Monday, May 21, 2007

... and I let it go...

I rush down the escalator.....my train is coming, I get in, just on time, narrowly escaping the doors. I look around,the train is full, there's one seat left at the very end.I sit down, look absent mindedly around me, there are people talking, we just stopped at the technical university, lots of students, talking about grades, exams, its a full train.I close my eyes.....I can't dream away, something is bothering me, I saw something....I look around again, what is it waffy? what did you see? and.....there they were......two young kids, staring ahead, not talking, hands tightly clasped together. Something is wrong. They can not be more than 14 years old, the two of them, they have such forlorn looks. Something is wrong.

Say something Waffy, do something, say something Waffy.

My mouth does not open, I am at a loss for words...I keep looking at them, what is wrong? Is she pregnant? are they on their way to do an abortion? Is that it? what is wrong? Are they running away? from their parents? are they siblings? children of drug addicts sent to live in foster homes? or...are they going to commit suicide together, two lovers, misunderstood by the world, destined to die on this beautiful day? what is wrong?

Say something Waffy, do something, say something Waffy.

I can see the tips of their fingers, white, white from the tightness of their grip. I look at her, she is so young, her hair unkept, wild, down to her shoulders, she does not have a bag, she looks so sad. I look at him, he is not trying to be brave, he has a bag, a green bag. They do not look at each other through out the journey, but two people could never be closer.

Say something Waffy, do something, say something Waffy.

We are getting to the end of the journey, they look at each other, that look, that furtive smile as if to say "there's no going back now", I get off the train, stand aside, I need to know, need to see. She gets off first, he is still sitting down, staring at the floor, she does not say a word, he looks at her and bravely steps off the train.

Say something Waffy, do something, say something.

They link arms again, this time, their bodies pressed closely together, side by side, they can not almost walk. What are they planning to do? Kill themselves? I have to know, I have to know, I follow closely behind.

Let it go, Waffy, let it go.

They are walking faster now, strong purposeful steps, I hurry after them, perhaps I can stop them? Its not too late, I can save them, its not too late.

Let it go, Waffy, let it go.

Soon, we are coming to a junction, I know they are going to turn right, I am trying to keep up, at the same time trying to be inconspicuous.

Let it go, Waffy, let it go

They turn right, and I stop. I take a deep breath and let it go.

As I walked home, it suddenly came to me, I knew exactly what I should have said, I should have said "Are you guys okay? you both seem so sad".

17 comments:

uknaija said...

Hindsight vision is always 20/20

Idemili said...

Too true. Life's a bitch sometimes so it's better to do what your first instinct tells you.

Nice narration.

IJEOMA said...

i totally relate with your post..
i recall this woman, my gaze settled on her as soon as i left the train.. she was sitting on one of the benches.. in tears.. I walked toawrds her.. and asked her if she was ok. She looked at me like i was mad.. i was very upset with that look, and stormed off.. Later when i got home i realised, that i should have seen past that look. perhaps if i had stood there a second longer, i might have been of some help. sometimes, the right words fail us.

Anonymous said...

goodness knows what they were going to do!next time follow ur instinct

Mr.Fineboy said...

Great post...i agree with uknaija. I'm just like u though, when I see stuff that I do nothing about, it bothers me for ages. ..

Tinuke said...

yesterday's folly is definitely tomorrow's wisdom.

Fluffycutething said...

I feel our Naija "training" has sort of conditioned us to mind our business regarding such circumstances!!!

We usually look the other way even when we see that the other person is in need of some help/support.

One has to sometimes take an extra bold step to do "something"!!!!!!

laspapi said...

This was well written, waffy. I would like to think that even if you were unable to intervene, someone else or something did.

Uzo said...

Wow! Brilliantly written. I wonder what was going on with them?

EDNUTEY said...

its all about the instincts...
very nice post

Ms. Catwalq said...

so what happened?

Simply Gorgeous said...

Waffy- excellent post--- It is a tough situation. We are taught from a very early age to mind our business. Your reaction is well enough ,I can actually feelyourtorment and desperation. At least you tried, even if it delayed ma inlaw. (smile)

Anonymous said...

Waffy, u sef and dis ur yarnings! u sure say u mind no deh do u Willy Willy so? Abegii..Dis ur over active mind sef. haba! make u softly softly waka 4 dat jand-o b4 yawa gas u...ooo! abi, u no b waffi now?! u can pick race sha, i trust u. u suppose know how far now! anywayz sha, know ur way no be cause o...abeg, waka pass-e! leave matter 4 mathias!!

Waffarian said...

@uknaija, yeah, you are right.

@Idemili, I usually do, this time, i just couldn't.....

@Ijeoma, yeah, finding the right words........

@pink-satin, I'll try

@Fineboy, I think I have OCD, sometimes, I just can't let go.

@Fluffycutething, I understand exactly what you mean..... I think its everywhere.

@c'est moi, I have learnt my lesson.

@Laspapi, I hope so.

@Uzo, my dear, its been on my mind ever since, hoping they are okay. By the way Uzo,I have never been able to get on your blog, tried loads of time, my computer shuts down everytime I have to activate that stuff, forgotton the name now.

@simplygorgeous, thank you jare!

@sparkle, as absent minded as I can be, it baffles me how my instints still sniff out stuff!

@catwalq, I wish I knew........

@nigeriapolitricks, eh ehn! make you hold am for there!wetin dey happen bros, dis one wey you reach my side today? heheheheh yes oh! my mind wan scatter me for here, na real over active, I tire for the thing self! I go try mind myself, but sometimes wey the thing catch me.... I no fit hold am. Thanks for dropping by!

Jaja said...

I now re-Christen you Ms Maples (from Agatha Christe’s trillers)

My compassionate Ms Waffy Maples

dScR?Be said...

nice stuvs, gosh... I hope they'll be fine.

Diary of a Mad Soul Sista said...

i almost cried reading this. it reminds me of a similar experience i had, also in the train station.