Happy Birthday (Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 4

6 years ago

Happy Birthday (Short Story) - Season 1 - Episode 4

1:30

I have tried to read a little, despite the numbness to everything in life that holds me, threatening to strangle me . I'm dead to life like the cold lurking outside , can't stop thinking of the child that was mine but is gone leaving me empty, I had no choice . Had no choice? The cynical Nigerian man would ask if your legs were forced open. But that's right. I should have let the innocent live and taken the shame. Except the child wouldn't have been left alone. Years later my nightmare is the heartless adults and fellow children surrounding him/her, calling ......Bastard. Smiling, sneering , high and low voices. Bastard....bastard......bastard.....no daddy......whispers saying don't mix with that child , he has no daddy . Nah I couldn't have borne that to happen. Write a composition about your family. That would've been the perfect paradise and excuse for primary school teachers to torture the kid.

My roommates make mockery of my last minute attempts to read. Guffawing sounds and snickers not so subtle as they pass by. Would've thought they would understand my pain being women, but surprisingly no . Funny enough I know they aren't saints but , I'll pass. Though my head is filled with images of blood and pain and loss and screams, I try to read. The dousing they gave me earlier comes to mind and my mouth moves an inch to attempt a smile.

3:00

Its time for the exam. I really hope these guys won't try to play a fast one on me. The indifferent examiners at the door of the main Hall search people for the necessary i.d and let them in. I'm back with my turtleneck sweater and jeans. People around me feverishly swipe through their books in a last attempt to assimilate facts before being called into the exam hall, hardly noticing me. When they do notice me it is with a frown and an occasional eyeing up and down with irritation and hatred, mostly the girls. Some others smile briefly and some even wave or attempt brief conversations and hugs. I always liked those non discriminating types.

The students have nearly all entered the exam halls. I look about me in despair. Couples and groups gist together on the stone benches a little distance away from the hall, oblivious to the ' exam fever ' . Jerry , the guy I paid this money to indirectly to write for me, is nowhere to be seen. To make things worse , I see mystery man amble towards me looking a bit agitated, but I feel this is just pretence. Damn it ! They planned this, to make an utter fool out of me and collect my money.

" I'm so sorry Jinx.........I'm so sorry, jerry can't make it, he was just rushed to the hospital....and I have something to do right now. You know what you will do.....take this " he shoves some bulky materials into my hands. " please, I never knew this would happen, just try and write this one, we will write two others for you " he sprints off, but I catch the glee on his face a minute before his face is totally averted. Smart guy, wouldn't write an exam for a sU-Cker if he could help it.

So I'm stuck. Managed.to smuggle these in and I'm nervous as hell. Other students took advantage and have sharply distributed most of my expo around the hall. I'm numb, trying my best to look casual while viewing a paper under the table. I am not used to cheating. I feel a hand, heavy on my shoulder, a disgusted gaze above me and a harsh voice . The students close to me shift away with the agility and grace of angels. "GET UP !!! GET UP !!!! " A sharp rip of papers and it's like my life has been ripped apart symbolically. Everybody looks at me. The security man comes along, joins the invigilator who is so full of fury that I am afraid he will slap me. He growls his instruction through clenched teeth and a murderous stare.

" Cuff her. Let's go ! Don't beg me ! This is a warning to all of you !!"

Fifth of November.
My doomsday.
The words, the neglect, the mockery, the condemnation.

Happy Jinx.

Happy Birthday.