention a few.
I learnt numerous lessons just from this happening and the little girl grew matured drastically. Never will I forget though, have forgiven them all.
© Medemausi