The Masked Poet

by Albert Enang Eng Usang

  Loneliness, jealousy, and allure, were the three vile conspiratorial bugs who drove her into an affair with Victor. And like many of her peer who fantasized and greatly wished for love, he gave in to Victor not because he was exactly her kind of man, but rather because for whatever reason, fate played tricks on her by keeping that dream man away from her and presented instead, the none ideal, and probably the richest. But few months into the relationship, she soon discovered he was very far from the romantic chips he used in wooing her. And his menacing jealousy had one way or the other foreclosed fresh adventures with other guys who were constantly scared away by him. In actuality however, her ideal man has always been one with a great sense of romance. Not just that, but one with the ability to expressively put it across; then, every other criteria including at least a living wage, follows. She has never been one pulled into love by materialism. One can hastily make that conclusion in Victor's case, but it was Victor's fake romantic flakes which actually attracted her in addition to the fact her friends, already enjoying fledging relationships, constantly accused her of being too choosy; an attitude which could make her by pass prince charming without her knowing it. Thus, she had chosen Victor, hoping for the best from him. But soon, it turned out he was 'a bird in hand,' until a thousand in the bush came calling, from which 'a perfect bird,' could be found; because of his romantic mundaneness. But no matter his present obstinacy, Victor would one day realize the inevitable and get a piece of her true state of heart.

  While she subjectively appreciated the distant Masked Poet, at least, a distance whose bounds are set by broadcast communication miles, her phone rang. It was Victor.

  'This bore sure knows how to ruin a good time!' She complained. 'Instead of allowing me have the time of my life in an area of life my heart pants for, he is calling to bore me with his useless talks!' She complained aloud.

  All the same, she picked up her phone and answered the call.

  'Hello.' She notified.

  'Hello love,' Victor replied. 'How are you doing today?

  - I don't understand; this is the fifth time you've called today asking this same question over and over again. And l think I have given you the answer.

  - That was then. I want to know how you are doing now, l mean, right now in this day.

  - l am still as the response l gave you the last time you asked.

  - Is there anything wrong in asking after your well being as my love?

  - There is - it is boring. Like they say, when water stays too long in the mouth, it becomes saliva.

  - l thought it is a gesture of love?

  - Are those the only gesture and words of love you know? Isn't there any other you know which can show versatility and variety?

  - You know na, I'm not so good with words. You have to pardon me. That's why I always try to make up for this deficiency in other ways.

  - Like? Buying me gifts?

  - You mean you don't like them? You should have told me and I would have asked they be changed right away.

  - Enough! Why have you called me?

  - Well, there is a special place l want to take you to tomorrow evening. I am calling to inform so you would be ready on time while I come to pick you up.

  - Where is this special place?

  - It's a surprise. You will know it when we get there.

  - What's the time?

  - 4pm on the dot.

  - Okay. Can l go now?

  - Yes, that's all. I love you.

  - l have heard. Good night.

  She quickly dropped the phone to continue from where she left off of the Masked Poet and the Fiesta of Poems. To her annoyance, the programme had ended without her witnessing the final moments. It got her infuriated she wasn't able to know if the Masked Poet mentioned the city and state in the country he would set up shop and also, if he gave out his contact to 'possible clients;' all because of Victor. But if it was Victor's fault that she got infuriated, then he just wasn't done with incensing her. Her phone rang again, seconds after she had dropped. She picked the call:

  'What is it again.' She asked, barely holding back being insolent.

  'What's the meaning of such a nonsensical question?' Victor barked. 'Just to remind you, l have every right to call you when and how l want, and anytime you fail to pick up, you account for it! So, don't you ever ask such a rubbish question again whenever I call. Never! Hope you heard me right?

  - Victor, are you threatening me or something?

  - Call it what you like, l just passed a message. And that's even not the reason I called.

  - Why did you call then?

  - What was your response moments ago when I told you l love you?

  She hesitated an answer, suddenly realizing that same answer had provoked a temper in the past. She decided to calm down issues as she didn't want another round of psychological trauma arguing with Victor. He always won them.

  'I'm sorry.' She said insincerely.

  There elapsed a brief moment of silence during which Victor took in the apology. Then he replied:

  'Now, do the right response.'

  - I love you too.

  - Better. Next time, don't forget it. Good night.... .

  The next day, Victor took her to a jewelry shop. Just like he promised her the previous day, she did not have a clue about where they were headed until they parked in front of the shop.

  'Is this the special place of a surprise?' She asked when it was clear that's their destination.

  'Exactly.' He replied gleefully and with a broad smile. Putting his right hand across the back of her neck to her right shoulder, he pulled closer to her from the driver's seat and said to her:

  - For a recognized beauty queen like you, who also doubles as my own heart's double queen, you need a change of jewelry. Lets go in so you can make your choices.

  - But Victor, l never complained, and my present stock of jewelry are not yet faded. I can still use them for sometime more.

  - Well, l say old things have passed away. I got you those when you were not yet a beauty queen, therefore, those jewelries are the kind for non-beauty queens. Now, you are a beauty queen, you need your kind of jewelry - jewelries for beauty queens.

  - But I still insist there's no need to lavish money on unneeded and unnecessary jewelries, for God's sake I used those same jewelries you call 'non-beauty queens' jewelries' to win the beauty contest.

  - l insist you have fresh ones. My baby should live true to her new found status..........

  - Victor, ...........

  - That's okay. No more arguments. Lets go inside.

  Reluctantly, she followed him in. She picked up a few jewelries but Victor insisted the quantity was small and that she pick up thrice her initial collections. Reluctantly still, she did all he asked just to please him. She didn't want his self willed troubles and more so, didn't want to pick up a fight with him outdoors.

  When they finished the shopping, Delight's new fame played its part in the outing. Many people wanted to take selfies with the beauty queen. But in the end, it turned a celebration to an embarrassment as piqued by the spate of young guys who flocked his girlfriend all in the name of taking selfies, Victor's jealousy took the better of him as he invaded their selfie-taking fun, basically dragging her by the left arm towards the car.

  'Stop this Victor! Stop this! Oh my arm! You are hurting me.' She began on a low tone but ended up shouting when she could no longer bear the pain on her arm as a result of his tight grip. He paid deaf ears to her pleas, as he pushed her into the car and drove off.

  'What on earth do you call that stunt you put up there?' She fired.

  'You think I'm stupid? You think l don't know what all these evil guys want with you by pretending to take selfies?' He retorted.

  - What do you know they want from me? Do you now read minds?

  - They want to snatch you away from me! Envious lot! They think l will sit back and watch them do that before my very eyes..........

  - You keep embarrassing m
e Victor, when are you going to stop embarrassing me this way? Should l be isolated from the whole world because I have you as a boyfriend?

  - Call it embarrassment or whatever you like. What I know is l must fight for love. And I won't loose in that fight!

  - Wait a minute Victor, why is this relationship all about you alone? Do you ever care about my feelings? Do you know if I have emotional and psychological needs which should be met? Is this relationship a prison yard or a master-slave arrangement? Just now, you have bought me a collection of jewelries that add nothing to my feelings, emotions, and psyche except that you derive pleasure in doing it.......

  - I'm sorry my love, if I offend you............

  - Yes, you more than offend me! You killed me publicly without arms.

  - I'm sorry. I'm truly very sorry. You know l love you so much l can't stand a competition especially now that you are a star. Moreso, you should know by now I'm not so brilliant with romance and words. I am not a Shakespeare, neither am l Romeo, but I show my love in many other ways they probably cannot. As uniquely different as we are, we equally express love differently; but we all do the same thing which is loving.

  - Then, if you can't improve me emotionally, please do not add to the traumas, l beg you. But seriously now, is my stardom a threat to you?

  - No point denying it has fetched me unwarranted competition.

  - Why then are you scared? Are you by any means inferior? Do you think that way?

  - I AM NOT INFERIOR! I am just being precautionary.

  - Then, please let me meet the world! Or am l asking too much?

  - You will meet the world, not guys.

  - Oh my God! I think we really have to redefine this relationship.

  - Don't even think of it. Remember Romeo and Juliet.

  - What exactly about them?

  - They ended up together.... ........but in death.

  - What? You want to kill me?

  - I will kill us.

  - And what exactly does that mean?

  - No one else loves you but me, and you love none else but me as well.

  - Says who?

  - Me of course!

  - You think you are God? Okay, watch me redefine this relationship. One of these days, you will see it happen right before your eyes.

  - Over my dead body.............. and yours too.

  - l will never die with you. Please stop this car this moment!

  - What? Why? I'm taking you home.

  - l will get there myself. At least, I'm not so dumb as to know my way around the city.

  - Calm down hon, we only just had a misunderstanding like every couple does. I picked you up from home, and l will drop you there again.......

  By the time they got to Delight's abode, her friend was already waiting for her. They managed to put up a straight face to hide the fact they've been fighting, but the calculated act could not escape Joanna's intuitive observation. After Victor took his leave, she popped up the question:

  'What is it with your swollen face? Did you guys fight or something?' Her eyes probing her face as she inquired.

  Delight could not hold it in any longer; she started sobbing.

  'I don't why Victor is so overbearing and over protective.' She opened up. 'I can't stand his jealous traits anymore.'

  - So you guys are still on this irrelevant quarrels of yours? Over unimportant issues like passionate and fiery love?

  - What? Did you just listen to yourself? You call his jealous instincts unimportant? Do you know all it has cost me?

  - Girlfriend, so far as I am concerned, not only is it not important, but it is also a non-issue. Come, this guy loves you so much that he will go the extra mile for you. And just in case you've not been informed, the latest theory from love experts is: jealous lovers are the best! They love wholeheartedly and passionately without looking back. And you know what?.......... That's the kind of love I like.

  - To hell with any jealous love which does nothing but speedily closing down my world and keeping me away from people. What kind of love is that?

  - Jealous love.

  - Oh God! I'm wasting my time talking to a biased mind.

  - But seriously, Victor is always showering you with enchanting gifts. I notice he is very good at that. For goodness' sake, that is what every girl wants these days from their men plus some jealous loving which is indicative of concentrated, committed, and wholesome attachment. Oooooops!

  - I can't believe you are saying those. Look, life is more emotional and psychological than it is physical and material. Just so you know, because it appears you don't; the former ticks the right places for me.

  - Then why do you keep receiving all the fine fine things he buys for you na?

  - That is what you don't understand. Most of the time, he forces me to, and if I don't, we get into a fight.

  - See this girl o, abeg* stop all this rubbish you have been spilling from your mouth and allow Victor love you jare!* In case you are not aware, many sisi* are out there waiting for you to stupidly throw him into their wide open arms. Emotion ko,* psychology ni!*

  - l see. Why don't you take him na? I have decided to throw him out and away!

  - Abeg abeg abeg, don't lead me into temptation o. Just make it official and you will see what will happen na.

  - What! Joanna, did you just say that?

  - Serves you right! Isn't that what you wanted me to say? Abeg, leave mata for Mathias!*

  - Oh Jesus! What an unfortunate lady l am; l have a fiery jealous man for a lover, I'm in a most forlorn relationship, and I have a so called friend who supports them.

  *abeg(pidgin English = please) *jare(Yoruba = friend) *sisi(pidgin = ladies) *ko(Yoruba = there) *no(Yoruba = here) *leave mata for Mathias (pidgin, idiomatic = don't bother about far fetched issues)

  - Splendid narrative! But girlfriend, awake to reality before it becomes late.

  - I will, and I'm about to.

  - What do you mean? Please tell me you are joking. I'm serious; please stick with Victor.

  - Anyways, forget about that. There is something else I want to ask you.

  - And what could that be?

  - I have not seen nor heard from you in three weeks, so, l want to ask: did you follow the recently concluded contest on poetry called Fiesta

  of Poems?

  - Well, first issues first; it shows what kind of friend you are - not caring an inch about me for three weeks..........

  - For Christ's sake, your phone has been off all along.

  - And my house's location got banished from your memory as well?

  - Okay o. I'm sorry o. I see you are ready for another round.

  - Round of what?

  - Arguing and quarrelling of course.

  - Ha ha ha ha........ Please I'm not a 'quarreller.' The problem is you are very stubborn, never listening to advice.

  - It's enough, biko*, answer my question now .

  - Which one sef?