“I was told our relationship wont last for long
and we will have much trouble if we get
married to each other. I’m sorry it had to end
this way. Please, I need you to understand
why we have to end this relationship”. Dan said
to Tara on the phone. Tara’s eyes were already soiled with tears. His
call woke her up around 12:40am. It was quite
unusual for him to call this late, she had
thought before pressing the receive button on
her phone. But now she wished her phone was
off and he never found a means to contact her. “If I offended you, please forgive me. Why
must we end it now because a Pastor told you
so. Think about the 6years we have been
together. Don’t leave me now”. Tara pleaded
painfully. “I can’t do anything about it Tara. My hands
are tight, I don’t want to risk the future. Think
about it too dear. I’m really hurt too, but the
prophecy was too much for me. We have to
end it now.” he continued on the phone. Tara was too shocked. She felt weak and tired
and she didn’t want to talk again “OK. I’ve
heard you. I now know you never really loved
me. It’s over, I agree it’s over.” she sniffed and
ended the call. Tara and Dan had been together for 6years.
They started out as friends and being a next
door neighbor to each other, it helped their
relationship. They were of the same age with
two months intervals between Dan and Tara.
They talked about everything and anything. Both parent questioned the close rapport
between them, but they always insist they
were just friends. When Dan gained an admission to a school in
the north, Tara was scared she might loose
him to another girl. She had already gained
admission into a school in the neighbouring
state and it didn’t affect their closeness much.
She cried secretly when she saw him all packed and ready to leave for school. “Nothing
can come between us Tara. Not even
distance. I know your fears and I assure you it
won’t happen.” she recalled his words the
previous night and tried to console herself. During school breaks it was always fun. They
had their shortcomings, but they always sort it
out between themselves. Both parents knew
there was something more than friendship
between them, but they kept their mute about
it. Tara was the first to graduate as she gained
an admission before him. But she wasn’t
interested in the Youth Service Program. She
soon got a job, though the pay wasn’t so good.
But she felt it was better than waiting on her
widowed mother for her needs. A year later, Dan graduated too. He was
awarded the best student of the school for that
year. When Tara heard this, she was elated.
She had always loved him for his brilliancy and
had a crush on him for that and his good looks
before they become lovers. He was posted to the north for his Youth Service Program and
Tara felt pained and scared again. “I was in school far away from you for four
years and I never cheated on you. How can I
cheat on you or leave you now that’s only a
year. Don’t be scared dear, I’ll always love you
and you alone.” He assured her “I believe you.” she smiled and gave him a
warm hug. After his Youth Service Year, he was retained
in the bank were he served. He wanted to
refuse the offer, but Tara encouraged him to
stay till he had another job. They both send
each other letters ’cause that was the only
means of communication then. Distance made the relationship stronger. But there was a problem. Tara and Dan’s
parents were not in good terms. Dan’s mum
was always comparing herself with everyone
in town and Tara’s mum hates such attitude.
She would come to Tara’s compound to
borrow anything new that can be borrowed without returning it.
“My daughter will never be your in-law” Tara’s
mum will say to herself
“Who will be an in-law to someone who acts
abnormally like this? ” this and many thoughts
flooded her head whenever she sees Dan’s mother. “Tara, I know you are in love with Dan, but can
you handle his mother? She will become
possessive of your home when you get
married. Forget all those pretence of a kind
gesture she always does. I don’t want you to
go there my dear.” Tara’s mum told her severally Tara felt her mum hates her. “How could she
say such things about that kind woman? I
know she normally does some of the things
she says, but she has changed.” she said as
she lamented to her brother. After six months, Dan was transferred to
another branch of the bank in the neighbouring
state next to his. Tara was glad to have him
close again. She had stopped working
because of the little pay. She was planning to
study more, but she didn’t have enough money to settle the fees.
“It’s just a 15months course, I’ll foot the bill and
pay for anything you might need.” Dan
assured her to start when she payed him a
visit. I should have read the signs and understood I
wasn’t wanted anymore when his mum
changed from her over caring mother to a
snub, but I was blinded by love.” she said as
she wiped the tears off her face
“He truly paid for my course and other needs like he promised, but I was writing my last
exam when he called that night to say it is
over.” she turned to Her friend whom she was
narrating her reason for being single too. Her friend tried to console her and understood
the reason she was never able to let him go.
“But it’s 10years already now, why haven’t you
been able to love someone else? You are still
hurt my dear” she walked up to her and placed
Tara’s head on her shoulder. Tara wailed and sniffed continuously on her
shoulder “I still love him….I… I still love him! He
got married 6months after our break up. Can
you believe that?” she raised her head to give
her friend an inquisitive look. “I understand dear. But you have to let go now!
You are not getting any younger. He is living
his life and you are here punishing yourself
unnecessarily. Let somebody love you.” Tara’s
friend advised “I couldn’t… I can’t open up to someone else.
None of them as been able to fill the void he
left in me. All those other guys were no match
for my Dan.” She continued in tears. “I understand you! But you are getting older by
the day. That man is waiting for you to let go
so he could come in. You can’t keep holding on
to your past and expect your future to be
bright. You have to let go of those filthy rags
and create a place for the beautiful clothes. Open your heart and set your soul free. I want
to be present at your wedding. I want to see
you dance and hear tidings about how he
cares and love you.” She advised, patting her
back, holding out a face towel from her bag for
Tara. The one with Tara was already soiled with tears. “Cry all you want to now. But don’t forget my
advice. Face that fear and it will vanish away.
Treat that wound and it will dry up. I don’t want
you to continue like this.” she ended lifting
Tara’s head from her shoulder and gave a an
assuring smile. When Tara got home, she was tired and felt
week, but she was determined to get rid of the
pain in her heart. She brought out Dan’s picture
from the purse in the corner of her bag where
she always kept it. She kept staring at his
picture and flash scenes of the moment they had together came before her eyes. She cried
and screamed “Why? Why did you do this to
me? Why did you leave me Dan?” After a while she picked her phone beside her
and played Trey Songz “Heart Attack”. Tears
flowing down her cheeks. She sang along and
had the song on repeat. She stood up abruptly
after a while and muttered “this is my first step
to freedom” she took the picture before her and wanted to tear it, but on a second thought,
she took it to her box and kept it below her
clothes.
“At least, I know you are far from me now. I
won’t keep you close again!” she said as she
closed her box. She jumped on the bed feeling quite relieved
and changed the music playing on her phone
to “Adele. Someone Like You”
After a brief stare at the ceiling, she picked her
phone again and sent a text to her latest
admirer who has been head over toes for her. “Can we meet tomorrow at a location of your
choice. Bills on me.” she pressed the send
button and heaved a deep sigh. Dedicated to every single lady who was hurt
and is yet to see reasons to love again. Let go
of your past hurts
