By: Ikechukwu E. Amadi
"Hey fellas!!!.....". His voice rising above the blaring music. "It's my birthday!!!". "Wooooohhh".....his friends cheered on. To Teddy he was living his last days....he didn't care, he was high....really high on all the things he avoided. "My guy! Take this one...use am step down". A guy said taping him from behind. He didn't even look him in the eye but just took it and stepped out.
He sat and paused to think for a while. Then he saw an image walking towards him, he couldn't make out the face till the light shone on it....."Zara!!!." Teddy had always had a crush on her for the past five years, since he moved in but never said a thing. "Teddy...w...what's happening?" She asked looking totally confused. Teddy was the last person she expected to be having a bash.
"Life....celebration of liiiifffeee!" He replied clearly drunk, though smiling. Zara being really concerned helped him up, with steady steps they walked away from the noise. She sat him down and asked "what's the problem Teddy?...". He looked at her and whilst still smiling "you are beautiful. The most of every woman, I have not for one day since I set my eyes on you, loved another" obviously drunk, scaring his words.
"Teddy....stop the alcohol from talking and tell me what really is the problem."
"Hahahaha....alcohol...talking. I mean every word. I have nothing to loose"
"Stop talking like this. You are scaring me!".
"Don't be sweetheart....i passed out today...at work and got the worst news of my life! Long story short, I turned over my bosses table, showed him my bare butt and told him to kiss it". He said laughing really loudly and then continued
"For the first time in years I painted....i painted a portrait of the woman I have loved for years. I painted you Zara." His eyes clearly watery now. "Do you know why I did all that?" She shook her head......"No".
"I passed out remember? I got the worst birthday gift ever. I got to know from the doctor that my heart was failing, Zara...... I have less than 48hrs to live."
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed. Tears cascading slowly from her eyes.
"So... I told myself I would call my friends together and tell them am just celebrating life." He smiled but this time, his smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Now Zara I want to tell you I LOVE YOU.... I really do. Am sorry it had to be this way. You never know the value of what you have until you loose it....family, spouse, friends....." Before he finished she planted a kiss on his lips. He closed his eyes and opened it..... 5:30am 24-12- 2018. It was his birthday.
Yay!!! You write so well
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot.
Delete