NYSSA
I had just gotten back from the estate after a long walk. The urge to take a bath and go back for another walk was more than overwhelmin’, but what could I do? Nothin’ but watch and wait for my husband to get back from his place of work.
There came a knock at the door.
When did Kazmir arrive from work? How come I did not know? I wondered with a sigh that ran out of my mouth, and also a grin at the thought of finally havin’ a company – someone to speak with.
“Kazmir? When did you get back?” I opened the door and didn’t see someone outside.
“Who’s there?” It dawned on me now that Kazmir wasn’t back. “Ember, are you try’na pull a stunt on me or somethin’? Show yourself to me already!” I walked out of the house and didn’t catch sight of someone.
Who then was it?
Wait, what was I thinkin’?
What did I think?
I know I heard someone knock at the door or wasn’t it here? I wondered, hearin’ the sound of the knock but not at the door this time. I heaved a sigh, turnin’ around and walkin’ back to the house.
Why is Kazmir not even back?
I shut the door when I walked into the livin’ room once more, stoppin’ in my tracks at the sound of somethin’. It was from the gate of the compound – the sound of the house bell. There was someone there but I didn’t know who it was.
Was it Ember or Kazmir?
Kazmir has ne’er rung the bell from outside, especially ’cause he has the keys to the gate, so what would make him do it today?
Who then?
Ember?
She always called me to let me know she was at the gate and with the thought of this, I feared for no reason.
After some more thought, I walked out of the house again when the bell was rung a second time. “I’m comin’!” I yelled when it was rung a third time. “You give me some moments to catch up with you.” I said and in moments, caught up with the large gate – openin’ it as well and lookin’ out of the space.
“Good evenin'” I greeted the man, walkin’ out with the key of the gate and shuttin’ it. “What can I do for you? Are you lost or somethin’? Do you need help with findin’ your way, Mr.?”
He shook his head, a professional smile on his countenance.
“I am not lost, ma’am. I believe this is the compound of Mrs. Nyssa Draven, or am I mistaken? I know I am in the right apartment. Correct me if I am wrong.”
I shook my head, mopin’ at ‘im from head to toe. “Who are you? And yes, I am Mrs. Nyssa Draven. What can I do for you? How did you even locate me to begin with?” It was at this point that I realized he was a delivery man who had many packages waitin’ in the back of a bike he came with.
“You have a package, Mrs. Draven,” he announced with the same smile. “Give me a moment.” He added and walked away from the spot, while I opened the gate and walked in the very next moment. “Here.” He was standin’ in front of me again, with a box I admired instantly, although with thoughts of what it could be runnin’ inside my head.
“What is it ’bout?” Confused, I had to ask. “I am not expectin’ a package from anyone at all. So what’s this ’bout if I may ask? Who is the package from?”
He gave a nod. “I have no idea,” and with this, dropped the package in the compound. “You have a nice house if I must confess, Mrs. Draven. Do well and have a nice day. I have other packages to deliver, you know.”
I walked behind ‘im. “No, you can’t leave!” My voice, I didn’t believe would have such a tone. “Where is this package from? Who sent you to me, also?” I turned to look at the box and then turned back around to face the man who had hopped in the bike, turnin’ its engine on.
“You didn’t even ask for my signature!” I made ‘im stop and he did, a sly smile on his countenance. “What is your name at least?!”
“It isn’t necessary. The sender is anonymous and I have no idea who he is, either. You’ll have to wait for the right time before he is revealed on his own, as stated in the package document when I checked before bringin’ it to you.”
He drove off, not sayin’ another word. I looked around, scared to be caught. After much thought, I walked into the compound again and shut the door, heavin’ a sigh when the box came into my hands. What could be inside of it? It wasn’t so light and it wasn’t so heavy either, so what’s it ’bout?
In the livin’ room, I dropped the box on the floor, changin’ my mind and pickin’ it up again.
My legs led me to the bedroom where the key to the art studio was grabbed and again, I started my journey to the door of the art studio space. In moments, I was inside the space with the box, shuttin’ the door and droppin’ it to the floor before lookin’ around for a camera hidin’ somewhere.
There was none.
In moments, I was sittin’ with the box on the floor.
My hand touched all over, listenin’ carefully for movement before openin’ it and lookin’ inside – wonderin’ again why the package – whatever it was – was wrapped up in a foil more than once.
What was goin’ on?
I opened the other foil and there it was. I got on my feet, mopin’ at a frame. It was a lady, and someone else but it was torn. What is this ’bout? Of all the packages to receive, why this one? I took a seat on the floor again and looked at it, recognizin’ the lady in the frame the next moment – with a look of shock written on my countenance, while I wondered ’bout when I and the man in the photograph took a picture together.
What is goin’ on?
And why is the picture broken?
I picked it up, finally.
Many more thoughts ran inside of my head and I wondered who the man was.
Did he go with me on the journey that resulted in the accident? Is he dead or alive? What is the matter with ‘im? How is he connected to my past?
I wrapped the box up again, standin’ on my feet and walkin’ to the other end of the room.
First, I thought ’bout it and wondered ’bout a way to get rid of it. Do I take it to the bin or hide it somewhere in this room? There was no way Kazmir would not find out ’bout it if I kept it in the bin, so it was better I kept it in a safe place in the art studio.
I was done hidin’ the piece in a spot, and then leadin’ my way to the livin’ room.
While I caught up with the bedroom, I looked around to be certain there was no implication tool around. Soon, I was seated in the livin’ room, thinkin’ back to Lysander who could be behind all of these? What if it was ‘im in the picture? No matter how hard I tried, it was hard to recall what he looked like, but then I remember clearly that he named his house address at the welcomin’ party and there was no way I could forget.
How come?
The door opened. Kazmir walked in.