Clairvoyance

I have never really believed in the superpowers I saw in cartoons while growing up. But the powers the wicked mothers-in-law on African Magic had, I was so sure those existed. The thing is, I don’t know what category my peculiar gift falls under. I can sense certain people’s deaths.I was particularly excited for that holiday because I knew I’d be occupied with something other than washing pots and scrubbing toilet floors. Sewing is not really my thing but any escape is an escape. Plus, there were a lot of other cool apprentices at the shop so there really wasn’t a dull moment, ever.

My expectations for the whole apprenticeship period were so high and I’d say I wasn’t disappointed in the least. The first week was a blur of threads and measurements but very high vibes. The second week was when I first met Ogaranya. He looked so familiar so I kept staring, forcing my brain to come up with an explanation as to where I had met him before that. He must have noticed me staring too because he started to pay close attention to my every movement. “Ah, why do you want to sit on the floor? You’ll stain your clothes.” “Are you normally this quiet?” “This one that you’re smiling like this, what’s making you happy?” Of course, this appealed to the mischievous nature of my fellow apprentices and so, they started teasing me anytime he came around.

I didn’t know the relationship he had with the boss but I was so sure he had no business with sewing. He didn’t look haggard but I was so sure he did drugs, and he always reeked of alcohol. Several times, I caught myself thinking of how much more handsome he would look if I am just able to give him a makeover, and a belt to hold up his trousers. He talked in codes and riddles about some internet business that he used to do with his friends. I and the other apprentices didn’t need a fairy to tell us that he was an internet fraudster or rather, a yahoo boy as they were popularly known in that area. One of those days that he came visiting, there was a power outage and most people were out on the balcony receiving fresh air, leaving just me, him and a few other people lying around. He called me into one of the small compartments of the shop and asked me to sit on his laps. My brain screamed danger but my legs kept moving, obeying the orders. He smiled so sweetly and complimented me over and over again. He said my body is shaped like the Coca cola drink and that he is sure that I’m equally sweet. I squirmed under his prying gaze and that was when it kicked in. He forced himself on me, crushing my sweet cherry lips with his smoke-darkened ones, filling my nose and mouth with his stale breath.

Have you ever seen a mother detect that her child has pooped even without checking the diapers? That strong feeling of knowing that doesn’t even need confirmation. That was what I felt in those few moments while that horrible kiss lasted. I knew he was going to die, in a gruesome way at that. It was at that moment, I burst into tears, real hot tears. I wriggled out of his grip and taken aback, he let me get off of his laps. He asked me in a hushed whisper, “Did I hurt you, is that why you’re crying?” I shook my head frantically and sped away. He didn’t attempt to follow me or even press me further. I was happy he didn’t because I had no explanation for him.

It had happened three years after the kiss. I was on my way back from school with my friend Amaka when we heard gunshots. We both ran into a nearby kiosk and watched other people run into the place after us. Amaka was pointing at some man’s slippers and laughing about how it looked like he had walked around earth with it. I was already laughing when I saw that same familiar figure that had scarred me three years earlier-Ogaranya. My attention was immediately diverted and I watched him approach, running and sweating profusely. He had barely reached the kiosk where we were gathered when a gunshot pierced the air and he fell to the ground with a thud. A red gaping hole appeared in the back of his head and soon we saw the police officer that shot him, following right behind. The adults in the kiosk quickly bundled us into the main shop, shushing us and trying to calm the babies that were now screaming. I remained frozen, my mouth open in a soundless scream and my mind grappling to comprehend that I had just witnessed the death I knew would happen. Now tell me, what category of powers do you think this is?