Conversations Feel Like Vanilla Ice-cream and Fox’s Cookies
it's old but sometimes old is gold
“Hey, love.”
“Hi, hi.”
You know when someone smiles, it can be noticed in the way they speak; voice pitched like a bird tweeting on a January morning, ushering us into a new day. But the pictorial representation of your lips curving to a crescent reminds me of days when I look at the sky, beholding all its glory. My heart becomes melted butter at the thought of you. So, I smile too. Because, unlike everything contagious, this one feels like vanilla ice cream after a long day of stress — it’s relaxing.
I want to hear your voice one more time, singing your favourite song. It starts slow; then you get a little comfortable; the lyrics become clearer, your melodies become beautiful, and I stand at the other side of the phone, miles apart, and I listen. You wrap my heart in a beautiful trance, making every worry in the world fade into the background. For a moment, they do not exist; I’m not bothered that the song will end soon. All I care about is that moment, and in that moment, I’m home.
You call my name; your tone is tender, but stern. It’s sweet and sometimes threatening. On some days, I can predict the words that follow, but on most days, you surprise me. Every conversation uncovers something new about me, about you, about us.
Then there’s this silence, not awkward, but calming. It feels safe, I’m not thinking of what to say to entertain, nor am I freaking out about you getting bored and leaving the phone. It feels like being by the beach, far from the water, but close enough to feel its calming effect. Knowing nothing at that moment could go wrong and enjoying your presence while I pay attention to my heartbeat as it beats for you, makes my toes tingle. I want to hold you.
Let’s not forget when you have to do something else while I’m here, preferably on my bed, hearing you talk to other members of your household. You return to say, “I’m here o.” This gives birth to a series of different stories that illuminate what your daily life looks like. We have this argument about food, and I’m convinced your taste needs a little refining because who likes Amala?
MTN interrupts; their stupid machine says I have a minute left. But I recharge a thousand bucks before they end our conversation. I look at the time, only to realise what felt like a minute and a half was an hour. But I ride the last one minute while I try to buy more airtime. The truth is, I could talk to you all day.
An hour and 30 minutes later
We are still laughing and telling stories of old. I’m telling myself I enjoy your company. If it were a drug, I’d love to have some more. If it were a place, I’d make it home. When I’m talking to you, I don’t have to think about what it feels like to be in paradise; I feel it already, in the way you talk, in the way you laugh, and in the way you sing.
Two hours later
Meanwhile, I’m smiling like a young boy, with no care for what people might think. My teeth are out in the open, and my cheeks dim my eyes. My legs rest on the wall while my hands fondle anything they can touch. I pace a little and return to my initial position. My heart is light. It feels like I can reach for the skies; with you by my side, the possibilities seem endless.
“ I have to go now; I’ll talk to you later.”
“Sure, take care.”
*beep*
How can she not tell she has become my muse?
first published 01/13/21
Hi. I’m Seuncaleb, Omo ìfẹ́, and these words are meant to be felt. If you enjoyed this, you can buy a soft copy of my book, “Things I Want to Say to You Before Eternity Comes.”
Click HERE
Your pen is blessed!!
"My cheeks dim my eyes"
Aarghhh😭😭💜💜💜