The usual route to our colleges was unusually quiet this afternoon, making it seem like I was the only one who had decided to stab lectures. I was angry with myself, what would chaplain think of me now? How do I even explain myself that I'm not usually like this? Will I ever be free from this new identity he has of me? I can't even wait to leave this school, it's choking me already. God, I need help, I cried. Then the next thing I knew is I missed a step on the staircase leading to our class and I stumbled into cold flesh. He smelled of rosemary and hibiscus tea, and if not for the muscles I felt around me, I'd have taken him to be a lady.
"Careful young lady." Though I had closed my eyes when the fall happened but when I heard his voice my body lost its thinking power,
Oh no, not this man again. I decided I was going to keep my eyes shut until he leaves, but he persisted, even after helping to steady me, he still helps my hands.
"Are you okay? Did something get into your eyes?"
"No, no no, I'm fine." I opened my eyes closed and nodded to him.
"Are you not supposed to be in class now?"
"Yes…."
He just nodded and left. Somehow I was grateful for his formality. It helped minimize the rate at which my head travelled. I remembered the creature and my experience the day I thought the other way around about him, and that was enough deterrent for me to stop staring at him. Since he has seen me, I have to attend this class. I doubled my speed-up the step to catch up with him.
***
Arc gothic buildings, gothic ancient gates, the dry mud on the ground created a fog in the air that made it almost impossible to see people from afar.
Yet, its archeological design was anciently beautiful and artistically beyond human reasoning… The daylight there was different, somewhat orangish, and I'll attribute it to the mud.
"Where on earth is this place?" I wondered silently…
The means of transportation was different. Some men were coming towards us. They floated instead of walking. We were the traders at the ancient gate of this kingdom. I had my good in from of me, a big black cauldron with a black liquid in it, somehow I'm meant to sell that to whoever approaches me. I was lost. Where am I? I questioned in my spirit.
Babylon. My subconscious replied.
No, I can't be in Babylon, I'm a child of God.
You belong here by ancestry, Khadijah. The voice came again. I stood up from where I was and walked through the ancient gate, there I saw a new batch of Travelers who had just been admitted to the kingdom. They had this innocent and new look.
Soon they'll be just as muddy and ruddy as every other person here. I sighted Aholah from a distance and sped up to go see her.
"Wura!" I screamed, but she didn't hear me. I looked around. We were the only ones walking on foot as the others floated around us.
"Wura!" No response. She kept on walking away. Then I remembered she had another name.
"Aholah!" She turned back, shocked.
"Here!"
"Senior Khadijah! What are you doing here?!"
"I should be asking you the same Aholah. This place is not for you." I said, almost crying for her. Soon she'll be floating like this one's, all virtues gone and servants to the powers of the air.
"But you're here too." She challenged.
"I know why I am here. And I know God can save us from this place. Aholah we need to leave this place as soon as possible."
My words flew out like daggers in the sky.
"No, I need to go in. Peter sent for me. He needs me."
"No he doesn't Aholah. I can help you get out of that gate. Then you run from there. I'll find my way and meet you on the other side, okay?"
The surrounding fog seemed to have increased, and I could see her face again, but I had her hand in mind, so I dragged her and started towards the gate. But just as we approached the gate, the earth shook around us and everyone scattered in the fog yet again. I lost her and even myself.
***
"Khadijah!" A tap on my shoulder jolted me out of sleep. We were in class with this young lecturer and all eyes were on me.
"Student Chaplain." Some guys jeered at the back. I stood up, packed my things and left the class.
I need to pray.
I wish I could tell the chaplain that my ancestry is to hold something against me. Maybe I should, with what happened today it might be reasonable to discuss with him so I can stylishly explain myself and clear my image. I decided that I would not use the main staircase, so I wouldn't meet anyone who will ask me to go back to class, so I used the most deserted one in the college.
It is usually too quiet and dark and most students do not use it for the fear of being attacked or basically just for fear.
I walked slowly, ruminating on my dreams. Why is Wura in Babylon, and who is Peter? As if answering the question on my mind, I caught a figure of a girl and boy in a tight embrace at a corner of the staircase. I stopped to get a view of who they were and there she was, my roommate.
It was as if my spirit communicated to hers, she loosened herself from the man immediately.
"Hey, Aholah, well done."
She forced on a smile like a rat caught in the act.
"Your boyfriend?" I decided not to make it look like I have judged her.
She nodded. The boy, who had this ugly frown on before, eased it. My subconscious smiled at me.
"What's his name?"
"Peter. " He had this "swear that you don't know me" expression which I ignored.
"Peter, nice to meet you." I waved at him, he forced on a smile back.
"See you later, Aholah."
And I left, but I didn't miss Aholah's next statement.
"Such a psycho."
My heart cried.