Life in a jiffy (fiction)
"I'm not promising Tobi; I don't like arranged relationships, but for your sake, I'll give this a shot. You're such a pest when you need something!" I said, rolling my eyes up across the table where we sat to have lunch at Lick Fingers Restaurant. "So, tell me more about Alex. You're so confident that he would win my heart." My inquisitiveness gradually crept up my nerves, getting a better hold of me as I hoped to know something about the so-praised Alex.
"Wouldn't I be letting the cat out of the bag too early? I think you should find out all you need when you meet him. He'll oblige you with all you need to know." Tobi replied, denying me the answers to questions that began to spring up in my brain.
"Very well then; I guess I'll just have to meet him and find out all I need to know." I said this in submission, realizing Tobi would not answer my questions. We switched topics and caught up on college years, enjoying the nostalgia of the memories we shared once as students in college.
A week later, I was sitting on a table in one of the finest restaurants in town with Alex, gorgeously dressed in a peach gown, a little below my knee, and laced with beautiful stones, designed to cause a second look by any passerby. Alex was humorous, as his look was appealing. His dark-colored skin glowed with radiance, and his gaping tooth melted my heart. It was a yes for me right from the moment I saw Alex; our conversation was nothing short of interesting. I was all blushing throughout our first dinner date. I was thankful to Tobi for this connection, and after the date, I sent him a thank-you text.
Alex and I rapidly grew fond of each other; my only reservation and concern was his passion to enroll in the military. He, however, managed to convince me, and barely twelve months into our relationship, he got enlisted, and truth be told, he was just perfect in his uniform, a pride to both the nation and, more especially, to myself. All was set, and I did not hesitate to say yes to his wedding proposal, which he threw in grandeur. Our wedding was the highlight of our bliss. I never really pictured myself being the bride in a uniformed wedding where beautifully dressed officers led us to the altar.
Two years into our marriage, life seemed as perfect as I dreamed it, only that Alex was mostly unavailable and, oftentimes, posted from one point to another. He barely had ample time to spend with me; the maximum was two weeks. Occasionally, Alex sneaked out to see me when he had some sick leave or pretended to be unwell and was excused. I enjoyed listening to his gallant talks about the missions he embarked upon, which sometimes caused me a scare, making my heart skip some beats. Alex smiled less since he joined the military, and the jovial attitude of his soon began to witness an obvious decline. Our pact was to always communicate once, at least every 24 hours, and if he was going to be away on a difficult mission, I made him promise to come back to me alive!
"Hello Tobi, I've been trying to reach Alex for the past three days; have you heard from your friend?" I asked Tobi over the phone, and my voice was obviously betraying my confidence and hopes.
"He will reach out to you; just be patient." He replied with a noticeable delay and stammer, trying to dismiss my fears.
"Don't sell me a dog, Tobi. What happened to my Alex?" I managed to say it emphatically.
"Let him reach out to you, Sarah." He said this before hanging up the call.
My whole body system worsened, and my reasoning and judgment were adulterated. My fingers fidgeted, and the beats in my heart galloped erratically. I tried to reach Alex's mom, but she neither picked up nor returned the call. The following day, while I prepared to visit his mom to inquire about Alex, the knock on my door, though gentle, startled me, causing me to drop and shatter the mug I held in my hand.
"Mrs. Sarah Agatha? May we come in?" One of the two officers at my doorstep said, I looked at him, and in his hand was a flower bouquet. The message was clear in unspoken terms: My Alex was killed in action. My eyelids welled up in tears, and I let out a scream in pain. My heart was stabbed, torn, and shattered. The officers grasped me before I hit the ground. I was led to one of the chairs in my living room; the world around me spun in a circle, and the essence of living was overwhelmed with despair.
Shortly after the officers left the house, I locked myself up in my room and let the tears flow freely. I was at my lowest, and for hours, I remained lost, flashes of Alex resident in my mind. By dusk on the same day, Tobi knocked on my door. I cried on his shoulders for a few minutes before disengaging. We sat and stared at each other awkwardly for a long time, and whenever he tried to say something, he ended up keeping quiet.
"I didn't know how to tell you. I'm sorry, Sarah." Tobi said so solemnly. "I put you in this mess in the first place." He continued.
"No, Tobi, Alex was the best thing that happened to me, and I do not regret the time I shared with him. Don't be hard on yourself; I'll be fine." I reassured him, even though, deep within me, being fine was a lie I told myself.
Five years after Alex's death, I picked my pieces together and shelved my hurt. I was still in my early thirties, and Greg, a friend I've known for the past two years whom I met at a function, has been supportive and desirous of a relationship with me despite knowing my past. I am hopeful that the new chapter of my life I am entering will be without pain though Alex's memories lurked deep within my heart. I said yes to Greg for a fresh start.
A really touching story... Losing a loved one is really difficult but it takes bravery to let go of the hurt and start anew. Sarah is a brave woman
Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the read
Marriage to uniform men, something I can relate with. It's never easy when they are gone and you do not know if they will come back to you or you will have some random guys dressed in uniform pass the most dreaded news. This is a beautiful story. I particularly love how you informed us that it wasn't sad forever for Sarah.
You're right about the uncertainty of the return of uniformed men.
Thank you dear friend
What a tragedy for a young bride! Sarah had a great perspective on the loss, however, and appreciated the time she had with her husband more than she regretted his loss. Very nice use of the prompt, @jjmusa2004. Thank you for sharing your story in The Ink Well and for reading and commenting on the work of other community members.
Thank you for your kind words, I'm grateful