CHAPTER THREE: Scolding from a Comforter

Did you kidnap me?” I asked the stranger standing before me.

He looked at me like I was drunk or something. I tried to get up from the bed but noticed I was stark naked. My eyes widened in shock. I slowly looked up at him, fear written in my eyes.

“Did you rape?” I asked.

“I picked you up from the club, ho and your stay here is overdue. Now, get up, get dressed and get out of my house,” the stranger said, his voice exerted anger and coldness.

Suddenly, my thoughts were refreshed and I could remember miniature things from the club. The guy I met at the club was nice. This one here was a complete dickhead. As I got dressed, I couldn’t believe that I went home with a complete stranger.

“Last night would be the last time I’d have any more drinks,” I said to myself for the umpteenth time in my lifetime.

Soon I was done getting dressed and picked up my stuff. I practically ran out of the guy’s house; I still didn’t know his name. I got into a cab and gave the driver my address. Still in the cab, I took out my phone only to be bombarded with missed calls and texts from Kiama, Daisy, Gemma, and even De Andre. Their worried words lingered in my head, a sharp reminder of the reality from which I had briefly gone. The weight of the morning after hit me like a heap of rocks as I groaned and sat staring out the cab window.

I couldn't help but wonder how my life had taken such a sudden turn as the cab carried me away from the stranger's home. Not long after, the cab stopped right in front of my building complex. I paid the driver and took a deep breath before hopping out of the cab.

When I got to my door, I found it unlocked. I walked in feeling extremely scared. I checked the door and noticed the lock was not broken which meant the perpetrator had a key.

“Hello? Who’s in here?” I asked.

Kiama slowly walked out of the kitchen, a questioning look on her face.

“Hey Kiama,” I said, with a smile trying to play it off.

“Where have you been? Where did you spend the night?” she asked.

I knew I couldn’t lie to her so I sat her down and told her everything in my embarrassment and she listened attentively to me until I was done. When I was done speaking, she asked,

“Why the hell would you follow a complete stranger to his home? What exactly were you thinking? And you couldn’t even inform us before leaving? What if he had done something to you? Do you know how worried we were about you?”

“I know, I know, I’m stupid for going home with a stranger but I think I was just too drunk and also too hurt that I wanted to feel wanted,” I answered, tears gathering in my eyes.

Kiama moved to where I sat and I knew she was about to comfort me. She pulled me into a hug.

“Don't feel stupid. Everybody makes errors. It's crucial that you take something away from them,” Kiama advised.

I blinked away my tears.

"I will," I responded.

"Good; Come on, now. Let's go get some breakfast for you," remarked Kiama.

I grinned and went into the kitchen after Kiama. Even though I knew what I had done was extremely wrong, Kiama's presence made me feel better. She could always make me feel better.

Kiama and I sat down to breakfast, and I couldn't help but be thankful for her compassion and encouragement. It was a comfort to have a buddy like her who didn't criticize me despite the careless choices I made. As we conversed and attempted to forget the horrors of the previous night, the pleasant scent of coffee permeated the air.

Kiama gave Anne a serious look and added,

"Seriously, Anne, promise me you won't put yourself in such a dangerous situation again."

I acknowledged her anxiety by nodding.

"I'll be there, Kiama. No more making spontaneous judgments like that,” I promised.

Soon we were done with breakfast and I went into my room to have a hot bath to wash off the memories of last night, only if it were possible. An emotional hurricane was sparked by the stranger's chilly manner, his caustic statements, and my own vulnerability.

I found a brief haven from the craziness that had taken over my life in the steam from the hot shower. I felt a little of the weight being lifted with each drop of water that cascaded down my skin. However, despite my best efforts, the recollections of the previous night remained like a stubborn stain. When I was done with my bath, I dragged my body out of the bathroom and quickly got dressed.

I rejoined Kiama in the living room, smiling at her and she gave me an affectionate grin in return.

“Now that you’re back from your very long shower, how about we put our attention on better and more important things; like preparing a girls' night out this weekend, for example? We need to have some fun and laugh,” she said, the smile on her face broadening.

I couldn't help but return the smile. Kiama has a talent for making everything better.

"That is a fantastic concept. Undoubtedly, I could use a great night after all that’s happened,” I answered.

We were still conversing and making arrangements when there was a quick, loud tap at the door. Before Kiama rose to respond, we exchanged perplexed looks while Kiama walked up to the door. I saw her face transform from one of confusion to one of wrath as she opened the door.

"Anne, you might want to see this," she remarked, her voice tinged with both uncertainty and rage.

My heart was beating really fast as I rose from my seat and approached the door. Getting to the door I saw the one person who was responsible for Kiama's changed expression.