Near Miss

TWO

Datare knocked on the door of Seyi's family house for what seemed like an eternity; there was no response. As a matter of fact the air around the home felt dismal and melancholic. Datare had not seen Seyi since she left him at the hospital Sunday morning. She felt like she was intruding; it was a solemn moment for the family and she was not family. Not yet. She knocked again and again hating the intrusion, but it was Wednesday ;she should have reported to camp on Monday. She could not leave without ensuring that Seyi was alright. At the same time she had to give family room to grieve. The door opened suddenly without warning.

“Good day sir" She said greeting Seyi' uncle.

"How are you" he replied.

"Fine. How is Seyi?"

"He is in his room I am sure you would like to see him."

"Oh yes sir."

"Sit down let me tell him that you are here".

The truth of the matter is that Uncle D secretly hoped that the news of Datare's presence will bring Seyi out of his reclusiveness. He knocked on Seyi's door.

"Datare is here to see you." Uncle D said through the door.

No response as expected. Uncle D let himself into the room.

"Sorry i had to come in..."

"It is your house."

Uncle D let out a breath of frustration. "Do not be this way Seyi this is heavy on all of us

"I do not want to see any one."

"I said Datare." Uncle D said shocked "Besides it may be good for you to unburden your heart to someone."

" Fine, like i said it is your house."

Uncle D sighed in resignation. " I will tell her you are coming".

"I am not going anywhere."Uncle D looked around the dingy room."You want her to come in here?"

Taking the silence as an affirmative Uncle D attempted to tidy up a little and let in the light.

In a moment Datare was at the door Uncle D stayed with her because he could not bring himself to warn her of Seyi's recent unpleasant mood. He however hoped that his presence might influence a decent reception for Datare. Almost like Seyi read into his presence he asked him to leave.

"How are you doing, Sey". Datare said not knowing what else to say. He was like a different person.

"I am fine". Seyi was not helping at all.

" I will be leaving for camp tomorrow." She said not knowing what else to say.

"Alright take care."

Datare hoped that he would understand that she had tried to hold camp off as long as she could.

Alright? Really?

"Datare I am sorry but for obvious reasons i am not good company right now, but i cannot ask you to stay till i would be so why don't you go to camp and we will talk on phone."

"I do not mean to bother you i just needed to know where we stand before i leave."

"It is safe to say that all plans are on hold till i figure out what to do with my life and all its structure that are crumbling around me."

Datare could not make any demands and at the same time could not get any assurances. Seyi is correct to suggest that they put things on hold. They exchanged a few more words and Datare left.

Love, the strength of love,

Love how strong are you?

How firm will you stand against the tides and waves of life.

Is it a battle to fight,

Or one already lost.