I Fought My Way Out

I Fought My Way Out

Photo by Ram Jadav

Have you ever been in a situation where you have no option but to face your fears? That morning, I finished my chores very early. So, I decided to get some rest but when I lay on the bed, sleep was not forthcoming, I tried watching a few movies but everything was not just giving me what I wanted.

I was soaked in boredom and loneliness. So, I resolved that I was going to visit my mother since where I am living isn't far from my family house. I know if I had been there, I wouldn't be bored.

To be honest, I did not have any money on me to take a bike but there was a shortcut to the town from where I was living, the road was lonely, full of trees and bushes. It's one of my favorite roads, whenever I don't have money and I still want to go out, it's the road I use.

Without hesitation, I took the road and started trekking down. There is this funny habit I have, my mom has cautioned me many times about it but I refused to heed her. Whenever I am walking alone, I find the journey fun when I am operating my mobile phone, most times chatting.

While I was walking and chatting that day, I suddenly had a nudge to stop, I almost ignored it but I stopped, as soon as I lifted my eyes from my phone to look at the road before I continued walking, I saw a very big snake lying on my path, trying to swallow a frog. The distance between me and the snake was just a footstep. So if I had made another step, I would have landed on it.

As soon as I beheld it, fear came over me instantly, I ran from the place and threw a few stones at it when it disturbed it so much the snake ran into the nearby bush. I couldn't control myself anymore after that sight. What made it troubled me more was the fact that I almost stepped on it.

I put my phone in my pocket and ran as fast as I could out of the wood. After spending some hours at my Mum's place lying on the couch quiet and disturbed, my mom asked, "What's wrong with you, since you came here, you have not been yourself?" "It's nothing ma, just that I almost stepped on a huge snake on my way down here, and since then, the picture kept haunting me" I replied.

"What?" She exclaimed, "Thank God nothing bad happened! Please you need to be very careful with that road," she added. I just smiled. I was just imagining, how she would have scolded me if I had told her that I was operating my phone on the road. Of a truth, if I was not operating my phone I would have seen it from a distance.

I have Ophidiophobia, anytime I mistakenly see a snake, my entire day would be ruined, and the memory might keep troubling me for some time before it leaves. When I realized that I was no longer myself. I told my mom that I was leaving.

"Why so soon?" She asked, "I am feeling dizzy, I need to get some rest," I mumbled ." Okay, see you on Sunday then," she replied. "Okay ma, please can I get some cash from you? I want to use a bike home". She laughed, "don't tell me it's the sight of that snake that has instilled so much fear in you like this," she replied teasing me.

She quickly dipped her hand into her purse brought out some cash and placed it in my hand," this is all I have." She said

When I got home, the fear multiplied, probably because I was alone. I suffered that night. Each time close my eyes, it's the scene that appears, I had a series of dreams about snakes that night. The following day when I woke up, I decided that I was not going to allow myself to go through the same experience. I can't have my day ruined because of just one memory.

I summoned courage, I told myself that I was going to face myself, it's my mind that was bringing those pictures to me, if only I could, distract it anytime it is presenting any of them to me I am sure It wouldn't prevail.

So, I looked for a way to distract every negative thought in my head, I won't lie to you, I had to read my Bible, I searched on the internet about snakes in the bible and I got so much inspired when I read a portion where Paul was bitten by a viper but he shook it into the fire.

My spirit got lit up, and I was energized, throughout that week I tried my best to avoid scary movies, all I did was more motivational movies and books and I got myself back. Not that the thought doesn't come, but instead of being scared I fight it in my head.

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