(Published by The Southerner, Tuesday, April 7, 2025)

The past is a ghost that haunts me still, its whispers weaving a spell of longing and regret.

Chigozie’s name was etched in my memory like a scar, a reminder of the love that could have been, the future we had envisioned, and the heartbreak that tore us apart. Yet, even as the years went by, and the ache of loss began to fade, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our story was far from over. And then, one phone call changed everything, summoning the ghosts of our past and beckoning me to revisit the memories I thought had left.

As I stood in front of my closet, surrounded by memories of the past, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wistfulness wash over me. The sound of Chigozie’s voice on the phone had awakened a part of me that I thought was long buried. I found myself reaching for the dress he had always loved, the one that made me feel like a queen. The soft, silky fabric seemed to whisper promises of a romantic evening, and I couldn’t help but fantasize about the possibilities.

My mind began to wander, conjuring up images of candlelit dinners and moonlit strolls. I pictured Chigozie’s smile, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, and the way his voice made me feel like I was home. The memories came flooding back, and I felt like I was 20 years old again, falling deeply in love with the man of my dreams.

As I held the dress up against myself, admiring the way it hugged my curves, my mom walked into the room. Her eyes scanned the space, taking in the scattered clothes and shoes, and her expression turned from curiosity to concern.

“Are you sure about this, my daughter?” she asked, her voice laced with a mix of fear and worry. Her eyes seemed to bore into my soul, searching for answers I wasn’t even sure I had.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. A part of me was screaming to be cautious, to protect myself from the potential heartache that could come with reuniting with Chigozie. But another part of me, a part that seemed to be growing louder by the minute, was urging me to take a chance, to follow my heart and see where it led.

“I don’t know, Mom,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I have to try. I have to know why he’s looking for me, and what he wants from me.”

My mom’s expression softened, and she walked over to me, wrapping her arms around me in a warm hug. “I just want you to be happy, my daughter,” she said. “But I also want you to be careful. You deserve to be loved and cherished, and I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. I knew my mom was coming from a place of love, and I appreciated her concern. But I also knew that I had to follow my heart, no matter where it led.

As I pulled back from the hug, I saw my mom’s eyes scan the room again, taking in the dress and shoes and perfume. This time, however, I saw a glimmer of understanding in her eyes, a sense that she knew I was determined to follow my heart, no matter what.

“Okay, my daughter,” she said finally, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and support. “I’ll support you, no matter what. But please, be careful. And don’t forget to wear your favorite perfume. You never know who might be noticing.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my mom. She might not agree with my decision, but she was willing to support me, and that meant the world to me.

As I held the dress, lost in thought, I drifted off to sleep, the soft fabric still clutched in my hand. My room was shrouded in darkness, the only sound the quiet hum of the air conditioner. I slept fitfully, my dreams filled with visions of Chigozie and the secrets he promised to reveal.

When I woke up, everything felt like a dream. The room was bathed in the warm, golden light of dawn, and for a moment, I wondered if it had all been just a fantasy. But as I looked around the room, taking in the familiar sights and sounds, I knew that it was real.

My phone rang, shrill and insistent, cutting through the silence. I smiled as I picked it up, my heart racing with anticipation. “Hello?” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Chigozie’s voice purred through the line. “I was thinking, can we move our date up to tomorrow? I have a lot of things I want to explain to you.”

My mind was filled with inquisitive thoughts as I hesitated for a moment. What could he possibly want to explain? What secrets had he been keeping from me? But as I looked around the room, taking in the dress and shoes and perfume, I knew that I had to see this through.

“Okay,” I said finally, my voice firm. “I’d like that.”

“Great,” Chigozie said, his voice filled with relief. “I’ll come pick you up at 5 pm tomorrow. Just be ready.”I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I will,” I said. “But can I ask, what’s this about? What do you want to explain to me?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I wondered if I had overstepped. But then, Chigozie’s voice came back, low and husky. “All in good time, my love,” he said. “Just be ready tomorrow.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement wash over me. I had no idea what the future held, but I was ready to take a chance.

As I hung up the phone, I felt a sense of anticipation building inside me. What would tomorrow bring? What secrets would Chigozie reveal?

I looked around the room, taking in the dress and shoes and perfume. I knew that I had to be careful, that I had to protect myself from the potential heartache that could come with reuniting with Chigozie.But as I looked at myself in the mirror, I knew that I was ready. I was ready to take a chance, to follow my heart and see where it led.

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. Tomorrow was a new day, a new beginning. And I was ready to face whatever it brought.As I turned to walk away from the mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself, and I smiled. I was ready for whatever tomorrow brought.
The following day he pulled up at my house as exactly 5pm, He looked like a man who had been carrying a heavy burden for a long time, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had caused such pain.

As i walked majestically to the car he had opened the front sit of his car immediately a sat down without a word, Chigozie reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending shivers down my spine. It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes about the connection we still shared.

As he pulled away from the curb, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him, taking in the strong lines of his profile, the sharp jawline, and the full lips that had once whispered sweet nothings in my ear. He was still the same man I had fallen in love with all those years ago, and yet, there was something different about him, something that hinted at a deeper complexity.

We drove in silence, the only sound the soft hum of the engine and the occasional passing car. I didn’t mind the silence, though; it gave me a chance to process my thoughts, to try and make sense of the emotions that were swirling inside me.

As we turned onto the highway, Chigozie finally spoke, his voice low and husky. “I’m glad you came,” he said, his eyes flicking towards me before returning to the road. “I have missed you.”

My heart did a somersault and I felt a lump form in my throat. I had missed him too, more than I could ever put into words. But I didn’t say anything, didn’t trust myself to speak.

Instead, I turned my attention to the passing scenery, watching as the city gave way to rolling hills and verdant forests. It was beautiful, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were driving towards something more, something that would change the course of our lives forever.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, Chigozie finally turned off the highway, leading us down a winding road that seemed to stretch on forever. I had no idea where we were going, but I was content to let Chigozie lead the way.

The trees grew closer together here, casting long, ominous shadows on the ground. I felt a shiver run down my spine, but it wasn’t fear that drove it – it was anticipation. I was ready to face whatever lay ahead, as long as Chigozie was by my side.

As we rounded a final bend, a beautiful lake came into view, its surface glinting like diamonds in the fading light. Chigozie pulled up to the water’s edge, turning off the engine as he gazed out at the tranquil scene before us. “We’re here,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Until next week Tuesday bye for now