It's been about 30 years since I last ran into any of my classmates in college. Running into one today felt like college was just 1 year ago. It's funny how we think that time erases all of those memories but when the effort is made to think about all of those times, we realise that they're not as erased as we had thought. Kindra was a very dear friend of mine back in the day. It felt so good to see her 30 years later, still looking good as ever, if not even better. Maturity has a way of making us look even more confident and warm and tell me what makes a woman more beautiful if not confidence and good warmth?
I ran into a Kindra at the beauty salon on King's Street. I have frequented Lily's Place all my life, especially for her good customer service and freebies and also for how she knows how to style my hair and get me looking all good even when I have nothing on my mind. She's just the best. Let's get back to Kindra before I derail into telling you how Lily confused my husband into not recognizing his wife with one of the astonishing looks she gave me. Oh, that day felt good.
Kindra and I had to get coffee at a nearby restaurant after having our hair done. Between talking about work, marriage, the kids, and the rest of what we call life, we had just about so much ground to cover so it was wise to get comfy and the restaurant was there for the rescue. Kendra was in town for our college reunion! For a moment I was carried away and was asking her details of what college she attended and how many years ago were college days until it hit me. "We attended the same college," I screamed. How come I didn't get an invite?
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Downcast was the new look on our faces. I immediately began to feel bad because Lily did such a good job just for us to ruin the perfect ensemble with our sorry faces and dull countenance. Kindra's voice was what pulled me out of my perfectly well-orchestrated plan on how I'd make a crucifix out of the planner of this so-called reunion that left me out of it all.
Sweet Kindra kept pleading with me to attend for the remaining part of our little coffee time together till when we hugged and parted ways. It was a furious drive back home as I kept honking and screaming at people who did nothing wrong. I hate them all! Well, I don't hate them now but I hated them all then and there, especially the event planner who left me out of the whole package.
Joan was already asleep by the time I got home. My beautiful baby! Look at her sleeping so peacefully. Oh, I'm sorry, I know you can't see her, just envision her, that will do. My husband couldn't hide his frustrations anymore. He was already fed up and tired of listening to me rant and vent. I could see the pain mixed with anger in his eyes, not because of my pain or anger but because I wouldn't let him sleep. I decided to have mercy on the man and think my way through my problem. Just then, it struck me! I would attend the party looking all glam and made-up and shame all my haters. That was it, a perfect plan.
I stayed up all night rummaging through my bags for the perfect outfit. After long hours of labour and search, everything was set and done. The reunion was two days away but I wished I could move it to that very moment. Kindra and I had agreed to arrive together. It was going to be a good night in Indra's words but for me, it would be even better.
My confidence went aloof as chaff before the wind as soon as we arrived at the venue. I couldn't get my words straight and my feet were beginning to wobble. Thank God I had agreed to go with Kendra. She turned out to be my support, like literal support! My support was soon gone as she ran into her cheerleading friends and started to mingle and reunite with the crowd. It would have been the same with me if only I could make 2 complete sentences while I was spoken to.
I felt so foolish like a child who was in the presence of her crush. Even my 2-year-old daughter speaks better than me right now. Oh Vivian, where art thou? I had to look for a secluded part dark and gloomy like the emotions coursing through me but I could barely find any. So there I was stuck in a reunion that was sucking the air from my lungs. So much for shaming my haters and giving them vibes. I just wished I could find Kindra and tell her I was leaving but she was nowhere to be found.
The search for Kindra led me to the worst of them all. I ran into Chad. Chad was my forever love in college. It was a rosy relationship that he was the talk of the neighbourhood but it came crashing the day Chad proposed on my 21st birthday. The eyes all around were just too much and I couldn't think I found myself running away from my party and that was the last time I saw Chad. In hopes that he didn't see me, I tried to run away again, but luck was not on my side.
He came close and said hi. He was still talking but I couldn't hear him. The next thing I knew, I was struggling to breathe and my vision grew slimmer and slimmer by the minute, and poof I was gone. The next thing was your home girl drenched in water. My bright blue dress was now a shadow of itself, all Lily's efforts have been drenched by my haters. It had to be them!
Yours faithfully fainted. I fainted! Chad out of panic had to pour water on me to revive me. Not a smart choice there by Chad but I wouldn't blame him.
There you have it, my so-called good night! It ended with me on my way home drenched in water from God knows where after giving everyone the fright of their lives. Thank God for Kindra, Kindra knows what I would have done without her. What a night! I'm so done with reunions!
