I woke up to the loud music from the neighbor.what kind of person plays music and tries to sing along in bass when they should hit the soprano? Lost in my thoughts,I listened to the newest Billie Eilish track while chaos unfolded beside me.
Vicky,drunk as ever,struggled to grab the basin next to her and vomit the whole room with malodorous smells. I seethed with anger and disgust,but all I could do was watch. The smell,the noise,the mess it was all too much,yet familiar,like a daily ritual I could never escape.
A sharp knock rattled the door. My stomach sank. I knew who it was the woman down the street called Mama Ebuka I owed 10,000 Naira.
I pressed my forehead against the wall with a silent prayer trying to steady my breathing.Today's weights of debts,chaos and exhaustion pressed down harder than ever,I muttered to myself.
Mama Ebuka at the door did not wait for an answer. She tied the infamous Akpirikpa Azu,Her eyes narrowed,arms crossed,the 10,000 Naira hanging between us like a noose. I swallowed hard,heart hammered. "I...I'll get it tomorrow" I stammered,but she didn't move.
Behind me,Vicky groaned and rolled over,still drunk,still oblivious. I wanted to scream,to shake her awake,but the energy to care had drained away. My hands shook as I counted the few crumpled notes left in my wallet. Not enough.
Mama Ebuka's gaze hardened. "Bia Vanessa or whatever you call yourself. I'll be back tomorrow better get my money ready, onye ji ugwo." I bit my lips holding back the tears that has formed in my eyes.
The rain began again,tapping against the window like tiny hammers,mocking me. Outside,the city remained dark,powerless,indifferent. Tomorrow's clients,tomorrow's debt,tomorrow's chaos all waiting. I realized I couldn't keep walking this road. Not like this,not this lifestyle. But what choice did I have?