THE LONG WALK

It was hard to stay put, It was even more difficult to put my mind to order, I had wondered beyond my limits, and I wished I could stretch my hands to reach my soul just so I can pull it back to order, but I knew it was an impossible task, I wished my body would run to catch up with my mind, but my mind was already far gone.

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I couldn't stop myself from trying to take a peep into the future, reminiscing In my head every possible outcome of the meeting, my body could no longer withstand it, food could no longer satisfy a foodie; the more I ate, the more I needed to eat I knew that the satisfaction I was craving was not something food could give to my body, it was my mind that was starving, it needed to feed on something tangible, but there was nothing to feed it with because It was already far gone.

I knew my body would have to catch up with my mind if I hoped to find rest, so in the middle of the night, I came out intending to take a walk. The site of day scared me, but I guess I was more afraid of my mind bursting out of my head than the thoughts of getting mugged in the middle of the night. I took the sneakers I borrowed to use the next day, wore a jersey, and stepped out in the middle of the night with no fear or anxiety. Opening the compound gate and stepping out instantly sent a signal to my mind; that no matter how far it had gone, I was going to try to catch up at least.

Every step I took thereafter was memorable especially as I felt the cool breeze going through my skin, goosebumps all over, I knew I was in for a real race. I had gone about an hour when I realized I was running, it was now hard to catch my breath, I finally caught it anyway as I stood in between the double laned highway road, 200 naira away from home, but I had finally caught up with my mind, feeling less curious and now tired. It was at that moment my mind asked my body the big question; So how do we go home from here. In fear of getting mugged I refused to carry any cash and intentionally wore a short without pocket.

Now the journey looked endless as It was clear walking was the only way I was getting back home. I had run for so long that my knees were now hurting, though I could now catch my breath, my heart was beating fast in fear, but it was all worth it; I said to myself as I began to take my walk of tiredness back to where I will finally be able to rest. Now I had to force my mind to wonder away again, it was the only way I was going to get over the fear of the night. But this time it was different, I could not stay In the imaginary world for long before my body now reminding my mind that it was in a state of pain and tiredness.

Halfway through, it was as though crawling was the best option, but then again I thought to myself, it's already weird as it is, coming out at such an ungodly hour of the day, so I could catch up with my mind. At that moment, I tried remembering what made my mind run in the first place, then I remembered it was because she agreed on the date I fixed, and she personally set the place and time. With this in mind, my curiosity was awakened, and there I was running again.

Ouchhh it was the sharp knee pain that comes when my knee veins have been overstretched. Now I was leaping with anxiety to get back home. Sweat mixed with the cool breeze of the day was about giving me a cold, I was now coming into the reality of what I knew had been a mind journey, I was about to get discouraged when I saw light emitting from a huge tank; it was a sign I was now close to home, rest is near, but my body refused to be motivated, all it needed was rest and nothing more.

Finally, I was even more closer, but I needed to cross the road, the only thing moving at this time was me and a few trucks traveling the high way, as I leaped to cross the road, my mind was thinking of all possible scenarios that could get me mugged, but there was nothing on me, probably I will get beaten up if the mugs find nothing on me; I said to myself. I tried eluding the thoughts from my head, but my mind couldn't let go of the thoughts with the silence that was in my street with all the street lights off.

Suddenly, I began to panic citing my gate from afar looking as though someone had come to lock it from behind; now my heart was beating fast again with hot sensations running through my spine as my stomach grumble aloud. Suddenly I was feeling the need to goo, but it was only gas😂 I got to the gate feeling like I was late for an interview. With an eye closed in my mind, I pushed the gate which did not open until I discovered I hadn't pushed enough. What a sign of relief and joy inexpressible, as I got in, locked it, and went straight to my apartment.

I was feeling hungry all over again, checking my phone, it was already past 3:00 am, so I took a cold bath, ate what was left of the food that didn't satisfy me at first, and opened my eyes a while later. It was past 9:00 am, and my date had already called three times and sent a message that she was on her way. Now I knew I was in for it.

This is my entry into the inkwell non-fiction contest prompt, you can read more about it here