I know the Vals Day season is long gone but I came across the Valentine’s Day series. I enjoyed the stories so much that I would like to share my own memorable experience. It happened a few years ago but it is the one that still fills my soft cheeks with sweet smiles when I think about all my Valentine’s Day celebrations. This is how my story goes…

I was born to a mum and dad who are both visually impaired. The two of them worked as teachers in a visually impaired school. So I spent all my childhood on campus with them. I was raised alongside the kids in the school who could not see the beauty of the world through their sight. The ones I was friends with, I became their sight. I described in vivid detail our surroundings to them whenever we went out for walks.

My parents taught me to read in braille. So sometimes I read with my friends. Most of the time though, I read to them. I read my regular books to them just as I read books in braille to them. This was one of our bonding moments as friends. Sometimes they would come to me with their school books, and I would read whatever topic they were studying to them. They liked storybooks too. It was usually hard for them to find interesting stories in braille books. So when they wanted to hear stories, they came to find me.

I am not going to say it was all rainbows and sunshine when we had our reading sessions. Yes, sometimes it got tiring. Reading out loud is no easy work, especially when you’re reading to different people with different literary needs. However, it was always worth my time. It was because of how profoundly they appreciated my efforts. It made me feel I was truly making an impact. It fueled me to keep going. Another reason I kept doing it was because it helped me. Some of the kids I read to were older and ahead of me in school. So by helping them cover their school books, I was always reading ahead of my class. Which means I always topped my class because of this.

When I was a teenager, I developed a wonderful relationship with two of the boys on campus. I liked both of them so I was dating them simultaneously. It was a clean relationship. Nothing sexual ever happened between us. I just enjoyed spending time with them.

Jeffrey was the one I fell in love with first. He was thick, tall, and dark. His muscles were all toned. He really was eye candy. Up till now, I am not sure he knows how much of a turner he is. Mushin was my other boo. He was handsome too, in a different way. He loved stories as much as Jeffery. They both enjoyed reading but sadly there weren’t many Braille storybooks they could access. So I took it upon myself to read to them. My favourite author is Peggy Oppong, so I read them quite a number of her books.

Nearing Valentine’s Day that year they each asked me, “What do you want for Valentine’s Day?” We were all students so I told them, “Nothing extra. You don’t need to try and buy me chocolates or anything. Just get me whatever feels nice.” Although I said this to them, I wasn’t even expecting anything from them. I would have just been happy if they just used their words instead of going out of their way to spend money.

READ ALSO: He’s Abroad And Doesn’t Send Money But Always Want Me To Snap It And Send To Him

When the day arrived, I didn’t hear from them. Then it started drizzling. At that point, I had closed my mind to seeing any of my boys that day. Before I completely let the day go, a student came to call me at home. It was Mushin who sent him to come for me. I thought he wanted me to come and read for him so I carried my book and set off.

When I got there he gave me a big purple box with a red bow tied around it. The box was so pretty that I didn’t even want to open it and ruin the surprise it held. However, I heard my boo’s baritone voice saying, “Open it.” I could see on his face that he was excited to show me what he got me. I too was giddy with excitement to see this gift.

It Will Be Difficult For Me To Commit To One Person

Carefully, I unboxed my gift. It contained almost every book Peggy Oppong has published, alongside a copy of “The Marriage Of Anansewaa”. See, it was such a wonderful surprise. I was so touched I shed a few tears. The entire time I was saying, “I wasn’t expecting this. Thank you so much,” he was smiling. Amidst all the emotions, he hugged me and whispered in my ears; “Thank you for being my eyes. It’s beautiful to see the world through your eyes.” He was also thankful that I helped him with schoolwork.

He said spending that day with me was by far the best Valentine’s Day of his life. That day remains the most memorable Val’s Day of my life as well. We are no longer a couple but we are still very good friends. I chose to share our story because I know he will read it. He is an avid reader on this page. Thank you, Mushin for that beautiful gift six years ago. I still remember it as the best Valentine’s Day I have ever experienced.

—Mushin’s Ex 

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