I wasn't used to waking this happy. It felt kind of strange.
The morning sun shines through the curtains. I could feel Keston's scent in the air.
I did my skin routine
Like my skin needs to match my inner glow. I'm in love, and that's my reflection.
I was happy, and everyone at the office noticed....
No messages from Keston today.
That's so unlike him, I said to myself.
After lunch, I tried calling him, but he busied my call twice, so I had to let him.
work.
I sighed!
The night felt somehow lonely. I tried calling him again, still no answer.
Was he ignoring him?
I doubted.
We had such a beautiful moment, and the replay was still in my head, fresh. I was looking forward to more shared moments, not silence!
For days, no trace of Keston. Not even his shadow. All his routines- from morning messages to gifts, take-out and all.
I chose not to go to his office after Vanessa's scenario.
Previously, I had gone to his house. I called him, while I stood outside waiting. He didn't pick, and he didn't open the door. I saw his car parked in the garage. I heard the soft music from inside his apartment.
That was deliberate neglect.
I decided to stop calling him. Let me not force it, so I don't look desperate.
"Baby," I said to Tina
"I have been dumped"
"It can't be," she said quickly
Not so fast.....
"You sounded as if you saw it coming, I asked."
"In love, you keep your expectations low and be ready for the worst."
What really happened?
Nothing happened.
"Just that he has been ignoring my calls with no call back for over a month."
"That's serious"
Men, they are all the same. She added.
"Keston is not that kind of man." I said
"You are still giving him excuses." Snap out of it, my friend
"I really don't want to conclude since I haven't heard from him"
I said. But the silent treatment is affecting me badly.
"Nothing lasts forever, Girl."
Life goes on.
"I will fix it. I just didn't want to be too pushy with the attention thing.".
I missed his voice, his touch, his love, everything. I said, almost crying.
Two months had passed, and that was how Keston left me without any notice. I picked up my life and put the remaining pieces together.
"I saw Vanessa yesterday at the eatery,"
Tina said as she walked into the office.
"Was she with Keston?"
I asked, thinking that was my replacement.
No, not that, she said.
"She wore the same bracelet as the one Keston gifted you."
"Was it made specially for me?" I asked
"Ain't you his special one?" She teased.
I doubted it!
Friday evening, Tina chose Eatery over cooking.
It sounded like a great idea till everything went south.
Tina was to spend the weekend with me, so we decided to walk back home, enjoying our gist.
At the front of Keston's house, we found his car parked outside. Without thinking twice, I rushed straight to the driver's side to check if he was inside. Behold, there he was kissing another lady so passionately.
They didn't see me; their eyes were closed, locked in the passion of the moment I thought belonged to me.
I wanted to hit the car, or maybe scream, but Tina held me back.
She was my saving grace.
I held it in until I got home, then I broke completely.
Why am I never lucky with love? I cried.
Why is my happiness always short-lived?.
Tears soaked my face.
I didn't even want to wipe it.
I was pained.
This love was not supposed to end.
I'm the one he's supposed to be with.
I felt pain. The one that cuts across my chest.
Tina allowed me to have my moment until there was nothing left; she came to comfort me. That night, she didn't say much. Her presence was all I needed. A shoulder to cry on.
Each time I close my eyes, I see them kissing. I kept tossing. Tina stayed close to me the whole time. I moved under her arms and fell asleep.
The mirror didn't lie
My eyes were red and swollen.
How do I go from being glowed up in love to this? I asked myself quietly.
I on the shower and allowed the water to slide down my face, pretending it would wash the memories away.
I forced myself to eat that morning with the help of Tina. I need strength to face whatever is coming.
The good thing was that Keston didn't see me.
I wanted to call in sick
But Tina insisted that going to work would take my mind off the moment and keep me occupied with work.
Do you think so? I asked obediently.
I slowly got dressed for work, wearing a bright coloured blouse, hoping it would help with my mood.
At work, it was my usual self. That morning, I stayed at my office with Tina so I don't transfer aggression on others.
The thought of Keston kissing another woman kept on flashing, I thought about our moments together and all the promises he made.
"This was not meant to happen"
I snapped as I hit the table.
Tina stood up to comfort me.
"You will be fine dear" She said.
"How, when?" I asked.
She just hugged me so tightly.
I regretted going to the office.
At noon, my mood was still down but I smiled when I had to, kept a straight face and looked like a stranger to myself.
"No, Sophie," I told myself, "You have seen worse than this, and it didn't break you. You will survive this."
Later, I was able to put myself together a bit, played some gospel songs, picked the file I was working on and sang along and continue my day.
Life doesn't always go as planned. I'd be strong for what's next.