ANOTHER KIND OF DIAMOND

by Gloria Obizu

  Then call 911 and get yourself to the emergency room or something, okay? I already heard enough of your shit in one night! Cindy reacted in anger.

  I don’t want to here anymore sound from you asshole, Carissa shouted back at Cindy. Don’t even bother telling me anything no more. It’s your fault that this whole shit happened, bitch! Anyways, I should have known better than come out here to share apartment with someone like you in the first place. You even talked me into this shit kind of business that I’m into right now and made me run all over town with you to night ‘cause you always think you are the smartest girl in the world and have answers to everything. You are selfish Cindy! You only think about yourself, period! It didn’t matter to you if I was dead out there ‘cause it’s all about you. You knew something was gonna go wrong and made plans on how to deal with it without telling me about it ‘cause I don’t mean shit to you. Now you see what happened? I’m probably gonna loss my fucking leg because of you. Hope it all makes you happy now, bitch!

  Enough of your bullshit, okay? Cindy now stood on her feet. You can’t be calling me names after all I did for you. How are you gonna sit there and blame me for a decision you took by yourself, eh? You are a grown ass woman, damn it. I’m selfish yet I spent my money to get you fixed when you came here looking like something from the damned horror pictures. I’ve done a lot for you already Carissa and what have you ever done for me, eh? It’s probably because you went with me that all this happened out there tonight. Remember? Bad things happen wherever you go Fred Kruger! Or have you forgotten, Wench!

  Look who is now throwing stone on a glass house! You have the gut to call anybody names, unbelievable! Carissa continued.

  Shot your mouth fool! Cindy shouted and moved closer to Carissa now. I can now see why your former roommate had to run away, it is all because of you, ingrate! She just had to get away from you! Who knows, Tasha would have still be here today if she never met someone like you.

  If I hear you say Tasha again with your stinking mouth I’m gonna re-arrange you entire body in such a way that even your Mama would see you and can’t say this is my baby, damned fool! Carissa moved real close to Cindy as she was speaking and Cindy showed she was ready also until both jammed at a point but restrained themselves as each of them barely managed to step back just a little bit. But now, standing face to face, eye ball to eye ball, skin to skin they began a real contest in verbal abuses. It was long drown and almost resulted in a fight but Rita prevailed on them to break it up and won. At last tired and exhausted each of them retired to her room.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was the next day, a Sunday and Carissa stayed in her room most of the day. Later that evening, she got a call from Angela a girl she met recently and after a long conversation she decided for a shower. And now trying to dress for an outing she discovered it. Some of my clothes, shoes and jewelries even my undies are gone, Carissa shouted out to whosoever could hear her. There are a couple of new paints I bought last week and now they are all gone. She was searching for her stuff inside her room and talking at the same time. I paid a lot of money for those and I’m gonna find my stuff! I’ll surely get all my things back no matter who took them! Oh my God! My best things are all taken from me! I also had a $200 bill under the matrass, now I can’t even find that either. Can someone tell me what is going on here? Suddenly she rushed to the living room and began shouting so loud. Everybody come out here ‘cause nobody is gonna rest in this house until I get my stuff back. Yeah! That’s the deal right now!

  Rita was quick to act so she ran out to the living room first. Carissa what is it again? I thought we had everything sorted out last night!

  All my stuff are gone’ okay? That’s what is going on and I want them back right now, she said banging so hard on the wall as she talked.

  Calm down Carissa! Rita tried to appeal to her.

  No! I want everybody out here right away!

  You start again, ha? Cindy asked as she stepped in. Won’t you shut your stupid mouth for a minute bitch? We had enough of you already, okay? Don’t you see I’m struggling to get over what you did to me last night and you’re starting another? Is like you are determined no one will have peace here anymore. What’s your problem this time?

  My stuff is all gone! All of my damn precious things are taken! What did I get myself into, eh? Why me all the time? Lord why? By now Carissa was crying so uncontrollably.

  I said shut you’re fucking mouth up fool! Cindy screamed at her.

  My things are all missing, wicked bitch! My clothes, shoes, jewelries, money are all stolen, okay? Miss Medusa, where the hell are your miserable ears? Hidden under that snake-y hair of yours?

  You better be sure of what you’re talking about ‘cause false accusation is no fun piece, okay? And if I find out you are lying, I’m gonna pull off your entire teeth one by one from your mouth with my bare hands and believe me that’s gonna hurt real bad, Cindy said.

  You think I’m a kid, ha? One of these days before I leave this god damned place, I’m gonna teach you a lesson to remember me with and it’s not gonna be tasty either, bitch! Carissa responded.

  We see! Cindy stressed the point.

  Instead of trying to help me find my things you are there telling me stupid stuff ‘cause you only think about your damned self, Carissa continued.

  Anyways, Rita, those friends of yours that came here yesterday where did you leave them?

  Cindy, what does that mean?

  I asked you a simple question. What’s wrong with all of you tonight? Cindy reacted.

  They were with me most of the time and now they are gone back to their home, okay? Rita said.

  I don’t think so! Cindy said. I better go check my own things too ‘cause I never trusted those girls. I always warn you about those two, don’t I? But nobody listens to me in this house and that’s the problem we are having here. I’m thirty-one fucking years and the oldest here, yet none of you listens to me. Sometimes I think is better I go find me my own place and live alone ‘cause I’m too old for all these bullshit you girls are doing here.

  Why don’t you leave, eh? Carissa responded.

  To hell with you Carissa! Get out of my face, okay? I wasn’t even talking to you, wench! Rita, I remember there was a day those friends of yours came here and I was in my room when one of them tried busting in without warning and the way she went about it told me she was up to no good. I sort of signaled that somebody was inside and she retreated quickly. Since the incident, I don’t trust those two, get what I’m saying? They are kind of sneaky. I better run go check my things too.

  My goodness! She screamed so loud that Carissa and Rita could hear her from the living room. My things are all gone too! My jewelries, clothes and Shoes! My undies too! No! No! They can’t do this to me. They stole my bracelet also? They can take whatever they like from me but I’m not gonna allow them go with my gold bracelet. No way! That’s not gonna happen ‘cause it was given to me by Jerome as a present.

  Who are they? Rita asked.

  You know who I’m talking about don’t you? Cindy responded in anger.

  Are you saying my friends did it? Rita asked.

  Who else, ah? Baby we got to face the truth, alright? I just told you about the experience I had with one of them one day.

  Why didn’t you tell me about it when it happened? Rita was addressing Cindy directly.

  I didn’t wanna hurt you, okay? Besides I wasn’t thinking they gonna get this far! Cindy continued.

  And what does that translate to? Rita reacted.

  I told you my stuff are missing, didn’t I? Come-on Rita! I went out with that bitch over there and when we came back our stuffs were gone. You and your friends were the only ones in this house when we left and I know you didn’t do it ‘cause I’ve been with you for ten years and I can vouch for you anytime. Now, your friends are gone
and our things gone too, so what happened? Did anyone else come in here?

  I don’t know! I left them for a while to go get some stuff from the store, okay? They could have gone somewhere, left the door unlocked and someone sneaked into the house. Rita responded in subdued temperament.

  No one sneaked in from anywhere. We’ve been leaving here long enough to know that people around here don’t operate that way, continued Cindy.

  Ok! What do you guys intend to do? Rita asked.

  I don’t know. I just want my stuff back especially my bracelet, Cindy said.

  What about you Carissa.

  Rita, I don’t even know you guys operate this way, understand?

  Here you go again, Cindy reacted. Who are you guys? Wasn’t I and you that went out together and came back together? Your stuff is missing so are mine, okay? What’s wrong with you Carissa?

  Don’t start with me again Cindy! I promise you I’ll get that thing you’re looking for if you continue pushing.

  Girls that’s enough!! Rita screamed. I suggest we keep all these on hold till I find out who did this. And if Daisy and jinni stole anything from here, I’ll make sure I get it back. You’ll see! We don’t want the Police in this, Right?

  I don’t want the Police. I just want my bracelet back I don’t even care about those two bitches and what they do, understand? Once I get my stuff, they can both jump into the sea for all I care, Cindy continued.

  I don’t want the Police too as long as I get all my stuff back, Carissa added.

  Then leave it to me. I’m gonna find out what happened. If it is true these girls stole something in my apartment I’ll make them pay, Rita said.

  I don’t know how you’ll do that. But we wait and see!

  Cindy wait and see, okay? I’m going back to my room if you’ll excuse me, Rita said and walked away.

  What Rita didn’t tell Cindy and Carissa though was about a third girl who shared apartment with Daisy and Jinni, Paula. She never get along with her room mates and talks real mean about them to anyone who cares to listen and Rita wonders why. She hopes that one day she’ll have the chance to talk to this other girl to see what is going on, so she got her phone number. And thinking this is that right time to give her a call, she dialed Paula the next day.

  Do you remember me? Rita asked after self-introduction. And of-course Paula has not forgotten so they got talking.

  I’ll like us to meet concerning something very important to me, Rita informed her.

  Paula wanted to know what the whole thing is all about but Rita wasn’t ready to sell out ahead of time. After some persuasion Paula agreed to a meeting. When do you want us to it, she wanted to know.

  Today! Rita said, but Paula wasn’t ready. No! Not today, she responded. I’m busy right now fixing myself in a Salon and don’t know how long that’s gonna take but tomorrow will be fine. Rita accepted and pegged the time at 10am. A little bit early for me though said Paula, but I’ll see you tomorrow. Where do we meet anyways?

  Not at your place though ‘cause I don’t want your roommate to know about this!

  It has to do with those two, ha? Paula said.

  Wait till I see you then I’ll tell you all about it. We meet at the McDonalds close to my house. Here is my address and she read it out to Paula. The store is on your left if you are coming from your end. You can’t miss it. Rita concluded.

  9:30 am the next day, Cindy was sitting on the couch in the living room watching the TV when Rita walked in. I’m going for shopping, she announced.

  What about your friends, have you spoken to them? Cindy asked

  I’m doing something about it, okay!

  You better do whatever you have to do fast ‘cause Jerome is back already and I don’t know what I’ll say to him about the bracelet.

  Don’t worry Cindy! I’m taking care of business. She said and left the room.

  She got to the MacDonald’s, ordered for her favorite meal, eating and watching out for Paula. It took quite a while before she joined and ordered salad.

  Paula I’m so sorry I have to bother you, Rita started. Listen, I’ve certain concerns about your room mates.

  I already guessed. When I saw you with those two I knew sooner than letter something was gonna happen and you’ll find out what nasty bitches they really are.

  Yeah! I noticed you don’t get along with them, what happened? What kind of girls are they really, Rita probed.

  They are nothing but nasty little bitches! Paula began. It was the worst mistake of my life sharing apartment with them, seriously! At first they were nice, understand? Real cool I tell you, but I didn’t know they were just putting up a face.

  That’s how it happened to me too at start! Rita exclaimed.

  And with Doris, and so with Tina! Yeah! That’s how they operate. They are what you call chameleon. They do everything possible to get into somebody and once you give them the chance, that’s it. Pop, there true colors show up and it’s not been funny.

  How long you’ve been living with them?

  Two years. Paula said. But right now I’m searching for new roommates. I should have left long ago but finding good roommates is so hard these days, understand? People are becoming meaner to each other and I don’t think is good for all of us. At the end everybody suffer but none ever tells you he is hurting. All it requires is a little sacrifice, you know treat the other person the way you expect to be treated, but selfish people are all over the place these days. Anyways I’m still looking ‘cause it’s the best means for every starter.

  You know what I wanna know? What is it about them that make you feel the way you do? Rita continued.

  Everything! They steal, lie, cheat, do all sorts of nasty stuff in one mind. They are really nasty little witches. They can do anything for money. They are ready to do anything to get at someone and take all his money and won’t mind whether the person is dead after words or still alive but in the hospital somewhere with a heart attack. Do you know what they did to me one time?

  What?

  Ok picture this! They stole some stuff from somewhere and the fellow they stole from reported the matter to the Police. But guess what? Before the police could get here they went and craftily hid their loot in my room. When the Police eventually came around and searched their rooms they found nothing. Nothing! Can you see that? Latter, I don’t know what happened but I think the case was dropped and they got out without a scratch. But then one day, I was giving my room a cleanup when I discovered the stolen stuff hidden in a corner of my room I won’t even remember to hide anything myself. Girl, I was in shock!

  Uh! And what did you do? Rita asked anxious to hear more.

  I went to talk to them about it but they denied everything. “We don’t even know what you’re talking about.” That was what that Daisy told me. You know, I didn’t wanna push so hard with the matter ‘cause I know what they are like. They could have me so roped in that I’ll end up in jail like I was the one that stole the stuff for real, understand? So I played it down.

  You didn’t talk to them about it again? Rita continued probing.

  No. I just left all the stuff the way I found them, watching to see what happens. And one day I came back from work and noticed that the whole thing was gone. Immediately I knew that those bitches took them back. But did they care? No! They still put up bold faces and carried on in the house like nothing happened. I don’t get it! I still kept my cool and said nothing to them and they never ever said anything to me on that matter either till this day. I don’t feel secured living with them anymore.

  This is worse than I thought! Rita added.

  Listen to this. When I moved in with them newly, my boyfriend used to come around and you know, I thought they were nice girls because of the way they would be acting like everything was cool and stuff. So thinking we were all on the same
page I introduced my man to them. Then, all of a sudden, they started doing stuff behind my back.

  Wow! That’s really nasty!

  They’re rotten like that! A lot of my precious stuff gets missing every time. They even got as disparate as stealing from my friends who come here to visit, understand? And because of those two crazy fools’ some of my friend don’t come visiting no more. All my friends know what is going on and want me to get away from them ‘cause they think I’m nuts shearing apartment with them.

  Me too! I think you should do all you can to move out!

  Now Rita listens! I’m also saying the same thing to you, keep away from those two, get what I’m saying? You don’t wanna deal with people like that, okay? I ain’t even tripping about this! When I saw you at our place the first time, I wanted to warn you but I just wasn’t sure how you’ll take it. Know what I mean?

  Here is my main thing. They spent last weekend at my end, Rita said.

  And what did they steal this time? Paula reacted.

  Although they took nothing from me but my roommates said their things are missing.

  They did it! Paula said ardently. This is not the first time it’s happening and is not gonna be the last. That’s why I call them two little smart thieves! They are so bad that once they see what they like they’re not gonna get it out of their messed up minds until they take it. Oh yeah! Sometimes I think it even gives them some kind of a kick or something to go stealing other people’s stuff. They are really crazy.

  This time they are not gonna get away with it ‘cause I happen to have two crazy roommates too and they want their stuff back.

  Let me tell you a secret! There are some big boxes in Daisy’s room. I hear them moving stuff around in there sometimes. I guess that’s where they hide all kinds of things they take from people and I don’t see what you can do to make them return what already gone into those boxes.

  Do me a favor, Rita continued. Let me into the house when they go to work.

  That will be a hard thing to do.