BEAUTIFUL SCARS

"Are you sure you are ready?", my father asked in a calm voice but I could detect the pain and concern underlying those words.

In as much we have all been preparing for this day, it's here, and we look like we don't know what foot to put forward first.

"If you are not ready, we could postpone it and..." my mother's sweet voiced mirrored my father's concern.

"No, it's fine. I am ready. I think I am ready..." I replied to calm their fears while I was trying to stop my heart from exploding in my chest.

I had been preparing for my first day out of the house, which coincided with my first day at school too.

Truth be told, I didn't want to leave the comfort of my parents' warm embrace to go face whatever life was ready to throw at me.

I almost told my parents to call the school and postpone my resumption, but thinking twice about it, I figured that there was no point.

I would one day face it all, and I could as well make that day today, and get it over with.

"You look so beautiful, my darling", mum said softly.

"Stop it mum, you know I don't. Please don't make it harder for me." I replied her quickly, my voice rising a notch.

"But you do...."

"Mum, stop it!!! Scars are not beautiful... They are ugly." with that, I picked my hand bag and made my way out of the house to join the driver in the car.

I needed an escape before the tears  in my eyes dropped. I didn't want to cry in front of my parents, because I had resolved not to feel pity for myself, and largely because the tears are going to sting my face so bad.

"Good morning, Mr. Abdul. How are you doing today? How is madam and the children?" I exchanged pleasantries with the driver cheerily, a feeling that did nothing to calm the turmoil in my tummy.

"Small madam, they dey fine. How you too. How your body. You sure say you Wan go school today?" he inquired with the same concern everyone around me feels for me.

"It's okay, Mr. Abdul. I am good. I will be fine in school." realizing that  my mind was made up, he went to arrange my things in the boot of the car, as my parents joined us outside.

"Be safe, baby. Call us immediately if you need anything." my mother said, as the driver started the car, my father signaled him to wait while he opened my side of the door and kissed my forehead,lingering there for seconds.

"I love you, pumpkin. Promise you won't hesitate to call if anything arises. " my father murmured against my forehead.

"I promise.." I told him as he kissed my forehead again and shut the car door.

"And I am sorry for snapping earlier"

"It's okay. We understand, baby. We do..." my mother replied as she hugged me deeply too.

I truly felt bad for snapping earlier. They didn't deserve it.
They have been more than loving, caring, and supportive since the incident, and they didn't deserve me being mean to them.

I mentally logged it in my head to send an apology text when I get to school.

They wave my goodbye, and my journey to the University of Lagos started.

My parents did all they could do to make sure I studied in a school close to the house, and I am glad it worked.

I couldn't bear the thought of staying far from my parents.

I am not yet ready to cross that puddle of my life.

The drive to school was quiet and serene, just like I needed it to be.

God bless Mr. Abdul for me. He gets me.

He didn't try to engage me in any conversation, he just plugged in his phone to the car stereo and played different soothing old school jams from Ayinla Omo Wura, Fatai Rolling Dollars, and Victor Uwaifo.

I didn't know what university life held for me. Before the incident, I had dreams of having the best time of my life in the Uni, but now that life has happened to me, I didn't know how to dream anymore.

I prayed that Uni treats me well, I crossed my fingers as I drifted to bed.

I woke up to find that the car had stopped in front of the school gates, and the driver was clearing through security.

It was a little past 7pm and I was grateful I had the darkness to save me from prying eyes of other students.

I didn't want to deal with pitiful glances and murmurs tonight.

Maybe tomorrow.

But definitely not tonight.

We got cleared and I got to my  hostel, cleared with the hostel porters too and took my things to my room with help from Mr. Abdul and one old porter woman who didn't say a word to me.

She only hugged me tight and smiled a sweet smile that I couldn't help but return.

She helped me arrange my things and dropped her number with me, promising to check me in the afternoon when she resumes her shift.

My father had pulled strings and helped me get a single bedded room for just me.

And I couldn't be more glad.

I called my parents to brief them about school and all. They were glad I got to school safely.

They ended the call after series of I love you, after which I cleaned my body with a rag, ate the rice and chicken from the food mum packed for me earlier, and took my medications to suppress the stinging.

I still can't bathe normally yet after 4 months.

I read some stories from "Cunny Man Die" a compilation of short stories by Aderonke Adeyeye, and I laughed so hard that I felt so better afterwards.

Sighing deeply, I tucked the book under my pillow, wrapped my duvet around my body, and drifted off to sleep.

By morning, my alarm woke me.
I said my prayers, and cleaned my body before eating cornflakes and milk, after which I took my morning meds.

By the time I left my room for lectures, I was in high spirits. I was excited to finally start school and all.

But my excitement didn't last as I saw so many students giving me the weird looks, crazy smiles, and murmuring behind my back.

All the hopes of starting school like a normal student went out of the windows, and I felt my eyes begin to tear up.

Feeling so lost and down, I turned to run back to my hostel room when a gentle hand caught me by my elbow, stopping me in my strides.

"Where do you think you are running off to?" the sweet voice asked pulling me close and raising my face to meet his.

I was blown away at his handsomeness.

He looked so gorgeous like an Hollywood movie star.

"I can't do this...." my voice broke in tears

"You can't do what? So you would prefer to run back to your room and cry because some stupid students are plain stupid" he asked, his eyes boring holes into mine.

"But my scars are hideous too. You can't blame them."

"I can't blame them, but I'd blame you for being a coward and allowing their stupidity get to you." he paused for a second, and said;

"You are beautiful, scars or no scars, and I love to be your friend."

I didn't know if I was still on earth or I had been transported to another planet.

At the words, all my fears and worries about my scars vanished immediately.

His words gave wings to my heart, and it soared without wings.

" You don't have to say that to make me feel good"

"I didn't say it to make you feel good, I said it because it was the truth." he replied still holding me close to him.

I didn't know when I wrapped my arms around him in a big hug.

He hugged me back and I had never been more happier in my life.

Ever since I had the car accident that had me in the hospital for 4 months and scarred my whole body, most especially my face, I had been scared of how life would be for me, if I'd be able to make friends, or live  a normal life.

But here I was, with a friend I didn't have to beg to be my friend who is promising to be there for me all the way.

Life couldn't be more favorable.

I broke our hug, as I steadied myself beside him in shyness, causing him to giggle.

"So, let's start all over, my name is Damian Taylor. What's yours?"

"I am Mofiopekunopefunoluwa James." I replied smiling.

"It's nice to meet you Miss Long Name. Btw, I love your long name. I am a year 1 student of Geography and Planning Science. What about you?"

"Same here"

I couldn't believe my luck!!

"Amazing! That makes it better. From now henceforth, I am your self assigned bodyguard. We go everywhere together, do you understand?" he says with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile creeping across his lips.

"Yes, sir" I replied laughing.

"Let's start our day then." and with that he collected my books from me, held my hand and walked by my side towards our lecture room, not minding the sniggers we were getting from other students.

If you climbed a horse in my tummy right now, it wouldn't miss a step.

I said a prayer of gratitude to God for blessing me with a bodyguard.

Aderonke Adeyeye 2020

Image from Farabaleafrica