SHORT STORY: 'IT IS WHAT IT IS'

 

It was the day after the heavy rains. The sun seemed cheerful in the blue sky, the clouds – a scattering of white and grey columns – floated lazily across the sky. It was a lazy day; even the wind blew lazily. Marcus Smith brought out his plastic chair and went straight to the summer hut in the middle of his compound. It was one of those days when he could just sit and enjoy nature uninterrupted by work or some people’s drama. He sat in the chair, stretched, and smiled. It was a good day to be alive!

His smile had not lived sixty seconds when he heard his phone ring. He sighed. Why had he not turned it off yet? He wished the person wouldn’t bother calling again as he didn’t answer. Rather unfortunately for him, the caller kept calling. Finally, without checking the caller ID, he answered, and almost immediately wished the phone would explode.

“Why are you avoiding me, Marcus?” The unwelcome greeting sounded over the connection.

“Good day to you too, Sonia,” Marcus replied, hoping he sounded sarcastic enough. “To what do I owe this unpleasant surprise?”

“Marcus, I’m your girlfriend! Mind your language. Anyway, are you still living at the same place?”

“Yes, wh-”

“Okay. I’m coming over.” Click.

Marcus stared at the mobile device in his hand for a full sixty seconds. Sonia was coming over? And did she just describe herself as his girlfriend? When did she realize they were in a relationship? There was a sudden gust of wind through the summer hut, and the clouds began to darken. Marcus wondered if Nature was warning him of the evil times ahead with his ‘girlfriend’.

Since Sonia said she was on her way, he went for another chair and waited for her. There was nothing he could do about it when she made up her mind. That was the problem they had had two years ago: Sonia never listened to any suggestion or advice he offered her. She preferred to listen to her friends. Twice with the same person, she had cheated on Marcus and gotten pregnant. Marcus, assuming the pregnancies were his, had assisted her in terminating them so that she could complete her tertiary education else her parents would no longer fund her education. Also, Marcus had not been in any good financial standing to see her through as well as sustain his start-up software business. He had, however, been tipped that his girl was another’s woman but he had chosen to disbelieve that. He had confronted Sonia, who vehemently denied all the accusations and ended up accusing Marcus tearfully that after all they had been through together, he could not trust her. Marcus had ended up consoling her and carrying on the relationship. Even after he had found out that Sonia had cheated on him most painfully, he maintained their relationship, trusting in a better future.

Then the snickering had begun. He had gone to visit Sonia on her university campus one Saturday. As soon as he entered their room, the two girls with Sonia had funnily looked at him. Then they all exchanged a look and burst out laughing. Unaware that he was the object of their laughter, he sat on the only other chair available as the girls excused themselves, still laughing. He got to know they were making fun of him when Sonia, her face a murderous mask, inquired why he would visit her in rags. She had hissed at him and seen him off immediately. Marcus had never felt more humiliated. That was the last time he had seen her. All other correspondence had been via phone calls and WhatsApp chats. Marcus had also sensed her coldness through her messages. She could take forever to reply but would always tell him she loved him in the end.

It had been two years of this kind of relationship. Marcus had concluded that his relationship with Sonia was on its way to a natural death so had let things be. Whenever Sonia called, he answered if he could. If he couldn’t, he tried to call back. The relationship was no longer sweet like before; previously, the two could sit together and enjoy each other’s company.

And now, she had decided to visit him. Whatever for, he would find out when she arrived.

About thirty minutes after the call, a sleek, electric blue sedan pulled into the compound. After letting the engine hum for a while – for dramatic effect, Marcus decided – Sonia killed it and stepped out of the car. She looked like a goddess in her blue silk dress, her curvaceous figure carefully shrouded in it. She had gone for the down-cut trim she had always wanted. Her face radiated vitality; her make-up was moderately done, just enough to accentuate her cheekbones and lips. Marcus stood as Sonia approached the summer hut, more out of respect than in awe of her beauty: he had been dead drunk in it before; now, he was sober.

“Marcus, darling.” Sonia greeted with a hug and a peck on Marcus’ cheek. Marcus felt the familiar stirring in his groin but tamed it quickly. He brought one arm round Sonia’s back and said, “Hello Sonia.” He then pulled away and offered her a seat. When she was comfortable, he offered her water and went straight to the matter. “What are you doing here, Sonia?”

Marcus saw her take a deep breath. She said, “Marcus, it’s been two years since we last saw each other. I’m impressed with what you’ve done with yourself. At least, your fashion sense has improved.” Sonia nodded approvingly.

“What do you want, Sonia?” Marcus asked, totally unfazed by Sonia’s compliment.

“I want our relationship back,” Sonia responded. “It’s been two years since things started going bad between us…”

“Exactly,” Marcus cut in, not showing his surprise. “What happened?”

“Marcus, I’ve been thinking a lot. You are the best guy for me…”

“Really now?” Marcus barked out his laughter. “Wait. You’re sitting here, looking all pretty and all, after twenty-four months of coldness, telling me I’m the best for you? For you?!”

“Marcus, I know I have made poor decisions in the past but I’m ready to change now. Let’s work things out together. I still love you!” Sonia was nearing tears now.

“Please don’t cry; I don’t have any handkerchief to give you.” Marcus bit out. “Besides, this relationship was over and done with two years ago.” Marcus got up and took a deep breath, “Thank you for linking up, Sonia, but I’m ready to move on. You are not the best for me. I hope you find joy in the man whom you have been with all this while, the man who made you despise me, the man for whom you got pregnant and landed them at my doorstep. I have been stupid before; I can’t let it happen over and over.” Marcus gestured to her car, “Please leave now and don’t look back.”

“Marcus, is that…?”

“Whatever you want to call it, Sonia. It is what it is.”

Sonia rose dazedly from her seat. She stared at Marcus like she was seeing him for the first time. She had planned everything based on the naïve Marcus she had met earlier, the one who would have moved heaven to earth for her. She had not anticipated this phenomenal man. And now, she was receiving the sack. She knew she deserved it. She gathered the rest of her pride and walked to her car, sat in, and drove away without looking back.

When her tail could no longer be seen, Marcus heaved a sigh. Such a weight lifted off him. Suddenly, the dark clouds floated away. A bright omen. Now he could truly admire the sunny, blue sky with its fluffy clouds and lazy wind. It did feel good to be alive.

THE END.