A GHOST TALE
CHAPTER ONE!
Walks in with my eye tearing , looking all pale and blue .
"Becky.....what's wrong why are you crying? Lydia asked perplexed
"Max is dead , I can't believe this Lydia, max is dead" I said almost screaming out loud , (Lydia comes closer and hugged me tightly)
"I'm sorry girlfriend, but he deserves to die"
"What the hell are you talking about Lydia"
"Why do you still love him , for crying out loud this guy cheated on you he broke your heart , few days back you were crying like a baby bitten by a snake "
"Yes... he broke my heart but I still wanted him to live , I hated what he did to me but not him, he died painfully , nobody even knows the source of his death , they just found him dead the next morning, it was a painful way to leave at least I could have just said goodbye"
"Stop being dramatic you wanted him dead " Lydia replies unremorseful
(pushed her aside )"I wanted Max dead how "?
"calm down.....the day he broke your heart, you were crying and making utterance like , you wish he could just go to exile , you wish you will never ever have to see him again "
"God! I said those things out of anger, I was sad and didn't know what to do, I still love max , wish i gave us a second chance, for gooddess sake Friday is our graduation , I wonder how the parents are going to handle such shock"
"Well he is gone, guys are cruel and who ever breaks a lady's heart deserves to die " she smirks
"What kind of harm was done to you" I said really tearing apart
"Can't you see that something is wrong in this school , we have lost souls especially our department , first it was Dollaz , then Frank , Tony , Dickson , now Maxwell "
(she smiles)" At least it's just guys , not you not me , remember you said people die because it's their time to die so just chill out guess I will have to take my leave now , just get over it , your tears will never bring him back , will call you later in the day " ( Opens the door and leaves ).
CHAPTER TWO
Lydia was my very good friend, we both met at the canteenl while I was trying to get something to eat, she has always being there for me, very supportive in all aspects and since then , we grew to have this strong bond between us , yes we were best friends ,we did lots of things together, sometimes she's loving , sometimes she's cunning , ever since we became friends I don't know where she lives in school or at home, she was always the one coming to see me on weekends then the rest we meet in class , I wasn't much bothered about the whole thing.....
Oh I forgot to tell you she's everything beauty just that she has a big tummy that one can mistaken her to be pregnant when I tried asking her she said it was accumulation of allergies but with her big tummy guys still drips cause she is everything beauty , her skin flawless and pointed nose, she was a good example of a damsel , I really did enjoy our company till the day of my graduation.
I hope you read to the end
CHAPTER THREE
"Wake up ! Wake up sleeping princess " mum called out , as she opens the curtains in my room, my sleep was disrupted by the beams of sunlight reflecting.
I yelled as I stretched myself , wearing a big smile on my face
"Good morning mum" I peaked her a kiss
"Good morning, your breakfast is ready , so get prepared, will be dropping you off before going to work"
Just then I recalled , how could I have forgotten my special day , I ran quickly to my wardrobe and start picking the desired cloth I wish to put on.
Mum walks away and comes back almost immediately like she forgot something
"Your dad sends his warm regards"
I reciprocated with a smile and she left .
I quickly arranged my room , walks into the bathroom to take my bath with my favorite song playing in the background, I can't believe this, after so many effort I will finally be going to the university , I was happy as though I just won a jack pot !.
CHAPTER FOUR!
Higher institution was fun, the atmosphere, the people, the building, and most importantly my dream course.
Have applied for it too many times and got rejected but now look at me in years to come I will be graduating with flying colors , I thought within myself .
Though sometimes I missed home and my kid brother Clinton but it was worth it after all .
Mum drops me in front of the apartment rented for me not far from the school, it was a 10 hours journey from home to school so I had no choice but to live in school.
I bid her farewell and a lengthy hug , because still feels like a dream to me .
"I love Big sister" Clinton muttered
"I love you too boo" I teased him
"Take care of yourself and make mama proud"
"I love you mum, don't forget to come visiting and attend my matriculation party "
"Yes my lady "I couldn't let loose as tears slightly drops down my cheek, that was when I realized I was really mummy's girl.
Finally I parked into my well decorated room, with a blue colour of paint and some beautiful atheistic drawings , from childhood I have always loved nature and the calm nature of the colour blue .
"Been a hectic day" I murmured as I gently rest my head against the pillow and breathes then fell asleep.
CHAPTER FIVE
It was a Monday morning, I was super excited , I was going to attend to my first lecture.
I can't wait to make new friends and at the lecture hall.
I was woken by the sound from my alarm , I hurriedly ran out of my bed
"I'm late! I'm late!! I'm late!!! " I kept screaming as I ran to the bathroom and began brushing my teeth ready to attend to lecture
I was always the optimistic kind of girl , so within me I concluded it was going to be a great day
Fast forward to noon, after the days lecture, I was famished and needed to eat something, oh poor me , I miss the days I could literally attend to classes with just my lunchbox , went to the school canteen to get myself something to eat till I was interrupted by a voice
"Excuse me, please can you render a little help to me"
I looked back to see a young beautiful lady with her box .
"What help" I replied as I sip my drink gently
"My name is Lydia and you are?"
"Becky" I replied
"Sorry for disturbing you Becky, I am kind of stranded , I am one of the newly admitted students and I am still hunting for an apartment, can I spend the night in your place "
First I declined and walked away but then I couldn't resist the urge to offer her a help , so I walked back to her
"A night you said"
"Yes ....a night"
"Very well then " I took some other lauages from her as we both walked down to my place
CHAPTER SIX
I felt odd sleeping with a stranger but a wise man once said "friends are strangers you haven't met "
We both talked pretty well, and I began liking her cause Lydia wasn't the boring type of girls
She felt home and relaxed, it was in the process of interacting that I realized she was in the same department as me
I was so happy at least I have made a friend.
Later that night , she insisted I turn off the light .
"Why ?" I insisted on knowing
"Nights are meant to be dark, at least people from outside wouldn't peep through your window while you are asleep"
I didn't find her reason convincingly but then , I just wanted to treat my guest good
Just the moment I stood up to turn off the light she made another nasty request
"And the mirror too please , place it down"
This one I could feel myself fuming with anger
"Why, what's wrong with the mirror" I asked
"My mum said it attracts some unkind spirit "
Well none of this made sense to me but then I just can't do anything to her now, she is in my place now and I can't drive her away , I gently turned off the light and faced the mirror downward and lie back on my bed , she asked for my mattress which I did gave to her, she placed it on the floor and lay on it
(Black out)
CHAPTER SEVEN
I woke up the next morning and Lydia was gone, gone without telling me? I kept reminiscing, I regretted offering the help to her in the first place, "What if just what if " I though within myself.
Made myself a hot coffee and ran to class
"Becky!!"
Someone called out, I turned around looking for who called me in class and there she was, it was Lydia, waving her hands to me so I could see her, I walked to her
"Here I reserved a seat for you" she said
I sat down as a young female lecturer walks in
"Why did you leave so quick" I whispered
"To reserve a seat for we both" she said reluctantly
"And your belongings? Where is it"
"It is safe"
That was the only thing she answered, I didn't dim it fit to keep asking since the lecture was going on .
Hours later after class, we both went to get a drink and some snacks
"Thanks for last night"
After minutes of eating in silence
"My pleasure" I smiled back at her as we are happily
"I now have a place"
"Pardon?"
"A place to stay "
"Wow, where is it so that I can come visiting"
"Not yet Becky , till I furnished it well okay "
"I don't mind but if you say so then find "
"Yeah"
And that was the beginning of a new friendship, but had I know , things will turn out bad, I wouldn't have tried .
CHAPTER EIGHT
On Beautiful Saturday morning, after speaking with mum on the cell phone, decided to go to the mall to pick some grocery.
After a long wait for a taxi , a fine Corolla stops right in front of me and wind down his glass
"Too much of a sun for a beautiful damsel like you" he said as he stares at me with a smile
"I will be fine" I replied sluggishly
"Mind I give you a ride?"
"No , thank you"
He laughs "guess you are scared"
"Probably"
"Hey! Not every young guy who rides a car is bad okay, this is my 23rd birthday gift from my dad, I don't bite just a harmless ride"
After so much persistence and conviction I decided to give in .
He did stopped at the mall and did some shopping together, he offer to buy me a lunch which I didn't decline.
The waiter took our order and left to get it
"I am Maxwell "
He extends his hand
"Becky" I said as I shook him
"Nice meeting you beautiful one"
"So what level are you and your course of study miss Becky"
"Newly admitted, medicine and surgery " I said almost blushing.
"Newly admitted too, medicine and surgery"
"Are you kidding me, how come I haven't seen you in class before"
"Too many people in the world, you don't get to see everyone"
We both laughed , shortly the waiter served us
"There are two kind of student in the world,, those who study and those who sort"
I stare at him with all form of admiration, I could feel some butterfly in my stomach , Maxwell was just too handsome to resist , he had a light pinkish lips , with a very nice haircut and styling, with his broad shoulder perfectly fitted and tall, just like one of those models.
The day out was fun but more fun and graced by his presence we exchanged contacts and promised to keep in touch with each other.
CHAPTER NINE
Weeks passed by, my friendship with Lydia was getting stronger day by day, likewise with Maxwell , people often called us threesome as we go about together , even though the presence of Maxwell pisses Lydia off.
I have always asked her if she once had an encounter with Maxwell but her response was always negative, I just assumed that she had this natural hatred for boys but still she did hang out and mingle with guys even though she never did get really attached to one .
Oneday , Maxwell had invited me over, and poured out his feeling towards me , I have long ached for this but I had to keep my cool and act like I never did , I told him to give me time to think about the whole thing.
I came remember being joyful and shouting on the phone with Lydia as I shared the good news with her but she wasn't as happy as I expected but none of those things did mattered to me.
Maxwell and I kept having memoriable days together in campus, went to classes together, ate together, played some video games and of course was always there for each other.
Everything was moving all Rossy and sweet till he demanded that we both have sex, I wasn't ready for any of this , I was just 18, but still I didn't want to loose Maxwell, pleaded that he forget about it cause I was ready to indulge myself to any form of premarital sex, but that did pissed him off a lot , and I was loosing him gradually, can remember him saying "Becky if this relationship must work then let's have sex or others forget about it".
I was pained, Maxwell was the only guy I have learned to love but then again I can't do this .
CHAPTER TEN
It actually did gave me a sleepless night , watch the guy I love nearly , ghost me because I wasn't ready to have sex with him.
I was draining within me,his silence was killing me, that faithful weekend I had already made up my mind .
"Yes ! I was going to do this"
I was going to make love with Maxwell, the thought of loosing him was hell.
I woke up that very day, worn my best , it was a red sexy gown , sleeves , my cleavages were showing, I apply my simple little makeup to look a bit hot and sexy
"Anything for my mind" I said to myself as I chuckled
I had wanted to call him but I wanted this to be a surprise for him, I wanted him to be awe when he sees me , I had stolen his spare key from him , since we were dating , then we were one , besides he always said "Becky, we are like two hearts that beats as one"
So I didn't bother to call or drop a text for him .
Picked up my silver purse to match my outfit and stepped out.
I headed to his place, readjusted myself , apply my perfume to smile good and then claim the stairs , when I got closer I heard some foul sound , well I didn't want to believe my instinct as my heart beats faster , for a moment I prayed it wasn't true , I calmly I opened his door.
But then , I was the one surprised instead , to my greatest surprise, my prince charming boyfriend was on top of another girl riding her .
I felt broken , I could feel my legs shaking and my heart stopped breathing for a moment.
"Maxwell!!" I screamed as my purse fell from my hand .
He was shocked and the girl as well, I felt embarrassed, I didn't want to create a scene
"You disappoint me " I screamed as I picked up my purse and walked out aggressively banging the door as though it was the cause of my problem.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Feeling all broken and battered, shattered , I felt my world crumbling, I felt pain , couldn't swallow it all by myself, that was when I phoned Lydia who didn't hesitate to come over to my place.
"I told you , but you wouldn't listen" she said as she hands me a cup of milk
I nodded my head signaling a no
"You have to eat something at least "
"I have lost my appetite" I cried out
"Men don't deserve your tears "
"I would have listened, the handwriting was clearing written on the wall, but I was rather blindfolded to see it"
"Men are scum , bunch of betrayals, they know you love them , they ride with your heart "
I just kept sighing as my tears keeps pouring like a tap that have lost its control, tears is pain
"Ah ! Maxwell you're wicked ! God will punish you so much, you will die , I swears to God you will die, you will face more pains than I " I kept blasting angrily
"Be careful of what you say when you are angry, an angel maybe evadroping" Lydia advised
"Whatever ! I don't care , to hell with you Maxwell, to hell with love, to hell with everything" I said as though I was frustrated and tired of life .
"Men ! Men will embarrass you " Lydia kept repeating .
"You will be fine baby girl " she tried to console me as I cried myself to stupor till I slept in her arm
CHAPTER TWELVE
After weeks of ghosting Maxwell and trying to heal and move on, Maxwell never stopped but continual kept rendering apologies to me .
He did invited me over to talk things with him , when I had made up my mind to , that was when it dawn on me that indeed tomorrow is not promised !
That was when I received a devasting news that Maxwell was found dead in his apartment with no one to give account of what or how he died .
He was found lying helpless in his place after a foul smell emitted the whole place
Recaps
Walks in with my eye tearing , looking all pale and blue .
"Becky.....what's wrong why are you crying? Lydia asked perplexed
"Max is dead , I can't believe this Lydia, max is dead" I said almost screaming out loud , (Lydia comes closer and hugged me tightly)
"I'm sorry girlfriend, but he deserves to die"
"What the hell are you talking about Lydia"
"Why do you still love him , for crying out loud this guy cheated on you he broke your heart , few days back you were crying like a baby bitten by a snake "
"Yes... he broke my heart but I still wanted him to live , I hated what he did to me but not him, he died painfully , nobody even knows the source of his death , they just found him dead the next morning, it was a painful way to leave at least I could have just said goodbye"
"Stop being dramatic you wanted him dead " Lydia replies unremorseful
(pushed her aside )"I wanted Max dead how "?
"calm down.....the day he broke your heart, you were crying and making utterance like , you wish he could just go to exile , you wish you will never ever have to see him again "
"God! I said those things out of anger, I was sad and didn't know what to do, I still love max , wish i gave us a second chance, for gooddess sake Friday is our matriculation , I wonder how the parents are going to handle such shock"
"Well he is gone, guys are cruel and who ever breaks a lady's heart deserves to die " she smirks .
* *. *. *
That was how I lost Maxwell and that was how I met Lydia, but as people will always say , time will tell, little by little, things began to unfold
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was Wednesday morning, the atmosphere smells good, every fresher's running about preparing for the big day, matriculation! which will take effect on Friday .
"Can't believe I will be matriculating on Friday , all hopes were nearly lost after writing admission exams for 3 times"
"Numb girl "
Lydia replies laughing out loud
"That's not funny.."
. I acted as though I was angry
" back in high school I was quite intelligent, that reminds me how about you "
"Nothing to Know about me Becky , I'm here now , studying my dream course and that's all that matters" she replies sluggishly
"Hope your parents are coming"
"For"?
"It's a big girl girl , your parents ought to be there"
"Becky , please till that day"
Sighs for a moment
"Why don't you talk about your family, I mean you literally know a lot about me, my mum,my dad, my little brother and you have spoke with mum on phone before, but you never get to talk about yours"
"My family is okay ma'am, change of topic please "
Sighs
"well let's go to your place, it's been like a decade I still do not know where my best friend stays"
"What? I mean why ...like emmmm , no " she stammers
"No excuses Lydia , I deserve to know where you stay , pleaseeeeeeee , common what's there , don't mind if you stay in a dirty place , trust me it's safe with m....."
"enough "
She interrupted
"You want to know where I live no problem , let's go , at least you will stop ringing it in my ear , damn you disturb me a lot
"Because I love and value our friendship"
I excitedly hugged her
"BFF" ?
Took her a moment
"BFF."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Thursday night, Lydia slept in my place but that night was so creepy , slept quick cause I was so excited .
We talked lengthy, but amidst the discussion she kept referencing that she was going to miss me.
At the middle of the night, when everywhere was calm and all humans have retired to bed, I locked the doors and windows myself , cause my mom always ring it in my head to always be security cautious, as usual she insisted I turn off the light just like when we first met , which I did.
It wasn't long I had slept that I began to hear some creepy and wack sound, like a voice crying out for help, I was awoken by the thunder lighting .
"I thought I closed this door"
At this point I couldn't tell whether I did or did not close the door , I stood up tiredly and switched the light on , just then I felt a hand touched me, feeling so sleepy and weak, I cleaned my eyes with my palms .
"Jesus Christ! Lydia ! I scream
that was Lydia standing right before me bleeding, her hands and clothes were stained with blood , She smiled at me and walk towards my bathroom and the light went off, I was so scared looking for my phone to on the touch light and suddenly the light came back , I was startled with the whole scene , I walked to the bathroom and lo and behold I didn't see Lydia there
"But she just walked in there" I asked amidst in confusion
While in my dilemma state and frightened still looking around, I felt something touched me
"Lydia! I screamed"
I breathes heavily when I saw her right behind me with the night clothes she had on before we slept off , guess it's a nightmare, I must have been extremely too excited about tomorrow , I thought
"Becky .....are you okay? come here
she hugged me
"I'm here now relax"
Somehow I managed to get my breathes back and I feel back asleep
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Everywhere well decorated , the flowers were trimmed, the compound well swept , feels like December!
That was the first time Lydia spent a night in my place and I slept parallel like one who took a sleeping pill, my head hurt as I tried not to think of last night , strange though , but I was so excited I was going to wear the Almighty matrick gown and take some pictures
I had my make up on but Lydia refused applying any makeup not even a powder , we fought over it but it was like pouring water on a rock ...
Looking all pretty and handsome , everyone walked down to the matrick ground for the oath taking , Lydia was unease about the whole thing but I had thought it was because her parents weren't going to show up as she had earlier told me , she said the parents had an emergency issue they needed to attend to first , while the little ceremony was going on she looked at me mischievously and said
"Do you believe in ghost"?
I found that totally off, I mean it's our day and we were supposed to talk about exciting things not about ghost
"Kind of" I replied reluctantly
"What if I tell you that most people matriculating and walking around, are not humans"
"Then I will say whatever"
She laughed mischievously at me
" have heard stories about them but I don't believe ghost exist , it's just an llusion " I chuckled she too joined me and we laughed over it .
Was going to take pictures as I waited for my parents who were caught up in a traffic, Lydia and I were just walking about like lost sheep .
Finally we took some pictures and waited for it to be printed out
"Quite a day" Lydia exclaims " Today is my happinest day"
No doubt about that , I could see the broad smile on her face
"at least I worn a matriculation gown , Finally!!! ' That was Lydia speaking.
"Yeah" I replied sluggishly
Our excitement was cut short when a young man called her
"LYDIA !!!! the man shouted surprisedly
we both turned to look at who called , the moment Lydia saw the man she was shocked and slowly her matrick cap falls off from her hand
"Emmanuel" she called him as she withdrew her steps
"Are you okay Lydia" I asked confusedly
"I will be back .... I'm coming"
"wait.....le "
before I could utter the next word she ran away , the young man slowly walks up to me
"You know her"? he asked
"Yes I do , she's my best friend , you know her"? I bent to pick the matrick cap
"Best friend? impossible , my eyes have finally seen my ear today , How"?
"How what sir " I asked still confused
Lydia is not a human being she died on August "
"What rubbish " I screamed " Are you trying to say Lydia is a ghost "?
"YES LYDIA IS A GHOST! "
I was already loosing my breath can't believe this , this isn't happening at all , Lydia ghost HOW?
"Who are you to cook up such a silly story" I asked confused
"Well , let's go to a comfortable place and speak at least in a shade "
I nodded but waited for my pictures to be printed .
We sat by the side .
"My name is Pastor Emmanuel " he started "and Lydia was the daughter of one of the elders in the church , she confessed to me when she was alive that she was few months pregnant , God told me to tell her not to abort it else she will die , she was devasted and went to her boyfriend ,he denied the pregnancy, the parents threatened not to send her to school anymore since she has brought nothing but disgrace and shame to them , truthfully Lydia was a promising and loving young girl , out of pain , agony, shame and depression she went to abort the baby at least go to school and make the family proud again , unfortunately it was gathered that the abortion went wrong and she died, from severe bleeding few weeks after her death , her boyfriend was found dead, he died mysteriously, he was found one morning lying dead and cold , nobody knew what killed him till date , before Lydia gave up her last breath it was said that she promised her mum not to cry that she was still going to make her proud "
the man explained calmly . Goose pimple filled my whole body , God of mercy , I have been friends with a ghost ?...wait ! I screamed immediately
" so it was her " just like flashback I recall
"Her what"?
"it was her who killed Maxwell because he rejected me and I was heartbroken .
Tears filled my eyes, it was then it dawn on me that mysterious things have been happening and I saw it as normal, can remember the sudden death of Tony, who was all over her then , oh ! how about Frank too, Frank died 5 days after Lydia told me they both had an affair , somehow she got drunk and slept with him .
I was beyond being shocked , as I kept remembering lots of strange things that had happened recently but I was too reluctant to notice, in less than a month that we were admitted we have lost more than 5 guys in my department, not to talk of other discipline, maybe this was her taking her revenge on every guy that tries to get into something serious with her, was that why she had a big tummy and lied about it being accumulation of allergies?
"Oh my God " !
was that why she always refuses makeup because she will have to use the mirror ? was that why she never spoke about her family ?
"but wait! "How did you know she was here " ?
"Follow your instincts always because that's your heart, that's God speaking to you, you have seen signs long ago to believe but you choose to doubt ,my daughter school here , I came for her, but maybe God wanted to use me and avert more harm to come" pastor Emmanuel replied
" I remember she showing me where she lived
You mind coming with me?"
"No problem" he said
we were about leaving when the photographer called out asking me to come take my pictures it's out, I paid him for the copies which was still in the nylon and brought it out at least to stare at Lydia for the last time to my biggest surprise it was me holding a bleeding girl wearing the matriculation gown
"Jesus Christ " I shouted and black out
(Last thing I remember was I was hospitalized)
#Fiction