Before You, We Were

I will never figure out how I got home, but I know I ran away with all the other kids. I ran with purpose. I ran with fear. I ran like my village people were pursuing me with koboko - and they were, because what was all this bee business?

Most of my friendships growing up were with boys. We went to primary school together, moved on to secondary school, and even when university took us in different directions, we always found our way back to each other during the holidays.

We didn't have much. No real money, no elaborate dates. No expectations that your dress or makeup would be paid for (we didn't even wear so much those days), or that he would cover your transport to his place.

While I stood there scratching my head, she quietly got me a nylon bag and told me to put all my wet clothes inside the bag or I would get a proper thrashing. “Today you will understand what your laziness will cost you,” she told me calmly.

I often wish that those days were like now, when people can whip out a camera and record anything. It would have been mad content, because just imagining the way we looked - my sister and I in our short dresses with the mad hair - it was nothing short of riotous.

I won’t say much - but he looked like Ralph Tresvant… maybe even more handsome. Skin as dark as polished cocoa butter, white perfect teeth and he always had a smile on his face. I on the other hand had a straight face everytime he was near and never showed my feelings. I caught him stealing glances at me from the corner of my eye so many times.