The Space Between us

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On a very cloudy evening, as Tunde was coming back from work, he remembered he needed to get some provisions from the mall not too far from his workplace. He got some toiletries and foodstuff, but as he was about paying, the cash transfer wasn't going through. He was frustrated and he tried everything he could do but to no avail. While still contemplating on dropping the things he took, someone tapped him on the shoulders and offered to pay for him. He declined at first, but she insisted. My name is Mary, she said. Mine is Tunde, as he said with a smile. She paid for him and he couldn't help but appreciate her over and over again.

They had a walk out of the mall and he realised from their conversations that she worked two blocks from his office. He wanted to ask for her contact but was shy. When he was about leaving, she called out to him and said she wanted to make sure he was home safe and sound, so she asked for his contact. Yesss! He exclaimed in his mind, Tunde hurriedly gave his number to her.

The rest they say is history..they chatted everyday, walked home together from work, had the same fantasies and values. They really loved each other and couldn't imagine losing this wonderful friendship.

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Two years passed, and every passing day was full of love and affection. First dates turned into daily routines, their arguments ended in apologies, they sang together, had long walks, they understood each other with just a blink of the eyes, they laughed to jokes only two of them could understand.

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Tunde just knew she was the one for him when he proposed to her at their favourite sit-out and out of excitement she screamed Yesss. Tunde couldn't contain his excitement, he has always wanted this moment; marrying his favourite person was just his wish of a perfect marriage.

Their wedding was wonderful and amazing. Everyone couldn't stop talking about how perfect the couples were, it was just like they were created for each other. Couples wanted to be like them, parents used them as a case study for their children who wanted to marry. They actually loved each other perfectly, And Tunde couldn't ask for more.

But, everything changed in just a year into their marriage...his favourite person felt like a stranger, how did this happen?

They started drifting with little things in their first months of which they overlooked. Tunde usually washes the dishes whenever it was piled up but he stopped one day. When she asked why it wasn't washed, he told her that he always washes them, so she should this time. It was nothing though, she washed them.

Tunde had more projects at his work place which made him stay late at night unlike before they married. Going through their old pictures, she couldn't help but feel his absence. They were always together but all she could remember were memories. She wanted the old Tunde back.

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The jokes they used to laugh about were no longer funny to them. He started being defensive and she started feeling uneasy at his sarcasms. Quarrels were the order of the day, fights that were resolved, forgotten but never forgiven.

9 months passed and she stumbled on his journal..flipping through the pages she saw something he had written down 'Maybe I am holding onto her because I am afraid to let go'. She couldn't continue reading. She was just silent all through. This brought in more silence. There was no case of cheating, they didn't lie to each other, they were faithful in their marriage but they felt this cold decay of their marriage.

They tried working things out, their dates now felt like they were on an interview session. Their therapy sessions turned into debates like they were opponents in a secondary school debate on the topic "Money being better than Education". Looks like they were trying to resurrect something that longer had oxygen in it.

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One gloomy morning, she sat on the bed while he laid there pondering on something. I think we aren't in love anymore, she said turning to him. He couldn't say anything, he just looked at her with a silence that looked like he concurred to what she said. They sat there in the silence, being reminded of all their jokes, memories and moments together. They couldn't understand why they are now moving in parallel lines when they actually moved from the same point, same dreams.

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They didn't hate each other, they didn't betray each other, they cared for each other. But it wasn't enough.
They sat there in the court looking at each other as they sign their divorce papers. Tunde's hands were shaking, as he signed. He felt like a part of him was moving. Mary couldn't stop holding back the tears. She cried because she felt her soul leaving her but this time there was a calm in her mind.

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With one last hug, he whispered to her that they tried their best. Yes we did, she answered. This was the first time in months they were really really honest with each other.

This is my imaginary story for the week.

I invite @onlyonefave, @ujunwa01 and @imohmitch to participate in this contest.