CHOOSING.

1. Another too long a day!

"Just shut up already!" Well, there goes me on a Monday morning, cranky and totally not fit to be in contact with humanity yet. I ended up tangled with my bedsheets as I tried to reach my alarm and turn it off, I couldn't stand the shrill noise but well, I needed to get to my lectures on time.

How rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself.

Hi, am Soni. Am your typical girl down the street that blends best in the background. Am not much to look at and I have a horrible sense of fashion. I love singing, in the shower, how cliché? Did I say I love singing, yeah I do but my voice is horrible.

Oh no! I was going to get late all over again. I rushed to the bathroom to freshen up before putting on the first thing I lay my eyes on, well it's nothing flattering. I managed to complete this in a record time of under five minutes and grab some sandals on my way out. In the hallway I ran into Matt, my very good neighbour who happens to love hip hop music far too much and the reason I wear earplugs to bed.

"Hey Soni," he said cheerily. Ouch! Isn't it a bit too early to be so energetic? I quickly mumbled a reply as I took the stairs two at a time in an attempt to make good time to my economics class. Well, lucky for me I managed to arrive exactly forty five seconds to time. I did it!

I was so proud of myself as I settled down next to my friend Cathy. I don't understand how we are friends. She's tall and elegant, well acquainted with fashion, very orderly and never late for anything. The only reason we know each other is because we go to the same church.

Halfway through the class my phone vibrated and I took it out to check who it was. "Jitters and glitters!" I squealed involuntarily the minute I saw it was from Caleb. The better part of the class turned to look at me with apparent disdain written all over their faces. The lecturer was glaring daggers at me and being the extremely disciplinarian he is, he ordered me out of his class for causing disturbance. So much for not getting in trouble.

You'd think after being caught up in so many similar situations I'd have grown used to it but every time it hurt as bad and as I walked out I could feel tears threaten to fall. Don't get me wrong, I don't intentionally cause trouble. I just have a harder time getting up in the morning and most of my classes are really early in the morning. I get excited easily so I may lose control of my vocal cords in such situations and squeal as a reflex action. My economics lecturer on the other hand seemed to have made it his responsibility to show me just how horrible a human being I am. Not a single class passed where he didn't humiliate me.

I spent the rest of the time in the library trying to be at par with my classmates because I'd rather not fail my exams. I had next a class in Basic Accounting, my favourite unit but an even worse lecturer. Having extra time I arrived in class first and waited for the rest to join me. The class went fairly well and this time I did not get spotted though it was a close shave since I was having a hard time not to start whispering to Cathy.

Soon enough, the class is over and we headed out. Phew! My classes were over for the day. The minute we were out of the lecture hall, Cathy started grilling me on what the incident earlier on was all about. I excitedly told her that Caleb texted me to ask if he could borrow my Accounting past papers to revise for an exam he had to retake. Caleb had been my crush since first year. He played the piano at church and he's a looker. The tiniest spark of attention in my direction was enough to get me all ecstatic.

I waited for a reaction from Cathy only to find that she was not one bit moved by my story. Probing her for an answer did not get me the result I expected. She smiled at me pityingly before pulling me in for a hug. I was baffled but what she said was enough to leave me dumbfounded. She looked at me then said, " you do know that Caleb only needs your exam papers and he might not be interested in you?" I couldn't believe her. We're supposed to be friends, friends support each not the other way round.

I pulled away from her and told her just that. However, my words seemed to have no effect on her resolve. She insisted that friends should tell each other the truth and not encourage unrealistic dreams and childish fantasies. I don't know what hurt more, knowing that she did not think I stood a chance with Caleb or not caring enough for my feelings that she could tell that to my face.

I'd had it. I turned away from her and went to my place. At least there the only company I had was my own and I could be miserable alone. Happens that the world had other ideas. I got to my one room apartment to find that I left my shower turned on since there was no water in the morning and now most of my room was flooded. A couple of hours later of cleaning, I was tired and just beaten. As I sat on my bed staring into space I couldn't help and wonder if my bad day was as a result of my not praying in the morning. With this thought in mind I went on my knees and prayed. For better days and friends, for grace and peace. I needed them.

This time it felt like God indeed was listening to me since a sense of calm engulfed me. I lay down on my bed and not long after fell asleep. That had been one too long a day.