AWAY&ALONE
BY ELLA ENWEONWU
She lay starring mindlessly at the ceiling, her mind going everywhere and nowhere. Why for Pete’s sake am I awake? She tried to figure out, especially since she had just gone to bed at 1am. It was just 4.45am .Maybe if I concentrate sleep will come she thought to herself and turned to her side.
45 minutes later, she was not any close to falling asleep than she was an hour ago. Her mind wandered again and drifted to Dozie. She sighed…
She seemed to think of him so often these days. And to think that she would have gotten used to being away from him by now and not feel the same pain she felt when she tearfully said her goodbyes at the airport, six and half months ago as she left for the UK in pursuit of a master’s degree. They had grown inseparable in the preceding 9 months before her departure and she had never felt that sad or torn like that in her life as she did that day. The ache was still like yesterday.
'PING!' Her blackberry brought her out of her reverie.. She lazily picked it up to see who it was pinging her so early... Who else but Zite, her cousin
'Uju, u better don’t forget to meet Uche today o. if u like dull yourself and don’t go" and added the *rolling eyes* *straight face* smileys
Uju smiled. She could imagine Zite's face as she typed that message as though she was there. Zite could be dramatic. Since she took it upon herself to "hook” her up with somebody (anybody), Uju has not rested.
"That is my only project for this year" Zite had told her some weeks ago. They were more like sisters so she knew that once Zite sets her mind on a self-given task, she goes all out to accomplish it. Apparently, being married with 2 kids at 26 to a well-to-do young man who had just bought her a brand new Hyundai car as Christmas present left her with no "prayer point" as she literally had the world at her feet.
Of course Zite was well aware of her boyfriend Dozie, but in Zite's world, a girl doesn’t put all her eggs in one basket especially if the "basket" (like Dozie) didn't hold enough promises or signs of being ready for what she wanted ,so Uju has to explore "other options" to be on the "safe side".
Uju ignored the message. "I don't have energy for this kain talk abeg". She thought. "it’s too early biko". She snuggled under her duvet.
7 minutes later.....
PING!
PING!!
PING!!!
Her blackberry continued its annoying sound! She snatched it up rolling her eyes..
"U won’t answer now abi? i know you have changed ur mind. Madam-i-dont-want-to-cheat-on-
Uju knew that if she didn’t reply the harassment will go on.
"kk" she replied and drifted off to sleep.
9am……
She jumped out of bed. She needed to get to the library and the gym before her lunch with the Uche guy. Moments later as she stood at the bus stop waiting for the bus to come it began to drizzle.
Crap! She thought. She didn’t have her umbrella with her but did the weather forecast say anything about rain today? She tried to remember. But then, this is the UK where the forecast says one thing and another thing happens. Very unpredictable British weather.
Mtchew!
Just then, the couple standing beside her who had been giggling over something began to kiss..Oh no! She groaned inwardly. Not today! On a different day she would have found it cute but not today when she desperately missed Dozie. By the way why hasn’t he pinged or called me today sef? She quickly rummaged in her bag to find her phone so she could send him a "So u forgot me" message on bbm but on finding her phone she smiled at it.
"Good morning sweets....."
Dozie had actually sent her a couple of messages that morning. It must have been while she was in the shower and rushing out. He was at work and missed her too. She saw the bus coming and quickly sent him a reply. She missed him too.
3,45pm......
Buzzzzzz! Her phone vibrated. She looked around for library officers before answering.
"Hello" she answered distractedly even without looking to check who the caller was
“Hi are u alright?” A voice with a hint of British accent replied enthusiastically
“Am good, you?” Uju answered rolling her eyes.
“We are still meeting at Ming Moon by 4pm right?'”
Uju glanced at her watch. Shoot! When did the time fly past? Deep in her research, she had lost track of time and there was no way she make it to the city centre for this late lunch date.
“Am so sorry Uche, but am afraid i can’t make it. I forgot all about it while I was here in the library. Please can we reschedule for another time.....?” she started to asked
Rescheduling would mean cancelling on him for the third time now, having to deal with Zite's nagging and losing her peace also.
“Ok, that’s fine” Uche responded dejectedly
“Hang on a minute, on a second thought can we make it dinner instead? Say 6pm?” Uju asked instead
“Yea, sure. That’s absolutely fine by me because I work half day today” he said
“Ok then, see you later, same place”
“See you soon “He sounded elated
She packed her books and headed home. All she wanted to do right now was to shower and sleep or watch a comedy. Not dressing up and going to have dinner with some guy she didn’t even know, no thanks to Zite's matching making agenda.
Mtchew! She hissed.
Later on as rode in the taxi towards the restaurant, she couldn't help but notice the high street shops windows all awash with red posters of various offers. Valentine was just 2 days away. Something she didn't even want to think of and wasn't looking forward to. But here, if you don't think of it, they will do well to remind you. Flyers, posters, emails and even her post box had had some offer or promo connected with Valentine's.
As the driver meandered through the traffic her mind went back to the last valentine day she spent with Dozie. She actually smiled. It was quiet. Just the two of them driving through the streets of Abuja, eating sharwama and laughing. He always knew how to make her laugh. Those simple small things made their moments together awesome.
“We are here ma’am” the driver’s voice cut into her thoughts
“Thank you” she paid and alighted
He was at the door waiting. Good looking without an effort. After a quick hug, he held the door open for her. Hmmn, a gentleman. Uju thought. Let’s see how it goes.
The dinner was going on well, he was lively, charming and well mannered, at least for a first meeting. But Uju was not charmed by him. All she was wishing and thinking of was Dozie. On the next table beside theirs, a couple sat having dinner as well and from the way they talked, looked into each other's eyes and the slight touches it was the clear they were lovers. If only Dozie were here, Uju thought again. She saw Uche's mouth moving, saying something but she didnt hear him. “What am I doing here again?” She asked herself.
“Did you hear me?” Uche asked
Uju did not hear. She had missed a point he was making about Nigerian politics.
“Am sorry, you were saying?” What the hell has he been saying she asked herself
She wanted to leave.
She saw the hurt in his eyes at the thought of her not listening to him
“Am sorry but I don’t feel too well” she lied '” I think I should go”
“But the night has just begun! “ Uche exclaimed, clearly disappointed
“I really think I am getting sick” Uju insisted. Getting irritated with him for no reason
"What is wrong with me sef?" she asked herself. Poor guy and he's not bad at all.
She stood up and began to wear her coat as a signal to him that the evening was over. He reluctantly went to pick their bill. Outside the restaurant, he flagged down a taxi for and paid the driver the fare.
“See you sometime soon?” it was a hopeful question
She smiled weakly at him. She knew she would not see him again
“Take care” she said instead.
In the taxi she sends a message to Dozie 'i missed u badly today sweets'. He didn't reply immediately and she got angry. Considering the time, he could be driving home from work and couldn’t reply and she knew that but right now she didn't care! “Not when I want to hear from him badly” she pouted.
As she opens the door to her apartment, she is greeted by Shirley, her German flat mate, cuddling up with her boyfriend, Sean, on the sofa. She mumbled a reply and walks off in the direction of her room without waiting to chat with them.
Why did everyone choose today of all days to display their love? she climbed into her bed still dressed and bursts into tears.
She missed Dozie. Terribly.
And she didn’t look to see his reply to her message.......
N.B - This piece is dedicated to my CFO! and to everyone who isn't with the one they love at this time. Love is Beautiful. Keep loving!
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