The sun above me was a ball of fire blazing in the sky. I ran into the hospital to avoid its harsh ray and made my way to the changing room. I got dressed in my scrub and white coat.

The hospital had its usual smell of blood, bleach and sterility. There was the sound of shoe skidding frantically to get where they need to be, of wheel screeching as someone is rolled into surgery, of keyboard clicking, of phone ringing and of someone yelling or wailing.

I smiled. Today was another day to save lives. I had a dream to become a surgeon. I started my residency program two years ago. This was the third year. I went into one of the patient's room. My smile widened when I saw Clara, my new 10 year old patient. She was having kidney failure but I love this child. She was courageous and a fighter. She never lost hope and I know all her surgeries would be successful. I was praying for her daily.

"Hello, Dr Anita" she put her hands up in the air as she waited for a hug.

I ruffled her hair with my hands, leaned and hugged her. "How are you?"

"Never been better!" she smiled. "Dr Anita, I had a dream".

"Really? What kind of dream?"

"A dream with a princess and a prince," she giggled and clasped my hand in hers. "Do you want to know who the princess is?"

"Cinderella!" I replied with a cocky smile. I was sure of this answer. Her favorite princess was Cinderella.

She produced a click with her tongue in her mouth and shook her head.

"Am I wrong?"

"Yes," she said, flailing her arms in the air. "You are the princess".

"What?"

"Yes!" she nodded. "You always say that you love to save lives that's why you want to be a doctor. In my dream, you were with a prince and you saved your people. Then...you...".

"Then, I what?"

"You kissed the prince. The prince said he likes you and he kissed you....And you got married. The end of my dream!" she said and her lips curved upward as she awaited my reply.

I stared at her with eyes as wide as a pan and sat at the edge of the bed.

You might be wondering why I am staring. Well...how can a young girl be talking about kiss and marriage? What has this world turn into?

Let me not be dramatic. This world is unpredictable. I grinned and chuckled. "Nice dream, Clara!"

"Do you think it will come true?"

I cleared my throat and shrugged.

"But I want it to come true"

"You want me to be a princess?" I lifted a brow.

"Yes! And to marry a prince. Can I come to your wedding?"

"Sure!"

"Your wedding will happen soon, right?"

"Err..."

She sighed and pouted. "But I want to come to your wedding".

"You are invited"

"But your wedding is not happening soon," she whined.

I bit my bottom lip to hold back my laughter. This small girl didn't know who she was talking to. I'm a woman with a big dream. I've spent most of my hours trying to achieve those dreams. I don't have time for relationships....

Okay! That's a lie. I've dated different guys but they just disappointed me so I dumped them. Now I am on a break. I told myself I won't date any person no matter how they beg me to be their girlfriend.

"What are you thinking about? Are you planning the wedding?"

I smiled and let out a hearty laughter. "Clara, let's just say I am waiting for my prince to come. When he comes, I will plan the wedding".

The little girl puffed her cheek and folded her arms across her face.

"Are you angry with me?" I asked and pinched her cheek. Due to her dark skin, there was no shade of pink.

She unfolded her arms and clasped her hands together. She shut her eyes and whispered some words under her breathe.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm praying to God that you will meet your prince soon. Maybe this week!" she replied.

"It doesn't happen that way"

"Shush!" she placed her index finger on my lips. "Don't say anything negative. It will happen".

"Okay!" I shrugged. "If you say so!" I rose to my feet and strolled to the door.

"Are you going?" she asked with a gloomy look.

"Yes! I will come to check on you soon. I've got work to attend to," I replied and winked.

"Save lives!" she gave me a thumbs up.

This girl knows me too well.

After the long hours of work in the hospital, I finally closed for the day. There was a silver gown that I admire in a certain boutique. I fell in love with it and I saved money to buy it. Today was my lucky day. I strutted into the shop and with pride, paid for the dress. A radiant smile was etched on my face. I know that my flatmates will get jelly when they see this gown. I couldn't wait.

I went straight home. I don't live with my parents. I live with three crazy girls. They were my close friends in the university so we decided to be independent by renting an apartment and living together. Our home was among the ten flats in the big green apartment building in our street. You could say our street was designed for lonely people.

Hehe! But what I'm trying to say is that it is usually silent. Everyone is just locked up in their houses. I don't know why but that's how it is. This silent street has its disadvantages. When I introduce my flatmates to you, you'll know why.

I strolled down the quiet paved street towards my home. I greeted the gatekeeper and went through the iron gate. I began my journey up the stairs. We live in a four storey building with ten flats. My apartment was the fifth flat at the third floor.

As soon as I got to my apartment door, I could hear the commotion within the house.

Chai! They have started again.

I rummaged my purse in search of the my spare key. From the way they were yelling, I could tell they won't open the door for me. However, I opened the door and slid into the house.

Now to introduce my flatmates! We have three crazy girls; Titilayo aka Titi, Chinemerem aka Chi-girl and Josephine aka Josie. These girls have fire within them. If you make them spark, you will bear the consequences.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. The volume of their voices was earsplitting. I knew it would be ringing in our silent street. That was the disadvantage. When we yell, the whole world could tell.

Mad oo! I just rhymed! You can call me Anita the rapper! Fresh.

"Ehen! Anita is here!" Titi yelled and their heads snapped to my direction.

Oh no! They just noticed me. I don enter. I know they will involve me in their fight.

Chi-girl smiled and clapped her hands. "Welcome!" she greeted me and eyed Josie.

"Guys, whatever is going on right now needs to stop. Our Landlord has warned us not to disturb the neighborhood. It is already nighttime," I announced and narrowed my eyes at them. Silence fell for a moment before they all hissed.

"This your holy holy will stop when you find out what Josie did," Titi bellowed and pointed an accusing finger at Josie.

She rolled her eyes and declared, "I didn't do anything".

"Anita, do you remember you told me to keep your Oreo biscuit for you?" Chi-girl asked and placed her hands on her hip as she tapped her feet. She pursed her lips and eyed Josie again.

Her question and expression told me that something went wrong with my Oreo biscuit. That made me spark and I decided to drop the act.

"Where is my Oreo?" I sneered.

"Good question!" Chi-girl nodded. "Please oo! Ask Josie".

"I didn't do anything," Josie shrugged and sat on the couch.

"Wait!" Chi-girl pointed at her. She ran into the kitchen and appeared with the carton of the Oreos biscuit. She placed it on the floor in the center of the living room. "Come!" she crooked her finger and gestured to me.

I strode to her and asked, "What?"

She opened the box. "What do you see?"

"Emptiness!" I replied and my brows snapped together.

"Just like that mumu's skull. Empty!" Chi-girl scowled, pointed at Josie and clenched her fist in anger.

"Why is the box empty? Is this some kind of joke?" I threw the question to my three flatmates.

"Ask Josie na!" Titi hissed.

"Josie?" I called her name and narrowed my eyes at her.

"It's the rat!" she exclaimed.

"How does rat concern us? We are talking about our biscuit," Titi growled and stomped to her side. "Where are the three remaining biscuits in the box".

"The rat ate it," Josie replied.

"Rat? Rat ate three Oreo biscuits? You mean that small rat that runs around in this house?" Chi-girl asked in disbelief.

"Yes!"

"Your lie carry weight!" Titi scoffed and flexed her muscles. "The lie strong!"

"I'm not lying," Josie cried out. "The rat bit out of each biscuit. I had to throw it away to prevent you guys from being infected. You can never know the disease that rat can transmit. Right, Dr Anita?"

I jabbed my finger at my chest. "Are you asking me? You won slap? Where is my biscuit?"

"In the dustbin!" Josie sighed. "I threw it away to avoid spreading any disease. The rat ate out of the biscuit".

"You mean that you threw it into your stomach. Don't lie" Titi snorted.

"Let's check the dustbin. I want to know if she is saying the truth," Chi-girl declared and ran to the kitchen. "We throw our garbage during the weekend so the biscuits must be inside here".

We all checked but only found three empty biscuit wrappers.

"You threw it away," Titi snarled and pursed her lips. She fixed an icy glare at Josie. "Chi-girl's father buys those biscuits from America. That was the last one we had. You just finished it. When will we get new ones?"

"Next month!" Josie answered. "Chi-girl said her dad will be coming back next month".

"So?" Chi-girl yelled. "I want to eat Oreo now. Give it to me".

"I threw the biscuit wrapped in the dustbin and the biscuits outside. I didn't want the rat to come to our dustbin and eat it," Josie said firmly.

We all stayed silent and shook our heads.

"Hail the Queen of Lies!" Chi-girl voiced.

"You ate it, right?" I asked Josie.

"I threw it away!"

"Josie, as a queen, I made a crown for you. Let me get it" Chi-girl left the kitchen and returned with a cardboard paper crown. "Long live the Queen of Lies".

We all chorused it. She placed the crown on Josie's head and we bowed.

"Thank you! You have successfully eaten our biscuits," Titi added.

"And you don't want to confess you did," I scowled and glared at her. "A job well done".

"I don't know why you like to lie. It's like your secomd nature. Everytime you dey lie. Expect revenge sha!" Chi-girl said and stormed out of the room.

"Does the crown fit me?" Josie chuckled and a smile danced on her face.

"Yeye girl!" Titi exclaimed.

"Na wa for you!" I replied.

"I'm jus asking," Josie voiced.

"Mtcheeeeww!" Titi and I hissed and swayed our hips as we left the kitchen.

The drama just began.

           ---------------------

What do you think of the first chapter? Did you enjoy it?

What do you think of Clara and her words?

Do you like Anita's roommates?

Do you like Anita?

What do you think of their fight over oreo? 😂

Thanks for reading. Vote and comment!

That's right!
Itz Mabel ✌