The Dark room by Comlan-Valere Mawenah Deborah

*At midnight*

Vivian!!! Vivian!!! Help me help me.

Anita!!! Vivian woke up from her dream screaming. It was a nightmare.

She was sweating profusely… It was a terrible dream. Vivian, Are you okay? Her mum knocked on the door of her room Vivian but she kept mute…It has been awhile since she had a terrible dream like that.

Anita… A…Anita! she mutters. Anita is her big sister and the love that bounds them can't be explained!

Vivian!!! Her mum kept knocking on the door.

Mum, I am fine. She said and lay down back to sleep. When she couldn't sleep She prayed silently until she fell asleep.

*That morning*

During the mid October, the early morning dew on a Saturday morning. At 7.45am, Vivian woke up when she heard sounds coming from the kitchen. She sat up then remembered she had a terrible nightmare about her sister… What kind of dream was that? she said to herself then stood up and entered the bathroom.

Knock knock… It's her mom knocking at her door… she rounded off in the bathroom by washing her hands.

Who is it? She asked to be sure it was her Mum

My baby! Her mum said

She adjusted herself before opening the door.

Hi mum, Good morning ma... She bends down as if she wanted to kneel. They are from Delta State in Nigeria... She grew up in the United States and as never visited home throughout out her lifetime.. She has never wanted to go to her motherland.

Back to the scene...

Good morning My Baby, how did your night went? Her mum asked looking worried

It was fine and yours ? She opened the door widely allowing her mother enter the room.

Fine dear... Vivian… Are you okay? I heard you scream at midnight. Are you… Before her mum could finish the statement she interrupted.

Mum, you know we have a lot of chores today? It is the weekend! She tried to change the topic.

When you are ready you can always come to me! Her mum said and left the room

She stood still for a while then went to her study room... In her study room~ she took her bible to read the verse of the day. As a catholic she reads the Bible with all her mind and because she is always attentive to things around her... After she read the bible she said her prayers " I believe in God the father almighty creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ his only begotten son our lord who was conceived by the holy spirit born of the virgin mary suffered and was crucified, dead and was buried he decended into heaven the third day he rose from the dead he ascended into heaven seated at the right hand of God the father ..." she said it loudly then crossed her body " in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit amen"

Having looked around the room, she has a lot of work to do, her room looks untidy. She sighs

Vivian, she heard her dad calling her from the living room trying to pretend as if she was still praying but it was too late.

Hey Dad, Good morning. She stood up

How are you my baby? How was your night? He Pat her back.

Am fine and you? She moved back, folding her arms.

Fine too...Have you said your prayers? He asked her

Yes Dad. she beamed

Alright you should start your chores then. He then left her room.

Okay daddy . she smiled

She reached for her phone to check if her boyfriend sent a good morning text message...when she saw his text she beamed "Good morning pretty face…

She replied" Boo, my night wasn't cool because i had a terrible nightmare. Will talk to you about it when you call! Have a nice day!

When the message delivered she lay on her bed thinking about the dream she had last night. She picked up her phone and dialled her sister's number but it wasn't reachable "Hi, i am Anita will you leave a message...She pressed the red button and stood up to meet her mum in the kitchen.

"Mum, what's wrong with Anita's phone", she isn't picking.

"She might be busy "Her mom was making apple juice.

"I hope all is well with her " Vivian bites her lips. Mom, I had a dream about Anita...