Dusk to Dawn

Anne toyed with the idea of skipping Belinda’s birthday altogether but on second thought she decided to go. She did not want to disappoint her closest friend and besides, she thought, she had already promised her that she would show up. She dragged her tired body out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. Lately, her life seemed to have taken a turn for the worse since she broke up with Joe 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 they had met.

She had travelled to her rural home that weekend but on her way back she had been stranded at the Taxi Park because there were no more vehicles going towards her direction. Though it was a bit late, vehicles usually plied that route 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 relatives or friends where she was. Her mind clouded with all the tales she had heard about those who got stranded and the worst happened to them. Some were raped, others robbed off their belongings while others were even murdered. She remembered a story that did the rounds at the university where she studied about a student who had been raped by unknown men when she was returning to her hostel after a party that had run late into the night. Due to the shame and stigma attached to rape victims, she could not no longer stay and face her peers at the university. Sadly, she committed suicide in order to escape from the anguish and agony. 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 beggars crawl into their sleeping holes, shopkeepers and traders close down their premises and head home.

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

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

“Gosh Joe, you just don’t know how elated I am to see you. I thought I was left alone here,” Anne replied.

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

Anne was comforted and somehow felt secure being with him. True to his word, as they were seated at the Mossyl Café, Denis walked in. Joe had called him because Denis, a student at the university 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,” Joe replied.

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

Anne and Joe 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. One thing separated them, though. Joe was a staunch Christian and Anne was not. However, this difference was not a hindrance and Joe constantly kept telling her about God. Anne was adamant but she was not as determined and persistent as Joe.

So, it was that during one of the many Christian functions at the university, Anne finally gave in and Joe was over the moon for his achievement. Their closeness, then, grew in leaps and bounds until they were branded the perfect couple of the university. Just as things were turning out for the better, they broke up. Not everyone was happy with their relationship. They, therefore, wagged their tongues to Joe against Anne. Before she met Joe, Anne was in another relationship but it was then on the rocks. Although Anne had called it quits and told Tony so, he did not let go off Anne and went about accusing Anne of double dealing. Joe got wind of it and he was furious. He confronted Anne and there a quarrel ensued. 

 

As much as she tried to explain it to Joe, he was bitter that she had not told him about Tony earlier whilst he had opened up to her.

“I know I made a mistake but it was not intentional,” Anne told him.

”If it was not intentional why then didn’t you tell me?” he backed.

“I thought it was not the right time Joe. Please, try and understand,” she pleaded.

Joe had looked at her then with bitterness and coldness.

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

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

Old flames never die. When Anne saw Joe again this semester, her heart was engulfed with love for him. She finished showering and started dressing all the while thinking of how she would avoid him for her own sake. As she closed the door to 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 towards her as she approached the door. It seemed like Belinda was anxiously waiting for her arrival because as soon as she opened the door, she was at her side.

“What took you so long, Anne? I was worried that you were not going to show up,” she complained.

“Now I am here, do not worry. Happy birthday Belinda,” Anne said as she handed her the gift.

Anne noticed that Belinda’s mind was preoccupied with something because she did not wait to unwrap and see what gift she had brought her. Instead, she 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.

Anne wondered what Belinda was up to this time round. She was still trying to figure it out when the room was splashed with light. She turned around and her heart stopped.

They looked at each other for a long time. They did not need words to speak for their eyes said it all. 

Joe was seated on Belinda’s bed but he stood and walked towards her. Their eyes were still holding each other. 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 love and tenderness in Joe’s eyes and with a sob a joy; she closed the gap between them and sank into his open arms. Joe held her to himself with such grip Anne thought she would break. 

They stood wrapped in each other’s 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. Joe 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 Joe. Tears of joy flowed freely down her cheeks as she looked up at Joe with love and adoration.

With a grateful wink at Belinda, Joe carried Anne to Denis’ waiting car and they drove off to the Mossyl Café for an all-expenses paid date by Belinda.

Belinda loved Anne and wanted the best for her. She had arranged for the whole episode once she realized that Joe and Anne still loved each other. She could then have a happy birthday because Anne was happy and safe with the man she loved.