Tag: the color of a broken heart

The Color of a Broken Heart: Yellow

September 17th, 2015

Gabriel wasted no time in getting Mercy to fall in love with him. He did like her, and a part of me still believes that he did love her even now. I had spent all my life with Gabriel to know what made his blood boil around women. He was the guy who always had a plan, and sometimes when I look at Mercy, it feels like he failed to understand his plan and execute it. The next time I met her was a month into their courtship. She wore a bright yellow dress and flat sandals. She had come to visit Gabriel, but he’d stepped out with some of his friends. I opened the door and let her in. She thanked me and in the softest of voices asked me for a glass of water. I sent Gabriel a text while in the kitchen to let him know that she was visiting. He asked me to keep her company as he made his way back, and I knew he’d be gone a while.
“So, you stay here with Gabriel? What’s your name?”
“Michael and it’s nice to meet you Mercy.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry I haven’t met you before Michael.”
“It’s fine. So where do you stay?
“I stay in South C with my parents. I guess you two are lucky to be staying on your own.”
“It’s a hustle, but it has its days. Are you the last born?”
“No, I’m the second-last born. I just graduated last year, and my first job doesn’t pay enough to see me move out, so that’s why.”
“It’s fine. Take your time.”
“Omg! You should hear what my folks say. They think just like you, in fact my Dad said I’ll only leave his house when he knows I’m ready to do that, and that is code for never!”
“I still think that women have it easier, when you are a guy, the moment you turn eighteen you are out of the house.”
“I still think that’s good. It makes you figure things out, so how long have you known Gabriel? You must be best of friends to stay together.”
“I’ve known him since primary school. He’s a good guy, and we do stay together.”
“That’s nice.”
“Thank you. I know he’s on his way, so just feel welcome, he’ll get here soon.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
I went to the kitchen to fix her something to eat but Gabriel had eaten what was left. I looked for the juice we had bought but stumbled upon an empty bottle near the cabinet.

Mercy fell asleep on our couch that day. I walked her to the bus station at six. Gabriel came home three days later.
The Color of a Broken Heart: Green

September 16th, 2015

“So, this girl is something!”
“You’ve said that since I got back from work dude, what is it with her? I know you Gabriel, everything seems like a dream to you until you are called to commit then you run. So, first things first- what’s her name and favorite drink?”
“Mercy and she loves Smirnoff Black Ice.”
“All chicks in Nai love that stuff. I thought you were looking for a Tequila kind of chick to keep your heart racing.”
“Shut up Michael. Mercy is like breathing you know- talking of which, I need to take her to a good hotel this weekend- so any cool places you know?”
“Sarova, Hilton, Laico Regency.”
“Eish! Are you trying to kill me? You know my salo cannot buy a plate in those places. Give me something I can work with.”
“I’ll let you know, so does she know you smoke and all?”
“Well, that is another story for another day. It’s not like we are getting married.”
“So, does she know you want to have fun?”
“Bless you Brother Michael, when was the last time you actually dated a girl?”
“Last week.”
“And how long did that relationship last?”
“Ten hours.”
“Thank you!”
The Color of a Broken Heart: Blue

September 15th, 2015

The sky is blue and so is the feeling she has. To get her to open her eyes, I have to take her back to the beginning.

It’s like walking on a rainbow at night. I am afraid of the dark but hope with some little light I might make my way through.

I met Mercy on the same day that she met Gabriel. He was my best friend. We lived in the same one bedroom apartment and talked of getting laid and drunk all the time. She was at the same party with us and had a green purse. I came to know it as a clutch. I had known all along that women carried bags. I didn’t know they had names and served different purposes until she told me.

Mercy was like a bee sting.

She had an appealing bosom like I have told you- and a smile that unlike all in the room felt like a glow. She held her drink like it was a treat, and walked around the room saying hello to people like she owned the party.

I must have seen her first because Gabriel slapped me in the back of the head to get my attention. It was then that he saw her. It’s true that birds of a feather flock together, but not all fly at the same pace.

Gabriel was a bull; the worst kind of bull. He pushed me aside and made for her, and in that moment I knew he’d have her. They talked for sometime. He made her laugh, and when I couldn’t stand to watch, I left the party for home. My father had always taught me that nothing beats surrender as much as retreat. I slept my humiliation away and waited to hear the endless story of how he had her. Gabriel came home the next morning at 6am when I was leaving for work. Though he reeked of cigarette smoke, he was sober. I handed him the keys and smiled.

I knew that would be the beginning of my torture but never thought of saying anything else in case my best friend saw the jealousy in me.

Tag: the color of a broken heart

The Color of a Broken Heart: Yellow

The Color of a Broken Heart: Green

The Color of a Broken Heart: Blue