Gideon Gregory SAGBO

She was confused as to whether she had just done the right thing. As she watched Dapo leave, she felt warm tears gliding down her cheeks. It was a beautiful harmattan evening and Dapo had called her that afternoon and asked that they meet at the park by 5pm. But since she really had nothing to do at home, she had arrived there earlier to enjoy nature. And yes, she did enjoy herself. She had sat on one of the concrete benches, the one closest to an avocado tree. She loved it as the cool breeze caressed her face. And occasionally, she watched as some dry leaves swayed lazily from the top of the tree to join a very low heap of others on the field. She also stole glances at a young couple at the far end. They had kissed and chased each other around two or three trees and then retired on a bench.

“They seem to be newly married” She had thought to herself. In a year or less, they will probably be throwing curses at each other or maybe one of them, asking for a divorce. She silently cursed herself for harbouring such sinister imagination. But still, she knew she might be right. It happens every now and then, and like the rising and setting of the sun, it apparently will never stop. But she had asked herself, where did the love at the initial stage go? Or maybe like a thick black fume it wafts away in the wind. It was during one of her envious glances at the lovely couple that Dapo in that she was unaware of his presence, had crept stealthily from behind her and wrapped her face with his palms. She was alarmed at first. But then, before she could react, the sweet smell of his perfume had swept past her nose and she smiled.

There was something about Dapo that she loved, His softness. Everything about him was mild and cool. From his visage to the way he speaks. The way he pronounces every sound of his words, so gently and yet so strong. Like one giving a speech at a funeral. And then, his gait. So gentlemanly as were his outfits. Dapo was at least 6 feet tall, dark and handsome. His hair was always well-shaped but intentionally bushy. She loved the sight of his soft pink lips and had always wanted to try them out for a kiss. But not anymore, that was a fantasy now. Not after she had just turned him down and watched him walk out of her life, like every one of the others.

“But I thought you love me as much as I do”. He had said bitterly in a tone that was the mixture of statement and question. She knew it was not yet time, not again and not now. Maybe her fear was greater than her love for him after all.

Sagbo, Gideon Gregory. “Not Now”. Roses, Thorns & Fireflies. EWA, 5.2 (March 2022): 14-15