Allz well. (For Blessing, my trusted personal assistant.)

                                                                 

Oninye is that girl who is very obedient and who's always willing to work and help and learn. I've never seen her angry.

She'd smile to her special need patients all the time and tell them "allz well."  And they believed her. Because she makes one believe. She likes the movie 'three idiots,' and the character 'Rancho.'

She's always looking happy even in the midst of adversity. Lives life like it's a walk in the park.

So, one day, a few days after I'd lost the most precious thing in my life, she came smiling at me.

"How have you been?"

She sounds like our last born, at times. And that's why I didn't snap and reply sharply, "I'm fine. Thank you."

Like I'd been doing of recent out of some irritated anger and fear that when people ask "how are you doing?" they do so at times, just to know if you're suffering so they could laugh and talk about your suffering.

But, Onyii is different. Her easy laughter makes it clear that her intentions are genuine.

So I replied, "I'm fine, dear, I'm coping."

I too, tried to smile, for something in me felt soft, each time I saw her.

I wanted to stop talking and get back into my shell but, her warmth made me say more. Beyond the limit I was ready to breech. There's this thing about good people that makes us drop guard when we're with them.

So, I continued talking, telling her how much I loved the thing, how the loss felt like my heart had been violently ripped off my chest, how it's difficult to see the last pale light in the west, at the moment.

She listened. Like she's known to do. All the while, having that smile plastered on her innocent young face.

Then she came and held my hands and said.

"You should be glad that you're able to love something so much you felt the pain. Some people are not blessed that much. You're a are breed. A breed of people who can truly love."

She looked at the me and said again.

"Don't stop loving because pure unadulterated love, never returns to you..... void."

***

As she left me in order to attend to her clients, I was left astounded at the utter brilliance and charm of this little girl whom I've practically watched grow from a carefree girl into a woman. Only in a space of three years. I knew I'd miss her so much.

I wished she were older. And I wished I could love something again. But, a certain darkness had grown around my heart.

                                                             

©Nnaemeka Ugwu.