IN A TIME LOOP
“Einstein’s general theory of relativity allows for the possibility of warping time to such a high degree that it actually folds upon itself, resulting in a time loop.” — GAURAV KHANNA
A few days back, I came across ‘Who We Love’ ‘by Sam Smith featuring Ed Sheeran, and at first, I grew fond of it and kept playing as though I had lost something in it.
‘Who we love’ — a 2 minutes song.
At some point I was wondering where the rest of the song went.
“Why would a song be this good and short?” “I mean, this can’t be all right?” I said for the tenth time while tapping on the repeat icon.
I was beginning to think it was because it had been so long since I’d listened to a love song. Or maybe I was just crazy.
Oh yeah, I had to check Google just to be sure Spotify did not cut out any part.
I told a friend to listen to the song and she said, “Gosh, I love this song”. I asked her, “Doesn’t it feel abridged to you?” She laughed and said, “You really like this song, Winifred.”
I went back to listen to it, paying attention to the wording for the hundredth time. Do you know what they say about listening to something over and over again? It could help you do some reflective listening.
It was at this time, I knew I wasn’t crazy. I was in a time loop.
Like the song, calm and soothing.
My march, starting with the first two weeks as a break after exams, felt as though I’d had a cold bath after a long day under the sun. soothing.
Whew! Tell me please, What could be more soothing? such relief.
I didn’t have to worry about getting late to class, nor what I’d eat after I got back, or standing in the clinic for hours with my consultants. Did I mention the late-night stressful calls I had in the neurosurgery unit?
Please don’t let me talk about my school’s power supply. Tragic.
In the loop of time, I relived a soothing feeling.
Like the song, heartfelt.
A feeling of tremendous rightness barreling through my veins, yet again, love and I met at crossroads.
Who We Love, reminded me of the people I live to love. A feeling I can’t run from.
My family, the core of my very existence. Mum and I making our favorite dishes, our ted talks at night, hairdo’s at the saloon with my niece. Facetime calls with my sister during her work hours, having to welcome my dad back home while reaching for the white nylon of hot bread from my favorite bakery in the back seat. Did I mention my brothers? Gosh, I’d missed them so much.
Heyy, our new family pet too, Tessy. I love love love her. At first, I thought she wouldn’t like me. I thought dogs were mean but I was wrong. At every chance she got, she’d jump at me. So cute. I got to feed and play with her too.
In the loop of time, I go a-fishing.
Like the song, art.
“Why art?” You’d ask, it’s because I grew to blossom. In the most beautiful way. This is art.
March made me realize I could do so much, be so much, and love so much too.
I started adding the right amount of salt in my soups (I used to pray to the heavens), and I turned my first successful garri (e no easy, call me emperor abeg). My gallery is full of pictures of food I had fun making. Little things weren’t so little anymore.
I learned so much about flowers, tulips became my favorites. I taught adorable children ‘pollination and fertilization’ (agba teacher). Took an interest in AI. I got to volunteer in NGOs. Trust me, networking wasn’t that bad. Also, I had a thing for lip glosses too… cute.
Lastly, like the song, a tingle.
I’m still trying to figure out what exactly about Who We Love made me tingle or relive a tingling memory from March. Was it the instrumentalist? Or was it how both artists were trying to convey two different melodies?
Aha! The elections. I almost forgot the reason I had a break in March. My country, Nigeria, told university students to go home because of the upcoming elections we had. The break started in late February and extended towards March.
I think my favorite part of the elections was taking part in them.
For the first time, I understood what it felt like to love your country. The fun of being a good citizen and demanding your rights. The fulfillment in knowing you’re not alone in the good fight.
There I was, In a line of time that closes and returns to its starting point — My Time Loop.
