. . . .

_________________

***

   Resurrection to some people is a gift, to me, it is a curse. A curse that has left me stranded three times in one year.

Each time I resurrect, I wake up like a stranger in a new land. The only difference is that, I know everyone. Yet no one knows me. Even I, don't remember me.

I lose my house, my job, my belongings and the most important, I lose my relationships. All of it. Every time.

The first time I woke up, I made the mistake of returning to my place and I  learnt the hard way that everything about me gets erased the moment I die. My family, my friends, none of them knew who I was anymore. It was like, the entire world had forgotten me. I was dead, yet I lived.

That day, I cried and prayed to God to just take me back, but he didn't answer the prayer. When I died, he only brought back again and again. I didn't even question his existence then, my questions started when I continued having this never ending pain in my heart.

How can I suffer like this when there is suppose to be a God watching over everyone?

Perhaps, that I don't fall under the category of those privileged to be watched by God.

Or there isn't a God.

By the second accident, even I didn't remember myself anymore. I didn't know my name nor where I came from. The only thing I recognised was the pain.

The pain that haunts me till this day.

Refusing to wallow in my misfortune, I pick up myself, I head to a newspaper stand down the road, to find a job.

I could have tried speaking to Sandra and Uche, but they'll only think me, mad. They won't believe me. Pretending not to know them, will hurt even more. Staying away is the best option.

Mustering all the reserves of courage in me, I join the crowd in front of the newspaper man.

I try to squeeze my body through the crowd of unemployed men and touts to see a glimpse of the papers, but my small frame doesn't make a difference to the iron wall of bodies blocking my vision.

Looking around me in defeat, I spot a solution to my problem. "Sir, can I see that?" I call out to a man holding The Punch Newspaper to himself, a few feet away from the crowd.

The man gives me a full glare but smiles as soon as his eyes land on my face, "my color, you wun read news? Take," he says with a smile showing me all his brownish teeth.

I smile gratefully and collect the paper from him, "thank you sir," I say trying hard not to stare too long at his teeth.

"No problem, you can keep it." he says sheepishly staring into my eyes.

Not wanting to continue the discussion further, I take the newspaper and walk a few distance away from the crowded vendor and Brown-teeth man.

Sitting on the pavement, my eyes fall on the vacancy notification for the post of a receptionist at the famous Eko Hotel and Suites. The job even offers an accommodation. For once, things were going great.

Checking the change of name page, I scan for a new name.

It might come in handy.

Whisking invisible dirt's from my bottom I hurry back to the Brown-teeth man and return the newspaper to him.

I am about to dash back to the road when I realise I have no money to transport myself to the place.

"Sir!" I call the man, "can you please lend me five hundred naira? I promise I'll return it as soon as I land this job," I say, staring intently into his eyes and begging to whomever watches over him to touch his heart.

He looks at me as if in a trance, I am about to tap him when he starts searching his pockets frantically. The first pocket, comes up empty and he gives a frustrated gruff.

He searches the second pocket and smiles, extending his free hand to hold my right he brings out the one that was in his pocket and places its content unto my hand, "take it," he says with a smile.

I open my hands and find two thousand naira notes!

Raising my head, the man keeps staring at me like a dog that needs petting. What is wrong with you?

As if pulled by some strange force, I touch his cheeks and say, "you have done well."

The man gives a soft moan before turning around and disappear in the crowd.

I remain there confused at not just his actions but my own.

What did I do to him?

________**_________

"Bar Beach, Eko Hotel!"

The voice of a keke rider breaks me from my thoughts and I quickly dash into the vehicle, remembering the job offer.

As soon as I enter the vehicle, thoughts of the Brown teeth man diminishes and gets replaced by thoughts of what I will be doing in the interview.

I don't have a résumé.

A resume is actually the least of my worries. My problem begins with a simple question.

What is my name?

__________**_________

Thank God I died with a dress that can pass as corporate and casual. I adjust the ends as I wait for the manager in the reception room. Picking up a magazine my eyes land on a sculpture in London.

My mind gets captivated within the artistic swirls on the winged creature atop the fountain. Its golden eyes stare back at me, like it can see me through the shiny page of the magazine.

Giving it a closer look, I see that not just the eyes but the people on the page seem to be alive!

Am I seeing things now?

Blinking my eyes repeatedly, to wipe away any left over effect of my resurrection— not that I have had any effect in the past, but with this curse, I can never know it all.

Moving my eyes away from the moving picture I scan the description at the bottom. "The Shaftesbury memorial fountain," I read out to myself.

"I wonder why rich people just like to do mumu thing with their money!" A very familiar voice says beside me.

Looking up, I find Uche.

What is he doing here?

He isn't suppose to be here.

"You!" He exclaims when his eyes leave the magazine and land on me, "Sandra will be so happy to know that her ghost survived after all," he says with a soft chuckle. "What are you doing here?"

I should be asking you that!

"I came for the interview," I reply shyly, refusing to mouth the question in my head.

Why is the universe doing this me?

Last time, Uche worked in a bank!

"Are you serious?" He asks, his dark orbs growing in size.

"I'm sorry. . . is there a problem?" I demand, worry tugging at my heart.

The worry isn't just about the job, but also about the fact that Uche, my friend who doesn't remember me as his friend, works here!

What if I blurt something I shouldn't?

"Yes na!" He exclaims. Clapping his palms together dramatically, he adds," how can you come for an interview by this time? 11am? Eh eh eh! Wahala! You normal so?"

"I thought— I thought, I could still try. . ."

"Try? By this time? Hmmm, anyway you are in luck. Wipe that sad face away!" He says his dark orbs glowing with excitement.

"You can help me?" I demand, hope growing inside of me.

Maybe meeting someone I wanted to forget isn't so bad after all.

"More than help you. I'll give you the job," he says, a proud smirk emerging on his face as he stands taller.

Since when did Uche become the manager here?

"You own this place?" I ask utterly confused.

A lot of things seem to have changed within the last twelve hours.

Uche isn't suppose to be working here, much less own the place.

"Own ke! I wun thief am?" He asks rolling his eyes, "anyway, I am just a worker here but the manager is my friend and she can't say no to me, we go way back," he explains smiling from ear to ear.

I don't know why he wants to give me this opportunity but I'll take it. Even though, I really shouldn't.

"Thank you," I say with a soft smile.

"You are welcome. Now come with me, before I change my mind." Not waiting for my reply, he starts marching down the reception hall to an elevator by the side. "Which reminds me, where is your résumé?" He asks as soon as the elevator door locks .

Problem number one.

"I- I didn't —" I stutter.

"You didn't bring a résumé!?" He yells looking at me like I was a creature from another planet. He stops the elevator by pressing a long finger to the control panel.

Shaking his head in disbelief he drops another bomb. "What's your name again?" He asks raising his brow as if daring me to give another mind blowing answer.

Problem number two.

Scanning for the names I have picked up from the newspaper and magazine, I say the first one that comes to my mind.

"Shaftesbury?" I squeak, bracing myself for his reaction.

His eyes almost pop out of their sockets as he stops the elevator, "you are whining me right? Which kain mumu name be that?"

I look down at my feet for the first time since I woke up from the dead, admiring the green butterfly design on my sandals. The wings reminds me of the wings of the Shaftesbury sculpture — why did I even mention that?

"Hey! Madam!" He shouts again, snapping his fingers, "I asked you a question. What is your name?"

Problem number three.

I can't remember the names in that newspaper!

What should I do?

Remembering a name  at the last minute, I smile with triumph. "Sewa," I say calmly, my confidence growing again.

"So you be Yoruba girl sef? And you come fine like this?" He asks, taking a good look at me from my head to my toe— like he hasn't already met me.

When he finishes accessing me, he removes his long fingers from the control panel and the elevator resumes its ascend.

"Abeg, when she asks for your name, no go dey talk that Shaff-te or whatever you called yourself o," he says firmly as we exit the elevator and enter a long sophisticated corridor.

The corridor is covered with a brown carpet that runs from all end and lined with dark mahogany sleek doors.

We reach the third door by our right and Uche gives a gentle knock before a melodious voice calls us in.

The smell of papers hit my nose immediately the door opens, revealing a well organised office area. There is a large glass window that runs from top to bottom of the wall in front of us, showing a beautiful view of Victoria island below us.

The woman occupying the chair looks very petite but with a very welcoming face. She smiles softly at me and glares at the man standing beside me."Uche, what is it? And who is this beautiful young lady with you?"

Uche proceeds to settle himself comfortably in one of the visitor's chairs before responding, "she is my friend oh and she needs a job badly."

The woman dips her brows a little changing the angle of the arc she must have taken minutes to carve, "in the last twelve hours, how many of your friends have you brought to me?"

"Ma, it's just one na," he says scratching the back of his head.

"Uche, I do not own this place. You can't keep bringing your friends for me to employ," she states her voice still maintaining a pitch that is neither happy nor sad.

I watch their exchange from my position at the door, hoping to remain invisible until a decision is made.

"See ehn, aunty Ada, I can't have someone like you here and my friends will be jobless na. Oya I promise, this is the last person I will be bringing," he says his face growing into a little childish frown.

The woman stares at him intently before releasing a deep breath, "okay. I just hope you are not collecting money from these people."

"Ah! Aunty!"

"It's okay," she says, raising her hands to silent his protests. Turning to me she says, "young lady, what's your name?"

"S-Sewa," I stutter, praying she doesn't ask more.

"Sewa, the only offer I have now is the position of a cleaner. Is that fine?"

"Yes!" Uche and I chorus.

"Okay, when do you wish to resume?"

"I can start right now," I reply.

"Good. Your salary will be thirty thousand naira, there is accommodation and of course you can eat anything you want in the kitchen. Do you have any question?"

She looks between Uche and I repeatedly and claps her hands in finality after none of us come up with a question. "Okay, Uche show her to her station," she says offering me her hand as she stands up. "I am Mrs Okoro, you can come to me if there is anything at all you need, congratulations," she finishes offering me a warm smile as we shake hands.

As we exit Mrs Okoro's office, I can't help but give a relieving smile.

Maybe, working with the people I already know, won't be so bad.

Who says, I can't start over from where I left off?

__________________

Thanks for reading!❤