Departing Gambia

Sitting in the departure lounge at the airport, alone because only those travelling could be there, both of them kept contact through the phone as she waited to be transported away, far from him. And here are some text messages they exchanged in those few minutes, before the plane arrived.

SHE: Though my memory with him always is, the smell of me he dabbed around
HIM: And I’ve got part of you with me. Your hanky.

SHE: And that too. Stained with sand from my heels. Will you wash it?
HIM: Nope I won’t.

SHE: Does that poem fall under haiku? Haiku poems are 14 words. Not sure the number of syllables. Will edit it at home and blog it.
HIM: Haiku poems talk about nature as they relate to human relationships. 14 line poems are Shakesparean.

SHE: Naa. As long as it’s 14 words and a certain number of syllables, it’s haiku.
HIM: Thought you said 14 lines.

SHE: What will you do with a dirty handkerchief?
HIM: It still has your smell.

SHE: Ok. The face towel in the bathroom has my smell too. If I smell like that. Woulda sprayed you on the sweater and take you with me to Nigeria. What will you miss most?
HIM: Playing with you and the sound of your laughter. The sight of joy in your eyes when you steal glances at me.

SHE: I miss your winks and you peeping at me with one eye closed.
HIM: I miss that I won’t get to tell you I love you and watch your face lighten up.

SHE: Hmmmmmmm. Don’t worry sweetheart. The plane will soon be here. In movies, you will be here with me in the departure lounge. Then you will stand staring with your hands in your pocket as I board. Before disappearing, I will turn to look at you, before we can raise our hands and blow eachother kisses, one big van will pass by and block our views. When it leaves, you will heave a sigh because I’m gone. Then you will turn and walk away. I will open the door and come back in and say ‘let me ask you a question. Then you will turn around and look at me and say....
HIM: Will you marry me?

SHE: Lol.
HIM: And what will your answer be?

SHE: I will ask if you will let me name the kids the names they will be known as. If you say yes, I will say yes. Plane just touched down. I miss you.
HIM: Me too

Ps: so she found out she is an Olodo because Haiku poems are 17 syllables in three lines. But it’s almost haiku sha. 18 syllables. It would have been in three lines, had it not been texted.
And there’s a real haiku in the conversation. Check line 13:

‘ The face towel in the bathroom
has my smell too
If I smell like that’

Psps: 'The Gambia Experience' is coming in two or three parts. From my preparation to go, and going, and being there and returning. Beginning from next Thursday, I hope I will be bold enough to actually post it, since I have started writing it. So expect the gist of yours truly, and The Cave Man.