DUSK TO DAWN

Anne toyed with the idea of skipping Belinda’s birthday party altogether but, on second thought, she decided to go. She did not want to upset her closest friend and besides, she had already promised her that she would attend. She dragged her tired body out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. Lately, her life seemed to have turned uneventful since she broke up with Frank six months ago. Just the passing thought of him made Anne’s heart wrench with pain. She had loved him so much and missed all they did together. For once in a very long time, as she sat in the bathtub, she allowed her mind to drift away to the very first time that they met.

She had traveled to her rural home that weekend but on her way back she’d been stranded at the Old Taxi Park because there were no more vehicles going to Mukono. Though it was a bit late, vehicles usually commuted to and fro Mukono up to as late as midnight. So, when she alighted at the Park and realized that some of the vehicles had been impounded during the day, Anne was left wondering what to do next. She knew of no relative or friends around Kampala town. Her mind clouded with all the stories she had heard about those who got stranded and the worst happened to them. Some were raped, others were robbed off their belongings while others were murdered. She shivered with apprehension as she realized that anything could happen to her. Looking around, there were not so many people. She saw street children and city beggars crawl to their sleeping places, shopkeepers and traders close down their premises and head home.

Just when she thought she was alone in the streets, she saw someone approaching. Her heart pounded with fear thinking that one of the street hooligans was coming to have it out with her. As the man approached though, she thought he looked familiar then her mind clicked and she knew that it was Frank, the campus hotshot. When Anne saw him, her hopes revived because Frank was a person she knew and was probably in the same predicament.

“Hallo Anne, it looks like we are both stuck here.” He said

“Gosh Frank, you do not know just how elated I am to see you here. I thought I was the only one.”

“Worry less then because we are in this together but I’m sure we’ll get to campus safely.”

Anne was comforted and somehow felt secure being with him. True to his word, as they were seated at Mossyl Café, Denis walked in. Frank had called him because Denis, a student at the campus as well as an NGO employee, had his own car.

“Hey man! What kept you guys this late?” he asked.

“Lots of stuff Denis, though we did not expect this,” Frank replied.

“Then let me haul you guys over to campus,”  

Anne and Frank reached campus safely and that marked the beginning of their friendship. They had a lot in common and therefore met at different and almost all social functions but one thing separated them. Frank was a born again Christian but Anne was not. This difference was not a hindrance, however, and constantly he told her about God. Anne was adamant but not as adamant and persistent as Frank.

So, during one mission week at the campus, Anne finally gave in and Frank was there to coach her in Christianity. Their closeness grew in leaps and bounds until they were branded the perfect couple in campus.

Just as things were turning out for the better, they broke up. Not everyone was happy with their relationship and therefore they wagged their tongues to Frank against Anne. Before she met Frank, Anne had another relationship but it was then on the rocks. Although Anne had called it quits and told Tony so, he did not let her go off Anne and went about accusing her of double dealing. Frank got wind of it and was furious. He confronted Anne and there a quarrel ensued. As much as she tried to explain it to him, he was embittered that she had not told him about Tony earlier whilst he had opened up to her.

“I know I made a mistake but it wasn’t intentional,” Anne told him.

“If it wasn’t intentional then why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought it wasn’t the right time Frank. Please, try and understand.” She pleaded.

Frank had looked at her then with bitterness and coldness.

“Alright Anne, keep on waiting for the right time,” Frank had said and walked out.

Anne was dumbfounded. She had never seen Frank so furious. And so, time had elapsed. Six months precisely. They had gone home for their long vacation and were now back. They had never communicated and it took all her willpower not to call him. In the end, she had given up and left life take its course.

Old flames never die. When Anne saw Frank again this semester, her heart was engulfed with love for him. She finished showering and started dressing, all the while thinking of how she was going to avoid him for her own sake. As she closed her room and took a taxi to Belinda’s place, she still had not come up with a solution.

The party was well ahead of her because she could hear voices and music wafting to her as she approached the door. It seemed that Belinda was anxious for her arrival because as soon as she opened the door, she was at her side.

“What kept you this long, Anne? I was worried that you weren’t coming.”

“Now I am here so do not worry. Happy birthday Belinda.” Anne said as she handed her her present.

Anne noticed that Belinda mind was preoccupied with something because she did not wait to open and see her present but just tossed it with the others. She dragged her to the next room, which she knew to be Belinda’s bedroom, closed the door and left her there in the dark room. Anne wondered what Belinda was up to this time around. She was still trying to figure it out when the room was splashed with brightness. She turned around and her heart skipped. They looked at one another for a long time. They didn’t not need words to speak for their eyes said it all.

Frank was seated but he stood and walked towards her, their eyes still holding one another. When he was a step to her he stopped and looked intently at her. Anne was at a loss for words but her eyes spoke volumes. She saw compassion and love in Frank’s eyes and with a sob of joy; she closed the gap between them and sank into his open arms. He held her to himself with such a grip that Anne thought she would break.

They stood, wrapped in their arms contemplating on the happiness they had lost for six months. They looked at each other one more time and a smile curved both their lips. Frank took her hand and opened the door to the applause of “Happy Anniversary.” That is when Anne realized that it was on a day such as this that she had met Frank. Tears of joy flowed freely down her cheeks as she looked up at Frank with love and adoration.

With a grateful wink at Belinda, frank carried Anne to Denis’ waiting car and they rove off to the Mossyl Restaurant for a pre-paid date by Belinda.

Belinda loved Anne and wanted the best for her for you see she had arranged the whole thing once she realized that they still loved one another. She could then have a happy birthday because Anne was happy and safe with the man she loved.

By Nashilluh Kabindio