Skip to main content

Things we lost in the fire of life : someone like you

Sometimes it lasts in love... but sometimes it hurts instead.

Yesterday was an ex's birthday. I was sweeping my room and when i took a break to check my bbm contacts' updtes, i saw "happy birthday king B" and for a second, i could not remember who that was neither could i associate March 26 to anyone who I may have known in my entire life. Until like all things which eventually come to light, i sat back faily startled. Of course it was his birthday. I went back to sweeping and the phrase "things we lost in the fire of life" came to me. You see, two years ago i would have made a production out of that date...now i couldnt even remember it. This touched me a great deal, especially as i sat down and began to wonder how many of such dates had been forgotten, at one time so precious. How many memories have been banished to the utterly deep, dark cesspool that is my mind? Consciously in an attempt to move on or like imprints in sand, gently erased by the passage of time. As with bricks and blocks, softening with age, until at last, withering away completely.

Shortly after that, K pinged me and told me about Adele's "Someone like you". Apparently she'd listened to it and had been wailing all morning. I rolled my eyes and thought, "drama queen". Still I downloaded the song. Afterall I've loved Adele since i first heard "Chasing Pavements". I didnt listen to this song till much later though. I spent the day at the spa and stopped by The Orchid Bistro to have a solitary dinner. Just as I was finishing my meal, it started to rain and I ran to my car. That was when I listened to the song. I can tell you one thing. I was unprepared for it.

I wont tell you about the haunting beauty of this song, or that its the only song I've listened to since about 9.15pm last night. I wont tell about how i reclined my car seat and listened to this song till the rain stopped. I wont tell you of the purity in this song. Or the emotions it evoked in me. I will not also tell you of the tears that poured from my eyes. That dear friend, is for you to experience first hand.

Instead I shall tell you a little story. A story that you may have heard me say in part before. But a story nonetheless. I'm not here to relieve the pain of the past. Lord knows that I have moved on. But listening to this song, the lyrics reminded me of something that happened in december. Something i told no one.

It was one of those cold London winter evenings. December 28th to be exact. I'd been in London for three days, toying with the idea of going to see my ex. I never mentioned here how much in love with him I was. But you may have guessed. I'd never been with anyone like him. That was my last bus stop i thought. And in some ways, it was. Everything in my life up until when i met him was "before B' and "after B". Anyways I walked to the train station, dressed in my best winter coat. To impress. I bought the ticket to chafford out of the little money i went to london with. I got off at the train station and found my way to the house. Heart in hand. My palms were freezing, even though they were encased in warm woolen gloves. It was about 9pm and the streets were understandably dark. I made my way to the door. The house that I'd imagined that I'd one day live in. And i stood at the door. For a minute, paralysed. What what, I didnt know. But what would I have said to him, had I knocked and had he opened the door. Would I have said 'i'm sorry, lets make it work"? I stood there for another minute until without a word, I turned around and headed abck to the station.

If you know the lyrics to Adele's "someone like you", you would understand why listening to this song, almost three months later, it would touch me so.

I left the doorway of the house on Grays without looking back. Not crying for I had used up all the tears before that. But determined to move on.

How many things have we committed to the fire of life. How many memories did we burn along the way? Forging ahead in life, because surely, such things are essential to our survival. I'm not entirely certain why i am asking you these questions, but maybe, just maybe you'd understand.

"Dont forget me I beg, I remember you said, sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead"

Love,

Abimbola

Comments

venusSpeaks said…
I feel you on this one!!! Adele's "someone like you" was sung like it was drawing breath out of her. Her voice...even just the way she sang the words...there's so much honesty in it!

I pray love will find you back. Surely, someone else sings the same song about you :D

First time here :D
GIWUS said…
Now i'm scared to listen to the song. I don't want to erupt. I've been holding it together so far *sigh*
Blessing said…
Wow..that song must be deep!!! I'm scared to listen to it also but another friend mentioned it the other day.

Love will locate you again, true...selfless...deep....and lasting LOVE!
i can relate with the whole memories and date fading away thingy.

recently my best friend was asking me about my ex. and i said i'v forgotten he exist and i meant that 100%.

After saying that i had to sit back and reflect on how times and tides changes. for almost 7 years my life did revolve around this fellow
Licious said…
WOW! Ok i havent listened to the song - not a fan of adele - i think her song kinda makes one feel sad / depressed etc but ill google the lyrics.

But why did u walk away after a the effort of going all the way to the house? perhaps its a good thing, maybe not- but youre happy now and thats all that matters! and im pretty sure that very soon, love will find u again!!*big hug*


BTW e don tey small o :D
kitkat said…
wow. seems like every girl on blogger is nursing some form of heartbreak. love is sposd to be a gift but it causes more pain :/ why??*the voice of emeka from blackberry babes*
glad u've sorta moved on..atleast u even 4got his birthday date,lol
Anonymous said…
I listened to the song and it was crushing and comforting at the same time. I wonder if its ever possible to forget a date like that...
mizchif said…
Loved this piece.
Seeing as i listen to 21 @ least once a day and "Someone like you" is my second fave on the album.
Singing along when it comes on on the radio and i'm driving, i can relate to almost every line.

Is it wierd that i just want to give you a hug for how honest this post is?

Take care.

Popular posts from this blog

Letter to My Future

First things first, lets cut out the bs of "let's see what the future brings". How about I tell you exactly what I want. Agreed? I'd prolly preamble first. But i know you'll understand. When I was in uni, there's was this guy who called a certain girl his future. I found it incredibly silly at the time. Especially in that context. I don't anymore. Amidst all the upheaval that is my life at the moment, I have seen that supposedly calm eye of a storm. That silent part of a tornado where there is wonder at the havoc nature can cause. I have seen that split second before a head on collision, the certainty, the wonder. I have seen that second, just before bullet bites into skin. The second before an orgasm. Those times when everything apart from that moment is completely irrelevant. When all you see is colour and .......life. *insert quiet smile here*. I digress? Pull me back please...or maybe not. Dear Abimbola, Sometime soon, perhaps in every second af...

Its Friday, and I'm in love

I watched as my uncle was laid to rest on saturday. I cried new tears as I watched the coffin being lowered into the ground. I cried with his children as they cast dust upon the coffin, commiting their father's body to mother earth. From dust to dust......   Across from me, I watched my father, tears in his eyes as he buried his brother not of the same blood. Friend, for over 40 years and I wept for him too. I saw my mother beside him, holding his hand. I knew that she was remembering a similar burial from 8 years ago. When she buried my late uncle's wife. Her friend and confidant. And I cried for her too.  And fell in love with my parents, all over again.   Most times we take our parents for granted. Assuming that they'd always be around. But what if?....My father was my bestie for many years. Until I felt like I'd outgrown him, and sought friendship elsewhere. Not anymore. Recently, i didnt speak to him voluntarily for almost 2 months becasue o...

EVERYBODY's FREE....(to use bleaching soap)

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2010.... Use Bleaching Soap If I offer you only one tip for the future, bleaching soap would be IT . The long term benefits of bleaching have been proved by marketwomen whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable tan my own point of view. I will dispense this advice now..... Enjoy the power and beauty of bleaching soap..team it up with lacewigs. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of bleaching soap until you have aged. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how pale you really looked. You are NOT as fine as you imagine. You should worry about the future, because if you dont, you'll realise that your world will keep falling down on your head like standing under the unforgiving Lagos island rain with no umbrella, waiting for the next danfo bus that will take you to your office. The real ...