Charmed

After a very fulfilling day of bookish partying and mental health reflections, I decide to return home with the new cool people I had met. We get on the first korope to take us to a more central location where we can all go our various ways. On arrival, we split off in pairs (dependent on location proximity).

10 minutes after boarding my bus with my partner and reading while waiting for the bus to fill up, I feel a stabbing sensation in my right big toe. I wiggle my toe around to ascertain it's not lack of blood flow and that it still functions, to which everything checks out. I place my foot back down to continue my reading, the sensation comes back o! I wiggle and wiggle, it eases up a bit, but it doesn't go.

At some point, it becomes so uncomfortable I check my leg to see that my toe isn't bloody or being sawed off (it was intense). We have already begun moving. Seeing that everything seems normal, I begin to retrace my steps. Did snake or scorpion bite me and I didn't feel it? I dismiss the thought. Definitely, it is not possible for me to be bitten and not realize. Or is it? No, it isn't.

God, did I step on charm?! That's the only explanation for this pain. Where did I step on charm? I walked with other people and we walked in the same places. So where did it happen? Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus!! I kept on chanting in my head. The imagery of my feet swollen like Patience Ozokwor's leg after her charm backfires on her springs up in my head. Will I be able to go to church tomorrow? Fudge, I missed today's prayer program. Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus!! BLOOD OF JESUS!!!

Where will I say I was walking through or where did I even step on it? Who keeps charm on the street for randos? God Abeg! Now, I'm changing buses as my companion has reached her stop. I shuffle out and try to limp. She asks what is wrong and I tell her I think I hurt my toe. After her quick condolences and bye, I find my way to the next vehicle. Being the last to enter, I sit by the open door. Now, this driver drives like we are playing GTA, but I can't dwell on it because the pain in my TOE!

I keep thinking that it definitely can't be charm, I was probably stung. My mouth starts tasting cottony. God, don't let this poison spread more than my leg, precisely my toe. Imagine I am actually poisoned, and I don't know? Will I die in this bus or my sleep?, I think as my eyes become droopy. Ode, you're just tired, I assure myself. Why does my spine and shoulder suddenly hurt? Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus!!! You'll probably reach the next bus stop and collapse or preferably, the front of your house, that way your doughnut and books will be safe. Very true, let's think like that, I tell myself as I alight at the next bus stop.

Trying to find another bus to take me closer to my abode is proving difficult for a freaking short distance.  I'mso tired, my toe still hurts after almost taking off my sandal. In a bid to get home, I board a bike on what still seems to be the express. Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus!! BLOOD OF JESUS!

With every passing vehicle, even though we are at the edge, I can't help but look back (Lot's wife-esque). God, I can't go on a bike, it's so not cool. Don't let it be the time I do it that it turns to a poster. Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus! Thank you Jesus! I'm almost home.

Coming down from the bike to enter my community, I limp all the way to where I need to board my next transportation. On getting there, a small delay occurs because a “man” decides he can't sit in between two females (because I choose to sit at the edge, my rightful seat). As fast as he goes, another comes along and we move.

Finally at the door of my house without collapsing, I rush in and take off my sandals to check my toes. I note that I already start to feel better. Thank you Jesus! To the cottony feeling in my mouth, I feed myself and drink water and I'm back to normal.

I guess I was just dehydrated, hungry and over-walked in strappy sandals for the day. Thank you Jesus!