I
loved the sound of gravel crunching as my miniature Vitz rolled home.
It had a relaxing quality, like a purr. I was thinking about Amanda I
sloped to the big, old, dark-green gate that separated my neighbors
and I from the outside world.
loved the sound of gravel crunching as my miniature Vitz rolled home.
It had a relaxing quality, like a purr. I was thinking about Amanda I
sloped to the big, old, dark-green gate that separated my neighbors
and I from the outside world.
Amanda.
Her long-legged, bouncy-breasted Highness. Amanda. A cat-walking
spectacle of flowing hair (those damned weaves!), red lips and
tantalizing buttocks.
Her long-legged, bouncy-breasted Highness. Amanda. A cat-walking
spectacle of flowing hair (those damned weaves!), red lips and
tantalizing buttocks.
I
nearly drove through the gate as I day-dreamed. I caught myself just
before my tiny vehicle would have confronted head-on the hundred
kilos of wrought iron standing erect before my wind shield.
nearly drove through the gate as I day-dreamed. I caught myself just
before my tiny vehicle would have confronted head-on the hundred
kilos of wrought iron standing erect before my wind shield.
I
stared a while at the gate. The paint had peeled off in many places,
exposing the metal to the elements. The rust gave the entire
structure an ugly, decrepit look.
stared a while at the gate. The paint had peeled off in many places,
exposing the metal to the elements. The rust gave the entire
structure an ugly, decrepit look.
I
got out of the car and opened the gate before driving in.
got out of the car and opened the gate before driving in.
As
I maneuvered into the compound, Amanda waltzed into my thoughts
again.
I maneuvered into the compound, Amanda waltzed into my thoughts
again.
I
had texted her before leaving office: Cayenne
at 8pm. Be there. Wear that devilish dress you wore the first time I
took you out.
had texted her before leaving office: Cayenne
at 8pm. Be there. Wear that devilish dress you wore the first time I
took you out.
Her
answer had been an enthusiastic okay
followed
by an emoticon, a shy-ish grin. This would be our second “date”
(if a beer-fueled evening at Cayenne counted as a date). And yes,
tonight I intended to sleep with her. There was no use being coy with
myself about it. I didn’t want to talk, I most definitely did not
want to be her “friend” – I simply wanted to pummel the living
daylights out of her. And, from what I could gather from our
ridiculously lewd conversations on Whatsapp, she wanted to do
something similar to me.
answer had been an enthusiastic okay
followed
by an emoticon, a shy-ish grin. This would be our second “date”
(if a beer-fueled evening at Cayenne counted as a date). And yes,
tonight I intended to sleep with her. There was no use being coy with
myself about it. I didn’t want to talk, I most definitely did not
want to be her “friend” – I simply wanted to pummel the living
daylights out of her. And, from what I could gather from our
ridiculously lewd conversations on Whatsapp, she wanted to do
something similar to me.
My
adrenaline shot up at the thought of the night ahead and, as I backed
up into “my” parking spot in the compound, my heart thumped
nervously in the bony vault that is my chest.
adrenaline shot up at the thought of the night ahead and, as I backed
up into “my” parking spot in the compound, my heart thumped
nervously in the bony vault that is my chest.
I
stepped out. A few of my neighbor’s children were running about,
shrieking happily. I watched them for a second or two, still thinking
of Amanda.
stepped out. A few of my neighbor’s children were running about,
shrieking happily. I watched them for a second or two, still thinking
of Amanda.
A
friend once said you knew you were in trouble when thoughts of
children brought one particular woman’s face to your mind. It meant
that you actually had deep “emotional feelings” for that woman. I
didn’t know if this was true and I didn’t care. The only thing on
my mind was Amanda’s bones and jumping them.
friend once said you knew you were in trouble when thoughts of
children brought one particular woman’s face to your mind. It meant
that you actually had deep “emotional feelings” for that woman. I
didn’t know if this was true and I didn’t care. The only thing on
my mind was Amanda’s bones and jumping them.
I
was alarmed when I found my door agape. Did
I leave it open? Had
someone broken in?
was alarmed when I found my door agape. Did
I leave it open? Had
someone broken in?
I
ran to the door, thinking of my fridge, my gas cooker, my PC, and the
flat screen that had cost me a small fortune. If they were gone….
God
please no!
ran to the door, thinking of my fridge, my gas cooker, my PC, and the
flat screen that had cost me a small fortune. If they were gone….
God
please no!
There
were two African sandals on the doormat. They were small, brown, with
little flowery decorations on the straps. I sighed. Only one other
person had the keys to my house.
were two African sandals on the doormat. They were small, brown, with
little flowery decorations on the straps. I sighed. Only one other
person had the keys to my house.
Rose,
my girlfriend of two years, last seen three months ago, was home.
my girlfriend of two years, last seen three months ago, was home.
Crap!
Amanda!
Amanda!
I
threw back the curtain and entered, leaving my shoes beside the
sandals. I quickly glanced around the sitting room, just to make sure
that my flat screen and PC were not missing.
threw back the curtain and entered, leaving my shoes beside the
sandals. I quickly glanced around the sitting room, just to make sure
that my flat screen and PC were not missing.
Her
perfume struck me, a sweet but irritatingly sharp scent. The kind
that, if you were close enough to the girl, would faintly sting your
nostrils. I found her asleep in the bedroom, buried beneath folds of
blanket. The room itself was tiny, a hermit’s cave. The bed was so
big that there was barely space left for anything else. Beside it was
a stool, on which she had placed her laptop, and squeezed into one
corner was my leather suitcase, brimming over with all sorts of
fabric. I had bought the bed two years earlier, a direct result of
the questionable priorities of a young bachelor.
perfume struck me, a sweet but irritatingly sharp scent. The kind
that, if you were close enough to the girl, would faintly sting your
nostrils. I found her asleep in the bedroom, buried beneath folds of
blanket. The room itself was tiny, a hermit’s cave. The bed was so
big that there was barely space left for anything else. Beside it was
a stool, on which she had placed her laptop, and squeezed into one
corner was my leather suitcase, brimming over with all sorts of
fabric. I had bought the bed two years earlier, a direct result of
the questionable priorities of a young bachelor.
Music
played on the laptop. Show Me the Meaning by Backstreet Boys. I had
always disliked her taste in music. It was too femininely cliché, I
thought. A little hard rock never hurt anyone, you know, a little bit
of Queen and The Pink Roses. I could even tolerate some of that
Western ghetto rap.
played on the laptop. Show Me the Meaning by Backstreet Boys. I had
always disliked her taste in music. It was too femininely cliché, I
thought. A little hard rock never hurt anyone, you know, a little bit
of Queen and The Pink Roses. I could even tolerate some of that
Western ghetto rap.
Jesus
Rose, I
thought, you
still listen to this crap?
Rose, I
thought, you
still listen to this crap?
She
was blissfully unconscious. From where I stood, all I could see of
her slender body were the braids. She had not had them the last time
I had seen her, three months ago. The thin and long interwoven
strands of black hair, with a tinge of red, spread out from her head
and lay slightly scattered on the pillow. She breathed softly.
Occasionally, a tiny snore escaped her lips.
was blissfully unconscious. From where I stood, all I could see of
her slender body were the braids. She had not had them the last time
I had seen her, three months ago. The thin and long interwoven
strands of black hair, with a tinge of red, spread out from her head
and lay slightly scattered on the pillow. She breathed softly.
Occasionally, a tiny snore escaped her lips.
I
missed her. I quickly realized it was because my libido had gone up.
Three months was a long time to spend without your woman. The room
was uncomfortably stuffy so I opened the window. Fresh air gushed in,
and at that moment Rose stirred beneath the blanket, as if fighting
to rouse herself from an enslaving sleep. She lost the fight and
resumed her comatose state. I watched her for a while. She wasn’t
supposed to be back for another month.
missed her. I quickly realized it was because my libido had gone up.
Three months was a long time to spend without your woman. The room
was uncomfortably stuffy so I opened the window. Fresh air gushed in,
and at that moment Rose stirred beneath the blanket, as if fighting
to rouse herself from an enslaving sleep. She lost the fight and
resumed her comatose state. I watched her for a while. She wasn’t
supposed to be back for another month.
I
touched her bare shoulder, the warmth of her bare skin once again
reminding me that I did, indeed, miss her.
touched her bare shoulder, the warmth of her bare skin once again
reminding me that I did, indeed, miss her.
“Rose!”
I whispered.
I whispered.
She
turned and faced me, but did not wake up. And now, as she lay there
with her eyes closed and slightly swollen from being asleep a long
time, breathing softly with that occasional snore, I got a fond
reminder of what had attracted me to her two years ago: her beauty.
Rose was not the best endowed female: her breasts were small and
sharp; the curve on her hips only slight, and her rear was petite and
firm. She was the opposite of the woman I usually got attracted to.
She was no Amanda. But her face…her face was angelic. She had two
of the biggest, brownest eyes I had ever seen; they were like two
large bulbs that glowed when she smiled. The tone of her skin was
unique, a dark mahogany that accentuated the brown of her eyes.
turned and faced me, but did not wake up. And now, as she lay there
with her eyes closed and slightly swollen from being asleep a long
time, breathing softly with that occasional snore, I got a fond
reminder of what had attracted me to her two years ago: her beauty.
Rose was not the best endowed female: her breasts were small and
sharp; the curve on her hips only slight, and her rear was petite and
firm. She was the opposite of the woman I usually got attracted to.
She was no Amanda. But her face…her face was angelic. She had two
of the biggest, brownest eyes I had ever seen; they were like two
large bulbs that glowed when she smiled. The tone of her skin was
unique, a dark mahogany that accentuated the brown of her eyes.
“Rose!”
I called again, slightly louder.
I called again, slightly louder.
Her
eyes dragged themselves open and she looked around the room
deliriously. When she finally turned and saw me next to the window,
sleep drained rapidly from her face like water pouring in gulps
through the mouth of an inverted jerry can. She smiled.
eyes dragged themselves open and she looked around the room
deliriously. When she finally turned and saw me next to the window,
sleep drained rapidly from her face like water pouring in gulps
through the mouth of an inverted jerry can. She smiled.
“Roger!”
she said, making me smile briefly on impulse.
she said, making me smile briefly on impulse.
“Someone
had a long day,” I teased.
had a long day,” I teased.
She
smiled again.
smiled again.
“Hi!”
“Hey,”
I replied as I sat on the edge of the bed, right next to her. “I
thought your gig was four months.” I tried not to use an accusing
tone.
I replied as I sat on the edge of the bed, right next to her. “I
thought your gig was four months.” I tried not to use an accusing
tone.
“They
called it off last week. Some misunderstanding with sponsors. But I
was tired of it, anyway.” Her voice was husky with remnants of
sleep.
called it off last week. Some misunderstanding with sponsors. But I
was tired of it, anyway.” Her voice was husky with remnants of
sleep.
“The
life of an upcoming artiste, eh?”
life of an upcoming artiste, eh?”
We
chuckled.
chuckled.
“How
about you? What mischief have you been up to?” she asked, half
playing, half not.
about you? What mischief have you been up to?” she asked, half
playing, half not.
“Aah.
I missed you.”
I missed you.”
She
pulled herself to my side, slipped her arms around my waist and laid
her head on my shoulder.
pulled herself to my side, slipped her arms around my waist and laid
her head on my shoulder.
“I
missed you too.” Her whisper was soft and suggestive. She rubbed
her hand in circles all over my torso, declaring her desire for
release from three months of separation. We lay there for a while. I
smirked when I realized that, even after two years of dating, she was
still scared of kissing me first. It didn’t matter how long we lay
there, it didn’t matter how horny or needy she
was.
If anything was going to happen I had to initiate it. I wondered if
Amanda was timid too. Maybe not,
if I judge her by those nasty things she texted to me.
missed you too.” Her whisper was soft and suggestive. She rubbed
her hand in circles all over my torso, declaring her desire for
release from three months of separation. We lay there for a while. I
smirked when I realized that, even after two years of dating, she was
still scared of kissing me first. It didn’t matter how long we lay
there, it didn’t matter how horny or needy she
was.
If anything was going to happen I had to initiate it. I wondered if
Amanda was timid too. Maybe not,
if I judge her by those nasty things she texted to me.
I
pulled Rose closer, like a child in my arms, and pecked her softly on
the lips. It was the only invitation she needed. Suddenly it was like
someone had unlocked her, or lifted some spell, and as she kissed me
back, deeply and hungrily, I felt my own lock break open.
pulled Rose closer, like a child in my arms, and pecked her softly on
the lips. It was the only invitation she needed. Suddenly it was like
someone had unlocked her, or lifted some spell, and as she kissed me
back, deeply and hungrily, I felt my own lock break open.
Somewhere
down the middle, I remember thinking the neighbors could hear
everything. The headboard lightly drumming against the wall would
have been hard to miss, and Rose was not skilled in the art of
subtlety. Mrs
Banda I hope your kids are indoors, I
thought smugly.
down the middle, I remember thinking the neighbors could hear
everything. The headboard lightly drumming against the wall would
have been hard to miss, and Rose was not skilled in the art of
subtlety. Mrs
Banda I hope your kids are indoors, I
thought smugly.
We
lay still for a while when it was over, panting off the exhaustion.
Rose’s head rested on my chest. I could feel my heart pounding
against her ear. Why
do girls do that? I
wondered. Why do they listen
to heartbeats?
lay still for a while when it was over, panting off the exhaustion.
Rose’s head rested on my chest. I could feel my heart pounding
against her ear. Why
do girls do that? I
wondered. Why do they listen
to heartbeats?
“I
had a funny dream earlier,” she said, and then chuckled.
had a funny dream earlier,” she said, and then chuckled.
“What
was it about?”
was it about?”
“That
you were with another woman.” She laughed, nervously.
you were with another woman.” She laughed, nervously.
My
heart went full bass and I swallowed reflexively. Great.
I’m dating a bloody clairvoyant.
heart went full bass and I swallowed reflexively. Great.
I’m dating a bloody clairvoyant.
At
that very moment, I realized I had a chance to do what I had been too
scared to do for months. This was it. This was my opportunity to do
the “right” thing. I took a deep breath and decided I had to go
through with it. I hesitated a bit – apprehensive. Afraid.
My
mouth went bitterly dry. The blood rushed to my head and I felt a
heavy, pounding heat in my ears.
that very moment, I realized I had a chance to do what I had been too
scared to do for months. This was it. This was my opportunity to do
the “right” thing. I took a deep breath and decided I had to go
through with it. I hesitated a bit – apprehensive. Afraid.
My
mouth went bitterly dry. The blood rushed to my head and I felt a
heavy, pounding heat in my ears.
“Rose…um…there’s
something you need to know.” I tried hard to keep my voice steady.
something you need to know.” I tried hard to keep my voice steady.
She
turned her head upwards and looked at me. She could read my tone like
a book. She knew when it was bad. I looked down at her.
turned her head upwards and looked at me. She could read my tone like
a book. She knew when it was bad. I looked down at her.
“What?”
“Babe
I… I don’t think I can do this anymore. I… I’m just not
there…”
I… I don’t think I can do this anymore. I… I’m just not
there…”
“Baby,
what’s wrong?”
what’s wrong?”
“Um…
I… I just don’t think I’m ready for something this serious.”
I… I just don’t think I’m ready for something this serious.”
She
slowly disengaged herself from my arms and sat up. I could tell that
she was fighting to compose herself. When she spoke again her voice
was shaky and dry.
slowly disengaged herself from my arms and sat up. I could tell that
she was fighting to compose herself. When she spoke again her voice
was shaky and dry.
“So
you want to break up.”
you want to break up.”
“There’s
no use you being with someone who is not ready to settle down yet.”
no use you being with someone who is not ready to settle down yet.”
“We’ve
been together two years, why now?”
been together two years, why now?”
I
had absolutely no idea how to proceed. I stared at my bare torso for
a moment, as if the solution was coded in the hairs of my chest. At
length, I got up and began to dress up. The idea was to say goodbye
as quickly and as drama-free as possible before running off.
had absolutely no idea how to proceed. I stared at my bare torso for
a moment, as if the solution was coded in the hairs of my chest. At
length, I got up and began to dress up. The idea was to say goodbye
as quickly and as drama-free as possible before running off.
Running
off to Amanda.
off to Amanda.
“Look,
I don’t know what to say, Rose. I’m not ready for anything
long-term. I like you a lot and I thought I was ready but I’m not.”
I buckled my belt as I spoke.
I don’t know what to say, Rose. I’m not ready for anything
long-term. I like you a lot and I thought I was ready but I’m not.”
I buckled my belt as I spoke.
“Is
there another woman?”
there another woman?”
The
answer flew out before I could put a lid on it.
answer flew out before I could put a lid on it.
“Don’t
be ridiculous. Of course not.”
be ridiculous. Of course not.”
“Don’t
lie to me!”
lie to me!”
I
hastened my dress-up. I had to get out of there quick. Her next words
came in a full-on, ear-shattering scream.
hastened my dress-up. I had to get out of there quick. Her next words
came in a full-on, ear-shattering scream.
“Answer
me! Are you fucking someone else?”
me! Are you fucking someone else?”
She
was looking straight at me, her body starting to move in slight
heaves of hot emotion. Something snapped inside me and I looked at
her for the first time since skipping off the bed.
was looking straight at me, her body starting to move in slight
heaves of hot emotion. Something snapped inside me and I looked at
her for the first time since skipping off the bed.
“You
know what, I don’t have time for your shit. I am not fucking
anybody else. I just don’t love you any more, okay? I’m going
somewhere for a while so you have time to organize your things. If
you want I can tell Musa the boda guy to pick you up.”
know what, I don’t have time for your shit. I am not fucking
anybody else. I just don’t love you any more, okay? I’m going
somewhere for a while so you have time to organize your things. If
you want I can tell Musa the boda guy to pick you up.”
“Roger…”
“I’m
sorry, Rose. I would never intentionally hurt you. You know that. I’m
just not happy anymore. I have to try something else.” With that
grand declaration I grabbed my phone and hurried to the bedroom door.
I turned back in one final attempt to alleviate her pain. “I’m
sorry.”
sorry, Rose. I would never intentionally hurt you. You know that. I’m
just not happy anymore. I have to try something else.” With that
grand declaration I grabbed my phone and hurried to the bedroom door.
I turned back in one final attempt to alleviate her pain. “I’m
sorry.”
As
I walked out, she leaped from the bed and grabbed my arm. For a
moment I stood motionless, looking at her, bewildered.
I walked out, she leaped from the bed and grabbed my arm. For a
moment I stood motionless, looking at her, bewildered.
“Roger,”
she said. “I’m sorry. Whatever I did, I’m sorry.”
she said. “I’m sorry. Whatever I did, I’m sorry.”
It
hit me then: she was begging.
hit me then: she was begging.
My
first instinct was to lift her off the ground and comfort her. I had
never seen her like this and for a moment I was almost overcome with
emotion. Instead, I composed myself and attempted to pull my arm from
her grasp.
first instinct was to lift her off the ground and comfort her. I had
never seen her like this and for a moment I was almost overcome with
emotion. Instead, I composed myself and attempted to pull my arm from
her grasp.
“Stop
this.” I attempted to sound as unmoved as possible.
this.” I attempted to sound as unmoved as possible.
“Who
is she?”
is she?”
“Let
me go!”
me go!”
I
briefly managed to free my arm but she grabbed it again and yanked me
toward her, causing me to nearly fall. I lost my temper at that
instant. I pulled myself away from her, and she rose off the floor
like she was an extension of me. She would not let go without a
fight.
briefly managed to free my arm but she grabbed it again and yanked me
toward her, causing me to nearly fall. I lost my temper at that
instant. I pulled myself away from her, and she rose off the floor
like she was an extension of me. She would not let go without a
fight.
I
leaned back and let my weight do the pulling. She started to inch
forward slowly as I overpowered her. As she threw her own weight
behind her pulls, her hands started to slip from my arm and it became
apparent that I was winning the tug of war. In one final act of
defiance, she pulled with all her might and nearly had me back in the
bedroom. I countered and pulled back harder, releasing my arm and
sending her reeling backwards, braids splayed in the air, arms
flailing, and breasts jiggling. She hit her head on the wall behind
her with a slight thud. It must not have been painful but,
regardless, she slunk down along the wall to the floor and let out a
shriek of pain.
leaned back and let my weight do the pulling. She started to inch
forward slowly as I overpowered her. As she threw her own weight
behind her pulls, her hands started to slip from my arm and it became
apparent that I was winning the tug of war. In one final act of
defiance, she pulled with all her might and nearly had me back in the
bedroom. I countered and pulled back harder, releasing my arm and
sending her reeling backwards, braids splayed in the air, arms
flailing, and breasts jiggling. She hit her head on the wall behind
her with a slight thud. It must not have been painful but,
regardless, she slunk down along the wall to the floor and let out a
shriek of pain.
Seeing
she was unharmed, I turned swiftly and went straight through the
sitting room to the veranda where my shoes still lay beside her
sandals.
she was unharmed, I turned swiftly and went straight through the
sitting room to the veranda where my shoes still lay beside her
sandals.
“Shit!”
I shouted in frustration while putting the shoes back on.
I shouted in frustration while putting the shoes back on.
With
both feet clothed, I hurried out. Mrs. Banda stood outside her door,
looking gravely at me. She had obviously heard everything. When I got
off the veranda she signaled to her children to rush back indoors, as
though my presence in the compound would corrupt them in some way. I
pretended not to notice and headed straight for the car. I was
getting late. Amanda would be at Cayenne by now.
both feet clothed, I hurried out. Mrs. Banda stood outside her door,
looking gravely at me. She had obviously heard everything. When I got
off the veranda she signaled to her children to rush back indoors, as
though my presence in the compound would corrupt them in some way. I
pretended not to notice and headed straight for the car. I was
getting late. Amanda would be at Cayenne by now.
Amanda’s
text message came through as I was about to start the engine. It was
brief and seductive. Typical.
text message came through as I was about to start the engine. It was
brief and seductive. Typical.
“Hey
boo. U here yet? Cdnt find the dress but got something jst as
sexy…” followed
by her signature shy-ish grin. I momentarily forgot what had
transpired in the last hour and let Amanda flood my thoughts again.
Before long I felt a twitch in my trousers. Let’s
find out just how loud she screams.
boo. U here yet? Cdnt find the dress but got something jst as
sexy…” followed
by her signature shy-ish grin. I momentarily forgot what had
transpired in the last hour and let Amanda flood my thoughts again.
Before long I felt a twitch in my trousers. Let’s
find out just how loud she screams.
But
just as I was about to turn the key, a strange sound floated to me
all the way from my front door. It drove the thought of Amanda out
and replaced it with dark and guilty clouds of sentiment. The sound
was the last thing I needed to hear then: a sob; Rose crying.
just as I was about to turn the key, a strange sound floated to me
all the way from my front door. It drove the thought of Amanda out
and replaced it with dark and guilty clouds of sentiment. The sound
was the last thing I needed to hear then: a sob; Rose crying.
The
shakes came then. Abrupt, violent shivers. I held onto the steering
wheel and clenched my fists. Before long the shivers were accompanied
by sobs of my own. Tears rolled down my cheeks and my throat burned.
It was the cry of a little boy who knows he must return the toy he
took from his friend’s box; the cry of unwillingness and yet
obligation to do the right thing.
shakes came then. Abrupt, violent shivers. I held onto the steering
wheel and clenched my fists. Before long the shivers were accompanied
by sobs of my own. Tears rolled down my cheeks and my throat burned.
It was the cry of a little boy who knows he must return the toy he
took from his friend’s box; the cry of unwillingness and yet
obligation to do the right thing.
When
the storm of emotion had subsided, I got my phone and typed. My body
screamed at me. My nether regions frowned unamusedly. Dammit,
Rose!
the storm of emotion had subsided, I got my phone and typed. My body
screamed at me. My nether regions frowned unamusedly. Dammit,
Rose!
“Hey
Amanda. Don’t think I can make it tonight. Something’s come up.
Very sorry.”
Amanda. Don’t think I can make it tonight. Something’s come up.
Very sorry.”
I
hit send and blurted out a curse so filthy I think the devil needed a
double take to register it. I hated Rose for making me do this, but I
did it anyway because my conscience was a like a massive weight on my
shoulders. I got out of the car and went back into the house.
hit send and blurted out a curse so filthy I think the devil needed a
double take to register it. I hated Rose for making me do this, but I
did it anyway because my conscience was a like a massive weight on my
shoulders. I got out of the car and went back into the house.
Rose
was still seated on the cold floor when I entered. I gazed
at
the sight of her in consternation. Her body, small, dark, and naked,
shook in tandem with her deep sobs. I carried her into the bed,
covered her with the blanket, and undressed before getting in next to
her.
was still seated on the cold floor when I entered. I gazed
at
the sight of her in consternation. Her body, small, dark, and naked,
shook in tandem with her deep sobs. I carried her into the bed,
covered her with the blanket, and undressed before getting in next to
her.
“I’m
sorry,” I said. “I’m not leaving. Please stop crying, okay?”
sorry,” I said. “I’m not leaving. Please stop crying, okay?”
She
stopped sobbing but said nothing. Instead, she fell asleep.
stopped sobbing but said nothing. Instead, she fell asleep.
Then,
my phone vibrated with a message from Amanda. I swallowed hard and
opened it.
my phone vibrated with a message from Amanda. I swallowed hard and
opened it.
“Fuck
you,” it read.
you,” it read.
I
smiled and went to sleep.
smiled and went to sleep.
~~
John
Barigye
currently
works as an engineer at Century Bottling Company, but has an eye on
becoming a professional writer. He has been writing since he was
eleven years old, and has had a few pieces published on artsheba.com,
a US-based platform for supporting East African Writing. He is
currently busy
on
a few other short stories, which he hopes
to
have published soon.
Barigye
currently
works as an engineer at Century Bottling Company, but has an eye on
becoming a professional writer. He has been writing since he was
eleven years old, and has had a few pieces published on artsheba.com,
a US-based platform for supporting East African Writing. He is
currently busy
on
a few other short stories, which he hopes
to
have published soon.
~~
~~
Also in this Issue
Short Stories
Poems
