Time, Friends and Commuters

There was a day I was home alone on a cold night.

With the lights out, it was so dark that I could hardly make out the outline of familiar objects.

Walking blindly I felt for a chair and stopped when my fingertips brushed against the edge of one.

With a sigh of triumph, I sat down slowly and afterwards let my mind wander.

I remember the day because at that moment, I was happy. I was content and I was where I needed to be.

Knowing where I was, knowing where I stood combined with the comfort gleaned from knowledge of what it feels like to love and be loved in return, felt like I was in a bubble of hope that continuously rose from a spring that never dried.

I have friends.

I have come across a catalogue of the complex relationships life offers and learned the hard way that there is never a ‘one size fits all’ design.

Categories include: friends, associates and fellow commuters in the amazing bus called life.

While some options from the category are custom made with people enhancing you in every way possible, some contain solely ornamentals with generic characteristics like occasionally saying the right words here and taking a great picture of you there and the rest? 

‘Monitoring spirits’ come to mind.

The thing with change is that even in life it remains constant; continuously impacting, continuously affecting; even the way I feel about those I have previously felt differently about (with Osikena, being the only exception).

Nothing remains the same.

Time today could grant me a friend whose value has no price and come around tomorrow to turn same friend into a person I barely stand or recognize.

Oh I have felt anger towards cherished friends as well as love. Been betrayed and grown suspicious of the seemingly innocent but with time, these things change.

For friends who have come out victorious after the test of time, I remain forever grateful. 

To you I’d be faithful, loyal even honest – in fact the whole Nigerian anthem.

For the rest who take, take and take but never think to give. Not even a little, you have been acknowledged. 

I smile with you, I talk to you but one day soon, I hope you realize you are not at all a friend.

You are a fellow commuter on this road called life.

I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t fault you but dearie, kindly stop pretending like you give a damn. 

Take care and pay your dues.

Until then, find me at the awesome row making beautiful and timeless memories with those who are my friends.

Cheers!