Clemence
Clemence stood before the bathroom mirror, staring at his reflection. He looked absolutely fine. No scar on his body. Not a scratch on his skin. Nothing to show that he had almost died. Nothing to show that something miraculous had happened to him. But inside… inside he was in chaos. His heart was playing havoc with his chest. He took a deep, shaky breath and squeezed his eyes shut.
He had almost been run over by a truck this evening. That in itself was frightening, that was enough to make his hands shake and his knees weak, as they had been when Eddie and the truck driver, satisfied that he was not hurt, had finally let him walk home. But the other thing that had happened. The- the person who had pushed him out of the path of danger. The person Eddie had said wasn’t there. That is what caused fear to claw up from Clemence’s stomach and fill his mind.
What had Eddie meant by saying there was no one there? Who had saved him then? He wanted to argue with Eddie, so sure of what he had felt; arms wrapping around him and pulling him aside. But he too could not deny that once the truck had passed he had seen that there was no one anywhere near him. There was no one on his side of the street. No one on the other side of the street. There had only been Eddie, the truck driver and him. Surely a person could not disappear so quickly like that. Could not vanish like… a ghost? Or an angel.
Clemence stumbled over the thought of it being an angel. He did not believe in angels. Or ghosts for that matter. But how else could he explain what had happened? Whoever had saved him was not human.
Clemence let out the breath he had been holding and opened his eyes. Almost dying was one thing, being miraculously saved, another. But what brought even more shivers down Clemence’s spine was the connection between the two incidents.
He remembered the old woman who had been bothering him and visiting his till almost every day, talking about God. She had spoken to him minutes before the accident. God loves you. He is protecting and watching over you, she had said. And then he had been rescued from near death by some mysterious person, as if someone was indeed watching over him.
Clemence shook his head. He didn’t want to think about this. He didn’t want to question what this all could mean. He didn’t want to entertain thoughts that could change his life, that could tear away all that he ever believed.
He opened the cold water tap and washed his hands. He cupped the water in his hands and threw it over his face, letting the cool water wash over him and cleanse his face and mind. He towelled off his hands and walked out the bathroom and almost ran into his sister.
“Oh, sorry,” Runyararo said, startled, stepping back from the bathroom door.
“It’s okay,” Clemence said, moving over to give her room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He gestured to the open bathroom. “You can go in, I’m finished.”
“Oh- I don’t need to use the bathroom. I just- I wanted to check on you.”
Clemence frowned in confusion and Runyararo looked down in embarrassment.
“You were just really quiet when we were eating. You looked- troubled.”
Clemence nodded and leaned back against the wall. He had been quiet this evening, his mind going over the incident. He hadn’t had the energy to talk to anyone, least of all to argue with his father.
“Oh yeah. I just- had a long day.” What an understatement.
Runyararo didn’t look convinced by his excuse. She was perceptive, his sister. He was beginning to realise that it wouldn’t be easy for him to lie to her. He would have to remember that. He decided to try a half truth.
“Okay,” he sighed, pressing his head back against the wall. He took a breath, “I- I almost died today.”
Runyararo gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes filled with worry and shock.
“What?” she said.
Clemence winced. Maybe he shouldn’t have blurted the truth out like that.
“Don’t worry. I’m fine. But yeah- I was walking out the gate from work and a truck almost hit me. It was…” He shook his head unable to find words for what it had been like. “Yeah. So, I’ve just been thinking about that.”
“Clemence!” she said, shaking her head, eyes wide and glistening. She let her hands fall. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
Clemence laughed wryly. “I don’t know Runya. You don’t just go around saying “ I almost died”, you know.” He shrugged. He also didn’t want to broadcast the fact that he had been probably saved by an angel.
“Yeah, I guess you are right. But are you really okay, though? You didn’t get hurt?”
“Yeah. Yeah I’m fine. Handina kukwara.”
“Okay,” she said, letting out a breath. “Thank God.”
A silence fell, Runyararo was staring off into the distance. Her eyes glazed over, probably thinking of how he had almost lost his life. Clemence studied her.
He was touched by her concern for him. Twice now she had asked if he was alright and had really wanted to know the answer.
“Thanks Runya,” he said with meaning.
Her eyes regained focus and she looked at him, puzzled. “For what?”
“Just for asking if I’m okay.”
Runyararo laughed and rolled her eyes. “ Well someone has to,” she smiled, “And besides you’re my brother. I have to make sure you’re alright Cle-Cle.”
Clemence grimaced at her use of his childhood nickname, but he couldn’t help the smile that crept up his lips. Runyararo’s eyes danced with mischief. She knew how he felt about being called “Cle-Cle”
“Whatever,” he said and she laughed, a bright sound filled with joy and light. It was infectious and he couldn’t help but laugh in response.
“Alright,” he said, when they had finally stopped laughing. “I’m going to go to my room now.”
“Okay. Sleep well, Clemence.”
“You too, Runya.”
He was just straightening up and moving to leave when she called out.
“Oh Clemence.” He turned back, raising his eyebrows in question.
“There’s church this Sunday. Don’t forget that Deddi said you must come to one of the services. I don’t think he will actually kick you out of the house but… maybe just come to make him happy.”
Clemence groaned and thumped his fist against the wall. He had completely forgotten his argument with his father.
His father had threatened him and told him he wanted to see him at one of the services or else he would find himself homeless. Like Runyararo Clemence doubted that he would actually do that, but he knew that his father could be irrational.
He had decided that he would go to one service but hadn’t really thought of when he would. But he supposed it was better to do it sooner than later. Best not to prolong it and risk aggravating his father even more.
He took a breath and let it out. “Alright, thank Runya. I’ll be there.”
Runyararo smiled ruefully noticing his lack of enthusiasm. “It won’t be too bad,” she said in an effort to comfort him.
Clemence doubted that would be the case. But what had to be done, had to be done.
“Maybe,” he said. “Anyways, sleep well Runya. See you tomorrow.”
“You too, Clemence,” she said.
Clemence turned around and headed for his room, a small smile on his face. The near death experience was far from forgotten. But talking with Runyararo had helped ease his mind and he was feeling less conflicted. Who knew, he might actually be able to get a good night’s sleep tonight. He hoped so.
