When I See You Again

Aminat Oyelude

Missing people is not in my blood. I hardly miss anyone, no matter how close we are. Let alone strangers. So when I climbed the danfo today and noticed that you were not seated, settled as usual in the corner right by the window, with your round glasses pointed down at your phone, I was startled.

Not because you weren’t there, but because of the way my heart stung; because of the way my being felt empty all of a sudden, struggling to refill itself.

I’ve never spoken a word to you before, and you’ve never spoken any to me either.

Actually, except for that, Are you seated all right? Should I shift a little?

I can never forget the beautiful, calm tone in which you’d uttered those words, shutting off my vocal cords and its ability to produce sounds.

In this very minute, this very second, as I readjust myself on the stiff, wooden seat, I fully understand what it means to miss someone.

I fully understand how maddeningly hollow it feels to miss someone’s presence. Someone’s soul.

I do not know you, seat partner. But when I see you again, in this bus, I’m making friends with you and never, ever missing you again.

Published in Issue No. 8, Verbum Clavis, May 1st, 2025.

Aminat Oyelude is a Writing Studies master's student, honing her storytelling, critical thinking, teaching, and design skills. She loves the rich storytelling in Taylor Swift's music and Korean dramas. She also enjoys watching YouTube pop culture commentary channels and writing/reading romance and slice-of-life fiction. Lately, she is obsessed with pastel colours and leaning more into her femininity. Aminat is currently working on her debut novel and can't wait to share it with the world.