INTERSECTION

INTERSECTION

Writer’s Note: This story is a mixture of reality, fiction and a bit of an active imagination. Translation: Some things did happen, some I wish had happened, and the rest is as a result of too much coffee and Red Bull.

PROLOGUE

We Lived. We Loved. We Conquered. In the end, We Parted…

JULY 2010

His day began like any other normal day. He arrived in Nigeria via Lagos on Friday evening, and he had a connecting flight to Abuja the next evening. So he had Sunday to relax.

He would have preferred to take another airline to get into Abuja directly, saving him the trouble of using a connecting flight. But being the Vice President for an airline in Canada had its perks, and the fleet flies Toronto to Lagos three times weekly. Plus the airport in Abuja was closed for four days prior to that day, for runway maintenance to reopen on Saturday. So either way he would have landed in Lagos.

He had back-to-back meet and greets within the city center with various government officials, as well as other men and women in the aviation business as himself. They were looking to increase service to six times weekly across Nigeria; two flights to Abuja which would be introduced in the first quarter of 2011, while Lagos would be increased to four flights.

He was Edgar S. Roberts, 47 years old, 6ft 3” tall, with a full shock of dark hair and a body that was now almost tanned, because he’d spent almost the entire Sunday lounging under the sun by the pool, at the Hilton. He was the Vice President Alliances and Regulatory Affairs for Largo Airlines. He was basically responsible for Largo Air’s relationship and partnership with foreign carriers including the airlines presence with Star Alliance Frequent flier program, as well as regulatory and aero-political matters.

***

Right after he finished a meeting with the chairman of one of the potential partner airlines, in a conference room at the Hilton and was on his out, two men walked in. They were airline staff, judging from their IDs; but the younger one of the two looked quite familiar. Edgar couldn’t place where he’d met him, but deep down, he was positive they had met before. Watching him, he recognized the expression on the other man’s face, one that said that he thought him familiar too.

As they walked past each other, something in Edgar clicked. They had indeed met before, on the plane on Saturday.

He turned back to the younger man and said, “Hi, pardon me, but you do look somewhat familiar…”

The other man replied, “Well I doubt we’ve met before.”

Well, that’s not good, Edgar thought. Not wanting to prolong the issue, he said, “Very well, I’m sorry for taking up your time. It’s just that, you look like someone I met last weekend on a flight from Lagos to Abuja, and he helped me with my bags when I was struggling to get it out from the overhead bin and deplane.”

Edgar thought he might have heard a small gasp from the young man. But he was not sure.

Then the young man said, “I’m sorry, I doubt it was me. I was in Lagos but left on Friday.”

“That’s fine. I apologize again for taking up your time.”

Both men shook hands and moved away from each other. Edgar left the room, still thinking how certain he was that he had met the young man before.

That afternoon, Edgar received a call from his sister, Ellie, just as he was about to leave the Hilton with his colleagues right after having lunch. Ellie talked about Mother having another one of her seizures. As Ellie was speaking, giving him updates, the line went dead. Without thinking, Edgar broke away from the group and sprinted towards the MTN kiosk nearby to get airtime. There was a small queue at the kiosk, one he brushed past, and nearly out breath, he began speaking, telling the customer care representative that it was an emergency.

The young woman stared at him for a brief moment, and then looked behind him, as though communicating with the person behind Edgar with her eyes. Feeling a flare of frustration, Edgar turned to see who or what she was looking at.

And he rested his eyes on the young man from earlier in the conference room.

“Oh, hi again,” he said.

“Hi,” the young man replied.

“Listen, I’m really sorry I barged in and took your spot, but I have to call home. It’s an emergency, please…”

He said, “It’s okay”, and nodded his acquiescence to the customer service rep. Edgar thanked him, and turned back to the woman to make his purchase.

After buying the airtime, he turned back to the young man and said, “Thank you very much for this. I’m really grateful for this.” Unable to stop himself, he continued talking, “I was just informed that my mother was rushed to the hospital, she’s had a seizure, so I’m trying to call home to get updates.”

“It’s okay. Judging by the way you ran down here, I figured it must have been extremely urgent. And I’m really sorry about your mum. I hope she gets better.”

“Thanks.” And then, unbidden, he said, “I’m Edgar, by the way. Edgar Roberts.”

“I’m Harry,” the young man responded. “Harry Imoh.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Harry.”

“Same here, Edgar.”

And that was how Edgar Roberts met Harry, the young Nigerian who turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.

***

It turned out that Harry truly was the one Edgar met on the plane.

The incident had been that Edgar’s bag got tangled with another passenger’s bag in the luggage compartment, and Harry was there to assist him in untangling it. Harry then offered to help him carry the bag just until they stepped out of the plane onto the gangway. Edgar said thanks, they bid each other goodbye, and went their separate ways.

All this they got to relive during dinner, which Edgar had asked Harry out to later in the evening. Over drinks, Harry admitted that he wasn’t supposed to be on the flight that Edgar had been on, and since his boss was within earshot, he couldn’t admit it.

They ended up ordering room service in Edgar’s room after drinks. This came about after a tacit understanding, when Edgar paid Harry a compliment concerning his looks. Harry laughed modestly and said rather coyly, “And all this on the first date?”

The remark set off a crackle of something between them, and they decided to head to Edgar’s room, where they’d feel a lot more comfortable, without having to speak in hushed tones and having to endure the formality of sitting in a prim and proper way while having dinner in the buffet room.

Harry went home after dinner and returned with a change of clothes. That way, he could leave from the hotel for work the next morning. They spent the rest of the evening just talking and cuddling and tongue-dueling. Bedtime came, and they drifted off in each other’s arms.

And so that night marked the beginning of a gradual something between the two men.

***

JANUARY 2011

Fast forward months later, both men were still together, still going steady in a loving relationship. Edgar now resided in Nigeria, thanks to the purchase Largo Air made of the airline Harry works for. Edgar was there as part of the transition team. The initial plan was to establish a code-share agreement with the airline, but somewhere along the line, prices were named and a deal sealed. Largo Nigeria was birthed.

Due to this development, Edgar had to move into an apartment for the duration of the transition period, and Harry was on hand to do the house-hunting and furnishing of the apartment. Edgar trusted his judgment, and they kept in touch via Skype whenever Edgar was out of town in other states within Nigeria or back at HQ in Toronto. By September of 2010, they’d moved in together, even though Harry still kept his apartment, for appearance purposes.

Both lovers were due for their annual vacation. Harry should have gone on his vacation in November last year, but they agreed that he should shift it to February, when Edgar would be embarking on his. They decided to visit Washington DC, where Edgar’s family was.

Harry applied for his visa as the time drew near. Edgar offered to help by suggesting he call in favour from a friend who was a diplomat to ensure that his visa was issued. Harry refused and said that would be a backup plan in the event that he got rejected. He was nervous over his visa interview, but he wanted to do this on his own terms. Edgar thought him heady and overly independent, but those were two of the characteristics that kept him attracted to Harry.

The interview came eventually, and Harry scaled through. His visa was issued.

February soon came around, and the day of the trip – the 4th – saw them parked and ready, at the airport, armed with their business class tickets which Edgar purchased for a great price with Lufthansa. One of the perks he enjoyed as a star alliance member and a VP with a partner airline. In a few hours, they were up in the air, with Harry seated by the window. They held hands during taxi and take off. That in itself was a special moment for them.

Once they gained altitude and the cabin lights were dimmed, Harry moved closer to his lover and kissed him. It was one of those kisses that came with a statement. This one said: Thank you.

Edgar smiled at him.

***

The trip was uneventful, with a smooth connection at Frankfurt on the 5th. They showered and changed into fresh clothes, and waited for a few hours to board their connection from FRA to IAD. At Frankfurt, Harry was free to take Edgar’s hand in public and cuddled up against his body without any fear or anxiety.

They landed in Washington in good time on the 5th (the 6th in Nigeria). They disembarked feeling dead tired. Ellie was at the airport with a car to pick them up to the hotel. She and Harry had this love-hate relationship going on. Edgar, of course, loved his sister, but he had made up his mind not to tolerate any nonsense from her, should she give Harry any grief during this trip.

The next few days were filled with leisure living – sightseeing, visiting interesting places in the city, shopping, and visiting with Edgar’s family. On the night of the 12th, Edgar suggested they visit a gay bar. Harry was excited. They teased each other with a dare on who would get hit on the most, although they agreed they would not hook up with anyone, just let them down gently. Underneath his exterior of good humour, Edgar had his reasons for wanting to visit the bar; he wanted to test his feelings for Harry.

So they went to Cobalt on 17th street; it was a swanky place that was tame downstairs and wild upstairs. You could have cocktails and a nice conversation downstairs. But if you were in the mood to sow your wild oats, then you headed on upstairs. Edgar went in first; Harry was to come in a few minutes later. That way, no one would suspect that we were together and the challenge would begin.

The minute Harry stepped through the door, a myriad of eyes fell on him. He exuded a presence that drew attention to him. Edgar stared himself, drinking in the sight of his dark-skinned, slenderly-built lover. He was mesmerized. Harry stood at the doorway, until he felt sure he was sufficiently seen, before he sauntered in to the table where Edgar sat. He ordered a vodka and Red Bull, and Edgar asked for a rum and coke. The music was loud. And a tide of men eddied around them. They were hit on several times, Harry more so than Edgar.

Watching him laugh gaily and turn down requests for a dance or a private moment outside the room, Edgar began to feel what he’d hoped he would feel. Jealousy. Pangs of jealousy. Every time a guy walked over to Harry to offer him a drink, he felt just a touch of red eclipse his vision. He felt like dragging him away from there, but he controlled himself and left the decision of when they would leave the bar up to him.

Then something happened.

A brawny, black guy walked up to Harry and whispered something in his ear, which made Harry glance at Edgar and giggle. Then he shook his head at the guy, as if to say no to him. The guy began to act insistent, refusing to leave Harry’s side, his expression set.

Edgar couldn’t hear what was being said, but the scene didn’t seem right to him. He got to his feet and stepped over to them, to tell the huge tree trunk to stop bothering Harry. What happened next was a blur to him; a fist rocketed through the air and smashed across his face, and he was falling back, and Harry was at his side, asking if he was okay and helping him to his feet. Edgar affirmed that he was fine, and asked that they should leave.

But Harry would have none of it.

The black guy was in a corner of the bar, hurling insults at Harry. What does he have that I don’t have? Why should you be disrespecting niggas all over by giving it up to an old white guy? I’ve got a better dick, bitch! And I’m younger and more active than that white slob!

Edgar was stung by the insults. Harry was infuriated by them. There was a brief spat as he made some retorts, before shoving at the guy. A fist flew. And a fight erupted. Harry had the guy in a choke-hold when a couple of bouncers shouldered their way through the crowd to break up the altercation and escort both men out.

Edgar followed after them. That wasn’t how he’d planned for the night to end.

In the taxi, as they were taken back to their hotel, Harry seethed and ranted about the altercation, fuming about how he should have been allowed to beat the shit out of the other guy. Edgar sat beside him, quiet and contemplative, and a little scared by this dangerous, new side to his lover, the one whose eyes were all fired up from the violence of moments ago.

Back in the hotel, Harry dashed off to the lobby bathroom, with Edgar in tow. Edgar opened the door gently to see him bent over the sink, washing his face, before staring at his reflection in the mirror. He looked distraught, breathing heavily as though he was hyperventilating, or having some sort of mild asthmatic attack. Edgar approached him and placed a hand on his back.

“Are you okay?” he queried.

Harry put his head down and started sobbing. “Oh God, I’m sorry, Ed…” he said softly. “I’m really sorry I acted that way back at the bar, and did what I did to scare you. That wasn’t me…”

Edgar took his arm and pulled him toward him for a hug. Harry placed his head on his shoulder and continued to sob quietly.

“I just lost it when that guy hit you…” he said in between sniffs. “I thought he’d broken your nose or done something terrible to you. And I couldn’t bear that thought of all the terrible things he said, so I lost it and attacked him… I’m really sorry, Ed…”

Edgar began to feel an overwhelming emotion tighten inside him as Harry spoke. He broke the embrace, looked his lover in the face and murmured, “I’m also sorry I took you there in the first place. I shouldn’t have doubted what we have.”

Harry looked bewildered by his words, so he went on, “The reason I suggested we go to the bar in the first instance was because I wasn’t sure how I felt about you. I wanted to see if I could feel something when other men tried to hit on you… And I did.”

Harry looked back at him, his expression betraying his mild struggle to make sense of what he’d just said. And then, his face cleared and he chuckled, smiling for the first time since the incident. “You did…?” he said.

“Yes, I did. I was very pissed whenever a guy walked up to you, but I couldn’t stop you from having fun, so I held back.”

“Well you should have said something, you big oaf,” Harry said, wiping his eyes. “We would have left the place immediately, and returned here to make beautiful babies instead, rather than entertaining douche bags.”

Edgar gave out a laugh. “You want babies?”

“Yes, maybe two or three…”

They both laughed then, and walked out of the bathroom with their arms around each other. All was well with the world again.

***

On February 14th, the couple had a nice dinner together to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Harry had a surprise, and told Edgar not to make any dinner reservations. He’d made plans for dinner already.

At 7:30pm, a town car came to the hotel to pick them up. And they were whisked off to a restaurant on Vermont Avenue that was quite exquisite. Edgar stared disbelieving as they walked into the restaurant, wondering how his lover had pulled off this plan without his help.

At the entrance of the restaurant, they were met by a burly Italian. As they approached the Italian, Harry quickly whispered to Edgar that he was going to French-kiss the man. He had a broad grin on his face as he said so. Edgar was at once bewildered and outraged by the notion. And when the two men squealed with delight at the sight of each other, before embracing and kissing, he tried not to stare, or to feel too vexed. He succeeded in neither. He hoped this was all a joke.

“Mi amoré!” the Italian gushed at Harry. “I miss you, since I leave Nigeria, I miss you plenty!”

“I’ve missed you too, Emilio.”

Feeling more than a little discomfort, Edgar let out a polite cough to remind the two that he was still with them.

Emilio quickly moved to his side, followed by Harry who was saying, “Emilio, this is my boyfriend, the one I told you about.”

“Ah, si! Your boyfriend…” Emilio said, before enveloping Edgar in a big hug and kissing both his cheeks. “You very lucky man,” he said. “I try to make Harry my boyfriend, but non, he say he no date chef, but he want to be my very good friend.”

Edgar gave a small smile of satisfaction. “Grazie,” he said.

“You speak Italiano, si?” Emilio asked.

“Un po, very little,” Edgar replied.

“Ah, si, you’re welcome to mi ristorante. You and Harry are my guest tonight. I prepare you special Italian cuisine. Come, sit.” He bustled the couple of a seat.

Edgar looked around, observing then that they were the only ones in the vast space.

“Mi scusi,” Emilio said. “I go get ready.”

“Thank you, Emilio,” Harry said quite cheerily.

Once they were left alone, Edgar planted a beady stare on Harry and said, “Start talking.”

Harry chuckled, before he did. “Emilio and I met when I came back to Nigeria after I’d finished school, probably one of the few friends I’d made on my return. He was smitten by me and I the same. But I did not see a future between him and me, so I suggested we stay friends.”

“Hmmm, go on.”

“When we landed in DC, Emilio saw my status on Facebook and contacted me. So I had him clear the restaurant for us this evening because I wanted this to be our night. When I asked how much I owed him, he said nothing but a frenchie, which is what you saw. A good price I’d say for giving us his restaurant for the night.”

“And the town car?”

“I paid for that myself, I didn’t French-kiss anybody o,” Harry said with a laugh.

“You’re impossible,” Edgar said, smiling.

“I know, right, but I only felt it the least I could do for you. If you take out the jetlag, this is by far one of the best trips I’ve ever been on. So this is my own little way of saying thank you for everything and to say how much I love and appreciate you.”

Edgar sighed and said, “I love you too, Harry.”

He looked at his young lover and thought fondly about how determined he was to be an equal to him in their relationship, and not just a body to cuddle and make love to. He thought about how he strived for them to split the bills back home in Nigeria, how he didn’t think anything of using his own money to pay for the electricity or the cable subscription. Edgar admired him for all these, but he felt he should be saving up, not trying to proving a point. He had more than enough to sustain them both, even though it was nice to see that he wasn’t an opportunist like most people made Nigerians out to be.

However, tonight wasn’t the night to chastise him for all that. They’d simply enjoy their dinner and do whatever it was lovers do on Valentine’s Day.

And they did.

Emilio was an exquisite host. The food was delicious. And the service was excellent. Edgar was immensely impressed. The entire evening was lovely. And by the time they returned to their hotel, Edgar didn’t think there was anyone he could love more than he did Harry.

***

February 20th saw the couple back at Washington Dulles Airport, for their return trip to Nigeria. The last two weeks had been beyond incredible for both of them. The last few days saw them doing some last minute shopping for Harry’s family, friends and colleagues.

After making his acquaintance during the vacation, Edgar’s family loved Harry, and that made him very happy. Even Ellie had thrown aside her initial animosity toward Harry, and the two were almost very good friends by the time the vacation was over. As Edgar watched his sister and lover chattering on their way to the airport on that day, he thought about how, when transition period was over in Nigeria, he hoped to ask Harry to move back to HQ with him. He hoped he would agree.

***

SEPTEMBER 2012

It was two years and counting, and Edgar saw no end to the best relationship he’d ever had. He was presently in Toronto for a few days. He missed his boyfriend; the two of them were still going steady and everyday between them seemed like it was the first.

That day of September was a weekend; he and a few of his friends had plans to take their motorbikes and go out into the country for the weekend. It had been long since he hung out with these guys, so it would be nice to catch up.

After work, he headed home, packed his gear and rode his bike to meet his friends. And soon, they were off. As he felt the wind in his face, he wished Harry was with him. He always wished Harry was with him wherever he was.

***

EPILOGUE

I stand next to Ellie. We are both comforting each other. Edgar’s coffin is being lowered into the ground as the preacher says the final rites.

This is it, I think. Two years of happiness is being covered up. Gone, lost forever.

Ellie called me at about 1 am. She was crying over the phone. I was groggy because she’d awakened me up from sleep. I was in the apartment that Edgar and I lived in. When she told me the news, I was devastated. I screamed in anguish. And then I broke down and cried from that early morning to the time the morning came. I was distraught. I was in no frame of mind to function. And so, when I went to work that morning, it was to give notice that I wouldn’t be coming to work for a while.

Word finally came in from HQ. Edgar was gone. Dead from an auto accident. At this time, I was already on a plane heading to Lagos, armed with my passports and documentation for a Canadian visa. Luckily my dad was in Lagos at the time on business, and when I called him on the phone and told him what happened to Edgar, he cancelled his itinerary for the rest of the day to be with me.

Dad has always been there for me. He still hasn’t fully accepted the fact that I am gay, but he saw I was happy with Edgar and gave his blessing.

After I spoke with him, a call from Chris came through. Chris was a diplomatic attaché at the Canadian embassy and a friend of Edgar. He didn’t bother with pleasantries.

“Where are you?” he asked simply.

“I’m on my way to you.”

“Good, call me as soon as you land in Lagos.”

“I will.”

And then, he hedged, finally giving in to the need to say something commiserative. “Hang in tight, buddy. And please accept my condolences.”

The tears threatened, and I felt swamped by misery again. “Thank you,” I choked out. “I’ll see you soon.” And I disconnected the call.

It wasn’t long before my visa was issued, and I was on a flight out to Toronto.

Presently, I break away from Ellie and the rest of Edgar’s family. I move far away from Edgar’s tomb, toying with the ring he gifted me with when we were in DC last year. One part of me wants to keep it; the other part wants me to throw it far away from me.

I kneel to the ground and put my head down and begin to cry. I have been crying a lot since Edgar’s passing. And I can’t seem to stop the tears. I just want to feel something, but I am just too numb.

Ellie comes up to me and sits beside me. I am still toying with the ring, no word is said. Then I pull off the ring and, taking Ellie’s hand, I put it in hers. She tries to resist but I force her to take it. Then, I get to my feet and start to walk away. She runs after me, gets in my way and then hits me right across the face.

“You’re family now, goddamnit! I know he would want you to move on and find someone else to love you just as he did, but you will always be family and we’ll always love you because you made him the happiest man in the world till death. Please! I beg of you, don’t shut us out…” Her voice breaks as she puts the ring in my jacket and walks away.

I stay still and close my eyes. The numbness is lightened after Ellie leaves. Almost immediately, I feel Edgar’s spirit around me. He touches my face and holds me from behind, just like he did the first day we were together in his hotel room, and always did whenever we were together.

Tears stream down from my eyes. I start to feel something…everything.

And I whisper, “I love you, Edgar Roberts.”

Written by Jarch

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  1. Dennis Macauley
    September 11, 04:18 Reply

    I struggled not to cry reading this. Burying a lover is something I cannot even begin to imagine!

  2. Legalkoboko
    September 11, 04:55 Reply

    Nice and interesting story.
    I was holding my breath, expecting a violent breakup. But the story really took an unexpected turn. That’s a good and commendable one. I enjoyed every bit of it.

    However, was the story written in a first or second person POV? It would have been neater if the writer continued with narrative style he started with.
    Good job anyway.

    • pinkpanthertb
      September 11, 04:58 Reply

      The epilogue was written to be a reflection of the writer’s perspective. A sort of personal touch.

    • Legalkoboko
      September 11, 10:56 Reply

      ok Pinky that’s good.
      And could it be that Edgar had that autocrash because he was dreaming about his boyfriend while driving his bike?
      Ok maybe that was me dreaming. I leave it at that.

  3. king
    September 11, 04:57 Reply

    Wow!! What a write up! Eh Pinky luv biko pray tell…… Is the story about Edgar,s death true? If so then what a lovely story but tragic end…yes I did feel the same about kevin my boyfriend years back when I introduced him to d gaybourhood in my area at that time and I didn’t think I would be ever jealous of him oh but I was when we were going out coz he was a hunk of handsomeness!!!! ah anyway thanx for this….most parts were truly relatable….

  4. daniel
    September 11, 04:57 Reply

    Wow!!!! Wow!!!! Wow!!!!! In between the story something told me someone was going to die… Seems like a story I’ve heard about in reality.. Y do the good ones die and the not so good ones live and keep breaking hearts? They should hv had a baby tho.. Nice story Jarch.

  5. Neon
    September 11, 05:09 Reply

    …So poignant. The epilogue killed me. Just can’t find the words to express the way I feel. *sigh*

  6. chestnut
    September 11, 05:52 Reply

    Awww…*sad face* Jarch,that was beautiful.

  7. Absalom
    September 11, 06:14 Reply

    Nice one, Jarch. I liked it. 🙂

  8. maxonex
    September 11, 06:21 Reply

    Oh thank God it ended the way it did…Better to bury them than to lose em to some bitch…I’ll call it a bitter sweet ending to a wonderful relationship…
    Let’s face it, most don’t end like this…
    Better to cry abt ur death(knowing u loved me to bits) than to cry abt ur betrayal…IMO

    • chestnut
      September 11, 07:18 Reply

      Noooo abeg! I’d rather hav an ex(no matter how messy he was) snatched by another person, than snatched by death (in real life,not fiction)biko! My “darkness” neva reach dat stage.

    • Legalkoboko
      September 11, 11:06 Reply

      Max you are a joker. Lol.

      How about both of you going to
      the grave together? Your dead
      lover may not want your honey
      pot, or joy stike taken over by
      “some bitch”. Better to continue
      the love making together in the
      underworld innit?

      Lol!

    • gad
      September 13, 04:09 Reply

      One would have expected you to say “better I die and be buried than lose them to someone”. Funny,how we always push death to the next person.

  9. lluvmua
    September 11, 06:55 Reply

    Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

      • chestnut
        September 11, 07:23 Reply

        Lol…Thank God I already said my own “awww” b4 he came and finished all d “W”s; dis niccur is not practising “economy of alphabets” at all! Lol

  10. Mr. A
    September 11, 07:29 Reply

    Still confused on the emotions I should have after dis wonderful story.
    Kudos to the writer. This is a wonderful piece.

  11. JArch
    September 11, 07:50 Reply

    Wow…. First off Pinky you’re the best, thank you very much for adding a touch of magic to this story. Your editing skills is just superb.

    To my KD family, thank you for your lovely comments, and to think this is my first published piece, makes me even more grateful for the reviews. For those who are asking if this story is real, yes it is for the most part. Of course there were a few jara here and there sha lol

    Thanks once again guys

    • king
      September 11, 09:31 Reply

      Wow thanx for sharing luv!!!!

  12. Aproko Pikin
    September 11, 07:51 Reply

    Sincerely speaking I had mixed emotions and held back tears cos i’m in the office.

    Beautiful story Jarch. I wish I had words to describe how I feel about the ending!

  13. earl
    September 11, 08:08 Reply

    Thank you Jarch for this story….

  14. Victor
    September 11, 08:16 Reply

    Wow! Couldn’t hold the tears.

  15. Khaleesi
    September 11, 08:45 Reply

    wow!! what a beautiful poignant story Jarch! I really liked how you displayed an intimate knowledge of the airline and travel industry, leads me to believe that you’re either an aviation industry enthusiast or that you work in the airline industry.
    this story is beautiful but the cold stark bitter truth is that most of us Nigerian gays will never get to experience such love especially not from another Nigerian guy & most certainly not in Nigeria. The choking homophobic atmosphere will very quickly ensure the extinction of whatever passion you both try to share. There are hardly any available 47yr old gay men in Nigeria, I dont need to tell you why.
    nevertheless its a beautiful piece of work …. **hugs**

    • JArch
      September 11, 09:37 Reply

      “leads me to believe that you’re either an aviation industry enthusiast or that you work in the airline industry”

      You’re right on both counts. I am an enthusiast and also worked in the industry (handling the technology aspects)

      I agree, its next to impossible to get such blissful experience from older Nigerian men, in Nigeria no less, cos of the homophobic environment. My very first relationship was with an older Nigerian in his early 50’s and it wasn’t what I’d hoped for.

      Between having to watch our backs and he playing Daddy and husband on the home front. There wasn’t any room for building a stable relationship whatsoever. Add my naivety at the time to the mix and you got a recipe for disaster

      Am glad you liked piece… Mwah!!!

      • JArch
        September 11, 09:40 Reply

        Correction: Am glad you liked my piece

  16. dolapo
    September 11, 09:10 Reply

    I could not hold it any longer tears ran down my face

  17. Colossus
    September 11, 09:32 Reply

    And this ladies and gentlemen is what a good story should look like. Read and learn boys, read and learn.

  18. Mr Bassey
    September 11, 09:38 Reply

    *Sniffs*, its so not fair…how come the good ones never stay!!!.

    • JArch
      September 11, 09:47 Reply

      Etekamba afo nko ame sio mmong eyet. This is serious!! Loool

      • Mr Bassey
        September 11, 09:50 Reply

        Obong owo, nkid ntro…..this was absolutely profound.

  19. Mr Bassey
    September 11, 09:47 Reply

    Thanks Jarch, This is def a good one.

  20. simba
    September 11, 10:02 Reply

    As an igbo man.. abeg did he leave a will? Are u included in the will. My dear, I was trying to make a joke out of the heavy emotions here.. tears dripped bro..am sorry, my bf once asked me, if something happens how is the surviving one gonna tell our story.

    • JArch
      September 11, 10:15 Reply

      Loool no offense taken. If you love someone that much, its not a bad idea to have him immortalised in someway.

    • pinkpanthertb
      September 11, 10:29 Reply

      That will part tho… Abeg worth considering *eyeing Jarch one kain one kain*

    • JArch
      September 11, 10:38 Reply

      Hahahaha Pinky ooo you won’t kill me, yes there was a will but Edgar hadn’t updated it to include moi. However Edgar’s family did something about it and the rest is history

  21. Constant
    September 11, 10:07 Reply

    Touching……Would love to have something like that *except with the death part though*….Kudos Jarch (take heart)….Kudos Pinky…..Kisses for thee

  22. Paul
    September 11, 14:15 Reply

    Work today waz mad n I struggled to read d story in between patients n den I got to d epilogue whr my jaws droppd n d patient b4 me wondered if I had d worst news eva for her.
    Is it jst me or is it dt dis luv stories dnt happen btween 2 Nigerians?
    We all (sorry lemme say) I hv ds fantasy of such a relationship bt its unfortunately neva gonna happen or maybe it hasn’t happend yet.
    In all Jarch nice perfct story.I dnt cry to stories or movies bt I wish I culd cry to ds.
    Time dey say heals all wounds tho d scars remain bt I’m sure ds wuld mk u look bak at d scar again n wen u do try 2find d beauty in dat scar
    Cheers man!

    • JArch
      September 11, 19:08 Reply

      I agree pinky, Paul’s words are just awesome. Thanks alot Paul

      ps: I’ve always wanted to date a Dr #OkBye

  23. GB_SHOW!
    September 11, 14:58 Reply

    Pathetic! Hoping that was more fiction than reality…RIP Edgar!

  24. enKayced
    September 11, 16:18 Reply

    Jarch consider yourself lucky to have lived and loved so deeply. Time, they say, heals all wounds.
    Godspeed to your pen bro.

    • JArch
      September 11, 19:11 Reply

      Thanks bro, I still think back and remain thankful for the time he and I shared.

      He was the best thing I ever had

      #NotThrowingShadeAtBeyonce

  25. Ruby
    September 11, 16:35 Reply

    Oh М̣̣̥̇̊Ɣ Word! I was totally sucked into the to the point that I wished I was Harry *М̣̣̥̇̊Ɣ Boo would have М̣̣̥̇̊Ɣ head if he knew this buh… Oh well*
    I was literally Green with Envy until I reminded myself that it wasn’t all Reality *whew*
    Good piece @Jarch… XOXO

    • pinkpanthertb
      September 11, 16:45 Reply

      It was reality Ruby. Parts of it anyway. Did you not read the prologue?

  26. Samaurai
    September 11, 20:46 Reply

    Oh My God!!!
    I can’t begin to express the sadness I felt as I got to the end of this post. No consolation can be enough for Harry in this situation. This is the real definition of irreparable loss.

    I’ve been in this situation before. I nearly lost my mind. Our mutual friends didn’t even allow me attend the burial for fear of what I might do at the grave side.

    Take heart, Harry. It shall be well. You will never forget him, I know. And you will never cease to miss him. But one day, all your mind will be able to remember and feel deeply are those nice memories you guys made together.

    Love is a beautiful thing.

  27. Andrevn
    September 12, 12:53 Reply

    oh pls tell me Edgar’s death was the part that did not happen…………oh so tragic an ending…..glad u ar comforted with the knowledge he’s always with yo’…..stay strong bro..

  28. s_sensei
    September 12, 23:27 Reply

    this is was sooooooooooo beautifully written! OMG! why cant i write like this? **crying**

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