CAUGHT IN THE MOMENT
Written by Onyeneka Abel
***EPISODE 25***
“Oh Vodka this is a new face, you’ve not informed the brat?” The Spanish lady said.
My head went overboard
“You said?”
I moved closer to her but Vodka me drew back
“Bukky, come with me”
She drew me aside..I really couldn’t believe Vodka of all people would let that go, just like that.
“Bukky, its best if you stay out of her way”
What? Is this really Vodka saying this
“Why?”
“Bukky, they always come first every year, not because they are too good, but because they got people in high places”
I made a gesture like it didn’t matter
“So?”
“Bukky, she is dangerous, that Fashion house comes first no matter what, please let’s just stay out of their way please.”
I could see fear in her eyes, I had never seen Vodka scared of anything..
“Wait, so what is the purpose of enrolling in this competition in the first place, if we only came here to trade our victory to some ass?”
I asked, I was getting angry at the whole thing, it made no sense..
“No, its never going to happen on my watch”
I protested
“Bukky..”
She attempted to persuade me otherwise but I interrupted her
“I’ve got a plan”
Before she asked me what my plan was I bounced out to meet the supposed model..
She had that smile that made me want to slap her teeth off.
“So Vodka has filled you on who rules here right?”
I cleared my throat and acted calm
“Yeah, I am sorry..I didn’t know you always get the trophy no matter who gets hurt”
My models all had that surprised look on their faces, maybe it wasn’t me that protested minutes back..or was it?
“You should know little one, I get what I want, no matter who dies”
She replied
“So you’ve killed to get that position?”
I asked, acting really scared
“Alot, you should try and pack up your stuffs and head home, if you don’t want to be on the list”
I nodded in agreement and watched her till she was out of sight..
“Alright people, change up..we would be called up in 3minutes, we are marching out in our Native attires..
Sandra put this on with that mixed red and white bag, and a strap red heels”
I went back to business
Vodka approached me
“I thought you had a plan?”
I played the record on my phone, all the conversation we had, I recorded it. If she tries anything stupid, it goes straight to the authorities.
And yes! Of course we got to the last stage of the competition finally..
The Spanish lady marched back to us, this time with two hefty men, before I could make a protest they pushed me and Jovita, Jovita passed out immediately and I twisted my ankle..
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“Let me go!”
I struggled as they reach for me, thank goodness David showed up..he swiftly pushed his way through them and landed his fist on one of them..he staggered back and attempted to react but a security passed by
“Quickly, let them go”
The Spanish witch said and hurried off with her hoodlums
“Are you OK?”
David rushed to me and picked me up in his arms..
“I’m OK, I’m OK..put me down”
Well I was really thinking I could make use of my right leg..
“Ouch!”
I screamed in pain, I couldn’t stand on my feet..oh no!
David caught me before I lost balance..Vodka had been trying to revive Jovita..
“Bukky the last stage of the competition starts within 30minutes, Jovita can’t March In this state”
David held his forehead and paced round the room
“You should never have got yourself into this mess..simply stay out of this woman’s way, she is dangerous, Vodka didn’t you tell her?!”
I couldn’t believe David would say that..
“Please get me a first aid”
I pleaded with Vodka, within minutes she came with a health practitioner to check me..
“You’re done lady, you can’t walk with this for now”
David remained quiet but I knew he was burning inside.
“Bukky, this last stage requires 5 sets of models to March out..myself and Jovita would complete the set, but Jovita can’t March in this state”
An uncomfortable silence stood in the room till Viktor spoke out
“So its over? This is where it ends for us, like always?”
It was dawn on me now..but then I wouldn’t just let this go, it isn’t over.
“No, we would March out there?”
“How? We are not a complete set”
Vodka questioned back..
“Everyone changed to your sport wears, I will complete the set..”
David stopped pacing and turned to me
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that he said”
I ignored him and turned to the health practitioner
“Please rap this up..”
He attempted to protest but I wasn’t ready to hear the rubbish.
“Now!”
He set to work on my leg..no one moved..when he was done I tried to got up and faced them.
”I am not giving up, we must win this because I am not marching out for just myself, but for Madam clara, and the house of Earl.. I would give my all to save the house!! Cos it’s my home..and I believe you all want to do the same, because we are not just models but the what?!”
“HOUSE OF EARL!” I stood at the back and wore a canvas..God please help me out..I marched out but then I took my step carefully till I was safely behind curtains..the pains I felt was unbearable that I shed tears..
“The House Of Earl would March out again”
What? I cleaned my tears, did I just hear that well? There is no way I can March out again..
“Can you?”
Vodka asked, although she clearly knew I really can’t
“Yes, she can”
It was David..a sudden rush of courage filled me..he was the strength I needed..he bent down, unwrapped my leg and gently used his hand to figure where the bone had dislocated..he was going too far with it that I winched in pain
“Close your eyes”
I did but as soon as he touched the leg again my eyes went wide open
“Aahhhh”.
“Bukky, remember the first day I kissed you?.you didn’t even know how to kiss self”
What?.what an insult..I laughed
“What about you? Did you? You that was..”
He didn’t let me finish before he snapped the bones back in place
“Ouch!”
He laughed, got up and extended his hand to me..
“We will go out there together, let’s get this done once and for all..it would just be like marching out on our wedding day”
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