Years ago, I could have sworn I have a magnetic memory. I remember constantly bragging about this strong point in every conversation where my brother registered how bad he was at remembering the things he had to do, and would even employ my service to help him remember the birthdays of people close to him and even important items he had to attend to. I could have won the title of one who remembers it all.
Things began to fall apart as I got older. My once magnetic memory began to fail me. I would think I have it all figured out, only to remember days after that I had missed out on something I was supposed to do.
When I was 30, I was romantically involved with a fine gentleman, and our relationship was a very smooth one. I would say ours was a match made in heaven. Around the time we're dating, I doubled as Human resource manager and social media manager at a tech firm. The job was quite demanding. I had to juggle various activities in a single day. I hardly had moments I could call free, once I got to the office.
Roy, my fiancé, had repeatedly reminded me of his upcoming art exhibition. He was an artist who made the finest paintings. He had an exhibition that was to take place soon. Beyond the exhibition, his parents were to come into town too, and he hoped to steal the moment to introduce me to them. I was quite eager to meet them. I was sure I wouldn't miss the event for anything in the world.
That morning, I got to the office and began to get busy as usual. There was an issue at hand. The company had been dragged online following our failure to deliver as ordered on a set of computers. My boss had ordered that I fix the issue as soon as possible, so I was immersed in the task the entire day.
I was deeply engrossed with my phone to the point that I lost track of time. I kept telling myself that I would tidy up and leave. I didn't realise the day was fast passing, when I checked my time and found out it was 6:00pm, for an event that was supposed to begin at 3:00pm. I quickly picked my bag and dashed out of the office. I knew trouble was brewing. Ah! How could I have forgotten this?
There was just one vehicle left in the car park of the Art gallery. It was my fiancé’s. I didn't know where to begin. The minute he saw me, he looked away and went straight into his car. “Hey! See trouble o” I muttered to myself. I didn't bother to go after him. I knew that would be bad timing.
I had done everything I knew best to pacify him, but it didn't work. He wouldn't pick my calls or even respond to my messages. I felt really miserable. I had avoided going to his place the whole time. Two weeks passed and I had not spoken to him.
I met with his brother who was quite close to me and relayed everything as it was. He promised to help, but had asked me to pray it worked.
“I'm sorry, babe it wasn't intentional”. I said pleading, after he had agreed to see me
“ You always put your work before us” He responded with a stern look. I didn't have the right words to say at this point. This was quite true, because I had cancelled several dates with him to attend to work.
“ I need time, please” that was all he said, and he took his time for about a month.
My relationship was slipping out of my hands under my watch. I had to ask. I prepared his favourite meal of stir fry spaghetti with fruit salad and headed to his house. I was ready for the worst, because I wouldn't leave without reaching a truce.
The odds were in my favour this day. He welcomed me into the house. I set his table and began to make promises of good behaviour. He was silent for a while, then he stood up to give a hug that proves his forgiveness. My heart felt like a weight had been lifted. I have learnt to work more with an alarm when necessary, to prompt me especially on days we have a date, not just in our relationship but generally for important things I have to tend to. Also, I itemize all I want to do for each day, and I am careful to look at it at intervals.
I can say that the alarm worked just fine. Moving forward, he didn't have to complain about me not showing up for dates, because once my alarm blared, I wouldn't spend an extra minute working. Once bitten twice shy, right?
