Awaken

It’s been a hard time for Sandra lately. It’s been from one trouble to the other. The closer she thinks she is getting to see what lies on the other side, the more troubles she has to combat. Her imaginations are running riot. She feels like escaping to somewhere tranquil. Far away from everyone and everything.

Everyday she pulls herself to work. She’s tempted to take some time off but she tells herself, sitting at home will not make any difference. It will only add more salt to injury. Moreover, there are bills to pay. She has called off her affair with her boyfriend, Bryson. He seems not to understand her plight. He can’t see her inside out. All he wants is to have her close and to dote on her. She’s dying silently and he hasn’t taken cognizance.

“I’d rather we go separate ways. Let’s take some time off,” she tells Bryson.

“Have I done anything wrong? Have I offended you?” he asks with a sympathetic look.

“No, you haven’t offended me, neither have you wronged me. It’s just that …”

He cuts in, “It’s just that you don’t love me anymore. But please try to. I love you so much!”

“It’s not what you think. I do love you but I need to get back into my elements. I need some calmness and peace within. I’m so sorry.”

“No problem. I’ll always still love you.”

He turns to leave looking sad. She looks on with pity but her mind has been made up. She sits alone in a park watching people, reminiscing on the halcyon days. Two ladies seat on a bench close to her. One of them says, “Do you know my favourite quote?”

“No.” The other replies.

“It’s by Billie Holiday, ‘I’m always making a comeback but no one asks me where I have been,’” she answers.

“Yeah! It’s a nice one,” she continues, “Mine is, ‘Even the sun has a sinking spell but rises in the morning’.”

Sandra shakes her head. Courage rises up within her. She’s strongly determined not to throw in the towel.