Lifeboat

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Days get presumably shorter after my birthday. It's the one event that marks the end of Summer and usually the romance it brings. I could have been looking out for my Winter cuff but I'm well-fed, or so I thought. 

"What does he mean when he says this?"

"It just means you need to look out for yourself and this isn't good news."

I cried uncontrollably. My whole body felt like it was going to break. There was a cake interruption. "Your sister is in town so we should do your birthday together" seemed like a novel idea till I realised I looked like I'm at my funeral in the cake-cutting photographs post. "How was your weekend?" Just spent in emotionally regulating myself, how about you? How else does one explain this eclipse season. 

The journal saw a return, the support system was invoked. "Man, I'm so sorry to call you at this hour" interspersed with snots and sobs, friends' "We are giving it another shot" was marked with my interruption of, "I think he's calling things off."

At some point I found myself getting short, "If you want to call things off, just go ahead and do it. Don't go around in circles." Cold brew is a lie, I slept for 8 hours straight and woke up feeling spent, like I'd pulled an all nighter. He slept like a log, I'm grateful for that. He once told me that he can't get much sleep and it's rare for him to sleep through the night. "Must be the biscuits," he remarked. Has to be me, bitch. I fell for that one, right there. 

A few years ago, a man had said same things to me which led to our long-incoming break-up; not the biscuits but whatever else was said.

I was surprised at my response when I revisited that conversation in the light of what happened between us. In a way, I had been cruel, but not without cause. This time around I was measured; emotional reactiveness low and emotional support high. I wish I could do the same for me. Instead, I slathered my legs with Almond Shower Oil and threw in the most expensive perfume with a t-shirt and nothing else. Not about to wear expensive make-up if I'm going to be broken up with, lessons from my 20s I carry within me. Despite that, felt like he's almost glad to see me disheveled. Perhaps, I wasn't as proud of my choice when I saw two Brat summer chicks walking past me in fancy af outfit. A lot for coffee, if I'd done but not so much to show that I still got it. Another day, another slay. 

It was strange to hear the question that had been going in my head. One that I had cried answering earlier that evening, "because I don't think I could have done everything this year the way I did, without him," and when I heard that again, it took all the courage to not have my voice break. "Why do you look angry?" I don't know. I shouldn't have napped. I shouldn't have journalled so hard. 

There were other questions, ones I wasn't prepared for. It's like going to school and finding out you have a surprise test, an oral recitation and you're grossly underprepared. I hadn't felt a lot of feelings nor had a chance to prepare a well-rounded answer. He was mindful to catch that within seconds, "getting fidgety, are we?" I could have hugged him in that second if I wasn't caught red-handed in my nervousness about not knowing an answer. Either way, seeing someone call me out and perhaps catch me unaware was refreshing. 

Yet, there's a nagging feeling. I woke up feeling heavy. It shouldn't have been that way. I felt angry. If he knew he wasn't doing right by me then why was he still doing it? Was this a reminder that I deserve better or an acknowledgement that he hasn't stepped up yet? I should sleep. There was no cold-brew and I'm sleepier than usual. Maybe I'll wake up with another perspective, one that shapes this piece into the lack of editing and forming coherent dialogues and maybe I'll feel better soon. 

Don't take things for granted, kids. One day someone's gonna come and take your lifeboat of hope away and you'll be floating with a unicorn float all alone in an ocean full of muck and dirt without anyone to save you. 

Welcome to 33, you have no metabolism, no energy to give and no fucks left in you.




You Might Also Like

0 comments

Hos in Different Area Codes

Subscribe

Stalker Count