The memories I never had

THE MEMORIES I NEVER HAD

          For nearly a decade the thoughts of me seeing you again was always fleshing through my thoughts, I tried so hard to figure out what exactly has made it linger on even after such a heartening separation which came at a point when my young heart was learning to understand the concept of love. But then I had nothing to worry about “I will find love someday I always told myself” If only I had an inclination of how hard it is to find one with a true heart, a heart like yours.

          Bonta, as I fondly called her became a close friend I had to learn to depend on. As a child she was the kind of Child most adults in the neighborhood adored, her masculine voice; so hoarse and deeper than most boys of her age and her soft spoken words which till date melts my heart and submerges me into a state of mirage where my anger becomes a euphoria of anxieties. She grew up becoming so beautiful and intelligent, an attribute which made me like her so much as child though never knew that this likeness was going to be forever a part of me.

          Standing behind a black range Rover jeep, I could see her slender and captivating figure through the wind glass as she steps out of R.M 00. 2 a section of the medical students living quarters. She was looking so cute and had grown more prettier, her hair was plaited the natural way with a pink ribbon tied to the end, she wore a flowered gown that displayed her figure so perfect as to highlights the edges of her curves especially at the pelvic, her blond skin was now looking white with hairs almost all over her body, I have never seen beauty as natural and captivating save this moment. Standing with my hands akimbo and speechless, she makes a run towards me with her alms wide open, I tried to move but the tension of the moment glued my feet to the ground, I felt like it was all a dream. “you’ve grown so big and cute she said” the words sounded melodic and at once brought my consciousness back. “lady bonta” I said “ this is not true, You look so different and prettier, hope the weather has not been rough on your skin?” her embrace made me realize how much I have missed her, She smelled like Vanilla rose, her eye lashes so curly and lips almost red, her nose so soft and tender as I planted a kiss at the tip of the nostrils. “you have not changed” she said, “how long did you save that kiss, come here” we had another embrace so long that the sound of the range Rover Sport in front of us reminded us that we were standing outside. “Let’s go inside She said” Reaching out to her hand we made a walk through the stairs and came out to a long corridor that had students rooms on one side. Bonta had just flown in from Ukraine where she has spent the last eight years studying medicine; she came to visit the sister at the Lagos State University teaching Hospital where she now works as a student doctor. Her sister had left Ukraine a year early to Nigeria to further her studies in a teaching hospital. “Knock knock!  can we come in?” Bonta asked “ No!” she yelled from behind with a voice so small that often times could mislead a hearer to think she is ten years younger. “Hurry up we need to come in, I am with Uba” “So what! If you are with him, better wait there until am done” Accord used to be so jovial and very mouthy, Over the phone the previous day she had given me an interview that made me think I was calling the American embassy to apply for visa when I called to speak to Bonta who has just got into the country and had to use her line till she is able to register hers. “ Yes what do you Want from my sister she demanded?” “My name is God’swill, I wish to speak to Bonta, and she is my childhood friend?” I stammered “you still haven’t answered my question” she repeated “ok, I am calling to tell her I won’t be coming to see her today because the time is late and also to tell her that I hope to come tomorrow as early as possible” and then it all dawned on me that it’s been accord all this while when I heard her giggle to Bonta whose faint voice was sounding at the background. “it’s me Accord” she said “oh my God, you’ve scared me, I was beginning to think I called at the wrong time, meanwhile get ready for me cause I am coming to give it back to you by tomorrow. Hope you are good?” she handed the phone over to Bonta and we had a little chat over the phone. “Call me when you get to the hospital gate she said.”

          The nights after my chat with Bonta was so short, I had set my alarm for 5:30 but woke up 30minutes before the alarm could go on. The thoughts of her occupied my mind through the night; I haven’t seen her in 9years and felt a little nervous especially as I was not sure of my emotions that evening. I had thought I would be fine by the time I wake up the next morning but my anxiety grew worst. At about 6:30am I set of as the journey from lekki to the teaching Hospital would take hours considering the rainy season and the long traffic often experienced in Lagos Island.