'His' Story: Happy Anniversary 'C'

I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for their religion

I have shuddered at it. I shudder no more.

I could be martyred for my religion. Love is my religion and I could die for that.

I could die for you.

- John Keats

Everybody was smiling and giggling among each other when I entered the hall and I didn’t have a problem with that….my problem was the fact that all heads and eyes were facing my direction. I gradually looked down, wishing my nut wasn’t popping out in public but at the end of my quick scan, not even my zip was damaged. I looked back to see if the victim was standing behind me but – nada! I quickly found courage to probe and I screamed “How on earth did y’all get high at the same time...why are y’all smiling and giggling...am I lost or what did I do wrong please?”……………….Riiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnggggggg!!!!!!!! (Alarm 5:30am)

Wow! It was just a dream.

“I can’t be late for work today” I murmured to myself and still wishing I wasn’t working today as well…. Not cos I'm lazy but seriously, I’ve never been a fan of Mondays let alone resuming on a Monday, after three weeks away from that routine. As usual, I reached for my phone, silenced all alerts and turned on the BIS connection in anticipation of all the messages from Facebook, BBM, Twitter and text messages that would have been stuck in traffic. Another of my morning ritual is saying “Good morning” to ‘Her’ and then to my ‘Twitfam’. Little did I know that one of the many messages that came in this morning was from ‘Her’….and it read - “Happy anniversary and thanks for loving me!” …….attached also was the note you see before this one.

There and then, the drama that ensued in my dream flashed back at me and a smile slashed through my lips……the BBM also hit me again reaffirming that I’m terrible with dates and anniversaries. My grind and hustle for survival had not given me a chance to embrace details of such…. I actually forgot my birthday in one of ‘em years…. I only remembered after I got a text on my phone wishing me a happy birthday….it was that bad but then again, when it’s between “I and I”, I endeavor not to dwell on self regret or pity….that was between “I and I” after all. Thoughts of the BBM followed me all the way to work….and I had replied “….I'll just write…cos this space is limited to my heart flow…I'll just write…cos I’ve been looking forward to it”.

Flash back: That fateful afternoon, as the thought came and said “hol’ a sec’, if this chic is a correct babe, she should be on FB na….or is this not the site for the trendy?”…. As I typed in ‘Her’ full name and punched the enter key, ‘Her’ picture was first on the list…. And there went the friend request that turned out to become one of the most life changing actions I had taken in recent time.

I am not good at painting pictures with words and no amount of space can contain the number of colours that I'll need to express how I feel today. It’s actually beyond the way I feel, it’s about why and what has brought me to this spot of bliss. It’s about 365 days of happiness in the ocean of love, actualization and fulfillment.

It’s about how long nights on the phone and technology became flesh and blood…about how individual wishes and anticipations have become collaborated plans and aspirations. Some have been achieved while others are in the pipeline, like my office management would say to us (the staff). Above all, it’s a ‘We and We’ situation.

Back then, I use to like her “Ringtone” (by Naeto C) but when she got back and hugged me….It became a “Comforter’s Song” (by Asa and Jeremiah Gyang)….today, she’s like a melody in my head and she keeps playing back to back like an iPod stuck on “Replay” (by Iyaz).

Dear reader, I can go on and on but I’ll rather stay on track than lead you off this track.

“Dear ‘C’, I just wanna tell you that I love you….words cannot express the gravity of what I feel for you. It’s been a short ride I'll say, but driving with you has been PRICELESS…..I’m not sorry for the sad days we’ve had so far cos I couldn’t have hurt you in my right senses but I'll just apologize on behalf of ‘Fate’ – who let stuffs happen without seeking our consent. I thank God for Love - an assumed abstraction for many…. but I believe it’s a ‘Life’. I have seen it, I have touched it…..I have been living it for 365 days running…..and I wish to keep living it with you….cos if love was a pair of shoes, you gat to be my right foot and that’s why we can’t be wrong in this sojourn of ours.”

Well, I don’t have a degree in dream interpretation but I think the people in my dream were congratulating me for having the best woman in the world.

I could keep writing but this space is limited to contain my heart flow.

Happy Anniversary ‘C’

Her Story : Happy Anniversary 'J'

It was the life I chose...there was so much to achieve. Too many plans in the pipeline,a seeming end that will justify the means. Until then,I was willing to wait and pay the price of living in the big city. The city I once called home.

I lived everyday to fulfill the same routine. Those journeys to work...I never looked forward to stepping out that door. The door of my lonely abode. The roads were deserted and the streets were so cold. I walked on it everyday...8 minutes to and from this road. I hated it...sometimes it was so lonely,other days I was scared. Those early mornings were always mean to me, I was constantly greeted by harshness of the weather...an inherent reminder that my days were numbered in that place but I must hold on...hold on until Its the right time!

...Then our paths crossed and everything suddenly changed. I remember that day,not to so long ago. Time told a different story and love had a new meaning...my life took a new course. . I was happy to walk the roads towards the new song I've found. That 8 minutes walk now seemed so pleasant. You walked with me and I smiled all the way through. Your presence overshadowed my fears and even my dreams became reiterated.

I was no longer alone. I fell in love with the mornings cos I knew it brought me closer to the days I'd be in your arms. I loved the nights even more because I was certain your voice will put me to bed and my many fantasies will take me into paradise with you. I had it all and that was the greatest achievement for me. I could no longer let anything stand in the way. It was the right time...Finally!

Your love has made me undaunted and coming back home to you was a blessing.
You became my all and with you, I was fearless. I've never known such companionship,never felt such a force. You complete me J and I'm still so in love with you!You've always held my hand and I want to say 'Thank You'!...Thank You for loving me and Thank you for making the last one year of my life the most meaningful!

Happy Anniversary J!!!