Yesterday #FreeWritePrompt

tezmel (66)in #freewrite • 7 years ago

Yesterday I saw her again. She sat across me in the same spot she always did. Her fingers weaved nervously as she half smiled at me. 'Such enthusiastic eyes,' she said sheepishly. All hopes painted across this face reminds me of my youth, she continued. I smiled; wanting to believe she had a great youth but I saw sadness lurking behind her eyes.

Fatuma is almost ninety years of age. We have recently started to meet for an hour length talks. I usually listen because I am researching on my first book. History appeals to me in a way and old people with great memories provide that. I was once as hopeful, she said after a minute pause. But age does things to your soul and life can be disappointing, she added.

She stirred her *uji and my curiosity. I wanted to know what happened so my eyes asked. She smiled. Only if you have *the time; it's a long story. I smiled. I have all day if you so like. Besides what better company is there? She chortled and my reaction was a hearty laugh. I was adjusting to hearing her laughter for the first time since we met.

Her wrinkles danced against the mid morning sun. I could tell she was struggling to relax so I gave her a minute. I was hyper soul but I struggled with low self esteem in secret. My face and frame were not really feminine! I was the only average looking amongst seven sisters. And my hips didn't sway when I moved like theirs! I felt out of place.

She narrated how she was crushed when she found out her dad wasn't her biological father. Her mum had birthed her eight months prior to their marriage. Her biological father impregnated her mother at nineteen years. After denying being responsible; he eloped with another woman and left her mother crying with shame. Ezekial then fell for her mother when she was eight months heavy. After persuading his reluctant parents, they let him marry her.

He raised her as his own till she found out the truth beside her mum's death bed. I felt lonely and unwanted after that find. I never again felt like I belonged there anymore. So she rushed her way out. At twenty one, she married a man whom she had only known for a week. He almost killed her within their decade sham of a marriage. The idea of becoming a single mother to four sons wasn't as scary as death.

I moved to the coast and made another wrong decision. Looking for an easy way out. Her face tensed. It almost cost me everything I hold dear. Tears welled up. I started hawking myself secretly to make ends meet. I leaned in and asked, 'but you had a job? Before she could defend herself, I saw her youngest son stroll in with a worried face. It's been three hours so my wife and I got worried. She needs to take her medication and rest. I nodded quickly in agreement knowing we will pick up where we left off next time.