Bing. Buzz. Bing
My alarm rang. 5am. Just on routine. Another Tuesday. Another day to mind just my business - no shorts, no extras.
I quickly got off the bed and went to brush. Classes began at 7, and the lecturers entertained no lateness. Not as if I had anything to worry about, our apartment was only a fifteen minutes walk away. Moreover, my sister took care of most of the chores.
We were the only ones living in the apartment. Our parents (late) had resided in Ogun; the state of War, Iron and Thunder. Contrary to what the name implies, it's a rather peaceful place to be in. We had moved- I first- to study. You see, my sister had just gained admission to study Medicine. Life was good. We were happy. And most importantly, I was not stressed. I ate when due, slept when due, read when due; there was nothing to worry about.
"I would be going for class by 1 oo! You'd be back by then, abi na?", Bola yelled from the kitchen.
"Stop shouting, Lil Cow. It is still very early in the morning. I might delay a little, we have project defence today by 12."
"Who are you calling Cow? Mtcheeeew. Anyhow sha, the key will be under the door."
"Ok. Thank you."
I took my bag and left for class, the pepper in the breakfast Bola prepared still burning my tongue. 6:15. Forty-five minutes more. No rush.
Classes dragged on like the slow ticking of a wall clock; lecturers half asleep even as they spoke so daintly. I could almost taste the strong scent of drool flowing like a stream beside me. Yup. It was just like any other day. Except that something didn't feel right. It was like a premonition. A warning. A growing gnaw in my belly that something terribly wrong was going to happen.
It was probably nothing. Mayhaps, just the pepper I had had, foretelling what smelly battles I would soon have to face.
"I just hope the man is not as strong headed as they say he is, to ri PE Olorun... I just want to submit this and leave this school finally!"
That was Princess. She was just as not into drama as I was, only that fate often had other things in mind for her. There was this time, I had heard, she got nominated for Class Rep. She lost. But, can you imagine? The stress and drama that would cause?
"That feeling is mutual.", I replied with a smile.
"Ahh. I forgot to put my phone on silent. Thank God I remembered now.", a dark skinned girl behind me said.
I quickly checked my phone, and put it on silent. 12:15. I would be late.
The line moved as fast as a cripple could run, and after what seemed like eons, it eventually reached my turn. I was not scared. I had rehearsed twice. I checked my portfolio again...what was my toothbrush doing in there? I quickly put it in my pocket and walked in.
That gnaw in my belly again. Something was wrong. It felt almost as if Bola was in danger.
"Good morning, Sir..s.", I had expected to see just one man there.
"C'mon walk like a man! We don't have all day.", said one of the men there.
It was hard to tell as I was struggling to push down the strong feeling of dread I had in my stomach. Something was wrong.
Buzzzzz. Buzzzzz.
What? I thought I had put my phone on silent.
"Young man, are you ready to graduate at all?"
"Sorry Sir.", I said. I switched off the phone and began my defence.
The premonition left.
The ride home was smooth and swift. I had chartered a Keke in celebration of the project defence that went so well. Eventually, as the premonition died down, I got back on my feet. I even got an applause from the supervisor. The topic I was given had been so judiciously researched and meticulously preached that even I was sure of a hitchless graduation - devoid of drama.
The door was ajar.
Could Bola be home? I remembered her telling me she had to attend classes today by 1. Did she decide to stay, perhaps, to surprise and congratulate me?
The feeling was back. Faint, but strong.
I quickly put on my phone as I walked towards the apartment. Fifteen missed calls?! Apparently, my phone had rung whilst it was on silent- should explain why it vibrated during the project defence.
"Bolaaa?! Are you at home? Why did you leave the door open?", I yelled as I marched towards the door. No answer.
I called her phone as I walked into the apartment; I could hear the faint buzz of her phone coming from her room. No answer.
Mayhaps, she was sleeping.
I walked to her door- it was slightly open. I pushed.
"C'mon wake up, you this girl! Don't you have class?"
She was lying on the bed, still asleep. Her face looked pale. I walked up to the bed. The blanket looked soaked. There was no way she could have wet herself.
"Bola. Bola! Are you deaf?"
As I dragged the blanket off her body, blood splattered. Thick, coagulated blood. Did my sister forget to prepare for her flow?
I bent over and touched her arm.
There was blood. That's not possible. People, no matter how rare their case may be, do not menstruate via their arms. Why was there blood on her arm?!
I stopped.
Slowly, I stood and looked around.
There was blood all over the bed. Blood all over her. She had been stabbed. Multiple times.
Was my sister murdered?