THE POTTER

  3 Debbie paced to and fro in her room that had literally become a mess from the pieces of paper she threw all around the room in anger. She moved to the desk in the opposite direction and tore out a sheet of paper. “I will keep trying till I become just like her. I will keep practicing the art of drawing till I am like her or even better.” She said to herself as she drew in anger and frustration. She drew over and over again but each attempt only made her more frustrated. Tears started to form in her eyes, and in a short while, she bursted out in tears. “Why can’t I do this? What is so special about drawing that I find it so hard to do? My room is literally a mess right now because of this so-called drawing talent I am trying to have. God, why can’t I learn this? Why did you give me nothing? Speak to me, explain why I am without talent.”  She said aloud as she cried. She stood up and sat on the green rug in her room and continued to cry profusely. Her eyes were now red and s...

  2 Students began to troop inside the cafeteria in twos and threes. It was time for lunch break. The aroma of various delicacies filled the room such that anyone who had no appetite at that moment would immediately start to salivate. One after the other, the students stood in rows and patiently waited to be served. In a moment, euphoric screams filled the cafeteria as Hephzibah walked into the cafeteria. "You look gorgeous" , "I saw your post on Instagram yesterday!" , "OMG! Your previous portrait of the president left me in awe! The portrait looked so much like him" , "I saw your interview on YouTube! All of these comments did students say to Hephzibah as they danced around her crown. "Come on, guys! It's not a big deal. It's just one of my old works of art. I'm working on another, this one will leave you all in greater awe. Anticipate." Hephzibah responded to the comments students passed on her. Debbie sat down and watched all...

  1 Like every morning, Debbie's phone alarm rang to signify it's time to be awake. She stretched forth her hands to get a hold of her phone and put off the ringing alarm. She arose and knelt by the side of her bed to say her morning prayers. Then she moved to the bathroom to freshen up that morning. The scent of the air freshener hung right above the bathroom mirror and the bar soap carefully placed in its case by the edge of the basin welcomed her as she stepped into the bathroom. She stood before the mirror, brushed through her hair with her fingers, took in a deep breath and said, "it's Monday morning again! Another morning like every other morning to meet Hephzibah. Can't wait!" She giggled. Hephzibah happened to be the most famous and the most talented student in the art department of the school they both attend. Hephzibah had always been an idol in the heart of Debbie. She wanted to be the "star" Hephzibah was. She daily fantasised about her b...

Light from different angles of the hall illuminated the hall. Towering ceilings adorned with intricate moldings stretched towards the heavens, while crystal chandeliers refracted shards of light across the polished marble floor. Rows of crimson chairs were arranged in an orderly manner. The stage commanded the room's attention  with its sleek and modern design. Behind the stage, was a massive screen which would be projected for the guests to have a perfect view of the intended program. Guests from different parts of the country were seated in anticipation of the host of the program.  Eyes were glued to the stage as they expected "the woman who survived the devil's numerous blows." As that's what she was fondly referred to as. The guests began to cheer and clap as the woman of the moment climbed up the stage. "Greetings to you, ladies. It is such a delight to have you. Words are exhaustible to describe how happy and honored I feel right now to see you all here...

She continued. "I was mentally and psychologically unstable. I could not continue going to school. After about two years of having this experience every single night, I met with a group of girls who saved me from that rapist. I thought I was finally free from that pathetic experience, until I realised these girls were prostitutes. They brought me into what they do and I was on it for years until about four days ago when I realised I am pregnant and I have been infected with an STI." Hot tears rolled down her eyes as she explained. "My life has been pathetic. I feel filthy. I feel like I am a discarded refuse." She said. When she was done telling her story, the stranger gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears and he smiled brightly at her and said, "the devil thought he had you, but Jesus said you are His." "I don't understand." She said. "Yes, you went through all of these and the devil thought that he's finished with you, but Jesu...

  She followed him to his house. At that moment she didn't care if he was a stranger. She was used to going in with strangers for pleasure anyway, but in this case, she wasn't going in for pleasure. She had just met her own messiah. "Have your seat. I'll go get you something to eat and drink." The stranger said. As she sat, her eyes could not stop drooling over the interior of the stranger's house. The designs of the interior were obviously luxurious. They spelt opulence and sophistication. The flooring of the house was an exquisite one. It was made of polished hardwood. The ceiling was a high one which was of intricate molding. At both sides of the wall was an air conditioner. At the left corner of the living room was a wet bar. There were crystal chandeliers that hung around the living room and the cashmere that was used for the upholstery, rugs and drapes. Placed on the walls were high-end artwork. She kept admiring the living room settings over and over ag...