Keeping My Sanity

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It’s irrational. Utterly embarrassing. And extremely frustrating. I’m talking about my phobia of lizards. As a child I was afraid of all kinds of creepy crawlies but more so the house lizard. I guess the phobia has grown and stuck to me since. I can’t explain it. I do remember though one incident that sealed this deep hatred and fear that I have of lizards.

I was lying on the floor in my room, enjoying the cool comfort of the bare marble flooring. A baby lizard decided to run across my body, thinking perhaps that I was another piece of furniture and an obstacle in its path. Shriek! That was when I decided that lizards are my worst enemies. I was perhaps nine at the time.

Now, I see and hear them everywhere in my new apartment. Big and small, brown and some almost-black ones taunt me everyday, making me hysterical and somewhat loony. I can’t help it. Every time I see a lizard, I try to brace myself and ignore it but it just will not go away. I think they can smell my fear and actually enjoy terrorising me.

Last night I saw a little one in my bedroom. I ran for the Shieldtox and got a broom (I thought I would be brave enough to kill it armed with proper weapons). After a lot of screaming (on my part) and running around (both me and the lizard), I gave up and dialled my neighbour’s number. He rushed over, poked around for a bit and finally caught it. With his bare hands. He’s my new hero. Thanks John.