Cadence

Our conversation is a motley. There is seldom time to go over any gist from “A to Z”. We hop from topic to topic in an unrehearsed yet familiar cadence. The cadence of friends.

One of us soon says, “Girls, I have to go soon- I have a meeting in 10”. “Me too; I have a class soon”, another says. How did time pass by so fast? We say our goodbyes, agree to catch up later, and end the call.

***

Our chat is a motley. Stickers, emojis, and GIFs. Prayer and goodwill voice notes. Banter and laughter voice notes. Screenshots for reference. Pictures and videos in real time and later time. It is a canvas for bonding, learning, and vicarious living.

One person prefers chats to long calls. Another forgets to check her DMs for days. Someone calls another, “Where are you? We have been calling you. Pick up jare.”

That sort of playful, pleading, paradoxical “loving compulsion” is what it takes to get all on board for a call.

***

There are quiet days too, when “it has been a while”. Life is happening. Things are changing. But I have a new message.

“Hello baby girl, how are you doing today? Just thought to check on you. Have a wonderful day. Love you.”

It is a “loving compulsion”.