Bye, Adufe

By Alfred Olaiya

There we were, under the blissful tree
Staring at each other after a sour kiss
My heart raced, my cheeks shivered.
I held her hand and felt the softness with foul hope
Because I thought she was going to say ‘bye’

Her beautiful face made me think back to lovely memories.
When she’d rest her head on my laps,
My fingers running through her creamy hair.
When we’d sit by the river at sunset and cuddle.
When…
I felt the warmth on her neck and sighed.
Because I felt she would say ‘bye’.

The fullness of her gracious bosom and cosy hips sometimes make me silly.
Let alone her lovely smile.
Then she jolted me with a tap, opening her mouth.
And I was like ‘Should I silence her with kisses and tears?’
Because I knew for sure she would say ‘bye’.

Then there was I feeling empty,
Eyes streaming, birds chirping, wind whizzing.
Clamorous silence.
But not enough to becloud my sobbing heart.
I looked up, her back facing me, seemed miles away.
Because she had already said ‘Bye’.

From my nightmare, I was rescued by Alamu, my brother.
‘Wake up’, he said, ‘Adufe stands by the door’.
‘Really!?’ I screamed. Thank God it’s a dream.
Without me pushing, my legs pushed me to the door; there stood Adufe, my love!
In a minute, I fondled her in my arms, feeling her heartbeat.

Staring into her eyes, I whispered ‘Adufe, promise me you won’t leave me’.
She stared back; she held my hands and cried on my shoulder.
I trembled, my stomach rumbled. Then she said: ‘Alabi, I’m pregnant…’

My chest panged; I swallowed hard.
Now, I wished I could be woken up again by Alamu.