A few seconds too long

I remember this one night I tried waiting for him, but it was one of those nights; busy day, heavy traffic, just generally stressful. All I really wanted was to get home, spend some time with him and then go to bed. But being Lagos, I got home so late. I wasn’t sure if he had come and left in my absence or if he was still on his way. I was just so tired, I barely managed to take a bath and fall into bed. I guess I fell asleep in seconds, because at some point I realised the persistent knocking was not from my dreams but from someone at the door. I hung in limbo for a while trying to get my befuddled mind to function.

‘Who’s at the door?’

‘It’s me. I’m here”.

It was him. He had come, but Oh, I was still so tired. It was so hard to get out of my warm bed and find something decent to wear at that time of the night – almost midnight. Would he want something to eat, to drink, would I need to be witty, entertaining? I didn’t know and was too tired to contemplate getting out of bed.

By the time I did, he had gone! Just when I had worked up the energy to change my clothes and open the door. Just when my heart had skipped several beats at the thought of his visit, his kiss, his touch… I opened the door and he wasn’t there. I had hesitated a few seconds too long…

What would I do now?

I couldn’t go back to sleep for he has awakened love and I cannot lie still.

I set out that night to look for him. I just had to find him, if only to say I was sorry hesitating a few seconds too long.  In spite of my fear of robbers, area boys and prostitutes hanging out at night, I just had to find him.

In my desperation, I begged the girls I met outside at that time of the night to help me look for him. They wanted to know what he looked like and what was so special about him that would send me searching for him in the mid of the night.  

Hmmh, where do I start, how can I describe him and how can I explain how my heart beats for him.

He is radiant; He is one in a million. No, not even in a million for there is no one like him. He is golden. He is pure and untarnished

With raven black curls tumbling across his shoulders

His eyes are soft and bright, but deep set, full of expression like wells of water

His face is rugged, His voice, his words, warm and reassuring

He is strong and muscular – fine muscles ripple beneath his skin, quiet and beautiful

He was built by a master designer, hard and smooth as ivory

He stands tall, strong and deep rooted, a rugged mountain of a man

His words are kisses, His kisses words

Everything about him delights me, thrills me through and through

He is altogether lovely

That’s my lover, that’s my Lord.

You need to find Him too, do not wait a few seconds too long.