Ignorance Is Bliss

      By SIMISOLA SOWOLE©

       "The lord of Fire Works Ministry!!" My father shouted at the top of his voice as he sprinkled holy water on my leg. "Fire! Fire! My God of Fire Works will hear my cry today!" He added as he ran to dip the handkerchief given to him in church inside the bowl of water. I groaned in pain as he rubbed my leg. "Daddy hospital!! " I cried. "No Doctor is like Doctor Jesus." He informed. My leg was really bad. My long skirt dragged on the floor as i limped to the room to rest. The situation wasnt getting better. I'm that girl whose hair hasn't been permed, wears a drab skirt that is like a grandma's. Never had a boyfriend. Wears long sleeve shirts. Never had a face beat or the slightest idea how a brow is drawn. I switched on my phone and wished I could take a picture of myself but it had no camera. In pain I slept off.
    The next day I could hear a neighbor advise my father to take me to the hospital. I looked at my leg and screamed. It was times two it's size. It was really heavy. "I have called Evangelist Dike he is coming with the prayer warriors. " My dad informed. Sadly I wished he was enlightened. I wished I didn't feel so much pain. My leg had been contaminated badly. They began their prayers and the pastor couldn't stop shaking my head. He pushed me fiercely and began speaking in tongues. I could feel my spirit departing slowly. My breathing was rasp. My eyes shut immediately. I started a journey to the underworld.

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Voices

         Voices
       By Simisola Sowole©
     Tia adjusted her glasses. She concentrated on the screen in front of her. Her glasses seemed to get loose and she continued adjusting it.  Her black hair had a gold tint by the edge. She was the nerdy type. She turned to me sharply. "Am going to be an adult tomorrow. And am sure as hell going to the club. I don't care what mum says." She informed with her arms akimbo. I wanted to let out a loud laughter. But that would only anger her, so I smiled and kept silent. "You believe in me don't You?" She asked. I played with the gum in my mouth. I wasn't sure about that. I wish I could go with her to the club. She was fragile and inactive. She could get hurt. "Am going to Deuces." She added. My heart almost jumped out of my body. That was the biggest club in town and was quite far. "Why not the one close by? " I requested. "I want to have the fun in a huge way." She replied grinning. "I want to step out of my cave and experience things. Am going to be 18. And I haven't done anything but read read and read." She complained. I understood her. I gave her a warm hug and walked to my room. I had to get going. I carried my guitar to my car and drove off to my apartment. 5p.m I was in the shower and got a call form mum. She was ranting loudly. "Your sister is really going insane! She wants to go to a club. Is this your influence on our daughter?" She demanded. I could imagine her furious with a bottle of coke on her hand gulping it down. Typical mum. "I told her nothing. She seems determined mum. And she's 18. Acknowledge that. " I advised as I stepped out of the shower. The floor was wet. I groaned. Clara was going to do the moping. I was the typical couch potato.
      I opened my laptop and continued my research about the supernatural. "Yes mum. Okay lock her in. She won't escape am sure. Yes Mum. Clara is at her mum's place. Alright Mum. Bye." I said ending the call.  I knew my sister better. They were too strict on the poor girl. At 16 I had gone to most of the clubs in town. It was always  about Tia passing this competition or that competition. She was pretty much a loner.
    12a.m I was awoken with a call. It was Tia. I placed my hand on the vacant pillow by my side imagining it to be Clara's boobs. I missed her. I liked doing that when I wanted to get busy. "Hey it's me! Damn this club is badass! Are you hearing the music? Damn! The beat. I'm having the time of my life! And Alicia Reece is here!" She shouted on the phone. Alicia was a top artiste in the country. I knew my sister would escape and attend the club. She was really getting older. "The smokes and everything is affecting me. You know how I hate smokers. But this is fun! Wooho! Am actually sitting alone. I can't dance you know. " She explained admist the Loud noise from the club. I was feeling drowsy. "Can you call me back? I'm tired." I informed. "This is going to be the last time we will talk. Let's make it splendid! " She suggested. "Oh shut up! " I said to her almost ending  the call. But then there was a strange sound. "What's that Tia?" I requested. "Nothing. Bye big bro!" She finally said as she cut the call.
    7a.m I was home ready to pack all my stuff when I noticed the house. Mum was in tears and Dad was silent. A police was by their side. Mum held Tia's picture. "She has left us." She cried in pain. "Sorry Is Tia home?" I asked trying to clear my fears. "Sorry she died yesterday  by  9p.m. " The police informed. "She's playing a trick! I called her by 12a.m today. We spoke for like 30minutes" I spoke out. "She died in a cab on her way to the bus station to Deuces club. The cab got badly burnt. But we could recognise their bodies and retrieved some vital items." He explained further.  I was set aback and confused. "Her body is in the mortuary. "Dad said.
     Right now I sit at the psychiatric hospital waiting for the doctor to examine me. I touch the fabric of my gown slowly. He enters with a nurse by his side. She turns her face away. I play with my little yoyo. "What do you see?" He asks patiently. The nurse looks up with a scorn on her face. Her glasses looks loose and her black hair has a gold tint by the edge. "Tia." I say.
     

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The Silence 2

Written by Sowole Simisola
Sowole Simisola ©
            THE SILENCE
             EPISODE TWO
    I slapped Felix hard and angrily locked him in my wardrobe . Emeka always do  that to the stubborn juniors and released them after a while. I decided to follow suit. A general assembly was held before we went for midterm break. Parents were already coming to get their kids. After the assembly was held I saw my mum waiting for me. I was going home. Then I remembered the junior I locked in my wardrobe and decided to ask Emeka to release him. "Hey Emeka that stupid boy is in my wardrobe abeg release him. I've shown him a lesson. " I informed Emeka. "Okay sure. You are now strict o." He joked.
   My holiday was just 2days and it was fun. I spent lot of time with my mum and brothers. I even had the chance to see Nkem my neighbor and we did a little romance. She told me about how she had missed me. I just smiled. I didn't miss her a bit. I barely got attracted to a girl. But they always flock around me. I finally got back to school but a day earlier. The holiday was meant for 3days but Emeka and I planned to stay for 2. I got to my room and noticed the foul smell. I covered my nose quickly. The smell was very disgusting and was like something getting rotten. I ran out of my room. Emeka just arrived and he was smiling. "Hey bros how are you?" He greeted. "Go inside and smell the room." I advised. "Blood of Jesus!" Emeka entered and shouted. We tried figuring out what had the smell. Then it dawned on me "Emeka did you release the boy!?" I shouted. He looked at me for a while. I shook him fiercely in annoyance. "Please tell me you did." I begged. Emeka pushed me away and opened my wardrobe. The boy sat there lifeless. He was stiff and smelly. His eyes were shut. I opened my mouth but no sound came out.

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The Silence 3

The idea of writing this came as a result of a story I heard about a school boy who died in a wardrobe. May he R.I.P. This is the final episode.
Written by Sowole Simisola
Sowole Simisola ©
                    THE SILENCE
                     EPISODE THREE
   I sat on the floor with my hands on my head. I was crying. Emeka stood looking at the body. "What should we do?" I asked in tears. He coughed quietly and seemed cool "Well let's see what we can do. Nobody is really in school just a cleaner and the security guard. Thank God we came early. Guy chill." He advised. The boy died of suffocating and I felt guilty. I wished I stuck to my usual ways of not dealing with any junior. Emeka quickly got gloves from his box. He handed them to me and wore his. "Let's carry him quick." He commanded. Emeka was really bold. I shakily wore the gloves. We carried him out of the wardrobe. He was cold. I almost vomited at the sight of a dead being. I started brainstorming about where to dump the body. "What exactly happened? " Emeka asked. "He... he locked himself in the toilet and I forced him out so he began to insult and... and I locked him in my wardrobe to punish him." I explained stammering. "Did anybody see you when all that happened? " Emeka inquired. " I don't think so. Lectures were going on and the person that reported to me had gone. " I explained. "Are you sure?" Emeka asked. I nodded jittery.
     Emeka smiled and decided we carry him back to the toilet. Then he locked the door from inside and jumped out by climbing the wall. Emeka was so smart like he had murdered before. He dusted his hands. "Now that's what am talking about. I spoilt the lock too so it would look like he couldn't come out." Emeka informed proudly. I hugged him tight. "Thank you. You are a life saver." I thanked. Emeka smiled and we walked to our room. He removed the gloves and burnt them. He cleaned the wardrobe with bleach and lay on the bed. I just looked at the window. I was stunned. They found the body the next day and the school was in pandemonium. I was interrogated and so was other students. Everybody denied knowing anything. I felt free. I felt happy when the case died down. There was no trace of the culprits.
    I was made the headboy to the shock of Emeka. He was very angry. "So you took my position. " He argued. I tried calming him down that the school voted. "Well they don't know about Felix and how you killed him." He accused. I got scared. "Emeka please don't tell." I begged. He simply smiled. I couldn't take the silence anymore and decided to stop going to school. I gave all sort of excuse to my mum. I finally changed school. Emeka became the head boy. I knew how happy he was. Then on my graduation day Emeka came. I was afraid of what he will do. He handed me a note and left. 'I killed Felix not you. I intentionally didn't open the wardrobe because I hated you. You took my girl Thelma and it was payback. I am sorry' he wrote.
You can check out my Facebook page. Am working on a story  https://m.facebook.com/Novels-by-Simi-398036757055770/

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The Silence

This is another new story by me. Hope you enjoy it. It's a very short one. Maybe 2 or 3 episodes.
  ©Sowole Simisola
                 THE SILENCE
                 EPISODE ONE
    I woke up drenched in sweat. I looked around frightened and tapped my roommate. Emeka lazily turned as he slept. It was lights out and I was afraid of switching on the light. I quickly switched on my little torch. I just had another bad dream. Mum always accused my daddy's family anytime she had nightmares. I wondered if they were after me too. I stayed awake till the next day. Emeka called one of the juniors to fetch him water to have his bath. I never sent any junior on errand. I preferred going myself but a certain junior voluntarily did my works for me. I was in S.s2 and was very smart. Emeka and I were the smartest and represented our school in different competitions. We were also given a special room where we stayed together.
    Emeka wanted to be the headboy, I didn't really care. I just wanted to pass all my exams. I was a quiet teenage boy and quite handsome too. I didn't really have a girlfriend but Thelma another smart girl always did naughty things with me. And she was Emeka's crush. I couldn't tell him what we always do. Thelma and I hid in the uncompleted building in the school compound. "Are you sure nobody is watching? " I asked frightened. She simply placed my hand on her breasts and let me feel them. She thought I was in love with her. I couldn't tell her I wasn't. We did that for some minutes and then she began to unbutton her shirt when something moved. I held her hand quickly looking around. I saw a junior pass by. Thelma quickly buttoned up and we left. I didn't see the junior's face.
   After some days I was sitting in the dining when I heard a slap. A boy had slapped the little boy that always helped me on errand. I got very angry and walked to them. "Senior he took my meat and slapped me." The victim cried. Emeka held the offender and dragged him out of the dining hall. The boy struggled with Emeka. He was a new student and very troublesome. I heard he was also from a rich family. I never touched any junior. I always avoided it. Emeka had dragged him to the field and he slapped him. "Your father Yansh!" The junior insulted. Emeka was stunned. "What did you say?" He dared. "Your mother pussy!" The junior rudely added. Emeka in fury kicked him and he fell on the wet grass. The junior didn't cry instead he got up gave us the middle finger and ran away. Emeka tried chasing him but I begged him not to. I wish he did.
   I was in the library when a junior came to me. "Senior, Felix has locked himself in the toilet again. He is always doing so." He reported the rude junior to me. I was getting tired of hearing reports about Felix. I went to the toilet and banged on the door. "Hey! Felix open this door!" I commanded. "Go and suck your mum's tits." He retorted. I couldn't stand it again. The junior was already on my nerve. I banged harder. He hissed and opened the door. "The toilet stinks." He simply said. I gave him a slap and dragged him outside.  "Don't roughen my cloth." He warned. I laughed and took him to my room.
   "So you are also a gay. You handled that girl's breasts well though. " He said when we got to my room. I realised that he was referring to Thelma. I slapped him again. "Your mother is a hoe!" He insulted. I wanted to deal with him. I wish I didn't because it really had an effect on my life. A bad effect that I tried erasing.

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Amelia2

This is the final part of Amelia written by Simisola Sowole and it centers on depression and suicide.
  Simisola Sowole©
                *   *   *    *    *
     I had my bath and looked at myself in the mirror. That was my hobby. It wasn't like I was a beauty queen but I had someone to talk to. Myself. I touched my long black hair. Maybe if I looked different I would have friends. I remembered when Stephanie cut her hair and was treated like a queen. So I pulled a scissors from my drawer and held my hair. I heaved a deep breath and began to cut it. It had gotten to my shoulder but I wasn't satisfied. I cut it more and I looked at myself in the mirror proudly. I just had Travis Lucas hairstyle. I was looking great, i believed. Even better than Stephanie. I dropped the scissors and wore my clothes. I was going to take a walk with my sister.
     I got out of my room and heard a deafening scream. "Amelia!!!!" My mother shouted in fear. "Estas en problemas!" She said in Spanish. I feared my mum. "You cut your hair! Now where is the money you got from it?" She demanded. "Mama I didnt sell my hair." I replied crying. I was given a slap on my cheek. "You cut your beautiful hair I groomed for you since you were little!  All for nothing. You wanna look like those Americans! Those kids running around. " She demanded. She squeezed my ear and slapped me again. "You are a disgrace Amelia!! Voy a tratar de usted!" She threatened. I cried silently touching my short hair and ran out. Sophia followed. "Everybody hates me." I complained to her. Sophia looked at me silently and touched my hair. Sophia couldn't talk but I wish she could. I always prayed she did.
   I walked silently trying to be alone. I was at the bridge and stopped. It was beautiful and I knew the history of the bridge. I looked at the waters and smiled. Beautiful nature. I sat down holding Sophia. I didn't want to go back home. I wanted to be alone with Sophia. I got home late and met my sister and her crack head boyfriend smoking and snogging their faces off. "Hey Amelia get us a pack of condom!" My sister ordered throwing me a note. "I can't. " I objected. She stood up in anger. I quickly ran to the store.
   "A pack of condom." I requested shyly. "All you Mexicans you ain't legal immigrants yet you proudly buy condoms underage." The salesman spat and handed me the pack. I looked away and walked home. My sister took the pack frowning. "Sophia is hungry. Feed her. She isn't my responsibility. " My sister said. I carried Sophia to my room. She ate there silently. I played music on my iPod and slept off.
    The next day in school I walked to class and saw shocking faces. "Amoeba nice look! Now you look like algae !!" Someone shouted. I was very angry. "Thank you at least I don't wear my grandma's hair!" I retorted at the girl who insulted. She dyed her hair grey. The class grew silent. I was visibly shaking. "Am sorry" I pleaded innocently. "Fight!fight!!" The class chorused. The girl got up and reached for my neck chocking me. "Should I end her?" She asked the class. They all put their thumbs up. "Nahh she'll probably go kill herself. Hey Amoeba go kill yourself." She advised. The class laughed mockingly. I put my head on my table crying. "Maybe I will." I whispered.
    I got home and fed Sophia. She looked happy to see me. I touched my neck, it had bruises. "I love you Sophia." I told her sadly. I decided to have a walk with her. We passed our lane and reached the bridge. I stood looking at the beauty of nature. "Be strong " I whispered. I laughed happily and put my legs over the bridge boundary. "Sophia come!" I urged. She yelped and moved back. I smiled and looked at Sophia. I took a step further and Splash! I was in the water. Sophia barked repeatedly. I waved at her as I fought with the water. It overcame and I was buried in it. It was all over.

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Amelia

AMELIA written by Simisola Sowole
Simisola Sowole©
      This story came to existence when I thought about suicide and why people think suicide helps. R.i.p To The ones That ended their lives. Suicide doesn't change situations. The story has just two parts.
            *    *     *       *
            Episode 1
     I sat on my seat silently pretending not to see people stare. "Why ain't you dead?" Stephanie asked. "Because the doctor treated me." I replied silently. "You are better off dead." She advised with a shrug. I looked down. I had no friends and nobody wanted to be my Friend either. "Everybody say welcome back Amelia! " Our teacher ordered. "Welcome back amoeba. " They replied and the class roared with laughter. I wanted to run away. I hated school. The teacher ignored them and shook my hand warmly. "Hope you are better now?" She asked. I simply nodded and began to chew my pen. I really wanted to escape.
    During lunch which was my worst moment in school because I had no clique or whatsoever. Getting a seat was difficult. I stood with my tray in my hand surveying the cafeteria. "Hey Amelia come sit here!" Travis Lucas the school cutie requested. I got scared and shook my head. He persisted. I walked towards the table. All eyes turned to me. "Welcome back Amelia. " He said with a grin. I nodded and chewed on my lettuce. "You look prettier today?" He complimented and his friends laughed. "Thanks." I whispered. "I never noticed your beauty." He continued and touched my hair. I gave him a shy half smile. "Tell me the secret please." He begged. I was stunned. "Oh yeah! The new zit sitting on your nose!" He exclaimed and the whole table roared in laughter. I frowned and quickly got up when someone pulled his leg forward and i tripped on it and fell. That was very embarrassing. I stood up and walked away limping with laughter behind me. I headed to the toilet and looked at myself in the mirror. I had a red zit on my nose. I cried sadly.
   I headed home after school. Home wasn't different. It was not my comfort zone. I banged the door and there was no reply. I heard moans inside. I continued banging harder. My sister and her crack head boyfriend were at it again. I sat outside for more than an hour. Then the door swung open hitting me behind. I groaned and entered. "Bitch mention it to mum and you are dead!" My sister threatened.  I ran into my room. I was looking for Sophia. She was my only friend in the world. Sophia didn't follow me to school because mum said she couldn't. Sophia sat in the dinning hall doing nothing. Sophia was my other sister. I hugged her happily.
     I began to tell her about school and all what happened but Sophia just yawned and rested on me. She was too tired. I understood. I rubbed her beautiful hair. I used to have a friend in school Lorenzo who was very caring but I found out he was my friend so I'd vote him class president. I felt downcast.

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