BLIND DATE

It was a mild afternoon when I was enjoying my leisure trying to clear my head off the many shackles of life ranging from work to family and to the society. It was a solemn day for me.

Amidst my thoughts, I heard my phone rang but my mind was engrossed in the book I was reading so it ended quickly before I realized it. Then I heard it rang the second time.

I picked it up and realized the number was unknown and it wasn’t one I could recognize too. After contemplation, I picked it up and then I heard a “Hello” from a mesmerizing voice. Though a little bit deep, it’s euphonic and ethereal. It took me off a little bit but snapping out of myself, I inquired to know you.

It was then you told me how you took my number from a friend whom you never disclosed to me. I considered you as one of the random guys who was just ready to pour out his lustful and unreal intentions but you proved me wrong.

You requested for a room of friendship which I was kind enough to give you. We established contact. Most often you call to check up on me, how I was doing. Your constant show of care got me attached and gave me a sense of belonging.

I didn’t know if I have ever seen you before or even know you and I kept wondering the friend of mine who gave you my contact. Your care towards me, made me wonder if people like you still exists. I mean how can you not know someone in person but you support in everything she does? Her dreams, aspirations and your sense of humour topped it all.

For past a year, I used to wonder how your appearance will be like. Your hair, your smile, your laughter, your face and all that. Surprisingly, I showed your contact to my friends to verify if they know you but the result was like searching for a needle in a pool of sand. Your contact is not on social media for me to even steal a glance at your virtual images too.

I didn’t know if I had fallen for you but no day goes by without a thought of you in mind, a yearn to see you and a crave to hear your erotic voice. I have been in an abyss of longing to take a glance or a gaze at you until I heard the shocking news I wasn’t expecting. It was overwhelming.

It is still fresh in memory imagining how you said it so gently and cool like a whisper from a lover but loudly heard by his Crush. “Oh my God! You asking me out on a date? ” It came out loud in question though I didn’t intend asking, but I guess my thoughts wanted to have you confirm it more solidly. You re-echoed it, nonetheless, the next phrase that followed put me in a shiver. It nearly snuffed life out of me. I couldn’t believe it when you said I have to be blindfolded upon getting there.

This got down to me and so many thoughts made wave in my head. I was completely at sea but not knowing where a little glimpse of hope came from, I opted to do it though I didn’t really feel good about it. What got me more perplexed was how you chose the venue very close to me when I know where you stay is very far from me (well per what you told me about you).

On the scheduled day, I got dressed in my best way I can but my heart kept pouncing and bouncing as I wondered whom exactly I was going to meet and why the blind fold. With much courage, I set off and got there. On getting there, the place was quite, no one was there. I knew the place to be a restaurant where many people patronize. I felt the urge to return home but another side of me said I should enter. Even if something happens, like death, it would just be a great opportunity of shutting myself off from this cruel world, the stigma of not being married at my age and the feeling of being alone in this world without a man in my life.

At the entrance door, I saw a blindfold. I knew what it was but your attached note read it out loud “Blindfold yourself!” I didn’t hesitate. I did as instructed and my vision became successfully obstructed. I pushed open the door, slightly with much caution not to hit my leg against anything. I stepped in and closed the door gently behind me with open ear to catch a trace of you. I tried saying hello to make my presence known but the atmosphere was still void and tensed.

I felt the urge to take my blindfold off then all of a sudden I felt a soft palm grabbed my right arm. I tried asking who it was but silence was the response. The hand led me gently to where in God’s name I don’t know and gave me a chair and helped me sit.

The next thing was a tap on my shoulder. I whispered your name under a low tone voice but it came out like an inquiry. “Edford?” Then eventually I heard “Mira, you are safe.” Now that soothing voice sounded familiar. It was Bedford, my virtual friend and blind date. The next moment all I felt was the blindfold being taken off my eyes and before I could clear my eyes with hands for a proper vision, I heard a chorus shout of a “Happy Birthday!”

I jilted a little upon realizing that I was actually in the midst of a multitude. Oh it was my birthday and I never realized that because I never paid attention to it. I turned to look around and watch joyful faces sing out a birthday song to me. It was so heartwarming. It was like a banquet. The whole place was decorated with balloons and meals arranged on tables with white coverings all over. I stood in awe, I least expected that.

Gasping out of the amazement, I noticed a breathtaking figure in front of me. From the position he took and the everlasting smile on his face, I presumed it was Edford. I couldn’t just be right if I’m not sure on my guess so I inquired again, “Edford?” He replied in the affirmative.

Out of excitement I jumped into your arms before realizing I was out of my manners. I came back to myself. I then started appreciating you for your kindness and your grand birthday surprise. In the process of doing that, my jaw dropped in confusion as I realized your face looked familiar. I stopped with my gaze on you and a finger pointing at you but couldn’t identify who exactly it was.

In my lost state, I heard you spill it out. “Yess Mira, You know me. It’s me Edford your childhood friend.” Oh my goodness! I couldn’t control myself than run to your arms again. We then made merry and through that, I was exposed to your tale of how life took a good turn on you after you won a scholarship to study abroad and that you were the real proprietor of the restaurant you celebrated my birthday in.

On that same day, you gave me the ring and I accepted it in good faith. I later walked down the aisle with you and we tied the knot together. You took me out of my stigma of being late in marrying and brought joy to my face. Since that day of making that decision, life has been like heaven on earth. Encountering you made me feel like a fairy tale seems to have become a reality.

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