Chapter 3 Hey, you can rest on my bed.

The officer popped his head through the door which he opened half way.

"Sorry ladies but your time is up. Time to go back madam Nika" the officer announced. My mother sighed in frustration.

"One more minute, officer" she pleaded, palms crested together, her purse dangling down from her wrist.

"Ok, one minute" Officer Manseh rolled his eyes.

"Your trial is next tomorrow and we are yet to gain access to your matrimonial home, the crime scene " My lawyer, Karlyn spoke up, brows arched, she seemed to be in deep thoughts.

"The prosecution department at the ministry of justice has refused us access. There's something fishy" She said and sighed.

"How can we present our case with no good evidence? How can we defend our case?" She hissed softly, leaning on the desk and sat directly opposite me while my mum sat beside me.

What followed was silence, the room went dead. All faces drawn down by sadness.

The little window at the top left corner of the rectangular shaped room, filtered in rays from the scorching sun outside. I miss the great outdoors.

I only got to see the sun on short rides to the court of appeal, some miles away from the central prison, games time, and on other occasions, but not at will.

The little things we take for granted. How my freedom has been snatched away.

I looked on in no definite direction, lost in my own thoughts. My lazy gaze fixed. I could feel my mother's hawk eyes over me.

"Times up" the creaking opening of the room door accompanied the voice, that familiar manly voice, officer Manseh's voice.

My mother hugged me lightly and this time I just stood, tired, eyes weary.

I walked through the door, Sir Manseh closely behind me.

Strolling down the dimly lit hallway, I had the opportunity to look around as we passed my old cell.

I had the chance to peep through at Cecilia, a friend, a lady in her mid thirties. We bonded few days after I got locked up.

*******

My first day at the central prison.

6:30 am, Wednesday, weeks ago.

The officers let me walk in front of them, one leading the way. My handcuffed hands together in front of me. I walked solemnly.

I just knew they'd come for me. Sebastian's mother promised me that.

On that day...

I was made to change from the pair of jeans trousers and polo I had on when the police came to arrest me at my parents.

They made a stop at a turn in the hallway, in front of one of the cells. I also stopped like an obedient lamb.

One of the officers brought out a bunch of keys from his pocket and after a little search amongst the keys, he settled for one and unlocked the door.

They were gentle with me, the men, but one of them a female officer looked at me with disdain.

The door of the cell made of thick metal bars was opened.

"Go in" she commanded. I was about making a move when I felt her hands push me in instead.

"Ouch!" I made a sound, staggering, trying my best not to fall. A hand held me from behind, making sure to support me.

"Sorry dear." the owner of the hand said to me, her hands still holding my back. She had the most angelic voice, it reminded me of Madam Kate.

I turned back to know who it was and what I saw got me stunned.

What hit me first was the bad smell emanating from the room, my nostrils chunk.

I looked at the petite figure standing before me, this angelic voice didn't match the face.

She had the face of an old man. On other days, I'd break into a heartfelt laughter holding my tummy, but not today. So much has been going on. I just stood before her with lazy eyes.

Everyone wore their prison uniform, it was like an overall. I'd seen Sebaz wear something like it at work. Ours blue, Cecilia, as I later learnt her name was, had her overall zipped down to her waistline, she had wide hips, one of the biggest, I'd seen my whole life. She wore a black singlet. I admired the tattoos all over her body, to her neck area, her dreadlocks looked so unkept. She smelled of cigarette, eyes red like volcano.

She had this scary outlook, but I wasn't afraid for some reasons. I feared Tonia but not Cecilia, it was different.

"Thank you" I said, almost in a whisper.

"No probs, young lady" she looked me over, sizing me. She giggled because my prison wear was oversized. I literally swam in it.

"Come" spreading her arms,she instructed me. Holding my hands, she led me to a bed in the corner.

The cell had four bunks, with two beds each, a double decker, there's a total of eight inmates including myself inclusive. In the cubicle-like room, was a window, at the top almost to the ceiling, with iron bars as protector. That was the only source of light.

Walking towards the bed, I surveyed the whole place. Two ladies sat on the floor playing cards. They casually looked over at me and without saying a word they continued, minding their business. The rest of them were sleeping.

I was familiar with the cell environment, before I got transferred here, I was first kept in detention at the state.

"What brings you here?" the lady finally broke the silence as we settled down to sit on her bed at the dead end.

I kept mute, shrugged a bit, as if uncomfortable trying to adjust on the six ring bed covered with a white bed sheet already turning brown.

"Shy?" She scoffed, "Ok, ok, I know your type." she laughed it off. "I'll let you be today. Only for today." she seemed bubbly and happy to see me. Was she expecting me?

I was overthinking right now. But she kind of made me feel comfortable.

The handcuffs were removed by the police officers before locking me in so I could move my arms freely. I just had them folded.

I still need to settle down, process everything that has happened in my life these past few months. I just haved a sigh of relief, yawning tired. My eyes looked tired, I didn't sleep throughout the drive to the central prison.

"Hey, you can rest on my bed, you seem tired, we'll talk later, you'll sleep up as from tomorrow" She smiled at me, stood up and walked two strides over to the other ladies.

"Wanna play, can I?" I heard her voice, faintly saying to them as I fell into deep sleep.