Month: January 2014

Why do we wish for things we don’t have or might never have? Why do we wish for things that last only for a while and cause more pain than gain? Why do we wish for yellow roses when the red one is the most common or snow to fall when we know we are in Nigeria? Maybe this is what keeps us going or maybe it’s what we call hope. One can never tell which at times, which is perfectly ok! It only gets sore when we beg for the beautiful things of life.

She wasn’t born a beggar, rich kid from a wealthy home with a family name. But oh no! She wanted more; much more than life can offer. Sometimes I wondered what she sought. Could it be the adventure, the danger or the fun? She stood by the corner of the road flagging down flashy cars, men who were ready to spend good cash on cheap girls. I wouldn’t dare say she was cheap; she was a girl with class and taste who with just a phone call can get an even better car brand than the Jeep she sat in.

Men marveled at such rare beauty. Skin so soft, hair so silky like satin and lips so red like the color in the rainbow. She was beautiful with firm figure and curves like the hour glass. I present to you one of God’s creations.

Not so fast with the appraisal. Life is short she said, so live it to the fullest and have no regrets. She felt men were impressed by looks so she would spend hours in front of her mirror adorning herself with precious jewels and flawless makeup. All that had no meaning as it all ended up on the streets begging for men and beckoning for a bed warming. When the morning light creeps in, she’s gone with the wind leaving behind a single rose for the man who shared her bed.

It is foolishness I must say because you can never beg your way to a decent man’s heart. She desires to marry and raise her children I hear and so I laugh in pidgin! Then and only then will her flaws be revealed. All the men you dined with will come after your soul and what will be left will be painful memories and stories untold.

I fear for her children for they will have no father. I fear for her husband for he will have no wife. I fear for her family for she has killed the name but what I fear for most will be her sanity when she realizes she’s lost everything and all the men desire her no more. What great sorrow shall befall ‘Taira’, the beautiful beggar?

 

Image Credit: Unity Church of God

Have you ever sat for a painful lecture, one you can’t escape from while wondering how you need this in your later life? Much better if you can zoom out into your own world of fun and excitement. Much worse if you can’t because you’re forced to listen; perhaps, the lecturer may throw a question at you, a question with grave consequences if not answered correctly.

On one of those days, I got bored counting how many girls used a rubber band to tie their hair. By now I’m sure you know I had already noted how many pretty girls were in my class. I was just about to count how many girls wore pink when someone sneezed. I’ve heard people sneeze but this one was unique, soft and light accompanied by a quick ‘Excuse Me’. When she looked up; what coy smile she had. I’ve never seen her smile before. Wow, she was so beautiful but how come I never noticed? The smile faded just as soon as it appeared.

Sadly, I could never erase the impression it had on my heart.

Slowly as each day went by, I found a new area of interest, she. I watched her sit, stand, play, write but what struck me most was that she always kept to herself with her earpiece or headphones constantly plugged in. She spoke little to her supposed friends and always appeared deep in thoughts. I prayed for courage to walk up to her but the more I prayed, the less I could.

I got bored one evening and decided to go for a walk. Behold, there she was in front of me. I followed her from a distance hoping my legs would take me faster. Her long dark hair shone in the night light and at that point, I wished she were mine. I didn’t realize I was indeed getting too close. So close I could hear her sniffing. It appeared she was crying. I think she sensed a presence and wiped her tears just so to hide what hurt her the most.

As I walked past her, she lifted her head and our eyes met. She turned her face and kept walking and my lips refused to part to let the word ‘Hello’ escape. That night, I saw no sleep as I kept tossing and turning wondering what could make such a pretty girl cry when no one was looking. No one seemed to know anything about her except general details she carefully picked to share. If only I could get to her perhaps I could be a friend; of course, just a friend.

Time sped by just as fast as the seasonal changes lately but my love for her never dwindled. I never dated any girl because I felt I was cheating on her if I did. I know I sound crazy but when you’re in love, you can do anything; almost anything. Graduation came and I knew we had to part ways; such joyful sorrow interlocked with unrefined love. I don’t blame her; she never knew I existed. Someone but me just has to be blamed and so I blame it on my tongue that never found words to say and my hands that never found paper to write a simple note. And oh! I forgot to include the pen I never had to put ink on paper. I leave you to wonder if I ever had a note in class.

One thing I am sure of is that I will see her someday and then I will have the right words to say to her. I would hold my beloved close to my heart and she will cease to be a damsel in distress.

 

Image Credit: TNW