Mazzo

"Give me your phone number." Eyo had said coyly, dragging her heavy bag to rest on her lap.
I did. I was too glad not to. This was Eyo, the one girl that had me from the first day i saw her.

I remember that day. She had looked so beautiful, so pure, so clean. She wore a white dress with a pink flower ribbon thing in her hair. Her head was tilted to the side as she smiled up at me, a wide bright smile that run quickly and met up with her eyes.

Many texts, a few phone calls, and three casual meetings later, i was smitten, well, more than smitten. I was in love. I had never met a more in tune with herself woman. She made me feel like i was a king, like i could do no wrong and that i was headed for great things. She made me question many things.

I remember walking home one night, holding my jacket to my nose because i was afraid her scent would wear out. She had had it on all evening. She insisted on returning it even when i asked her to keep it. Oh but the things we do and say in the moment. I saw the lights on in my apartment the minute i walked through the gate and I knew Milly was home.

She is a nice girl, my Milly, save for her mouth. That girl has a mouth on her. My mother says Milly will never make the kind of wife that holds things together. She is too quick to speak and her words, unfiltered, can break a man. I know that but i like that she is the kind of woman who will get things moving. She is not Eyo though. Eyo is the most peaceful woman i ever met.

It is Saturday and Milly is throwing one of those parties she likes to throw at her house. I have to be on hand for her to send about but i shouldn't be seen much because she has not yet told her friends that i am her boyfriend, would be fiancee actually, if she hadn't asked me to keep the ring until she was ready. I do not usually mind it, but i know that this will be different. Eyo is coming.

Milly treats Eyo like a little sister, the one she can tease and bully, the one she loves as though they were blood. I know that. When i used to watch Eyo from a distance, i often wondered how the two got along. I know how now. Eyo listens and smiles and says the wise things. Milly parties and talks and gets things moving. The two together, they are a rock.

I have been afraid for the last two months about Eyo finding out about Milly and i. I know she does not know because Milly has told no one and Eyo has never been one to pry. She didn't even ask me if i was with someone. I guess it is because she is very trusting of people and she assumes that i would not be with her if i was with someone else. I am ashamed of myself, but not ashamed enough to walk away.

I watch her walk in now, bottle of wine in hand. She laughs that beautiful laugh of hers, the one that makes my insides tingle and then she pinches Milly's cheek and walks out of my line of vision. I close the curtain and decide there and then that i shall not be walking out of this room today. I will tell Milly that i have a headache and i would much rather lie down.

I hear them laughing in the corridor. Milly is asking Eyo about this secret man she has refused to come with to the party.

"It is too soon. I have known him what...seven, eight weeks? I do not want you to scare him away! you know how you are."

"Well i have to meet him sometime Eyo. Besides, i need to tell you something too."

"Oh!! you have a secret! tell me! tell me...haha, i like that look on your face, spill already."

"Not now! There is someone i want you to meet. Later though. Let's move the chairs before everyone gets here."

I can already play it out in my head how this will go. I place my hand on my chest as though it will slow down my racing heart.

Milly was smiling broadly when she walked into the room and announced she was going to finally tell Eyo about us. I was holding my head, beads of sweat rolling down, with a headache that hurt more than the one i had imagined. I took the pain killers she gave me and turned to face the wall. I did not know what i would say to Milly, but i knew that i wanted Eyo to find me worthy. I knew in that moment that i wanted Eyo to want to help me through this.

"Eyo's here...." I felt Milly's hand touch my shoulder. "I wanted to tell her today, ask her to be my maid of honor"

"Now?...It's not a good time Milly" I croaked 

"It's just Eyo, Mazzo, you know her, she probably wont have much to say."

I felt her hand move away and the bed shift as she stood. The door opened and i knew that in a few minutes, i would be looking into the eyes of the woman who had held my heart for so long but who i would now never have. What happened to me? Why couldn't i just have told her?

"Mazo....Eyo's here...."

I saw Eyo's eyes open wide when she saw me. I saw her smile melt into a frown, i saw her eyes water, i saw her hands move toward her face and then she held them down clasped together. In that moment, i saw her draw up the wall and i knew she was gone.

"Hullo Mazzo. You do not look well, perhaps i should leave you to rest" And she backed out of the room and she was gone. She never once picked up my calls, responded to my texts. That was Eyo. She walked out and never looked back. She never told Milly.

I left Milly.

I figured if i loved her as much as she deserved, i would never have thought to give Eyo my phone number. I would never have given Eyo the promise of a man. I know though, that Eyo will never give me a second glance.