3 p.m, Friday

My new, shiny blue cell phone longingly looks at me. I lovingly look back, and without skipping a beat, I discern the sentiment hidden behind the gaze. The beautiful, vibrant flowers on the body of its first love, the cell phone cover, seem to reaffirm my revelation.

My new, shiny blue cell phone is lovesick and needs a new friend to cuddle within the warm pockets of as I set out on my outdoor adventures. Not content to be held in bare hands, it longs for something more. A smart sling bag seems to be the perfect answer to its cry, so I take some necessary steps.

Logging on to Amazon, I begin the hunt. In a few minutes, I zero in on who this beloved friend in our midst is going to be.

Full disclosure – its going to be a Vogue Street-dark brown sling bag.

To some, it may represent just another sling bag. But to us, it represents our next and new family member.

My heart ablaze, I find the delivery details. Amazon promises delivery on Wednesday.

So I recall the day. Friday. I take a count on the tips of my fingers. Saturday- Sunday- Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday. 5 precious days to go.

So I take a deep breath in,  I look heavenwards, I thank God, I glance at my phone, I smile.

7 p.m, Saturday

I yearn to have some pop corn. So I pull out a packet and toss it into the microwave.

As the puffs start to come up with a resounding ‘pop’ sound, I avert my gaze and shift it to the comfort of my new, shiny blue cell phone. The beautiful, vibrant flowers on the body of its first love, the cell phone cover, have a mystical allure that welcome me and pull me close.

So I let myself be drawn, but as I come close, I realise who is missing.

Psst.

I mentally recall the day. Saturday. I take a count on the tips of my fingers. Sunday – Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday. Another 4 days before my new, shiny blue cell phone would find a loyal and loving friend to be nestled within the pockets of, my Vogue Street-dark brown sling bag.

So I take a deep breath in,  I look heavenwards, I thank God, I glance at my phone, I smile.

5 p.m, Sunday

I peer through my window, and the beige-green landscape against the golden rays of the soon-to-set sun looks strikingly inviting. I make my way across the room to pick up my shoes. I sit down on my bed and start to lace them up, gearing up for the stroll ahead. But oh!

My new, shiny blue cell phone begs for attention. Holding it with bare hands, I can feel its intense yearning to be nestled within the warm pockets of its soon-to-arrive loyal and loving friend, a Vogue Street-dark brown sling bag. The beautiful, vibrant flowers on the body of its first love, the cell phone cover, speak to their innate desire to rest within the oasis that their soon-to-arrive companion promises to provide.

So I mentally scan the day. Sunday. I take a count on the tips of my fingers. Monday- Tuesday – Wednesday. 3 more days before the promised arrival.

I take a deep breath in,  I look heavenwards, I thank God, I glance at my phone, I smile.

2 p.m, Monday

I turn towards my digital clock. It beams back an emphatic lunchtime at me. So I take note, and hasten to wear some slippers. As I slip my feet in, I sense someone’s gaze draw me in. I look around, and notice my new, shiny blue cell phone calling out to me.

As I seek to draw close, I can instantly sense its deep longing to be nestled safely within the warmth of the pockets of its soon-to-arrive friend and partner, my Vogue Street-dark brown sling bag. The beautiful, vibrant flowers on the body of its first love, the cell phone cover, seem to nod in agreement.

I sigh.

I mentally recall the day. Monday. I take a count on the tips of my fingers. Tuesday- Wednesday. Two more days, I confess.

But my new, shiny blue cell phone with its floral companions seems unmoved.

So I take a deep breath in, I look heavenwards, I thank God, I glance at my phone, I smile.

9 p.m, Tuesday

I listen to a podcast. 8 secs in, I get distracted.

It’s my phone crying out. I give it my full attention, as does a  mother  to her newborn child. My new, shiny blue cell phone may not be needing the nutrition of a mother’s milk, but it does want the same kind of care as does an infant from its watchful mother.

The beautiful, vibrant flowers on the body of its first love, the cell phone cover, seem to be exuding their inherent desire to slump back within the peaceful bliss that the warm pockets of their loyal and loving friend, my Vogue Street-dark brown sling bag, promises to provide.

“Oh! If only I could cuddle in sooner!” I could hear my new, shiny blue cell phone exclaim.

I groan. Then I mentally recall the day.  Tuesday. I take a count on the tips of my fingers. Wednesday.

Just one more day. Ah!

I  heave a sigh of relief with my beloved companions. As we knowingly look at one another, I can feel the longing of our hearts melt together in a symphony of pain that is well understood.

So I  take a deep breath in, I look heavenwards, I thank God, I glance at my phone, I smile.

10 a.m, Wednesday

I turn over to my right and put my feet on the ground. I say a quick prayer, before my gaze shifts to my bedside and I feel the palpable longing of my friend awaiting the promised arrival of its new comrade.

A couple of hours at max, I say to myself.

I make my coffee, and hear my new, shiny blue cell phone summon me.

But this time, its pinging.

I stare at the screen. Amazon says something just got delivered.

“Wh-a-a-a-a-t? But wait…”

I was just making some coffee.

Leaving my morning coffee with my beloved companions unattended, I scurried downstairs to fetch that which was already delivered.

Hmph.

I reach the lobby of my apartment’s building and exchange niceties with the security guard. I ask for my package, and as the guard rummages through the deliveries to find our loyal and loving friend, I start to melt.

With trembling fingers, I reach out to lay hold of our beloved companion. The drops of sweat trickling down my forehead betray what I’m feeling. I chuckle to myself though, knowing that my friends waiting back home, would perfectly understand.

I press the right buttons on the elevator and start to ascend. Come floor number 6, the doors part, and I step out.

As I push the key in, I take a moment to see the package in hand. Life will never be the same again.

I dart across the hallway, and look for my companions.

Sheesh!

I realise I left them unattended. Feeling pangs of guilt, I utter a sheepish, “Sorry!” under my breath.

My companions however, seem to be unoffended. Rather, they are waiting with wide-eyed wonder. A wave of relief surges through my body.

As my beloved companions look at me expectantly, I dig my heels in. I pick up my pair of scissors and slice the package in two.

No.

Not in halves.

But just right for our loyal and loving friend to be ushered out.

My new, shiny blue cell phone can hardly stand it.

With tears streaming down its face; my new, shiny blue cell phone runs full-force and collapses into the arms of its loyal and loving friend, my Vogue Street-dark brown sling bag. They embrace one another with whole and grateful hearts. They seem to pull away for a bit, and gaze into each other’s eyes with the satisfaction of knowing that they had at last, met.

The beautiful, vibrant flowers on the body of my cell phone’s first love, the cell phone cover, seem pleased with the idea of final rest and solace. They beckon the other two companions to keep close and hold tight.

A happy family, at last.

So I  take a deep breath in, I look heavenwards, I thank God, I glance at my phone, I smile.