THE NIGHT I DANCED WITH A STRANGER IN THE RAIN.

 

The night. 

The night Raye and I almost died, reality put things into perspective for me. 

Our day started out as adventurous one. We explored the city from when its skyline was a faded peach till it assumed a dark blue hue. 

Raye and I promised to see different parts of the city in less than 15 hours. 

This idea appeared doable in theory but not in practice, but if we didn’t do this, how else would we enjoy this somewhat free day?

My cousin/ best friend, Raye, and I were chemistry undergrads. We attended one of those universities that stifled your social life. I know you are thinking, ‘what university doesn't?’ well, ours was utterly ridiculous. There were times when it seemed like one needed permission to exist if you went to our school. 

It had been three years since the first time either of us stepped foot into the school, and we didn't know anywhere else within the city other than the school. So, we coined an excellent plan.

We applied for something called an ‘emergency pass.’ Students were only allowed to use this pass when there was an actual emergency at home that needed their urgent attention. 

Raye and I applied for this pass separately under the guise of ‘a dying relative’. 

Fun fact, there was no dying relative. Kama, our big cousin who lived in our school's city, lied on our behalf because we both registered her as an emergency contact and told her what to say beforehand. 

I’m sure the head potter in our dorm saw our applications and realized they tallied. Since we were cousins applying with the same problem, an important family member truly must be dying!

Hello two-day emergency pass!

I danced. 

I danced like a shy bride the evening Raye and I almost died. 

I was in the arms of a young man whose fragrance I had gotten too used to within minutes of knowing him. Ani. He smelled of musk, sweat, and the too-familiar smell of alcohol. 

Our dance was uncoordinated yet befitting. Ani and I spent the better part of my time at his party dancing awkwardly. 

Ani was Kama’s friend who had recently graduated from the University and felt the need to celebrate with this party. 

I felt comfortable with him. Our casual touching breathed a new life into my skin. His voice was interesting to listen to; nothing too exceptional, but it was Ani, so my brain exaggerated his bare minimum attributes. I fell so deep into this man that I soon forgot what Raye and I were supposed to be doing. 

We lost our way during our round-the-city trip and had to call Kama for help. 

Kama had to come to pick us up and take us with her to Ani’s party. 

When Raye and I got there, we planned to leave as soon as Kama diverted her attention from us so that we could continue our day out.

I had almost ruined our plan when I decided to dance with Ani—well, nearly, not totally destroyed. Raye and I snagged a perfect time to sneak out and leave. 

With a stranger. 

Conversations with a stranger can often be hearty and exciting. At least that is what most people believe. The certainty that you may not come across that person ever again is enough reassurance to share some personal details with them. 

I was a fool to think this applies to everyone. 

When Raye and I left the party, we took a bus to our next location. This was at that time of the day when the sun and the moon argue about whose light the earth needs more, but the moon wins. 

Angry at Raye for making me leave ‘my man’ at his party, I looked out the bus window, pouting. 

Some minutes passed before two somewhat wrinkled fingers tapped my left shoulder, breaking me out of the pouting spell. 

It was an older woman who just wanted to chat about the dilapidated situation of the country. Of course, I found that odd, but I engaged her anyway. 

Several minutes had passed, and she kept coming up with new grievances about the country. I was exhausted and began responding with only nods. I looked at everyone on the bus and noticed that everyone seemed oddly quiet, including Raye.

I tapped Raye, but she didn’t budge at first. I was a bit agitated. I then swallowed the bulge in my throat and tapped again before she responded. I whispered into her ear, telling her how uncomfortable I was on the bus. She agreed. 

We told the driver that we would love to come down from the bus, but he didn’t respond.

Instead, the older woman gave a surprising remark. She asked us to drop all our money and belongings unless we would both get ‘wasted.’ 

I refused to do so at first till I sighted a gun tucked neatly in her laced wrapper. 

Here she was, committing a grave crime with so much poise. 

We did as we were told and were pushed off the moving bus. 

We were in a secluded area, with bruises and scratches all over, and no money. Tough luck, Dora and her explorer!

We could hear the older woman’s crazy laughter while she shot at us as we ran into the bushes. She seemed to be their leader. What a perfect character she played, the old unsuspecting stranger who called you ‘my child.’ 

In the rain. 

I don’t know about you, but playing in the rain is an adventure for me. Each droplet is more thrilling than the last. 

But sometimes playing in the rain can be salty and hot, especially when you are playing in the rain of your tears. 

Raye and I picked up bullets shot at us from the damp grass we sat on. Lost and exhausted, both in and out. 

We picked ourselves up and continued strolling into the grassy nothingness, hoping to meet help along the way. 

That was it, that was the night Raye, and I almost died. 

Chinwekene Umeaka.