Shadows of the heart

Ada preened over the text wondering what Lara was thinking sending her over to the Johnsons, the native home to the snobs as she liked to call it. She had only been there once as a child and even that was more than enough to let her know she hated everyone in the vicinity. Mama had her delivering goods with the neighbor’s grown-up son that day and a child had released a dog on them screaming that someone had let rogues into the neighborhood. That incident scarred her for life, making her thinking little or nothing for everyone who resided there. Once there had been a fire outbreak at the mall and she simply decided that whoever the owners were, they deserved it. But now Lara wanted her to go pick up a delivery from there. Lara was her cousin, and best friend. She still couldn’t tell how they were related. The intricate web of family ties had always confused her. One thing was certain, that she had become an integral part of her life. She was overwhelmingly extroverted that at times came off as overbearing. At the same time, it was infectious. Ada wondered how they became friends, especially when she had disliked her audacity a couple of years ago. Somewhere along the line Lara became her safe space, a worthy shoulder to lean on at every step of the way despite their vastly different personalities. After few minutes of pacing without result she dialed Lara’s number.”I don’t think I can make it to the Snobsons” Lara chuckled over the phone, her voice a bit coarse and said, “That has a nice ring to it, but I need this item immediately” “What’s this thing that can’t wait till evening so that you get to pick it yourself? “Aaron Pierre deep-soaked in almond oil” “Clown”, Ada sighed, seeing there was no way she could get herself out of the errand. She grabbed the keys off the counter, sending something metallic spiraling to the floor. Without looking back she made for the door. _________________________ She scoured the area for the slightest trace of danger but she could see none. It deepened her unease. It seemed too quiet, too safe and something was wrong with the suffocating serenity. What if this someone unloaded a bullet on her this time? The thought of that sent a shiver down her spine. And how was this drop guy making the Snobsons his final destination? Her over-thinking subconscious continued to spiral and her instincts warned about the eerie calm. She forced herself to focus, scanning the house number till she found the one. “Not what I expected” She muttered under her breath, proceeding to use her arm to wipe down the sweat gathered on her forehead. She was certain it was someone’s residence. What was Lara’s bag of nothings doing in such an elite home? The incongruity jarred her. “Anybody home?, She said, hitting the bell a couple of times. “I am” Lara’s head popped out smiling. “What sort of sick joke is this Lara? I had to leave my laundry, the series I was binging to be here… And all for what? Lara still held on to her laugh while a group of voices screamed “Happy Birthday” behind her. ‘Oh dear’ Ada thought, forcing a smile to creep up her face. She had forgotten it was her birthday, again. Last year she had put it on the mobile calendar but still forgot to charge her phone. Hence, the reminder was pointless. She had promised to get her manicures done on this particular birthday and somehow she still managed to have forgotten again. “Lara how did you manage to gather all these people, and in this neighborhood? Lara hit a pause, with her hands to the waist and took a spin. “Who do you think you are talking to girl? I can get everything and anything if I as much as want it” “You still haven’t landed that date with Rege-jean Page”, Ada teased Lara rolled her eyes and flipped her hair, a gesture that meant ‘whatever’. She had begged Ada to help compose the sweetest of texts that would have Rege swooning so much that he wouldn’t have a choice but to give her a text back, but it never happened. “I know your taste in men only saw the 1700’s… But please, have your pick in men today. It wouldn’t cost much to just have fun, don’t you think? “Why would you throw me this kind of party here if you knew my taste in men were not existent in this age? “I always like a good reason to set a ball rolling”, She twirled away in the hands of a man with a naked torso. ‘Great’, Ada sighed taking a seat on one of the sofas. She couldn’t help but notice the ironical difference between atmosphere and her demeanor. She was sure none of these people had an idea who the birthday girl was, because she was out here looking miserable and out of place. “This isn’t your crowd, I take it”, A stranger in white sleeveless shirt with embroider hem chipped in, digging her softly by ribs. She could hardly see his facial details in the dim blue lights and drawn curtains, even more with the wine glass taking up his cheeks. Yet she jabbed him too, a bit roughly but gave no reply. “Mummy told you not to talk to strangers too? The Stranger mocked, facing her properly. “Maybe”, She shrugged. “Well well, it’s not my crowd either. A friend dragged me here. He thought it could help” “Help with what? Ada asked, realizing that she might have just broken her vow of cryptic monosyllables. “Wouldn’t you wanna know? A smile took up one corner of his face as he took a long sip. “I never said I was interested” She took a little sip in an attempt to show she couldn’t be rattled easily. Loud as the room was, a cold silence stood between. She threw her hands in the air to the reggae mix although she was unsure that was what the beat required. From the corner of her eyes she could tell he was unmoved, maybe amused even, with the way his lips curved and his eyes refused to leave her face. The cold war had lasted long enough, ”Do you have anything to say to me? She asked. He lowered his gaze while shaking his head, now she could see it was a residual of suppressed laughter, then dropped his empty glass on a stool between them, leaned in and whispered, ”Happy Birthday” She stared at him as he walked away, pushing past all the drunk attendants almost frantically. ‘What a day’, She exhaled before stretching out fully on the sofa. 31st December 2022 Gerald rubbed his feet intermittently. How had bugs made it to the church service? He hadn’t wanted to be in attendance and there was no reason why…At least that was what he told Chief Fidel, his father. And perhaps it was because of what it would mean to his father or that he feared he would see Desta sitting in the choir pew, dressed in the flowing white robe with red and green floral designs that choristers wore only during Christmas. It was one of the first things that attracted him to her, it had felt like the partly hideous outfit was the perfect look on her caramel skin. He hadn’t been able to concentrate with the way she smiled while conducting the hymns, eyes sparkling with utmost joy and the way her body swayed in rhythm when she was just singing. Gigi’s tiny shriveled hands grabbed his knee, her smile putting him at ease but only briefly. It was like she could see through his cold mien to decipher the turmoil that really lay underneath, his discomfort. She wasn’t really his grandmother but Sir Fidel’s best friend’s mother. She had lost her family very early in life and had become family to them. Fortunately, Desta still couldn’t be found by the pew when mass started. He looked to his side and found Gigi still smiling, although her face was now to the altar and he felt a pang of gratitude for this seemingly miniscule show of concern. Hopefully, he would focus now. In ten minutes, the Priest was on rambling about how the wages of sin was death. Gerald’s attention began to wane as he found himself looking to his left. It was just in time to find Desta looking away when his gaze was about to meet hers and he imagined how long she had been staring. On a second look, she seemed a bit tacky with her pigtails resting haphazardly rather than stylishly on her left shoulder as though it had been placed there on impulse rather than purpose. Her eyeliners usually expertly applied to form her signature cat-like eyes like she would draw in seconds standing in front of his mirror while he would rub on her waist from behind and tease her, seemed smudged. Her skin seemed to have paled too, it lacked the usual luster. What changed? His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden blackout. His first assumption was that it was a prank by the local goons who wanted to display firecrackers but Gigi disagreed. “I think the church has been facing a lot of financial gloom in the past year. It’s been this way for the last few masses I managed to drag my feet to” Over the next three minutes things seemed to happen in chronological order. Voices chattered excitedly in the dark, couple of laughs bounced around especially from the back row and few movements. Gerald squinted to know if he could pick anything from the darkness, and luckily few flashlights were coming up, alongside it came the piercing scream. _____________ Ada’s Pov I stepped into the chilly night air rubbing my elbows underneath the thick sweatshirt. I hated that Lara knew how to get into my head because I would rather be found stirring Mama’s dye solution, which I hated, than walk into the freezing cold that made me think I had mistakenly taken a turn for the morgue. She had said something pertaining to a reflection on the past year, and a great means to usher in a new one. I was grateful for the warm glow of the church which I attributed to the ocean of lighted candles and body heat. The church was packed like I imagined and I could spot a few familiar faces, most of whom were Lara’s friends and mere acquaintances to me. I was late so I slid into a pew as quietly as I could, averting the judging gaze an elderly woman. Wasn’t she supposed to be immersed in the soft hymns and murmured prayers that filled the air? I shut my eyes in pretence but allowing the soothing feel of spirituality overwhelm me. Yet my mind found a way to wander, that alone was a weapon fashioned against my happiness, this feeling of restlessness and inner turmoil. I opened my mind to find Lara seated beside someone familiar in a messy pigtail, she seemed deep in praises. I was bored. The light flickered and plunged the entire church into darkness leaving me shook. I should have been indifferent to it by the Lara told me the stories, but stories were stories. Gasps of surprise and cries of scared children filled the air, I could hear a bit of laughter too. A shrill feeling met me and I grew afraid. In two minutes the lights came back on and chaos erupted as opposed to the relief I expected. I tried finding Lara in the growing stampede but someone shoved me back into the seat. As though the violence had given me a moment of clarity I could see a figure lying in the middle of the church. I rose again, this time finding my way out of the church and trying to process what I had seen.