This prompt made me remember this funny experience I had with my then little cousin.
So at that time, I was still a secondary school student, who managed to buy a cool smart watch,
Which was pretty expensive, but was worth it...it took me nearly a year to gather money for this smart watch. From starving myself in school just to save, to depriving myself of spending money on several other things, just so I could get a smart watch. Well, I finally did get it...in fact I loved it so much because it paired to my Bluetooth speaker so well and fast, making me look like a nerd lol, it also made phone calls a bit easier and fancier. Let's just say I got so used to this smartwatch, that whenever I forgot to take it along with me, I always felt incomplete.
Well, one blessed day I got home only to meet my 5 years old cousin, quietly seated in the sitting room...I sure was surprised and I think that was the goal..."Tim, don't mind him he insisted on paying you a surprise visit." His mum said with a mild smile on her face.
I was totally ok with the surprise visit, though i wasn't really a fan of surprises lol...Not too long after she made the statement, my aunt and my mum decided to stroll out, leaving me and my 5 years old cousin.
Though I was tired, I wanted him to feel at home, so I decided to keep him entertained. "Paul, look at this!" I said, showing off my smartwatch while trying to sit beside him.
"Wow! It's so cool!" Paul's eyes widened with wonder as he examined the watch.
"I can check messages, control music, and even track my fitness with it." I explained, feeling proud of my technological treasure.
As time passed, we ran around, played games, and laughed heartily. "This is the best day ever!" Paul exclaimed, his face beaming with genuine joy.
"It sure is," I replied, glancing at my smartwatch which at that time was already with him, to check the time.
"My back hurts, Paul. Stay in the sitting room. I'll be right back,"I said leaving the scene, to take my bath.
About 25 minutes later, I walked straight to the sitting room, hoping to see him seated, but he wasn't even there馃檨, at first I thought he was playing hide and seek with me,
So I didn't bother calling him, instead, I tiptoed, searching for him all over the sitting room, only to sight him all alone in the kitchen, so quiet, and alone...normally, Paul is never that quiet, except he is sleeping, or up to something lol. So, This drew my curiosity, and pushed me to go see what he was up to, only to see he was literally washing my Smartwatch with some liquid soap and sponge.
" What are you doing, paul?!" I asked, confused and perplexed.
Paul, hearing my voice, shivered a bit as if he knew the consequences of his action, or perhaps, he wasn't expecting to see me till he was done washing my watch lol.
" i...i...I am helping you to wash your watch," Paul said in a very shaky tone. "What?! Paul, who on earth washes a watch?"
" Bro tim, I'm sorry" he stammered, tears forming in his eyes.
" It's alright, paul." I said, detecting that innocence in his voice, I tried so hard to be like a big brother at that moment.
I took the watch from him, and tried putting it on, but it never came on...this actually got me even more stressed, that I didn't know when I said, " it's not even working again"
"I didn't mean to spoil it, " he said, hearing me.
"I know, paul. It was an accident, and I will get a better one." I replied, trying to be understanding. "It's just that this watch means a lot to me."
" I'm really sorry," Paul said sniffling.
" It's okay, buddy. It's just an object," I said, mustering a smile despite the sinking feeling inside. "Accidents happen. "
Shortly after, I went to my room, locked the door, shut the windows, and cried out to the fullest lol...not knowing what to do next. Several thoughts kept flowing at that time " Am i to start saving all over? Should I tell Paul's mum? No! She will beat him terribly. Should I just hope someone miraculously brings me a new one?"
Well, I just accepted my faith, and went back to the sitting room with a fake smile so I don't hurt Paul's feelings...it really wasn't easy lol.
Over the next few months, Paul kept apologizing every time he came visiting. " I really didn't mean to spoil your watch," he said, his voice full of regret.
"It's okay, paul. " I said to him, patting his shoulder gently. "You actually didn't do it on purpose."
Slowly but steadily, I adjusted to life without my smartwatch, relying only on my phone for all its services. It was quite inconvenient, but then I realized that my attachment to that object ( My smartwatch), was a bit too much too.
With determination, I set out to save money for a new, and improved smartwatch. " I'll get a new one, no matter what. " I told myself, doing extra chores and cutting back on expenses like I did before.
Months later, when I had finally gathered enough money, I went to a gadget store to buy a new and improved smartwatch. "This one's going to stay away from water, and very far away from children! " I smiled to myself, remembering the incident.
As I transferred some of my files into the new watch, Paul rested his chin on my shoulder curiously and apologetically. "I'm glad you got a new one," he said softly.
"Thanks, Paul, " I replied, smiling at him. "Just put it in mind, that it's not about the objects, but the memories we share and create together that truly matter. "
From that very day, my new smartwatch followed me on several journeys, and with time, the memory of the old one and the lessons it taught me remained engraved in my heart, forever a part of my personal story.
Thanks For Reading.