Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).
I usually wondered when and how this or that would work or play out in my life. Whether or not I’d ever see the manifestation of my expectations. I know many of you subscribe to the, “Don’t have expectations” sentiment. But I find that to be quite discouraging actually. Wasn’t life meant for us to have expectations? What a world. Masking our inability to hold integrity or be people of our own word, we resort to feeding each other with the nonsense of Don’t have expectations. Alas!
I believe disappointments are inevitable but we shouldn’t render our expectations null and void. I remember speaking to a friend about a specific instance, I won’t go into detail but it was rather just about how I always seem strong. Maybe one day I will muster the courage to further elaborate some of these stories. But for now I will have to keep it brief. It was basically about how I have endured certain hardships I never really talk about, but only to my nearest and dearest. I mean, who hasn’t been through something hard, right? But my friend went on to say, “If I were in your shoes Njavwa, I would have probably been dead”. Now, I don’t believe she would have literally been dead but I understood where she was coming from in acknowledging the strength she saw in me.
She further went on to ask me innocently, “How haven’t you given up yet, on certain things?” I know my sheer tenacity to walk the road of my purpose still beckons me to try and try and try some more. Whether it was a journey of finding someone who truly is meant for me, a job that really fulfills me and mirrors who I am or even a place which brought me the much sought for internal comfort I’ve yearned for.
So, I never stopped hoping, I never stopped asking God, and I never stopped seeking. When you keep knocking at the door it will eventually be opened, when you keep seeking you will eventually find, and when you keep asking it will eventually be granted unto you. In the midst of it all, rejection is also unavoidable.
Hope became my friend. We had to nurture this relationship prudently. Even though I sometimes gave up on Hope. Hope is what awakened my faith. Hope reminded me that even for the woman with the issue of blood who went through doctor after doctor, and only got her healing 12 years later, just by touching the fringe of Jesus’s robe. Just one touch. Hope never looked at the timeline but the perseverance of our faith and the molding of our character.
I am not the most optimistic person, but I hope, very much. The mystery of life is in Hope.
Shinny dresses and smiley faces. Sound of thunder like my heartbeat. Drop of rain touches my feet. The wind so breezy and the air so easy. Lights above me never cease to please me.
New places, new faces but none of them matched your traces.
When you thought I didn’t notice you for me a glimpse was enough you know. But while I tried racing towards you, your height was nowhere in sight.
The only thing I remembered were your eyes that matched mine too. Drawn from my presence you silently slipped away in the blue.
Everyday I see the gift of life only because I’m awakened by the light. The sun reminds me of a hope alive, that a new day has been set aside.
The flowers wave at me with their bright smile, the birds dance to the wind triumphantly. My eyes almost opened, excited for the foreseeable.
My spirit awakened by the jubilant sound of life. A new day, a new dawn, a new dusk. The light at the end of the tunnel keeps me afloat. I fret not because hope accompanies me aboard.
Barcelona, a place filled with life and lights. A beauty that puts darkness to sleep and causes people to seek.
The air that invites you for a sweet breath of a city that is always high and people that are fly. A city that I fell in love with and opened my heart to meet a soul I thought I’d never greet.
A love that seems far in the distance almost like a miracle until I came face to face with it.
His eyes looked at me with sincerity and his words were filled with serendipity. The laugher we shared filled my belly and the charm filled my soul. It was as though the unexpected decided that it was magical but reality anticipated it would be phenomenal.
And now she waits to see what the future holds as she waits for the rest to unfold.
Ian’s piece to me. My all time favourite. A surprise I never saw coming. Some things can only happen once, but what matters is they happen, even once.
Barcelona, a city that lit up my spirit and made my heart glow.
Broken in pieces like glass on the ground. Very exposed with nothing to hide.
Shattered in spirit like glass on the ground, ohh my dear how could it be so profound. A little bit of hope somehow I have found not in you but in everything around.
The times I’d hoped you’d come running back made my mind stay on the right track.
But after a while I faced the reality, that maybe it was me who was running from the truth and all I was left with was vanity on vanity.
Before the progress. His gift to me as a progress meter.
Guess who’s back? I guess consistency seems to be looming for me, mostly in the writing department. I am very much trying to stay on track and maybe just maybe it’s working.
I never really delved into my 2020 life. Ironically, 2020 was by far my favourite year. I hope I am not getting rolling of the eyes as you read this. I know for many it was daunting, so was it for me, for some time at least. But as the months progressed it seemed to somewhat unleash sides of me I never thought existed. I improved my social skills, I talked to people more, went out more and even opened the doors of my house to strangers…..Don’t tell me about stranger danger cause trust me, I already know.
But also, one thing 2020 delivered to me was growth. Emotionally, spiritually, mentally, intellectually, you name it. I am sorry I find myself currently in a lethargic mood/state, so I will make this short. Although, I will make up for it another time.
So, September of 2020, I kinda, sort of crossed paths with someone who turned out to be a stepping stone for the progress I have made thus far in my life. At first I misjudged him solely based on his appearance. He had a look which resembled that of a F-boy. I know, not very nice of me to have a pre conceived idea of what someone will be like just based on a picture. We met on Tinder, not the most trustworthy place to meet a potential partner, let alone substantial person. But there I was swiping left and right. Most of them disappointments simply because they all looked easy on the eyes, eye candy if you may, but lacked substance. And for me it was a no go. Date after date, I even lost count and so did my friends who would forever ask me why I go on so many dates. What was supposed to be an enjoyable period of my life turned into a marathon.
I never quite allowed myself to progress with them as they lacked a lot of qualities I was looking for….So, I resorted to ghosting. I was polite enough to at least tell them I wasn’t interested for a second date. Usually an excuse would do with a perhaps plausible reason. It’s not like I was on a quest to find a man. It had just been a while (about 6 months) since my relationship ended and I was looking for some new romance, maybe!
September something, as I don’t remember the exact date, I matched with some guy called, BLAH (for confidential purposes we shall give him that name). Very handsome fellow he was, but for me it wasn’t necessarily his looks which caught my eye. I just blindly swiped right for no reason, but that right move was one which would change me for a lifetime. However, it wasn’t that easy. I briefly chatted to this lad and an hour or so into the chat, I unmatched him. The chat was a bit too sensual for me and wasn’t for my liking. The fellow himself looked so good it was unreal. But maybe I should have given him the benefit of the doubt. Fortunately it isn’t the end of the story.
2 months went by, it was November something, we matched again. Mind you I am only ever on these Apps when I have ample time to waste, on a less busy work day. Otherwise, I am not a fun. We matched again, this time his approach was different, I would say, more sensible and heartfelt.
I however, did not initially reciprocate the energy, as I preferred to keep my cards close to my chest. He messages me asking for my Instagram to chat there. At first I am reluctant and respond with a nonchalant answer, almost like I was doing the most to discourage him from chatting to me. He didn’t budge, he persisted. I wondered why? He started a conversation on Instagram and I still adamantly wanted him to shy away. Listen, he looked like trouble. But as the saying goes, “looks can be deceiving”. I eventually gave into it. He was engaging in our conversations, he asked me a lot of questions, he seemed smart, very smart actually. Our conversation went on for a week, yes, a good 7 days and there was always something to talk about. Well, I guess the getting to know you notion was fully in effect in this scenario. He surprised me, pleasantly. He was more than I thought he would be, not just a boy covered in tattoos, but a man full of substance. More to him than meets the eye.
Eventually we planned a day to meet, our first date. It was during lockdown, which meant everything was closed. We had to be creative with what we were going to do. It was a Friday night when we finally said our first Hello, greeted by his big Hazel eyes and big hands I coyly looked up to him and shook his hand. We started to chat about our lives and our daily activities. We anyway had chatted before about half the stuff we conversed about face to face. Only difference is, it was in depth. Dinner was ready, we had some fresh Vietnamese spring rolls made by me, some nice wine which he brought and a really good laugh. Our conversations were so deep it almost felt like I was having a therapy session. We later proceeded to do some paintings, remember I told you, we had to be creative. So, I decided to get some painting materials for us to show off our creativity and playfulness. He drew/painted me one of his favourite cats (a linx) and I drew/painted a teddy.
We ate, we talked, we laughed, we painted and we danced. One of the rare good dates I ever had in my life. We pretty much stayed up all night. Yes, all night. The morning of parting ways he sat me down to tell me his intentions, I was kinda scared cause I did not exactly want to see him again, simply because I was fueled by fear to just not have myself open up to someone. He opened his mouth and said, “I want to see you again, I would like to continue this, would you like to come for a gathering at my place the coming weekend?” A lot more was said but I will spare you the details cause I can’t be arsed. I had a lot to think about cause I had to give him a response. I didn’t really see this coming and I didn’t exactly know if it really was what I wanted….I mean no one plans these things of course but it came unexpectedly.
The answer was a yes, but we didn’t do labels. I mean he mentioned to me though that his intentions were to merely see me and me only. So I believed him. For a long time, or even for the first time ever, I felt as though someone truly understood me, I didn’t have to explain myself, he just got me. I opened up to him in the most intense way and he reciprocated. The thing is, we are both very intense people, which made it easy for me to talk to him about deep subjects. Him being an empath was the icing on the cake; emotionally intelligent, very humble, plus wise and very mature for his age. You have probably heard the saying, “when someone understands you without you explaining who you are, it hits different”. He is the first person (romantically) to truly ever understand me without me having to explain myself. He understood my love languages just by observing what I was interested in and what I liked. He encouraged me to start my blog and checked on my progress regarding my aspirations. He cared so deeply for people around him and it reflected in his demeanor. He inspired me in many ways. Ambitious, communicative, curious, thoughtful, kind and generous. Probably one of the most thoughtful and generous people I have ever met.
He invited me for a Netflix shooting directed by his flat mate at the time. Another date of Christmas dinner with him and his flat mates, the next morning waking up to a small treat which he called saint Nicholas day….having lined up his shoes stocked with assorted presents tailored for the taste of each person. One of the sweetest things someone did for me, I mean it’s the small things that count. I know people usually get lost in the romance of being with someone, but have you ever met someone who makes you grow so much so that you notice it? He understood me as a person, asked me questions about my aspirations, made sure I was doing fine throughout the day and also checked on my progress. Just a simple message to put a smile on my face and sometimes during the day, a long enough chat to debrief about how I am/was feeling at a given point. I never felt like I had to hold back my words or thoughts. He was so patient in listening and understanding.
Dinner dates, walks in the park, deep conversations, this went on for a few months but soon a spanner was thrown into the works. He had a problem, which he never mentioned to me about. Almost like an addiction. I won’t go into detail, but it involved him being unfaithful. One thing about our relationship was that we always promised each other that we had to be honest with one another. Which meant, telling each other everything affiliated with our relationship; how we felt, if we had a change of heart about being together, whether we want out….Literally everything. It was so raw. So, one day I decided to do the needful by asking him if he was being faithful to me because my gut-feeling was all over the place. He looked me in the eyes and truthfully told me, No. His response really shocked me when he finally unpacked his baggage and told me where it all stemmed from, his childhood. I wont go into detail because it’s not my story to tell.
My response was a dropped jaw. I was taken aback. He looked at me with fear of me walking out of his life. He exclaimed, “I didn’t know how to tell you, I know it’s a lot, it’s heavy”, my response was silence. I was shook. He went on to tell me how he needed help from a specialist, to combat his problem, I jumped on the wagon with him and did all the research I could to see him get better. Before I made my way back home that day, he looked at me and said, “I don’t want to lose you, Njavwa— I still want to continue seeing you”. I was obviously torn. I don’t know whether not knowing would have been better if only I had just ignored my gut feeling. But another thing I left with that day was a plant he gifted me for Christmas along with many doubts about whether I was still keen to continue seeing him. I had a big decision to make. I went home to debrief and came to a verdict that, I was still going to continue this rodeo. My decision was accompanied by my pity for him. My decision does not insinuate that I condone such behavior. Absolutely not.
Anyway, after that meeting I wasn’t going to see him for a week or so as he was journeying to go back to his home Country to see his family for the remaining days of Christmas and New Year. At this stage my trust for him was hanging by a thread. There was a lot of work to be done, on his end for his redemption. I was now starting to understand maybe my reason for attempting to dodge him (the first time) on multiple occasions was starting to come to manifestation.
It was time for him to return to Warsaw, to me. I still had an inkling that there was something wrong. Or at least something brewing…..He announced his return to Poland as I expected him to since we would chat all the time. His message came with a request to see me. The weekend that followed after his arrival, we met up to have a catch up session and what not. Took me to his favourite coffee spot got my favourtie tea and some good pastry to go. Everything was going fine until he abruptly asked me to have a serious chat. I was not ready for this. I knew it wasn’t going to be good news from his tone, I could tell. But still I had to listen. Njavwa— he said, “something happened, I did it again”.
This time the joke was on me….I know he didn’t mean to hurt me but he did. And the fact that he prolonged his Therapy session meant he wasn’t being as serious as he made out to be. But I had an epiphany that, for him to get better I had to take myself out of the picture. I was not only allowing him to use me as a clutch by I was enabling him, in a sense. It all stemmed from his insecurities as he would say, but mostly deeply rooted from what transpired in his childhood based on some encounters. I believed him. But I still wasn’t going to be taken for a fool. So, I decided to unplug. He saw my body language change and I turned cold as ice. Rushed home and wrote him the longest article he would probably ever read in his life. I had every right to be outraged. I was fuming.
Funny thing is, from that point going forward is where the growth started. For both of us. And no, I never got back with him, at least not romantically. It would have been a disgrace on my part….Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. We exchanged a few messages here and there after my very long article like message, saying, I wasn’t going to have it and I was going to live up to my standards to put a close to the situation. I asked for space, meaning, no chats, no meetings, no nothing. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
His gift to me as a symbol of Growth. This is the progress after months of its growth.
There was no coming back from this. He however still continued to write me just to check in and check up to make sure I was doing okay. My response was usually a cold, “I am okay”. 3 weeks pass by and I come to a conclusion. Upon my request, we meet up….As always he brings me my favourite tea, pastry and his energy. We talk over a meal which I made and some good tasty pastries. While the elephant in the room is still waiting to be addressed. For a person who did yoga and mediation, he was very composed for the most part, so I knew the conversation wouldn’t back track. We nipped it in the bud and called it. We both knew it reached it’s wits’ end and he knew the only way to get better was to get help. But I was also greeted by the rude awakening of having to subtract myself from his equation on my own accord. He suggested we remain friends. I didn’t exactly object but I was reluctant. I said yes anyway. We hugged for the longest of time and he gave me a long break up kiss, which I reciprocated.
Post break up, we went 3 weeks without properly chatting, although he would always make an effort to check up on me every Friday or Saturday at the end of every week. He never stopped caring or showing concern….I for one was still bitter, a bit. Cause how could I not, after all that. Invitations still came flooding my way from his end. “Would you like to go to the mountains? There’s room for one more person”, he said. This was going to be a 3 days trip and to be honest, the just-being friends shenanigans did not come with going on a few days trips together. I know it wasn’t a ploy to get me back or anything but the wound was still fresh for me. It had only been shy of 3 weeks.
He still continued to include me in all the activities he had planned for himself. It was still lockdown so, no one could do much outside really. But his creativeness, he always found a way to make things happen and make it fun. Mediation sessions, movie nights (with a projector), playing games of many sorts. There just was always something. The feelings at the time were still there but I had to eventually take off my rose coloured glasses and see it for what it was. After exchanging a few cold messages, 3 weeks turned into 1 whole month. It was now March and I was at least somewhat ready to face him again, since we still agreed on remaining friends. He never missed spilling me the details of what was going on his life—The good, the bad and the hard. Through his face I could tell he was having a hard time. He told me how he was getting help, how he was trying to be better as a person for himself and for others. He was a good egg, but a scrambled one.
Even though the romantic aspect of our relationship was gone, we somehow agreed to cultivate a platonic one. Now, it wasn’t easy. Not for me. This was the first time I had found myself in a pickle. Most people would write their Ex off after being done dirty like that. But he was different. And for some reason I just felt so convicted to remain his friend at least. We pretty much hanged out every weekend or so. Yoga was his favourite activity when it came to sports as well as medication. I found myself not being involved cause I would probably fall asleep while I’m at it.
But we managed to find activities which would suit both of our tastes mutually. And so we did.
He spoke many words of wisdom too to a point were I would call him an old fellow. I could see the transformation happening. He begun to open up to me and others, more about his struggles, he sought for medical help, he joined a type of group were people talk about their hardships especially in the area he was struggling in. Weeks turned into months and I begun to again see him in a different light. It was as though I was watching a potato being peeled. He really was changing. He mentioned to me how he got off all the Apps and was trying to gain his much needed self esteem by not seeking for validation from every corner to remind him of how appealing he was. Instead he chose to re route and find it within himself. His sentiment changed. As the layers continued to be peeled off, his growth became more apparent, so did mine. He was in touch with his emotions. Not like a man who makes out to be macho. He was seeking for God but more so for meaning in life. The way he talked even changed dramatically, for the better. Not that his talk was shallow, but it just progressed tremendously.
He eventually decided that his time here had come to an end as he felt as though he had dealt with so many trials and tribulations and I couldn’t agree more with him. He really went through the wringer (but he put me through it too). This time it was evident to a point were his body even spoke for him. He didn’t shed off weight, but there was just something different in his appearance. He looked like a man who had just returned from the wilderness. I pitied him somewhat but I was also proud of him at the same time. I mean, talk about witnessing the growth of someone who hurt you.
I introduced him to my friends and he had the greatest glow on his face, one I hadn’t seen in a while. He lit up and he was just so excited as he seemed to have gotten along with them all. I was happy to finally see a little bit of brightness on his face. It was genuine. There was talking, laughing and eating. And above all there was fellowship.
At some point after everything, he decided he was ready to return home. To go back to his home country (which neighbours Poland). We were sat in the park for our little picnic. As always he would bring me my favourite tea and pastries and sometimes something new to try as it lit up his face to have me get a different taste. He made the little things count in whatever he did for me. An hour or so into our meeting he broke the news to me, “Njavwa, I think I will be leaving Poland for good”. My heart sunk and my face looked like someone had poured water on me. I was distressed. It was bitter-sweet because of everything we had experienced together not just how much we both grew. We hugged for the longest of time as I said a little prayer for him out loud. He mentioned to me about how he felt it move his spirit. It had become a tradition at this point to just say prayers while we would congregate with one another.
2 weeks later we had our last supper. A week ago we had Easter dinner. But the last supper was one I would remember forever. It was still lock down, end of April. I walked into his flat with a nervous spring in my walk. I was trying to process everything. So, I probably won’t see him again, at least not frequently, I thought to myself. We would be countries apart, neighbours but that’s not good enough.
We went out to buy dinner, well, he bought me dinner. While we waited for our food to get ready to have it to go, we sat outside on a bench as he stretched his arm to share his coffee with me which I refused to get when he asked me if I wanted one of my own…aha typical girl behaviour. He looked me in the eyes and said the following to me; “Njavwa, I would like to tell you something. I am sorry for how our relationship started and for how I was inconsiderate of your feelings based on some of the things I did. I am sorry I took you for granted and took advantage of how good you were to me. I am sorry for making you feel bad when I should have been honest with myself and how to deal with this issue I struggle with. You have been a pillar in my stay here. You have helped me grow and I hope you meet people who also help you grow. I hope the people you choose to let in are people who will mold you to become a better version of yourself because that’s who you are and that’s what you’ve done for me”.
Upon hearing that, I was at a loss for words. I was happy to hear everything he said because his sorry was a long time coming. I equally apologized for trying to make him change for me instead of encouraging him to change for himself. Initially my reasons were selfish but when I decided to rip the bandage off I realized that if he had to be a better person it would have to be for himself. I was just a catalyst to help him see that. And our romantic relationship which turned platonic was all to serve such a purpose.
After sharing our heartfelt thoughts, we walked back to his place to have our last supper. He made me try a fruit I had never tried before. We talked about our goals, his desire to find more meaning in life and his quest to seek for God. We prayed over the food, had our dinner, did pastry for dessert cause he liked his pastries. I watched him pack up his suitcase and would occasionally smile every time he looked in my direction. It dawned on me that this was it. We watched his favourite football team play as he packed gradually. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. I wasn’t going to see him the next weekend (as we would always meet every weekend to catch up and deliberate). I wasn’t going to get a text asking me what I wanted to do this weekend, I wasn’t going to get my favourite tea brought to me without asking, or have someone make me try new pastries and be excited to introduce me to new foods or new things. I wasn’t going to have long meaningful conversations about life and how I am progressing in my endeavours, I wasn’t going to eat his tasty food again cause he was a good cook. I wasn’t going to listen to all types of Music with him. I wasn’t going to experience all that again, the immense care, thoughtfulness and generosity he had with no strings attached. I was gutted. Not because of what he could do for me and vice versa, but because I wasn’t going to see his face again. Maybe not in a long time. I sobbed and I did tell him how I would miss him. We hugged goodbye as I said a little prayer for him out loud and that was the end of our rodeo.
But that was it, that was the point of us crossing paths. The most meaningful relationship (romantically) I ever had. Minus the unfaithfulness. However, everything that transpired served a purpose. It somehow turned out to be conducive. And ultimately aided my growth and my perception for people. We never left on a bitter note and for me that was all because of Grace. We both parted ways having matured from this experience we shared but it took endurance from both ends to be wanting that change.
In a nutshell, one thing this experience taught me was, don’t dwell or get caught up in the romance. There’s nothing wrong with romance don’t get me wrong, but the beauty of growth or the evidence of growth must be accompanied by it. Because the romance sometimes fizzles and it can be rekindled if necessary. But ask yourself, besides that what more is there?
Summer, my favorite season of the year (minus the scorching heat), not because I come from a hot country (Zambia) but because of how beautiful and lively everything and everyone seems to appear. The blue skies, green trees and the almost smiles on people’s faces you get to see here and there.
Summer has always been full of beautiful surprises for me, for the most part. 2020 was a year which left many bound and confined to one place—The four corners of their walls. I wasn’t an exception. But when summer knocked at my door the course of events took a shift. It came with eased COVID restrictions, which meant we were finally permitted to somewhat experience some normalcy. To some degree. And beloveds that is when I tasted true freedom after being isolated for majority of the months, perhaps not isolated but more so, social-distancing. Which frankly to me is the equivalent of isolation.
And once the regulations signaled, exclaiming to the public (in my translation)— “You are free birds”, that my friends was my cue to have the much needed summer fun I had longed for. It entailed hosting people on Couchsurfing, meeting all sorts of individuals from different backgrounds, walks of life and even temperaments. Traveling here and there within the Polish borders by myself—To the Seaside, Historical sights, Beaches, Museums, Events, the whole shebang. It’s one that will forever go down in my History Book. New friends, new hobbies, more growth, more knowledge and maybe even more wiser….Ahah.
Nevertheless, this summer (2021) has not been any different, or must I say, even better, the only difference however, is, it’s still ongoing. I like to think my summers are the start of my New Year, this is a period/season when I tend to come out of my shell. And this summer I eventually did so in the month of July. But more specifically, one particular weekend.
The start of July greeted me with an adventure to the Polish mountains, where I hiked for the first time and surprised myself with how much momentum I had within me. Made new friends in the most unexpected way, ate assorted dishes (not to mention my taste buds are eclectic), had many conversations and a good laugh. One of my favorite memories, thus far. But saying bye is always bitter-sweet, and yes, even though it was a 4 day trip I embarked on, it still struck a cord and will forever remain so.
Summer in the mountains.
After my trip had come to a close, I made my way back to Warsaw (my home, for now). Upon my return to Warsaw, I got my second shot of the Pfizer vaccine, caught up with a friend and picked up from where we left off. Did some bulk buying for my groceries and also caught up with some much needed sleep. But, as the month continued to unravel I found myself having to be here and there, to ensure my errands were all being tackled pedantically. And also the never ending, we need to catch-up sessions with my friends, not that I’m complaining.
Now, fast forward to my favorite weekend this July. I know! I know! July is not over yet, but hey, what can I say, as long as that day hasn’t come yet this one will remain my favorite. July the 17th went from, I will probably stay home and do nothing while I wait for the time to arrive to meet my friends later in the evening….To, Wow, a lot can change in a short period of time. And that’s exactly how it went down, in a nutshell. I woke up to a text message from someone whom I met as a stranger, initially. The message went something like, “I will be going to such and such a place, they have a great view and nice drinks, I would invite you if you were free”. My answer was an obvious yes. It’s a long story how we met but let’s just say we did.
I am one of those people who believes in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Well, being too trusting of people can sometimes backfire, and this time wasn’t one of those times. The chat from the get go was top-notch, from the text messages prior to our face to face meeting to the very first Hello in person. Cool, calm and collected is how I would sum the whole interaction. I arrive at the venue of invitation, the reception of warmth overwhelms me, both from the beautiful view of the Sky-High building and my now friend.
Sky-High
I don’t know about you but, as an over-thinker I like to calculate everything. Plan out how things will go from A to Z. Not much of an optimist but maybe not a pessimist either, I lie in the middle of the spectrum. To my surprise everything went better than I planned out. A conversation filled with substance and some good banter, no awkwardness and thankfully no crickets sound(because there was no awkward moments). It all looked to be smooth sailing. Some might deem me to be a dreamer but if that’s the case then so be it, but it almost felt like a movie and as I write this, I am LOLing hard. But really, it did.
Have you ever met someone and just felt as though you have known them for ages? To me it didn’t even feel like a feeling because feelings are fickle and sometimes can be deceiving in some way. I am not one to use my words lightly, this was more like a soul connection. Deep like the ocean. Not an infatuation. But it obviously wasn’t instantaneous, at least not for me. It was gradual, it happened minute by minute. And I am trying hard not to sound cliché or cheesy cause it’s so cringe but here it goes, I believe it is the first time in my life since I truly ever properly connected with a human on a soul level. Yes, I sound cheesy to some of you lot. And no, it’s not some fairytale or love story….it’s just a tale of how sometimes life’s mystery can be beautiful.
As the evening unfolds we hop from one place to another, and so does the chat.
A gleaming smile hits my face as I continue to be awed by each and every event that takes places. It’s as though my life is being projected on some screen as it all unveils. Just pure connection. Sorry for my limited choice of words but, that is as simple as I can get to put it plainly. I have to reiterate myself cause, how can I not? For the first time in forever, I was able to open up to a stranger so freely and just allow myself to be. His eyes felt like a safe place to gaze into— warm and kind, accepting, sympathetic, genuine and even caring. My shy self sometimes couldn’t bear the stare only because I’m not used to it. But My God, he stared at me as though I was some kind of precious jewel. And it made me feel special.
The way he carried himself is almost like he had no worry in the world, not that he is nonchalant. But more so to do with his cool-calm-and collected demeanour.
It was a 2 day date which will remain to be one of my favorite ones, hopefully forever, but I can’t promise that. Talking about cultures, religions, people, wining and dining. Going to church, playing mini golf, giving each other backhanded compliments, being misguided by my no-sense of direction radar. Tiredness written all over our faces and yet, still being able to laugh it off. Again, it’s not a fairytale but he definitely is a top lad. On my highest shelf at this given moment. It was different although brief. It wasn’t a feeling….It was a soul connection.
Even though we are quite different as people we still shared a special bond. And the moment I dreaded eventually came. I was drenched in sadness as we bade goodbye. The curtain fell to the ground and it was as clear as day. I knew that moment was coming but I didn’t want to think it would. And at the back of my head I asked myself, “When will I ever get such a soul connection again?” Mind you, I have had many connections in my 20 something years of living, but not like this one. Not one which left me gob smacked.
We sat on the bench awaiting for me to finish writing him a small note, which he equally did (in return). I looked him in the eyes, put it in the palm of his hand and he read it hurriedly with much exuberance (and vice versa). But like all stories there is an end and I wasn’t looking forward to this one. We stood up, he hugged me tightly, looked me in the eyes and kissed me goodbye and a last kiss landing on my forehead. It was then that the rude awakening of reality dawned. Alas! But it was going to happen anyway.
When I tell you I am at a loss for words with this interaction, I really mean it. As a writer it is a common sentiment to utter such words, but this time it really hit home for me.
I learned so much about life in such a short period of time. I opened my eyes to the possibility of thinking, people like this do exist. It was God’s way of whispering to me, “There still is a glimmer of hope after-all”, and for me that gift came wrapped in a human form. Yes, perhaps it was only meant to be for 2 days but it is one which will remain engrained for a lifetime.
Storytelling 