LOVE IN LETTERS

EPISTOLARY WRITING

6th January 2000,

Dear Elizabeth,

   Happy new year, welcome to yet another year where we express our love once every month. 

   This is a tragedy I never wished to write, freedom is what I can never experience in life anymore. Our love is so strong that I am sure handcuffs and prison bars can't stop it. I have thought of killing myself but when I think of you, the antidote to my depression is found.

She read his letter and wiped off the tears flowing from her eyes. Their love story is a weird one. She quickly writes her reply:

6th February, 2000,

Dear James,

   If our love is the definition of tragedy then I love tragedies. Ever since the judge sentenced you to life imprisonment. I knew our love can't die. You are the love of my life, the one that made my head to be heels in love. Even if it takes me to love a prisoner, I am ready.

6th March 2000

Dear Elizabeth,

   People often wonder why a man sentenced to life imprisonment smiles and laughs everyday. I guess they haven't met you. It is still like yesterday to me when the incident happened; when Eric and Mike died the day after eating at my house. I did not poison them, but the whole world believed otherwise. Eliza darling, you were the only one who believed me. I begged you to forget about me after the court sentence but you refused. I don't blame you, I blame love for binding us. You are the best Juliet any Romeo can wish for. though I'm not seeing you physically, know that you give me hope everyday.

6th April 2000,

Dear James,

   I am building a library filled with our love letters, this love deserves it. I love love because of the love I have for you. You are the protagonist of the movie I am acting on earth. After God, you are the most precious to me. Remember how we laughed, we played, sitting under trees and just drooling over nature. 80% of my life's best moments has you in the records. In you I found my spec, my Romeo, my Jay baby. One time we went to a restaurant, ordered free food and drinks for everyone and escaped without paying. Those funny moments is what I try to relive. 

6th May 2000,

Dear Elizabeth,

   The last Jollof rice you brought made me salivate, that restaurant joke lies fresh in my mind, it's humour rings in my head as I write this. It was fun loving you, it is fun loving you and I hope it would continue to be fun in this our love game. I see you through the words I read from your writings to me and I hope you feel the same way.

6th June 2000,

Dear James,

   Loving you is more than fun, it is exciting, refreshing and fulfilling. I still believe we can make it out of this tough times. I brought this letter myself together with your best food. Never feel rejected or depressed because we are both in prison; the prison of love.

6th July 2000,

Dear Eliza darling,

   I literally await your letter every month eagerly, The words therein soothes my soul. This prison of love that we have both entered may it lock us forever. 

   Oh! how time flies, this is already the sixth month of the 5th year that I have been here. Thanks for taking care of me and loving me despite where I am, the prison doctor came to do a general check up and diagnosed that I have chronic kidney problem. 

I know this is hard for you but don't disturb yourself, at least I can now free you from the prison of love. 

6th August 2000,

Dear Jay baby,

   The news of your illness is still a shock in my bones. I am coming next week to see you, try to be strong dear. Of course you know I won't abandon you no matter what. We shall come out of this battle victorious. 

6th September 2000,

Dear Eliza darling,

   When people ask me what is love? I tell them love is Elizabeth. The doctor has told me I have approximately 3 months to live. He advised my loved ones should care for me now more than ever. But my darling I want you to know you have tried, there is no human on earth that can treat me this way.

   I love you with the last drop of blood in my veins, when I get to heaven I will tell the angels that I know one of their kind.

6th November 2000,

Dear Jay baby,

   You have never ceased this flattering, which is one of the reasons I love you. You make my head swell. My love for you wasn't destroyed by the life sentence and Kidney problem won't change it now.

   Keep taking your drugs and pray to our God who created love. I am pained we are allowed to write to each other just once in a month. Whatever happens just don't forget our love that was changed by the life sentence to Love In Letters.

6th December 2000

Dear Jay baby,

   It cannot be true, please reply this letter and prove me wrong. But alas they say you are dead. I still cry everyday as it breaks my heart to reflect on what the prison workers said. At your death bed your dying wish was for me to marry and live life to the fullest. Oh! this love has been cut short by the cold hands of death. I write this last letter to keep on your grave. Read it out to everyone in heaven and tell them I'm coming to join you soon. With tears in my eyes, weakness in my feet, heartache and headache I tell you my dear lover to Rest in Peace till we meet to part no more.