BLACKOUT

Diary, i felt so scared. I had nearly soiled myself. The thought of an early demise still hunts me. Many a few sailors have never experienced what i passed through. diary, it was total “blackout“.

My body system went rogue all of a sudden. I felt tired but remained active and alert. No noise went unnoticed as i stared at the alarm buzzer which at that moment, seemed to be the nosiest piece of machinery onboard.

Frankly, i had gotten tired. It was a hard fact which was difficult to accept. I had boastfully made claims to stay at sea for a year and more at a stretch. My foolishness dawned on me.

The mosquitoes at the water side jetty had also given me a fare well gift. Malaria which is one of the disease to which sailors are prone. I made my way to the ship hospital to get drug supplies. The waves weren’t here to joke, the rainy season had begun. My ship’s hull yelled from the slaps it received from the sea’s angry waves. I felt no pity for it, malaria didn’t give me a chance to.

Everything seemed to be going downhill, the machineries felt abused. They weren’t used to the new faces they were seeing- so I had imagined.

The smell of vomit coupled with my head ache almost drove me insane. Sea sickness would never truly leave a sailors life.

“Go to the ECR” it had said. I could swear I heard a voice say that. But who knows? It could be my crazy mind at it again. I was exhausted from the day’s activities carried out during my morning duty.  This was my time to relax, it was “me” time.

“Me” Time- Blackout

Only in the darkness can you see the stars.

Martin luther king Jr.

I couldn’t even remember when last I took a midday shower, I dashed into the bathroom. I hoped the calorifier was running. It sure was, the soap caressed my aching body like a masseuse at work. After a couple minutes of shower, I felt so relaxed and satisfied. I can’t kill myself.

furthermore, I made my way to the mirror on the bulkhead. Gently, i used the foam in my right hand to roll my hair into thin strands of dreads. I hadn’t combed my hair for over four months, it looked so unkempt and thick.

The captain hated dreadlocks, one time, he had told the chef not to give me dinner if I don’t comb my hair. After grooming, I made way to the cabin where I had earlier put off my coveralls. I was making my way to the mess room.

Suddenly, everywhere was pitch black. It was abject darkness, no light, just darkness. It was the infamous “Blackout”.

I had never experienced such, I thought of donning my life jacket. If only I could make my way back to the cabin in such conditions. I ran into the engine room. It was my safe haven, a terrain in which I was familiar to.

To be Continued…

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