SMOLDERING IN A DARK ALLEY
She had begun to like Bugalu a lot more than she expected. As an old-fashioned African woman, she had been raised to be shy, restrained and in utmost control of her emotions and desires. But Bugalu had made her a complete opposite of her true self; well technically he didn't, her emotions did.
They had known each other for a little over 3 months, and being the 18th century gentleman that he was; Bugalu would give Foxam a quick call each morning on his way to work, a couple of text messages during the day and a 30 to 45 minutes call each night before bed. But Foxam felt like they had known each other for ages and never had enough of these calls; always yearning for more.
They met through one of the most unorthodox means in this part of the world - Dating Website!
The tech company she works for had rolled out a "ridiculous" proposal to build a dating website, with the hope to serve the local migrant population in the tiny West African country of Gold Coast. She had been tasked with the responsibility of conducting a feasibility study for this project, working with a timeline of 72 hours from date of announcement.
As ridiculous as the project sounded to her, her job depended on it and she intended to prove to be up to the task irrespective of her biased perceptions.
That's how she got herself signed up on about 6 dating websites; Bugalu being one of immediate followers within an hour after signing up. She had immersed herself into the whole process; accepting all requests, engaging in conversations, etc, just to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the entire process. Of course she run into a few douche-bags, perverts and freaks here and there, but Bugalu was completely different.
A complete gentleman, he was genuinely interested in her overall well being and life. Only requesting for her contact number after more than a month, when he realized they were both in Gold Coast. It continued to beat her imagination what such a fine and decent young man was doing on a dating site.
Focus, Foxam, focus! She reminded herself, as she struggled to bring her mind back to the greasy marble counter-top in the kitchen, which she was now leaning on for support from her wobbling legs. She couldn't be bothered if her favorite sleepwear got ruined or not, her mind was in such a haze she wished it was all a dream.
Her mind drifted back to the day before; she had not heard from Bugalu that morning and decided not to call either, since it might give her off as desperate. During lunch time when he had still not made any form of contact, she got upset, but begun to panic at night when he was still M.I.A. What if something bad had happened to him? She called about four times; straight to voicemail during each attempt; she left a couple of messages and hang up. She made a quick dinner of "gari soakings" and some left-over groundnuts she had from her afternoon snack of roasted dry corn and groundnuts.
A call identified by her caller ID app as Yel' Kara Military Hospital startled her in her cozy reading chair; she had dozed off unknowingly. Her first reaction was her dad's diabetic attacks, but she was about to have the shock of her life.
".....you are listed as her emergency contact person....", the voice on the other side of the phone was saying, "......and we need you to make a decision as soon as possible. She's still unconscious and surgery is scheduled for 7am tomorrow morning by which time we would need your feedback or forced to make our own".
She quickly packed up a few clothes and drove off to her dad's house some 45 minutes out of the city's capital. Being an only child, she and her dad had grown to become the best of friends after her mom passed away 5 years ago and she desperately needed him now. Unfortunately, dad was out of the country on an emergency diplomatic conference, Mrs Asem the maid had said, and not available until later that evening.
Encapsulated in a Hodge-podge of fury, curiosity and anxiety, Foxam is left on her own to face the mind blowing reality of that phone call. She had just discovered that Bugalu, who is a pregnant Transgender man, is in a life-threatening situation. S/he had been diagnosed with a lethal cancerous disease a few weeks after confirmed pregnant; during which time he had already initiated his transitioning journey.
Foxam had apparently been stated Bugalu's emergency contact person a few weeks ago. But here's the catch; Bugalu is about to have a pre-matured baby, doctors can only save one person; either baby or mother. Also, Bugalu has a little over 6 months left to live due to his cancer status.
With less than an hour left to make a decision, send in your thoughts by commenting below.
Focus, Foxam, focus! She reminded herself, as she struggled to bring her mind back to the greasy marble counter-top in the kitchen, which she was now leaning on for support from her wobbling legs. She couldn't be bothered if her favorite sleepwear got ruined or not, her mind was in such a haze she wished it was all a dream.
Her mind drifted back to the day before; she had not heard from Bugalu that morning and decided not to call either, since it might give her off as desperate. During lunch time when he had still not made any form of contact, she got upset, but begun to panic at night when he was still M.I.A. What if something bad had happened to him? She called about four times; straight to voicemail during each attempt; she left a couple of messages and hang up. She made a quick dinner of "gari soakings" and some left-over groundnuts she had from her afternoon snack of roasted dry corn and groundnuts.
A call identified by her caller ID app as Yel' Kara Military Hospital startled her in her cozy reading chair; she had dozed off unknowingly. Her first reaction was her dad's diabetic attacks, but she was about to have the shock of her life.
".....you are listed as her emergency contact person....", the voice on the other side of the phone was saying, "......and we need you to make a decision as soon as possible. She's still unconscious and surgery is scheduled for 7am tomorrow morning by which time we would need your feedback or forced to make our own".
She quickly packed up a few clothes and drove off to her dad's house some 45 minutes out of the city's capital. Being an only child, she and her dad had grown to become the best of friends after her mom passed away 5 years ago and she desperately needed him now. Unfortunately, dad was out of the country on an emergency diplomatic conference, Mrs Asem the maid had said, and not available until later that evening.
Encapsulated in a Hodge-podge of fury, curiosity and anxiety, Foxam is left on her own to face the mind blowing reality of that phone call. She had just discovered that Bugalu, who is a pregnant Transgender man, is in a life-threatening situation. S/he had been diagnosed with a lethal cancerous disease a few weeks after confirmed pregnant; during which time he had already initiated his transitioning journey.
Foxam had apparently been stated Bugalu's emergency contact person a few weeks ago. But here's the catch; Bugalu is about to have a pre-matured baby, doctors can only save one person; either baby or mother. Also, Bugalu has a little over 6 months left to live due to his cancer status.
With less than an hour left to make a decision, send in your thoughts by commenting below.
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