A short story
Lately, Jenkins dreaded the thought of phoning Halima. He was yearning to tell her (still undecided either to call or text) how much he missed her. It’s been a week and three days since he spoke to Halima after his return from Abuja. Before this break, they kept in touch with each other via WhatsApp until Halima’s phone got damaged. This restricted their communication outlets to only phone calls and SMS. He reminisced on how they had an instant connection that day they met at Dami’s place. He had wanted to excuse himself from the living room when Dami, his friend and former colleague from university, informed him about Halima’s visit. Dami explained to him that Halima was an acquittance from the just concluded NYSC Orientation Camp program at Abuja and that her primary place of assignment was around his neighborhood. Jenkins smiled as he recalled how he thanked Dami a day after Halima’s visit for cajoling him to stay and meet her. The meeting had panned out to be so memorable and most cherished. He kept on relishing the memory of how he had an instant connection with her, how they both shared interest in books, music and writing, how they both recommended some books to each other and reviewed them afterwards. He was into Nigerian novels while she was more inclined towards foreign novels. He thought about their date at Jabi Lake, the goofy and happy moments they both shared, the way her smile radiated her beauty, her charisma which match her high-pitched voice and swift walking pace — a bundle of memories.
◆ ◆ ◆
He picks up his phone and starts typing:
Hey Halima, I miss you! |
“It is too direct and plain.” He says and sigh in disapproval.
He deletes and retypes afresh:
Some imageries of you breezed through my Psyche, I am constantly stocked in thoughts about you; I miss you Halima! |
He rereads and evaluates his text, nods and grins in affirmation and pride. He is satisfied with the brief composition he has just mustered up, yet, some element of paranoia lurks on as he held the send button. He is perturbed and wonders aloud in frustration, “why am I so frightened of telling Halima I miss Her?” He shakes his head in utter disbelief and anger. With the phone still in his grasp, the typed text blinking and staring at him, what he dreads happens — his phone vibrates, indicating an incoming call. He lifts it up to get a glance at the caller; it is Halima. He feels a surge of adrenaline as he shivers in hysteria. His thumb becomes weighty — paralyzed as he tries to swipe up on the screen of his phone to receive the call. It seems like such a fierce battle having to swipe up.
◆ ◆ ◆
Jenkins wakes up panting with terror; “ bloody hell! What a dream!”. He reaches for his phone, checks the time, “6: 52! Yeh! I dom late ehh!” He yelps as he scurries out of his bed.
