Echoes of Temptation (A Journey from Desire to Self-Discovery)

I lie in bed, tired after a hard day’s work. But I couldn’t sleep.

It was a symphony of croaky voices of Okpanam frogs and the distinct cry of Interbau crickets, that kept me awake. And as time passed over my eyes, the sounds soon faded into the cool breeze up there, when suddenly, in that moment of stillness, she emerged like a phantom, dancing and teasing with every sway of her form. She is indeed the beauty of the moon, cast on the pool water. My toes stirred in that pool a little, and it was the most amazing feeling ever!

As she lay half-covered by a towel that did little to conceal her curves, her eyes sparkled with mischief, and a playful smile that tugged at her lips. My pulse quickened, my skin tingled with the anticipation of her touch. Her red bikini, a mere suggestion of fabric, accentuated her every contour and I felt a funny revolt within me.

“Chei,” I murmured, and thinking Maslow’s hierarchy repeatedly in my head: “Something must sha wound a man.”

Desire and concern intertwined, creating a dangerous dance that left me breathless. The thought of succumbing to her charm was both thrilling and terrifying, as the night air was both cool and warm. She was convincing, and I didn’t mind playing the victim.

Each daily encounter since that first night was intoxicating, as the thought of her touch that sent shivers down my spine. Yet, each time she drew near, something or someone would intervene, pulling me back from the edge. The struggle was not purely against lust, but the vulnerability that had taken root in my heart. The fear of losing her forever troubled me – it was a relentless ache that refused to be soothed.

 “Wetin sef? Something must sha wound a man!” I thought again, as though I was truly prepared for it. But it was simply ego.

Just as I reached out to her, she vanished, leaving me grasping at empty air. This wasn’t the first time she had done this to me. But the loss was painful – an empty space that threatened to consume me. She was gone, leaving behind the echo of her laughter.

“How I go fit catch am?” I was now biting those remorseful lips of mine.

I questioned my own hesitation, the endless deliberation that had cost me so much. Was it fate that kept us apart, or my own indecision? The frustration of missed opportunities weighed heavily on my mind.

“Tufiaa! Never again,” I said, waving away the bad luck of my village people.

I resolved to seize the next moment, to act without hesitation if ever she returned. And the fire within me burned brighter, fueled by this new determination. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something or someone was conspiring against me.

“Village people, una no dey tire?” That was my superstitious self ruminating again, until the peaceful memories I enjoyed was shattered by a sharp pain, and angry voice.

My head – it felt like it had been hit by a rock, even though I was still relaxed in that realm.

Reality soon crashed down on me, and I realized that the pain was real – the voices were not part of my dream. I had been awakened by a flying slipper, while the remnants of the dream slipped away like sand through my fingers.

“Oh...nah,” I cried.

My eyes, now fully preoccupied, rolled. Anger and resentment set in, yet she yelled again.

“Are you still there?”

“Oh, you want me to hit you again before you realize the drums need filling?”

That voice cut through the haze of my confusion. It was sharp and commanding. She stood tall over me, slipper in hand, her expression a mix of irritation and concern.

Disoriented and frustrated, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. Then, realizing what had just happened again, I became angry at the one who had just disrupted my dreams. But then, what can I do?

That grunting and cursing in my dreams was my aunt, Maimuna, who by the way needs no introduction. She had just destroyed my attempt to meet the mystery woman, because each time that moment came, she chased my dreams away.

“Chei! When? God, when?”

Aunt Maimuna was impossible to ignore. She had an uncanny knack for disrupting my dreams at the worst possible moments, and her timing was impeccable.

I hurriedly got up to my feet, fumbling for my sweatshirt as she brandished the slipper like a weapon. The clatter of dishes that echoed through the room, was a stark reminder of my shabbiness.

Despite her harsh words and stern demeanor, I knew that aunt Maimuna cared for me. Yet, her inability to understand the temptations that plagued me added to my frustration, leaving me caught in the middle, yearning for a moment of peace.

The breaking-point

Days turned into weeks, but each night was haunted by the memory of the lady in red. Her presence was a constant reminder of what I could not have. I would lie awake, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying each encounter, each missed opportunity. The ache in my heart grew, and I knew I had to be determined to break free from the cycle of frustration.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, I closed my eyes again, letting the cool breeze wash over me, hoping for a reprieve from my torment. And there she was.

Emerging from the shadows, she walked towards me – each step deliberate, her eyes locked onto mine. My heart raced, and my breath caught in my throat.

“E choke o” I was simply fed up.

This time, there was no mistaking the intent in her gaze.

“Tonight,” I whispered to myself, “tonight will be different.”

As she drew closer, the world around us seemed to fade away. There was only her and the promise of what could be. She reached out, her fingers brushing against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I leaned in, ready to succumb to the desire that had tormented me for so long. But just as our lips were about to meet, a loud crash shattered the silence. I turned to see aunt Maimuna; her face was a mask of fury, holding a broken vase.

God, what have I done? It had been tumblers and plates before, and now, a vase?

“Enough!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the night.

I felt a surge of anger, but also a strange sense of relief. The spell had been broken, and I was free from the cycle of desire and frustration.

I turned to the lady in red as if to say goodbye, but she was gone, vanished into the night like a wisp of smoke. There, aunt Maimuna walked over, her expression now softening. “It’s time to let go Shehuna,” she said gently.

I nodded, knowing she was right. The lady in red was a fantasy, a distraction from the reality I needed to face. I took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. The life of a man between jobs sucks!

The journey to self-discovery

I realized that the lady in red represented my fears, my doubts, and my insecurities. She was a manifestation of everything that held me back. But aunt Maimuna had seen through the illusion and helped me break free. She knew all along. She stood by my side – a pillar of strength and support. I was grateful for her unwavering presence, even if it came in the form of a flying slipper.

As the days passed, I focused on rebuilding my life. I pursued my passions, set new goals, and embraced the challenges that came my way. The memory of the lady in red faded, replaced by a new found sense of purpose and clarity.

When I close my eyes, the pool, once a place of torment, now became a place of reflection and growth. I would still sit by the water, watching the ripples dance in the moonlight, and feel a sense of peace.

In the end, I realized that true fulfillment came from within because I had learned to face my fears, to embrace my vulnerabilities, and to find strength in the support of those who cared for me.

The lady in red was no longer a haunting presence but a reminder of the lessons learned and the growth achieved. I had broken free from the cycle of desire and frustration, and in doing so; I had discovered a deeper sense of self.

As I stood by the pool one last time, watching the sunrise, I felt a sense of closure. The journey was far from over, but I was ready to face whatever came next, with aunt Maimuna by my side and the memory of the past as a symbol of my strength and resilience.