14/02/2024
I lived with this pain and guilt for a very long time and l promised me that l wouldn't let it repeat itself ever again.
I share with you my love story and l have titled it "Beyond the How are you and l am fine ".
This occured over a decade ago,l lost my friend Christy Omowero Damisa in the year 2011.She originates from a town known as Ososo in Edo State.We met at the higher institution and we bonded so well.We both lived off campus and studied same course.Having come from a polygamous family,she had money always available from her siblings and l was her safe.I could so save her money for her and that endeared me to her.On graduation,we had promised each other that we will both be each others maid of honour depending on who gets married first.She moved to Lagos and l moved to F.C.T.We kept communicating until the last time she placed a call in 2010.She had promised visiting me in Asaba whenever she visits her younger sister and l was to be around then too.
Christy didn't come as promised and when l called to enquire,she said she couldn't make it and l didn't probe to know the reason.The communication reduced but l didn't take it seriously,l would just send her SMS,silly jokes but she wouldn't respond.That didn't still mean anything to me as l kept on bombarding her with SMS and all in French Language,l never put a call through.I wasn't worried that my messages weren't getting any response,π.
Behold time to tie the knot was approaching and l said to inform her to get ready to be my maid of honour.I put a call through and a lady picked ,"Christy,how are you?the voice answered,"this is not Christy"kindly give her the phone."Christy is not here "she said .Give her the phone now,she is not here.Okay,let her know her friend Enkay called.She is dead was the response,π€ποΈπ and yours truly dropped her phone and stood still in the staff room where l made the call.She had kept that line on for my sake knowing that l was going to call someday.My friend had long gone to rest and l had no idea.Then came the difficult question,whose fault was it that l didn't know...mine was it .Yea,it was as a result of carelessness,l didn't care enough,l kept on bombarding her with messages and caring less if she responded or not.Was my cry ever going to repair the loss and the carelessness?No!No!No!
I learned to care more after this experience.Do we go further to really find out if our friends and neighbors around are actually doing fine ?do we search the eyes to see if there are tears hidden there?do we sometimes place a call to say just hello or do we call when we need something?
These are life's questions.
So,as we celebrate world's Valentine's Day,ponder over these and try to care more.
Christy's memory remains fresh in my mind.l lost a rare gem.Adieu dear friend.I pray for God's grace to run this race and make it there someday .
Enaky Caresβ₯οΈ