A TRUE LIFE STORY- Next Door Neighbor Episode 2- By Ajemina Itohan (A MUST READ)

Well, Last week the author wrote her 1st piece (If you missed the 1st part,  CLICK HERE)

Although I had been so certain I would find my stay in Lagos tiresome, I was gradually beginning to feel at home. I was doing great at the office; in the space of 2weeks of my arrival, I had clicked several mouth watering deals. Luck was really on my side. Everything was moving on smoother than I ever imagined, except for the fact that I was trying so hard to avoid another encounter with Mr Joseph. I had noticed his absence from home for over a week, and decided I'll find out from the gateman about his absence on my way to the office this morning.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror as I got ready for work, I thought about the events of the last 2 years of my life. Tears streamed down my face almost immediately. My life had seemed so perfect and enviable. I had been in love with a dashing young man...He was the kind of guy ladies would kill for ( had a stable job, handsome, well mannered and ohhh!! so caring). He was close to perfection! His name was Frank Fintan and he became a member of my fathers church 2 years ago.

Both of us became good friends almost immediately, and 6 months after, he proposed. After a year of courtship, we decided to get married. We had met all the requirements needed by the church to join us man and wife. The last thing needed was a medical report stating we were compatible.

I remember us sitting at the reception of the hospital, talking about the best place to go for a vacation after our wedding, the doctor asked us to come into his office. He handed us our Genotype result, which stated we were compatible. Then the big blow came. The doctor announced that Frank was HIV positive. It seemed at that moment every organ in my body seized to function.

How I left the hospital that day, I cannot remember. Frank was dumbfounded.I had tears running uncontrollably down my face. Frank never said a word as he drove me back to my parents house. He waited patiently for me to get out of the car, the only words I remember him say were "I'm sorry Sonia". With that, he sped off.

My parents and family members were devastated when they got the news. After a week of silence, I got a mail form Frank, telling me how sorry he was and how he never intended to hurt me. He had several things to say bout the kind of person he was before he met me. Ever since Frank, I became a shadow of myself. My family saw my transfer as a good opportunity to forget about my grieve. I wished the memory of it all would just fade away. Wiping the tears away from my eye, I took one more look at the mirror, to ensure my face wasn't messy , applied a little powder and left for work.

As for my enquiry about Mr Joseph, it would wait till I get back from work, as spending an extra minute would make me late.

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The sound of a door closing softly,  jolted me out of sleep. Where was I? Looking at my surrounding, I realized I was lying on my bed in my 2bedroom apartment in Ikeja. 

And then I became very much conscious. I definitely stay alone. Who then must have stepped out of my house? Gradually forcing myself out of bed, I placed my feet slowly on the ground. Just as I was about turning on the bedside lamp, I heard the sound of the door again. Was my mind playing tricks on me? Or was it actually the sound of my front door? Deciding not to turn on the light, I headed slowly to the living room. Tiptoeing to the front door to find out if it was locked.

As I reached for the handle, a hand clasped over my mouth...I felt I was actually dreaming. Before I could make an attempt to struggle with who ever it was, something sharp pierced my throat and I slummed to the ground.

TO BE CONTINUED.......



Ajemina Itohan