Journey - Episode 1

 

It was a typical July day, 11am and the clouds were darkening slowly. The rain poured down slowly,  lighter than a downpour but heavier than a drizzle. Tess layed her head on the glass and watched the scenery as the bus sped through the lonely road.  There were lots of trees,  vacant lands, bushes and a few small sized houses, unpainted bungalows with rusted roofs mostly. She was in a bus with several other freshmen.  Their young eager high pitched voices, laughing, spinning dreams of what college should be . The fact was that they were all naive. Reality was never anywhere as pleasant as daydreams and life was never fair.  They would learn the hard way and they would learn pretty soon.  With this last thought Tess readjusted her headphones and turned the volume up to Gary Jules mad world. 
A little over thirty minutes later the bus rolled slowly to a stop. They were here. The rain still hadn't stopped. On the seat across from hers Tasha groggily opened her eyes. Are we there yet, she asked. No,  we just landed on the moon Tess replied sarcastically and Tasha rolled her eyes at her.  They were twins. Two halves of a whole. People rarely could ever tell them apart. Only those who got to actually know them as two different entities, their personalities and attitudes, they were the ones who could tell them apart

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/journey

. In so many ways they were similar yet polar opposites. Tasha, the sweet, innocent sister and Tess, the sarcastic snob. 
Joining the other young,  overly optimistic freshers, they took out their luggage from the trunk. A middle aged lady dressed in an ill-fitting black suit, Tess thought would have looked better at the bottom of a thrift store shelf and ridiculously high heels walked slowly towards them trying to avoid the potholes on the road in front of the school. Addressing them in a clear voice, she started. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, you're welcome to Cornwall University, Enugu State. I'm Mrs Love Okeke the admissions officer. After a tough selection process between several also worthy students you are the select few who were admitted. While she launched into a completely boring recital of the University history, Tess completely zoned out.  From the corner of her eyes she saw her sister Tasha a few persons to her left giggling at what some dapper looking male said to her.  Silently she hoped it was too early for her sister to start falling for one of the pretty boy types. They were always trouble. Slowly she dragged her attention back to the lady addressing them. Another lady had joined them. The admissions lady had just said an orientation program would be starting at 8am the next day and she handed them over to the other lady.  The Matron, she didn't quite catch her name who would be directing them to their various hostels. Sparing her sister a brief glance she noticed the dapper looking fellow was dragging her sisters luggage while they continued chatting.  Just outside the girls dormitory, he stepped up to her,  the dapper looking guy who had been flirting with her sister.  There was something about him. It was like he could see her,  like he knew all there was about her. Irritated, she bit out,  I'm not Tasha.  I know, he grinned. You look so much alike but yet you're so different, like a mirror image. You're the more serious one while she's the sweet friendly one.  Good,  then you're better off talking to her.  But I don't want to talk to her.  I want to talk to you. You're intriguing. Figuring you out would be an amazing challenge. I highly doubt you'll get the chance.  Tess, hurry it up. I've got to go. Alright,  my name is..  Look I don't good damn what your name is and I don't want to know. Have a nice day. With a wide grin, he strapped his carry-on bag over his shoulder and continued to step backwards as he watched her go in. She could feel his eyes on her but damn it if she'd let him make her feel uncomfortable.
He was doing it again. He hit her across the face with the back of his palm.  She could see the scars even from the distance. It was okay.  It would be okay, she would be okay as long as he stopped soon. But this time he didn't stop,  he hit her continuously until her back hit the wall. The loud thud could be heard through the entire house. Just beside her,  her sister looked on terrified at the sight. Then he began to use his fists not on her face this time but on her ribs.  The crack of bones breaking was barely audible as he pummelled her in his drunken rage.  She was already extremely thin,  almost as light as a feather. Grabbing her by the neck, he began to squeeze slowly watching the life start to drain from her eyes.  It was then that fear served as Theresa Johnson's biggest motivation. She couldn't lose her mother,  she wouldn't. Pushing the glass vase on the table next to the floor, she grabbed a piece.  In his drunken state he didn't register the sound of the vase falling. Quickly, she grabbed one of the pieces as she rushed toward him and stabbed him in the right leg. Reacting in shock he released her mother and hit her so hard she flew across the room and the last thing she heard were the combined voices of her mother and sister as they both screamed "Tess".