“Tomi” I called hesitantly, she
turned to look at me. We were in one of the popular eateries in Lagos. We had
gone shopping and was exhausted both physically and financially. We had spent
so much more than what we budgeted for and I just knew that I would regret it
the following day. We decided to crown our effort by having lunch. Actually, I
had ulterior motives, I had wanted to talk to my friend about her relationship
and I just didn’t know how to brooch the subject. Moreover, she has avoided
talking about her boyfriend.
“What are your plans for this year?” I asked.
“I mean you and Mr O.”
Tomi kept quiet for a while. I
wondered what she was thinking about or maybe she would not say anything as
usual. Tomi had been dating Mr O as we call him for three years now. Nobody has met him and we her friends are
beginning to think maybe he was an imaginary boyfriend coined by our friend in
order to keep us off her back. We were rather protective of her because she had
suffered a lot. Her fiancé had died a week before their marriage and that had
made her shut down emotionally but that was several years ago. We were very happy
when she told us about this man that we have never met. Initially she was very
excited about the relationship. She looked radiant and beautiful and was very
full of life. This lasted for one year. She had since become very pensive and
withdrawn again and I worry about her.
I waited patiently for her
response. She played with her fork for a while. Making circles on her plate.
She seemed far off and I wonder if I have not over run my mouth again.
“Ose,” she said.” I have decided
to live.” She smiled and her eyes shone. “I have decided to live my life to the
fullest. I have been afraid for too long. Afraid to live life but now, I am
going to live. I will travel, go out on dates and enjoy my life. If I find love
I will embrace it but if I don’t, so be it.” She said happily.
I looked at her curiously. I
wasn’t satisfied by her answer because that was not what I expected. Tomi held
my hands in her palms.
“I am going to be fifty in a
year. I have mourned Ola. I have laid his ghost to rest and I think it is time
for me to live again. It has taken me years to get to this point but I thank
God that I finally did.” She said smiling.
“What about Mr O.” I asked
tentatively. She looked at me and smiled again. “Mr O is there. But Mr O has
developed cold feet. He has commitment phobia” She replied shaking her head.
“Have you guys broken up?” I
asked now confused.
“No we have not. He is my friend and will
remain so as long as he wants.”
“But…” I said interrupting her.
“Hear me out. She said putting her
fore finger on my lips. He has a choice. He can either get his act together or
the relationship will frizzle out but for me, I am going to go on dates again.
Go to the cinema, travel to all those places I have always wanted to go; do all
those things I have always wanted to do. I am going to cast my net wide, in the
deep ocean as far as I can. I am going to spread my wings. I am going to live
again.” She replied giggling.
Then she laughed. She laughed
long and loud. The laugh was very infectious. I joined her laughing loud too
not mindful of the people around us. Then I knew my friend is finally healed.
