Stanley and I seemed to have an indestructible love, and our commitments to one another looked to be inscribed in the heavens. We discussed our future as a couple as though it were a book that needed to be read.
He inquired in a serious tone, "Do you mean you won't leave me?"
"If you are not ready to leave me, then I won't. I should be asking you that," I said, not sure if his questions were genuine.
"Are you sure about this? I should be the one making promises," he urged.
I pondered our relationship while sitting by myself in my room, thinking back on his statements. I eventually told him that I would always be there for us, no matter what challenges we would encounter. He was a nice person but never without flaws, he was cool but I doubted he understood the meaning of commitment in a relationship. It was a distance relationship but it was never without misunderstandings, quarrels and settlements, too many questions on trust.
After a long relationship together in in love, he invited me over to know where he based. That wasn't my first visit, it was like the third but others have been in a hotel for as many weeks we wish to spend together until the last visit.
The going was smooth like the previous ones, I got to his rented two bedroom and it was well furnished. He introduced me to his cousin and being a serve reserved person couple with being my first visit I didn't initial any conversation with his cousin after saying "hi."
It was then a night before my departure, I struck up a spirited conversation with his Steve. I didn't understand how much pleasure I was having until later. But I could not get rid of the sensation that my Stanley wasn't satisfied with our conversation when he interrupted, telling me to get some sleep for my next trip.
I agreed with him, going to my room and bidding Steve good night. When I got on the bus station to leave the following day, Stanley saw me off and bid me farewell and that was the end till I got to my destination. I regretted taking the risk of traveling that far distance to see someone who doesn't care about me, disappointment was the only ally I had till I got to my location.
My phone did not ring during the long drive, which made me wonder how serious our love was. There was no calls from him, no how far have you guys gone, hope you have had something to eat, no word from him to convince me of his concern.
Feeling alone and surrounded by unease in the bus, I sought solace in music. The songs I tagged favorite eased me into the day by surrounding me like a warm blanket. Comforting me and taking away my misery. I felt at ease in the embrace of the music as I fell asleep.
I was shocked to wake up and see that I was the only person left in the bus as a passenger, only driver and conductor were by myself, I became terrified when I understood how unstable my circumstances were.
"Driver, where are the rest of us?" I asked engulfed in fear.
"You have slept for so long, all had dropped in their different locations, you seems to be the only one going to the last bus stop and we can't continue the journey till the next day," the driver said unconcerned.
"Why can't we continue the journey, here is lonely and looking abandoned. We can drive to the nearest park and spend a night there not in this filling station in the middle of no houses but bushes," I voiced out frighteningly.
"We can't drive again, we would be the only humans on the road and that's risky," he walked out of the bus, closed the door and departed.
"Alone in this strange environment," I cried out and begged God for protection inwardly.
Checking my time, it was passed 11PM. My strength failed me, I was destabilized, no joy was found on my face, I saw myself alone in the middle of nowhere with strangers. All I knew about the place was that it's a western part of Nigeria, to tell the exact state was impossible. I became aware of some unnerving noises, it wasn't close to where our bus was parked but it was in same vicinity.
I glanced at my phone and the time was to 1AM. Fear gripping me, I turned back to my music and took solace in its comforting notes. The sound of "ole, ole, ole," a word in Yoruba language translated to means "thief , thief thief," the same word echoed, sending goosebumps which gave me the idea of blocking my ears with my earpiece. I didn't know when the noise eventually stopped, as daylight got closer, I was relieved.
Despite the terrifying event, I found comfort in music's capacity to calm my spirit. When I did make it home, I thought about affection, love and infatuation, tried to understand where I can place my relationship. I was thankful I had a phone filled with songs, the everlasting influence of music on my existence can't be overemphasized. Even though our relationship was over, music was always a comfort and a companion.