Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

GWENEVEN'S NIGHTMARE

It was rainy and the wind was blowing hard , forcing everyone into their houses . Everyone must have been having a sound sleep except from Gweneven's mum , she was worried of her daughter who is not home yet , she had almost dozed off when she heard a knock on the door , she stood up immediately to open the door only to see her daughter standing in front of her , drunk . Gweneven pushed her mum away in other for her to enter , she was drunk and the alcohol still had it's effect on her . Her mum was mad at her as she gave Gweneven a slap .

" Where have you been Gwen ! " Her mom shouted .

" Please don't ask me stupid questions again . " She yelled at her mom .

" What ! , Gwen what did you just say ? , you must be silly ."

" It seems you like to worry , woman . " Gweneven replied as she walked up the stairs , immediately her mom dragged her to the floor and giving her a serious beating .

" Stupid girl you no go kill me before my time , where have you been ! " She shouted at her daughter , giving her a kick at the butt . Gweneven stood up against her mom , her eyes sighted a big flower vase behind her , she took the flower vase and smashed it on her mom's head .

" Yeeeeeee " her mom cried , disturbing their maids who must have already slept. Hearing all what had happened one of the maid woke her mates up and they headed towards Gweneven mum helping her up as she almost faint .

" She is spoilt . " One of the maid whispered to the other .

" Shut up and get her some water . " The other replied . Mrs chukuma pretended not to have heard all what they were saying , maids are really not that good to accommodate these days , they gossip about you , taking your issues everywhere . She didn't need to worry about what they were saying because they were right ! , her daughter was the spoilt type .

Who doesn't know her husband , Chief Ben Chukuma , a famous surgeon in the states , because of his fame he had more patient in his hospital which had made him wealthy .

Then he and his wife Ngozi chukuma were not that wealthy , not until when Gweneven was born into the family and then things decided to change for them even more better .

Due to the excessive money they had , they spoilt Gwen with a lot things and this had made her rude and stubborn . The one thing that made her parents happy was that she was brilliant , when she passed an inter state exam so well that she came first among all other candidates , her parents took her to Disneyland to have a wonderful holiday .

Her mum stared at the flower vase Gweneven had broken and shake her head , she was disappointed in herself for failing as a parent , her mom had brought her up well to be a responsible mother but she had failed in her own aspect to raise her own daughter in such a way . She took a cup of water and drank , crossing her legs , her husband is not always at home due to the nature of his job and she herself can't control her daughter alone .

It was Saturday morning and Gweneven wouldn't had woken up if not for the rays of light that peeped through her window dancing on her face , She stood up from her bed feeling a slight pain in her head , the excessive alcohol she drank last night still had its effect on her , heading towards her airing cupboard she decided to take a morning bath .

she was already bathing with soap in the bath tube when she heard a evil laughter echoing , at first she ignored it thinking it was an illusion but it wasn't this time because the water in the bathtub were already boiling , due to fear Gweneven ran out of the bathroom to her mum's room nakedly .

" What is it again this time Gwen ? " Her mum frowned throwing a towel at her daughter so she could cover up her nakedness.

" Mum ! , mum I heard something. " She replied , scared.

" What is it Gwen , tell me ? ."

" Mum I heard someone laughing like a witch and infact something strange happened in the bathtub , the water in it is boiling . " She cried .

" You know what , I don't know what that is but at least you need to put something on , " Her mom added " maybe you are just seeing an illusion , it's not real and if you feel it is then you need to pray . it's been long since you've gone to church why don't go tomorrow . "

" Ok , sorry for what I did to you yesterday , I was drunk . How is your head . " She replied , touching her mom's head .

" I am fine my love and promise me you will never drink and go to night parties again ." Her mom smiled .

" I promise mom . " Gweneven lied .

" That's why I love you Gweneven , I trust you . " She replied , hugging her daughter .

Praying to God had been the least thing Gweneven could do in her life , she had no zeal for praying and worshipping with all other stuffs that has to do with church , I hate church ; she do tell her friends anytime they ask her if she is ready for church , Sometimes she replies them by calling herself an atheist . Ever since when Gweneven had been given a phone , a research on witches and Black art had been her favorite , Searching about how it started , their place of dwelling , their Bible and infact strange lauguage and spells . This had gotten worse to the extent that her ringing tone was the sound of an evil laughter , she had turned her room into an abomination for her parents or anyone to enter , hanging a witch toy on her door . This made her parents worried about her a lot .

The most scared thing she ever did was to write something in a strange word on her door , the word written on the door and her strange character made her parents stop coming to check on her every morning , it was a surprise to her that she is even scared of something evil .

Her peers where shocked when they saw Gweneven getting down from her car , The beautiful yellow gown she wore illuminated with the reflection of the hot sun that shined , making it glow like gold . walking up to the stairs of the church she could sight a lot of people staring at her with a surprise look, Some of them were even whispering to one another , " she is a witch. " , " What is she doing in the house of God ? " , " I thought she was possessed " , " you guys should be careful with her unless she will just initiate you " . Gweneven didn't care about all what they were saying , the only thing that matters to her is to pray against what had happened to her yesterday morning . She could sight her rival's hair packed and upright in an afro style like usual ,due to hatred she frowned her face and looked away .

" Stupid girl , she thinks she can just deal with me through her supernatural powers and get away with it ! She threw me into the gutter and I was covered with mud , embarrassed . She took the guy I had crush on ! , she will surely pay for this ." Gweneven said to herself as she stood up for the praise and worship session .

The church service ended late making almost every one rush out of the church except from the ladies who put on a high heels shoe , they had no other choice than to walk slowly in other for them not to fall constantly . Gweneven was already close to her car prepared to open the door when someone tapped her back , realising it was Bimpe she frowned .

" You , what do you want from me this time ? " She frowned .

" Relax why you are always mad at me " Bimpe replied .

" Me ! mad at you ? What is my business with that , you might think am jealous of you but I am not . Remember , what you did that day still stays in my memories . " She replied staring at Bimpe with a strange look , her eyes were red .

" Whatever happened that day between us was just a mistake and I didn't mean to hurt you Gwen , you crossed my limit of patience and I had to do what I need to do . " She pleaded .

" See I have heard you but please can you stay a little bit away from my car because I am not sure if you can afford to get one . " She replied .

" Alright , it's a surprise to see you in church today what motivated you ? ." Bimpe asked .

" You of course ! , You made me come here by threatening me , you made me see strange things . " She yelled .

" Listen Gweneven I am out of this strange things you said you saw , I am not threatening you . " Bimpe yelled .

"Then who is it ?, Look last night I saw a little girl with purple hair crying in my dream but I ignored it because I thought it was a dream , I am having serious nightmare these days Bimpe and that was what made me come to church today " Gweneven replied .

" Ok let me explain to you better , listen Gweneven i am that little girl with purple hair you saw , I am not one of those who is behind your nightmare but I am a fairy , I am sure you must have heard or read a lot stories about them but they are existing , they are real and I am one of them . Faires are not known for being evil , we just live our lives the way we want without causing harm to people .

But with what you saw I think it's something strange that you and I don't really know about , if you can let me help you . " Bimpe replied .

" So when did you become a fairy , lair ! " Gwen yelled .

" I am not telling a lie , but Gweneven you are becoming unattractive these days , is anything wrong ? " She asked .

" It's nothing . " She replied entering into the car . Gweneven had no other word to say as she felt jealous of her friend being a fairy , she felt the flow of jealousy rising in her mind as she took a deep breath inserting the car key , she drove out of the church premises .

But what Bimpe said was true , she looks unattractive these days , she adjusted the front mirror of her car to see how she looked. Oh my God ! , She covered her mouth with her hand , surprised with the way she looked .

" It is high time I stop this evil practice of mine. " She said to herself as she took a U turn , looking up again to see her face she saw the face of an ugly witch appearing in front of her car , she had lost control of the wheels and the car landed into a dirty pond , sinking .

Gweneven saw herself sinking with her car , she kept shouting but there is no one to come to her aid , she tried calling Bimpe but she didn't pick her call . Just then a skinny old hand grip her hand and pulled her out of the car , it was like a magic in front of Gweneven eyes , when she came out of the pond she was surprised only to find her car neat , closely arranged with other cars near the road .

" What the hell is going on ? " Gweneven asked herself as she looked clean , her cloth seems dry without any traces of wetness on it .

" A lot of things are going on Gweneven , you might think is just an illusion but it's what you wished for " A ugly voice called from behind . Gweneven turned her back to take a view of who it is , she almost screamed when she saw who it was , it was no one but herself but this time around she looked old and skinny .

" Wait ! why are frustrating my life , what do you want from me. " Gweneven cried .

" You made me come Gweneven , you unleashed the dark side in you and I am the dark side Gweneven , you wanted to be a witch ." She replied .

" I didn't say I want to be a witch " Gweneven replied .

" But that's what you love to have , aren't you jealous that your friend . " The old lady gave a evil smile .

" I know , I am jealous of her , but she is my classmate . I don't want anything bad to happen to her " Gweneven frowned .

" Remember she threw you into that dirty gutter , the day you and her quarreled " The old lady replied .

" But I was the one who caused it , but how come you know all these things ? " Gweneven asked with Interest .

" That's why you need to be a witch , so you can know the present and the future . " The old lady smiled .

Gweneven took a deep breath and think of how lucky she would be if she is a witch , this was her dream ever since when she was a kid and she dare not miss such an opportunity .

" So how do I become a witch . "

" Just eat this apple . " The old lady cut in as she bought out a black apple from the thin air .

" Wow ! , will I be able to do that if I become a witch " Gweneven asked as she took the apple from the old lady wrinkled hand .

" Of course my child . " The old lady replied as she watch Gweneven closely with a kin eyes eating the black apple .

Suddenly Gweneven had the voice of witches echoing in her mind but this time around she felt so powerful like never before .

" Your grandmother is the leader of the coven I belong to , she has proved worthy for years , but when she became old she told your mother to take after her , instead your mother refused claiming she was a born again Christian , the practice of witchcraft as been passed from generations to generations from your mother's family and when it got to your mother's turn , like I said earlier that she refused our offer and sent us out of her house , she pours salt round the house she lived in as at that time . Iq know you might have wondered why your mum always do that everyday . One day all the witches decided to have a sabbat towards your mother's issue , she was pregnant as at that time and you the baby was nothing but a cell so we decided to make you our leader , we cursed you to have the passion of becoming a witch , your mother noticed this strange behavior of yours and that was one of the reason she always ordered the maids in your house to make sure they pour a large amount of salt at the front of your doorstep every single day. This is the time for you to take after your grandmother , make her proud in hell . Your grandmother is responsible for destroying the lives of every creature in the physical world , don't you want to make her proud ! " The old witch yelled .

" I want to , I want to deal with that fairy girl of a thing " Gweneven replied.

" Remember you are no longer a normal being again , don't touch salt , neither should you taste it and the power within you is beyond what you can control , please use it wisely " she replied , giving Gweneven a warning sign .

" I will " Gweneven replied .

" And dare summon any animal that is a prey , well you will be taught a lot of rules when you attend the next sabbat , " The old witch continued " remember all what I told you . " She replied , disappearing into the thin air .

" Wait ! , Wait ! , How do I attend the sabbat " Gweneven faced the sky , thinking a word might drop from above but she heard nothing , she hoped into her car drove away . She is excited like never before .

Gweneven has almost stepped into her room when she felt an injury at the back of her leg . She had stepped on the salt her mother has always been pouring at her doorstep . Remembering what the witch said about not touching or tasting salt either .

Thinking of calling the maids , she remembered that maids don't come on weekends . Then , her eyes caught a broom in front of her door . Immediately she swept the salt away , feeling satisfied she stepped in , although she felt a little pain at her leg due to the tiny particles of salt that still remains on the floor , it's like she had stepped on a broken glass particles .

Mrs Chukuma felt happy when she saw her daughter getting into the car , heading for church but something changed I her child's character when she came back from church , asking how church was , Gweneven couldn't even give a simple reply . She tried to peep through the entrance door , she was shocked at the reaction of her daughter when she saw her stepping on the salt , it was like as if it hurt her . Something suspicious is going on , she said to herself as she secretly opened the entrance door , getting to Gweneven's door she almost fell , because she use glasses she had to strain her eyes and this resulted in her falling , constantly . Finally she got to Gweneven's door , peeping through the door , she saw her daughter speaking some incantation that made her sacred . Trying to open the door to stop her daughter from what she was doing , a hot slap landed on her face , sending her to the ground .

Gweneven had the sound of someone in pain , so she stopped what she was doing , opening her door she saw her mother right in front of her groaning in pain , her left cheek looks red like a hot iron was placed on it .

" Mum ! , What happened ? " Gweneven cried .

" I don't know , I heard a slap on my cheek " she managed to speak .

" Oh no , how is that possible . " Gweneven replied , she lifted her mother up , accompanying her to the room to have some rest .

Goal !!!!!!!!!!!! , The voice of students were heard as a penalty kick was played which resulted into a goal , every student kept shouting and screaming the one and only guy , kelvin . Gweneven found her best chance of dealing with Kelvin at the perfect moment , Bimpe is not with him and he is laying down on the field , exhausted .

So she needs to hurry before the second half of the match will start , She had found a best idea to congratulate him for his first goal so she could talk to him .

" What do you want this time again Gweneven ? " Kelvin asked , feeling exhausted .

" Nothing ! I ju ....... Just want to say you did well in today's match , come-on how did you do it ? , because the match was so tough " She faked a smile , although she wasn't watching match after all . Her instinct made her guess what was going on .

" Hrrrr it's just practice , my role model is Christiano Ronaldo and he is a type of guy who practice a lot , he has motivated me with his skills , making me succeed in any match I play . Well everything is just practice and determination . " He smiled .

" That's nice , where is Bimpe ? " She asked , looking around to see if her rival would come around to spoil her plan .

" Oh I don't think she is around , you jovial these days , that's amazing . " He added .

" Hmm hmmm it is now you know I am jovial , after all what your crush did to me . " She replied .

" Come-on what did I do wrong ? , I and Bimpe are just friends , like you are to me ," He continued " please give me a hand my body is too weak to stand . "

" Shey with this little power I have you want me to give you a hand , " she replied " Bobo clam down ooo "

" Oya please now " Kelvin pleaded .

" Remember we were best friends before she came in between us , " Gweneven continued , lifting him up with the little power she had . Meanwhile she had casted a spell on him without him noticing .

" Yea , I know . " Kelvin smiled .

" Better , now you are just denying me these days . Like I don't exist " she pleaded .

" I'm busy that's why , " He replied , heading towards the field to join his mates in a exercise before the second half starts .

" Oh my God this guy is fit " Gweneven said to herself , admiring Kelvin's body as he jogs .

" Guy pass ball now " one the team players yelled at Kelvin , who is already exhausted .

" Ode ! am I the only one on the field . " Kelvin frowned .

" Don't call me Ode ! , I hate it . " He replied , showing a warning sign to Kelvin .

" Oh oh if ode isn't what you like , then what name will you like to be called ! " Kelvin replied .

" Are you okay at all " The guy replied back , moving closer to Kelvin trying to scare him but instead Kelvin gave him a punch on his nose and he fell down , crying . His twin brother who is Kelvin's rival jumped on him , pinning him to the ground as he kept punching kelvins face . Soon all other team players came to separate them and the match didn't go well as at the end of the day because both teams we disqualified due to sport violence .

It seems the spell Gweneven casted on him made him act in such a way that seems unsual , the spell is working , she's already a witch !

" That will teach him a lesson since he has spoilt his reputation in the school and I am not sure if he could ever play football for this school again . " Gweneven smiled as she walks away from the angry crowd .

NIGERIAN WORDS USED IN THE TEXT

All words are in Yoruba , unless otherwise Indicated .

PE = pidgin English

guy pass ball now - a slang use in Nigeria to tell a team player to pass a ball to one.

Oya - ready .

Ode - expletive meaning ' you fool '

no go - a pidgin word which means ' you won't , I won't '

Yeeee - word which is used when one feels pain or excited .