I’ve always believed I can tolerate a lot of things, but one thing I struggle with is staying in a dirty environment. I love fresh air, a clean space, and the feeling of everything being in order. But there was a time when I had no choice but to endure the most uncomfortable living situation of my life.
It all started when I traveled to another state to write an exam and I had to stay with a relative for a while. I had never visited her home before, but I expected something decent, it may not be fancy, just a normal, livable space. The moment I stepped in, I knew I had made a huge mistake.
The room smelled stuffy like someone had locked the windows for years. Clothes were scattered everywhere on the chairs, the floor, and even the dining table. The sink was overflowing with dirty dishes. I tried to act normal, pretending not to notice the mess. She asked me to Feel at home with a smile on her face and I smiled back, but deep down, I was screaming.
That night was when reality hit me the hardest. As I lay on the bed, I felt something brush against my leg. I ignored it at first, convincing myself it was just my imagination. But then it happened again. I grabbed my phone, turned on the flashlight, and what I saw made my soul leave my body, it was cockroaches. Not just one, but many, crawling like they owned the place,
I almost screamed, but I held it in. I covered myself with my wrapper, making sure not a single part of my body was exposed. Sleep? That was out of the question. I just waited for a morning like a prisoner counting down to freedom.
The next few days were pure torture. The bathroom was so filthy that I started timing my toilet visits when I went out. I avoided the kitchen as much as possible because the sight of piled-up plates and leftover food turned my stomach. At first, I tried to clean up, but it felt useless like trying to sweep the ocean, the more you clean the more they dirty it. This woman has five grown children and none of them see anything bad in the house, it is like a pit where refuse is dumped.
I had a week to spend with her but the environment wasn't conducive for me to stay so I started looking for excuses to stay out longer. I would leave early and return late, just to minimize my time in that house. But nothing prepared me for the final straw.
One evening, I decided to get some water from the fridge. The moment I opened it, my eyes landed on something that nearly made me faint, a pot of soup, covered in mold, staring at me like a science experiment gone wrong. That was it. I packed my bags that night and called my mum that I was coming home, She could tell from my voice that something was wrong. She asked me What happened? But I can never explain to her on the phone. The next morning, I left without looking back. The moment I got home, I took the longest shower of my life. I scrubbed so hard you’d think I was washing away bad luck.
So, can I stay in a dirty environment? Absolutely not. Some people can, but I’ve realized I’m not one of them. I love my peace of mind too much. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, don’t deceive yourself and run so that your sanity will thank you.
This is my response to day 22 of the #marchinleo of the daily inleo prompt, if you wish to join this prompt then click on this Link
