It Ends Like This (The Opener)

No one knows how the world would end… but Mesoma does. Actually, this information is quite open for everyone to know — how the world ends, but-

Year 4022

Mesoma pushed through the crowd and into the open space in Arena, Oshodi — a market square. Convenient for the ‘moot’ she was about to create. She found her breath as she clung to the fliers gathered in her arms.

“You’re blessed!” She sang as she drew a flier out from the bundle she had as she handed it to a passer-by, who ignored her. She held her cheery smile and turned to the next person. “You’re blessed!”

She was ignored again, but the flier soon escaped from her hold, slipping away from her fingers as another passer-by pulled it away and kept walking.

Joy filled her heart with that, “Jesus is coming and — ”

The person squeezed the paper after hearing that, and Mesoma’s voice faltered.

“He. wants… to meet you prepared.” Her voice grew smaller. But she immediately put on a smile and dragged out another flier from her bundles as she continued, saying, “Your sins do not condemn you!” She chanted with a big smile as people kept passing her by. Some people stopped to engage her in conversations, which she was delighted about, while others took the fliers just to be polite. This went on till evening slowly started fading away…

8:43 PM

A cyber bedroom?

The window of a big empty room shifted open and a leg with a big dusty boot came through it. The boot was familiar — like the one Mesoma had worn while she was in the middle of the market, preaching. Mesoma entered her room fully, holding onto the leftover fliers, and locked the window. It made a big ‘clack’ noise and her breath hitched. She closed her eyes and inaudibly counted backwards from five. When she got no reaction, relief took over her, and she left for the bathroom.

9:13 PM

Same house | In the Kitchen. It’s cyber.

Mesoma’s dad and older brother were in the kitchen, serving dinner, when Mesoma walked in. Her brother, Kenechukwu, turned to her and gave her a sharp smile while her father focused on the meal.

“Where were you?” Her father, Dr. Ezekwe, asked. His deep voice vibrated through the room.

A robot sensor, PET — they call it — scooted into the kitchen and Mesoma looked at it. Shoot! She was being followed.

PET spoke, like Alexa, “Intruder in Mesoma’s room was identified. Mesoma Ujunwa Ezekwe.”

“I went preaching,” Mesoma said, and her father said nothing.

Kenechukwu felt awkward in the middle of it and shifted his position, trying to avoid the discomforting feeling.

“Okay,” Dr. Ezekwe finally responded. Then he pushed the plate of food he had just served over the counter and closer to her. “See your food.” He said.

She delayed in hope not to get an opposite reaction, before she said, “Thank you, Daddy!” and picked the meal.

PET followed her as she stepped out of the kitchen. She turned to the robot and said, “So you know how to snitch.” Then she kissed her teeth as she sat in the dining.

Kenechukwu joined her with his own meal as well.

“Preaching,” He said as he sat down.

Mesoma said nothing as she began eating her meal.

Kenechukwu looked at her, then sighed with a shake of the head as he, too, poked his fork in the yam porridge he and Dr. Ezekwe had made for dinner.

“Aren’t you scared or something?” Kenechukwu asked and after that, took a fork out of his meal.

“I understand your concern,” she simply stated as she continued eating.

Kenechukwu chuckled, but with playful sarcasm, “No, you don’t.” He said and with their eyes locking, he added, “Because if you did, you won’t be out preaching.” His voice had soon taken on a very serious tone.

Mesoma looked over his face as he went on.

“Not in a world like this,” He said, then focused back on his food, “And definitely not to a world like this.”

Mesoma didn’t know what to make of that, but she decided not to respond. He had said his mind — one she didn’t agree with — and if she should state her facts, it would end in the most immature sibling argument ever.

She then picked her plate as she got up. Kenechukwu watched as she did so. Then she made her way up the stairs — obviously off to her room.

PET rolled out from under the dining table and Kenechukwu turned to it. “If no be say you be machine now, I for give you meat.” He smiled at his own joke, enjoying his humour.

His conversation with himself — with PET, pardon — was soon interrupted. “Kenechukwu.” Dr. Ezekwe spoke from the living room where he sat to eat. “Tell your sister about school tomorrow. She shouldn’t delay me.”

Kenechukwu turned to his father and responded, “Okay.”

7:14 PM

The following Morning | Cyber Bus

(To be Continued)

That is the end of this :) I had the “writer’s epiphany” on the 16th of December (during evening devotions) and started typing this in my notes. And I felt the urge to share this beginning piece with the world. I’m still writing it; it’s an ongoing story.

So, did you enjoy it? What was your favourite dialogue or line? The setting? What did you like about it? I would love to know! Thank you.

Description:

A story of a young Nigerian with supernatural abilities, especially one to see the future and, of course… how it ends. She sets out on a mission to warn the inhabitants of ‘Planet Blue’ but being 2000 years into the future, would she be able to warn them all before the predestined time?

x x x

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