The Drift

 I met two boys in the same month. One loved me loudly and the other carefully and by the time I realized, I was standing between them, somebody was always going to get hurt. I never imagined it would be all three of us.

 The first text came from Gabriel 

"Good morning, troublemaker. Don't skip breakfast today."

I smiled before I could stop myself.

Thirty-two seconds later, another notification appeared.

"If you're late for church again, I'm telling everyone you are a pretender that you secretly hate church" Tobe

 One made my heart flutter and the other made me laugh.

 At the time, I thought that was harmless, I didn't know people could break your heart in different ways or that one day I would be the reason someone else's heart broke.

I met Gabriel on a rainy Thursday.

Not the movie kind of rain where everyone looks beautiful but the annoying kind.

The kind that leaves muddy stains on the edge of your trousers , makes the floor  messy each time you take a step and makes you shiver at least for few minutes.

I had arrived late for a young adults' meeting at church and every decent seat was already taken.

Every seat except one so I sat down without asking.

The guy beside me glanced up from his notebook.

"You're dripping water on my notes."

I looked down.

"Oh God."

I grabbed my scarf and started wiping the drops.

He laughed.

The first thing I noticed about Gabriel wasn't that he was handsome.

It was that he looked like someone who had his life together.

Neat handwriting, pressed shirt, organized notebook. The type of person who probably planned his week before Monday arrived.

We exchanged names. Nothing dramatic happened.

No sparks, no background music, no moment where the world stopped spinning. Just two strangers sitting through the same meeting and that should have been the end of it.

But somehow it wasn't. 

Three days after he saw me in church.

"Hope you got home safely after the meeting?" He asked Politely and it stuck. It wasn't meant to but his gentleness with words made it stay.

I met Tobe almost two weeks later at a church hangout.

At the same church just different day, different circumstance.

After service, a large group of us moved into one of the halls. Plastic chairs were arranged in circles, people were laughing, introducing themselves, finding teams.

Somehow I ended up in Tobe's group.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi." He responded 

That was our first conversation, a spectacular failure.

I tried again a few minutes later, asked how long he'd been attending the church.

He answered casually and  somehow the conversation died before it ever properly started.

Neither of us seemed particularly bothered, we just sat through the awkward silence waiting for the games to begin.

The games started, teams competed, people cheated, others accused them of cheating.

Chaotic but fun , at some point my name was called.

I was chosen to represent our group in one of the challenges. I don't even remember the rules anymore only that I somehow won.

My teammates screamed as though I'd secured a trophy. I was still laughing when I returned to my seat.

Tobe lifted his hand.

I stared at it.

Then gave him a high five.

"Not bad."He said

"Not bad?" I repeated.

"I literally carried this team."

He nodded 

"True."

Then he added,

"But let's not let it get to your head and you're welcome, by the way".

"For what?"

"Moral support. You would've lost without me."

I stared at him.

" You literally sat there".

"Exactly, imagine if I wasn't".

"Huh"

I burst out laughing.

The first genuine laugh he'd gotten out of me all afternoon.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. More like he was amused by the fact that I was amused.

And somehow that made me laugh even harder.

That was Tobe.

Effortless, not the loudest person in the room, not the center of attention, just comfortable being himself.

The kind of person who didn't seem interested in impressing anyone.

When the hangout ended, I went home without thinking much about him.

He was just another person from church, just another face in a crowd.

At least that's what I told myself.

Months later, when I tried to remember the beginning, I could still see him sitting beside me.

Tobe felt like comfort.

The strange thing was that Gabriel and Tobe weren't friends but they existed in the same circles.

Church has a way of making the world smaller than you think.

People know people who know people, names travel and stories travel even faster.

At first I assumed neither of them knew much about the other

I was wrong.

Gabriel didn't know Tobe existed, but Tobe knew exactly who Gabriel was. Not because I told him but because they shared mutual friends and I didn't think it mattered.

Looking back now, maybe that was the first mistake.

Months passed and Gabriel became more intentional.

He remembered things, Tiny things, almost everything that sometimes I wondered if he paid more attention to my life than I did.

Tobe was different.

Whenever conversations got too personal, he would pull away.

Not completely, but just enough.

Like someone standing near a door in case they needed an escape route.

Some days we'd spend three hours talking and the  next day he'd disappear emotionally.

Unfortunately, I noticed it and cared about it because feelings are stupid.

They don't wait for certainty nor ask for permission, they just grow wherever they find room.

When Gabriel  asked me out, I said yes.

Not because I loved Tobe less or  didn't have questions, but because he  was there.

Consistent, Clear and Certain.

He chose me loudly.

And after months of standing outside Tobe's walls hoping he'd open the gate, certainty felt like peace.

So I became Gabriel's girlfriend.

And I didn't tell Tobe. Not immediately, not the next week, not the week after that.

The longer I waited, the harder it became.

That was my second mistake.

And unlike the first one, this one belonged entirely to me.

The truth nobody knew was that I spent months trying to love Gabriel the way he deserved.

People like to imagine love triangles as exciting.

They aren't, they are exhausting, especially when you're trying desperately not to become the villain.

I chose Gabriel completely 

Not while secretly hoping Tobe would suddenly confess his feelings.

For the first few months, everything felt easy.

He remembered everything, checked on me before important meetings, sent voice notes when I was stressed.

When I mentioned wanting to learn fashion illustration seriously someday, he spent an entire evening researching courses and sending me links.

Nobody had ever paid attention to me like that before.

I felt seen, chosen.

I remember lying awake one night smiling at the ceiling because I couldn't believe someone like him existed.

That sounds dramatic now but it was true.

Loving Gabriel felt easy.

Back then, I thought I'd gotten lucky.

Then little things started changing, nothing obvious enough to point at.

Just the  kind of change that make you question yourself before you question the other person.

"Maybe I'm over thinking , maybe he's busy or maybe I'm asking for too much.

That word "Maybe" nearly destroyed my peace.

Calls became shorter, effort became inconsistent, plans became promises and promises became excuses but I kept telling myself relationships have seasons.

Because every time something hurt, I found a way to excuse it.

Love makes lawyers out of us, we become experts at defending people who never asked for a defense.

I defended Gabriel constantly. Even when I was exhausted, even when I started feeling lonely while technically not being alone.

And somewhere between all of that, Tobe stopped building walls , he became impossible to ignore.

The timing couldn't have been worse right? Or more predictable.

I guess life has a cruel sense of humor.

Gabriel and I were still together, technically but everything felt like work.

The check in, trying to pull conversations back to life.

The week before my sign out from school , Tobe started showing up differently.

Not in ways that could be pointed to and labeled, just differently.

He lingered longer after conversations, found reasons to text, sent random pictures during the day.

It was enough for me to notice, enough for me to become uncomfortable because deep down, I knew what was happening and I knew I should have said something.

Yet every time I tried, fear stopped me.

Fear that things would become awkward and  he would disappear completely.

People love to talk about honesty as if it's easy.

It isn't.

Some afternoons we'd spend twenty minutes talking after church.

Nothing important just random observations.

Yet somehow I'd leave feeling lighter.

Then my phone would buzz.

'Gabriel'

And suddenly the guilt would arrive..

Because I knew exactly what was happening, I wasn't falling for Tobe 

Not then. I was grieving the version of Gabriel I thought I was dating.

The version who noticed everything, who cared effortlessly, who made me feel special.

Somewhere along the way, that version disappeared.

And Tobe kept reminding me of him. I hated myself for it.

But if I'm being honest, sometimes I hated Tobe too.

Not because he had done anything wrong but because he made everything harder.

Because every time he remembered a detail I'd forgotten mentioning, I remembered that Gabriel had forgotten bigger things, every time he listened carefully, I remembered conversations where I'd felt unheard and every time he showed up, I was forced to acknowledge who wasn't.

I wanted to be angry at somebody and Tobe was simply easier to blame.

After all, Gabriel was my boyfriend and Tobe was the complication.

So I blamed Him. In my head, privately, unfairly, as if it was his fault that being around him felt easy.

There were dozens of moments I almost told him.

One afternoon we sat down waiting for a meeting to start.

Everyone else was late, for ten whole minutes it was just us.

I remember looking at him and thinking:

Tell him now, just tell him about Gabriel instead I asked if he saw a movie that recently came out.

Another time he asked casually whether I was seeing anyone.

My heart nearly stopped because it was the perfect opportunity and somehow I still missed it.

I laughed, changed the subject and went home feeling sick.

I told myself I was protecting our friendship and waiting for the right moment.

Told myself many things except the truth and by the time I finally found the courage to tell him, my silence had already become its own betrayal.

The worst part?

Every day I delayed made the eventual truth heavier.

Because every day Tobe cared a little more and I knew it yet said nothing.

My sign out finally came.

There were pictures, cake, laughter, Church friends posting embarrassing photos from 100 level.

Gabriel didn't show up. He blamed it on alot of things and I pretended to believe him.

And every time Gabriel disappointed me, Tobe accidentally reminded me of what I was missing.

Not intentionally.

Tobe decided to show up close to the very end and that pissed me off the more.

At one point I caught him looking at me, he could see the look on my face.

He wasn't sure what the problem is and when he tried to ask, he felt it was best to let me handle it.

Three days later, I asked Tobe to meet me at a cafe.

It was quiet, just a few students working on laptops.

I arrived first, spent ten minutes rehearsing sentences and none of them sounded right.

When Tobe walked in, he smiled.

That smile nearly made me cancel the conversation altogether.

"What's going on?" he asked as he sat down.

"You sounded serious."

I looked down at my hands and back at him

"I need to tell you something."

"What happened?" He asked with a little sense of fear in his voice

I took a breath, then another, and another.

"It's about Gabriel." I said

For a second, his expression didn't change.

He simply waited. Patiently, confused but focused.

"We've been dating." The words landed between us

He blinked, like his brain hadn't caught up.

"I'm sorry?" What??

"We've been together for months."

The café suddenly felt too small.

Tobe stared at me , not angry at least not yet.

Just confused.

And somehow that hurt more.

"Months?"

I nodded.

He laughed softly. Not because anything was funny.

The kind of laugh people make when reality doesn't make sense.

"Months?" Wow!!!

I nodded again.

His eyes dropped to the table, then back to me.

You can tell he was trying to fit new information into old memories.

"You've been dating him this whole time?"

His voice was quiet.

I wanted him to yell, to accuse me, I wanted him to be angry.

Because anger would have been easier but instead he looked hurt.

"I was going to tell you." The moment the words left my mouth, I hated them.

They sounded exactly like what they were.

An excuse.

Tobe looked at me for a long moment , then he smiled.

"That's the thing, Ivy.

"You were going to tell me and you think now was the perfect time?"

"I'm sorry. I said with tears in my eyes.

" I don't know but I think I need time to process all of this. My actions henceforth might look questionable but I'm sorry."

"Do you even have feelings for me at all?"

There it was, the question I prayed he never ask. 

"Let's not do this, Tobe. I know sorry won't cut it but please"

"Okay, let's not".

He stood up and hugged me from the side and left.

A week after our conversation, He stopped calling.

Not immediately, just gradually.

At first, I told myself he needed time, then I stopped making excuses.

The truth was simple. Tobe had chosen himself.

And for the first time, I couldn't blame him.

A month later, he asked to meet.

The same café.

He looked tired, not angry, just tired.

As if he'd spent weeks arguing with himself and finally reached a conclusion he didn't like.

We spoke about ordinary things first.

Church, mutual friends, anything except the reason we were there.

Then eventually silence settled between us.

Tobe broke it.

"I love you."

My chest tightened.

Not because it was unexpected.

"I know." I said

He smiled sadly.

"Yeah. I don't hate you, Ivy."

That hurt more than hatred would have.

"I really don't. I understand why you didn't tell me."

Then he took a breath.

"I can't do this. I can't sit around hoping your relationship ends."

"And if it does end, I don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering whether I'm the person you chose or the person who happened to be available after someone else disappointed you."

The tears arrived before I could stop them because he was right.

"I deserve better than being somebody's second chance."

His voice cracked.

"And you deserve better than this confusion."

I couldn't argue.

When he stood to leave, neither of us reached for the other.

At the door, He paused and smiled.

"Take care of yourself."

And then he left.

Gabriel and I ended things a month later.

No shouting, no explosive fight, just two exhausted people admitting that whatever existed between them had already died.

We had spent months trying to revive a relationship neither of us could recognize anymore.

Sometimes relationships end long before people leave

After that, there was nobody.

No Gabriel, no Tobe, just me and strangely that terrified me more than losing either of them.

Because for the first time in a little while, there was no one else to focus on and I wasn't sure I liked what I saw.

For months, I questioned everything.

Maybe I was selfish, broken, maybe I wasn't capable of loving anyone properly.

Some nights I believed them, other nights I fought back.

So I started to heal. Healing didn't arrive all at once

There was no magical morning where I woke up transformed.

Just small moments,a little more peace, a little less guilt, a little more forgiveness.

Until eventually I stopped viewing myself as a villain.

Not because I was innocent. I made mistakes, avoided difficult truths, stayed silent when honesty was required.

Those things were there but they weren't the whole story.

The next time I saw Tobe again was almost a year later.

He looked happy, genuinely happy and surprisingly, so did I.

I had finally accepted that love isn't always supposed to stay.

Anie's Note:

For the longest time, I thought this story was about two boys.

It wasn't but about a girl learning that love cannot survive where honesty doesn't and losing people is sometimes the price of becoming someone better.

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to comment to and tell me what y'all think.

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Love, With An Extra Chair II

 I use to think love was about balance. That if I could hold on to everything that mattered to me without losing any of it, then I was doing something right. If you saw us, you'd call it friendship but what people don't see is how something innocent can be too much when it's not placed where it belongs.

Bukola wasn't the problem. If anything she was one of the realest person in my life. Our paths crossed in the most funny way and ever since then, I found friendship that I didn't find in my male friends.  She was a version of my life that existed before love became something I had to protect. We did alot of things together. Listening to music and arguing about songs, sending random memes or updates, travelling down for festive holidays, my family knew her as my friend.

There were days I didn't feel like talking to anyone. My guys would call, joke, send memes and i'd ignore them but she would text " You've gone quiet again. What's wrong?". And I'll find myself replying without even thinking about it. With her, I didn't have to be 'on', no expectations, no fear of getting it wrong, just ease. What we had was honest, uncomplicated. She was everything you could ask for in a person just not everything I was looking for in a partner.

She wasn't willing to date anyone. Whenever I ask, she will always make me the standard and I never tried to stop her.

"How far Gabriel? The guy at the mall?" I asked

" Oh that one? What about him?" She said

" What do you mean by what about him? He looks responsible though." I said letting out a smile

" Well, you know I've always said except I meet someone that's gets me like you do, I'll remain single abeg. I love it here.

"You will die single I promise you" I fired back

We both laughed it off but that was always how conversations like that ended. Not once, not twice, I never gave her genuine reason to stop making me the standard maybe because it boost my ego in some type of way.

Then love came.

It was asking for everything. I just didn't know how to answer it without feeling like I was losing something else.

Kamsi was everything I wanted and even more. I knew there was no turning back for me. She was intentional, paid attention to the little things, the tone in my voice, the pauses in my sentences. She loved deeply and our love seemed certain.

I thought love and friendship could exist side by side as long as I wasn't doing anything wrong, I wasn't hurting anyone.

Telling Bukola about Kamsi became a hassle because the last time we had a conversation on relationship, she might have expressed how she feels about me even more serious than before and I waved it off saying "You wey get werey for head?". I saw her expression changed slightly but i didn't budge.

With Bukola, it was never planned. It never really was. I was already out , when she called

"Where are you?"

"Road. Why?"

"I'm bored" she said sounding like a baby 

"Say less" I laughed "let's meet at our usual spot"

It was nothing fancy, the kind of place where nobody really pays attention to. She was already there when I arrived. Sitting on the bonnet of a parked car, scrolling through her phone like she had all the time in the world.

"You're late".  She said without looking up

"You're just too early." I replied stepping closer.

She smiled at that. We ended up getting snacks she insisted she wasn't hungry but won't stop taking from mine like she always did.

"You do this everytime." I said

"And you still don't learn." She shot back

I shook my head, but I was smiling because this..this was normal.

After eating, we didn't leave. We stayed there talking about nothing and everything at the same time. Small drama that didn't really matter but she told it in a way that made it sound important.

"You've been quiet these days." She said suddenly.

I paused 

"Have i?" It's just alot on my mind

"You'll be fine." She said

I felt somehow, because she was certain. Meanwhile I just didn't know how to tell her about Kamsi.

I checked my phone briefly, a message from Kamsi 

"Hope your day is going well babe?"

I stared at it for a second too long then locked my screen. I told myself I'd reply later.

"Who was that?" She asked

"No one," I said quickly

"Okay oo" she shrugged.

We sat in silence for a bit after that and when it was time to leave, there was no long goodbye as always.

"Text me when you get home" I said

She rolled her eyes "we'll see".

And that was it. Nothing happened. She never crossed the line, I just never drew one.

I got home and received a text from her and I casually told her I have a girlfriend now.

"I get babe now oo, I say make I tell you"

"Na you sabi." And we laughed it off.

"Why is she always around?" Kamsi had asked me more than once

I shrugged. Too quietly 

"She's just my friend and you don't have to worry about her".

I thought I was being fair. That was my biggest lie to myself. When she came over to Lagos for my aunt's burial, I was happy I still had my friend.We took pictures and I found one that looked cute, didn't think about it before posting it.

The day Kamsi sent me a message about seeing my story, I just didn't think that would be the end of our relationship. And for the first time, I understood everything but that didn't change anything.

I had lost the relationship that kept me sane and even though I still had Bukola, it never felt complete.

It has been days, days of replaying everything, how I could have done things differently and somehow I landed on the same thought that clouded my mind "This didn't have to happen".

After much thinking, I texted Bukola and we met at our usual spot like nothing had changed.

"You couldn't even act differently? I asked

She looked up, confused and replied

"Wait! Whattt?"

I laughed but there was no humor in it 

"You knew I was in a relationship". I continued 

"I did". She said slowly 

"And yet nothing changed", I snapped. "You were still there, still calling, still...being there like it didn't matter.

She stood up now facing me properly and furious 

"What exactly was I supposed to do?" She asked

I shook my head, paving slightly 

"I told you about her. Casually? Yes but I told you anyways, you knew".

"And you think that was enough?" She replied 

That hit something in me, but I pushed past it.

"You could have created space, you could have stepped back" I fired back.

Her expression shifted. Not angry just steady.

"Why would I do that for you?" She asked quietly 

You were the one in the relationship. You were the one who knew what it meant, not me.

"Whattt? Wow! " This didn't have to happen". I muttered

She sighed softly 

"You're right " 

But what came next wasn't what I expected. I glanced at her, expecting an agreement.

"It didn't have to happen, but not because of me. You don't get to lose her and then come here looking for someone else to carry it."

I didn't say anything because for the first time, there was no argument left in me. The words were there. I should have set boundaries.

"I....i.." I started 

She looked at me not expectant and somehow that made it harder

"You knew what you were doing" I said instead

Even though it didn't feel right, it was easier. She didn't argue just nodded slightly 

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry for being part of some thing that became a problem for you. For not stepping back even when I probably should have, for your sake".

"You loved her"

"I still do." I swallowed.

"You should go fix that, if it's something that can still be fixed. You should try'

" You think it's that simple?" I managed to say

"No, I think it's that important. She didn't leave because she stopped loving you, she left because something wasn't right I guess. If you know what that is.. then do something with that" 

She left.

That was the closest thing to a goodbye we had. No hug, long speeches, just understanding and distance.

"I'm sorry Bukky." I screamed

I left and was thinking of ways to get Kamsi back.

I typed, deleted, typed again, deleted again because for the first time I didn't want to sound convincing. I wanted to sound true.

"Can we talk?"

She didn't answer immediately and somehow that was okay.

"Okay". No emoji, no warmth, just neutral and that scared me more than anything else. 

We met somewhere quiet. She was already there when I arrived sitting straight and calm.

"Hi," I said

She nodded slightly "Hi"

"I've been thinking," I began

She didn't respond , just waited.

"I understand now," I continued 

"I kept saying there was nothing to worry about but I never actually made it feel that way for you".

My voice wasn't as steady as I wanted it to be. Her eyes stayed on me.

"I didn't cheat, but I didn't protect what we had either."

That was the first time something shifted in her expression.

"I didn't realize that in trying to keep everything. I was slowly losing you. I should have set boundaries ". I said finally 

She looked down for a moment, then back at me

"I waited for you to realize that" she said quietly. " I didn't leave because of her, I left because I didn't feel chosen."

My chest tightened.

"I was there," she continued " But I always felt like I was sharing space with something that didn't have a name. I couldn't name it.

"I should have made you feel secure". I said

She gave a small, sad smile

"You should have"

I leaned forward slightly 

"I can do that now, I understand it now. I know what I did wrong and I know what needs to change " I said

"And what happens when it gets comfortable again? When things stop feeling this serious?"

I didn't answer immediately

"I choose differently, on purpose, not just when it's easy.

"I believe you." She said

"But I can't come back". She added

I didn't speak. I couldn't, I could feel my chest tightened.

"I don't want a love that only becomes clear after it's broken."

That was it. The one sentence that closed everything but I didn't give up.

"I want to do better Kam, not just promise it. Everyday I want to choose you intentionally like I should have all along. Please forgive me. Let's work this out. This can't be the end of our love story."

She looked down, then back up at me 

I reached out, hesitating only a moment before taking her hands.

"It won't be easy but I promise it will be different Kam.

She squeezed my hand gently with tears in her eyes 

"I know and I'm willing to believe you, to trust you just this once again."

I gave a sigh of relief 

"So I'm willing to give this a try Tunde, let's make this work."

"Let's make this work" I said 

We hugged each other like we just saw each other after ten years.

Anie's Note

In the end, it was never about the girl with the extra chair but the man who never asked her to leave. I believe some boundaries are not crossed they are simply never drawn.

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to comment and tell me what y'all think.

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LOVE WITH AN EXTRA CHAIR

 We were the “IT” couple everyone pointed to and said, “ This is how love is supposed to be”.

We made love look easy and most people envied us without admitting it. Our love wasn’t dramatic but yet demanded attention and people affirm it because it seems certain.

We took the best pictures, survived arguments that were meant to break other people.

He held  my hand like he is afraid I might disappear one day.

Then there was her.

She was always there, somewhere in the background like a hidden gem. She never arrived as a threat, was never introduced as a problem but somehow she was mentioned casually and slipped  into our conversations like “she’s just a friend”

He say it the way people say good morning without thinking, the way people say things they’ve rehearsed only once because they never thought they would need to say them again. So I believed him not because I was foolish but because love had a way of teaching you to trust explanations that comes too easily.

She had both of us on instagram and each time a story is posted especially of both of us she never liked mine but was always on his making comments like “ You were the glow the picture ever needed”. It was a subtle shade to me and each time I brought it up, it made no sense to him and he will say things like “ You know she’s our friend right?”

Our? 

They'll proceed to explain the next inside joke like they have same algorithm on social media and that left me questioning if I was doing too much or he was just refusing to see it.

However we practically spent almost all the time together so I didn’t have to worry about her because she was clearly getting no attention but somehow she is always around.

She was becoming to seem so important as she was always the topic up for discussion and that made me feel some type of way so I decided she was invisible to me and I’ll continue that way.

Our love kept growing stronger, we were still good. Still the couple people looked at and said “I want what they have”. We argued and recovered, planed futures that felt solid in our mouths. I slept peacefully, convincing myself that a love like ours had no room for intruders.

I didn’t like her but for the sake of my relationship 

I called a truce. All of a sudden, I didn’t need to worry about her. She laughed at the right moments, stood at an appropriate distance, just existed on the edge of things.

One day, He got a distress call from home and had to travel down to Lagos.

And what was supposed to be for a few days, turned out to be the longest weeks of my life because we've never been away from each other that long

They weren’t the best days of his life because he lost his favourite aunt and was grieving.

I tried my best to be there for him but it seemed like he was pushing me away. At first I told myself people grieve differently so I’d understand.

He started returning my missed calls hours later and gradually he stopped picking them up. I had no choice but to reach out to her.

We were supposed to meet up then she told me she traveled and that she’s also in Lagos to

sort out something real quick. I never read meaning to that , just went ahead to ask her if she was able to reach Tunde but she said he isn’t available so we should be calm and he would definitely come around.

For the first time since we called a truce, she sounded like a “girls girl”.

Apparently she had gone to see him in Lagos at his family's house and his people knew her to that extent. They spent time together, went to the beach, hang out late at night all in the name of trying to get over what happened and there I was in the dark, clueless and holding on to the fact that he gave me his word.

Weeks later, on a night that felt so calm, I opened instagram without thinking just to enjoy the reels.

I hadn’t checked his page in days. Instagram did it for me. Suggested for you and the story loaded before I could change my mind.

There she was. On his story. Not tagged, no caption that feels abnormal just a moment too intimate to be accidental, too casual to be innocent and even familiar enough for the algorithm to remember her.

I stared longer than i should have, hoping context would appear if I waited long enough. It didn’t.

And suddenly, every reassurance came back to me but this time around it wearing a different face.

Everything he said back then played back with new subtitles. “she’s just a friend” echoed again.

But this time, it sounded different.

I didn’t confront him immediately. Not because I was afraid but because something had already ended quietly in me and confrontation felt unnecessary when the truth had already presented itself without permission.

Later on, I was able to get hold of him and we had a conversation. It was quite short.

Me: “I saw your story”.

Tunde: “Oh, her? It’s nothing”. 

Me: “I know.

He exhaled slowly, like he’s choosing his words instead of the truth

Tunde: “It’s not what you’re thinking. I told you there was nothing to worry about”.

Me: “I haven’t told you what I am thinking. You know you’ve been very consistent”. I said with a smile that looks very fake.

He paused and frowns. With a voice a bit louder than normal he asked

Tunde: “Wait! What does that mean?

She was just around. That’s all.

Me: “Just around? Somehow she just found herself in Lagos? I’m supposed to believe that right?

Oh well you never changed the story.

Silence envelopes the place

Tunde: “You’re upset and I get it. Nothing happened between us.

Me: “ No I’m not upset but very clear about what I’m saying and yes nothing might have happened but you waited until it didn’t need to.

I know something happened but it just didn’t start today. That is why I'm ending this relationship.

Tunde: You’re really ending this over that? Over an instagram story?

Me: “ I wish it was just a story. I’m ending it over how confident you were that I wouldn’t.

He explained, he always do but explanations don’t undo patterns.

Now when I think of us, I still remember the love. I don’t deny it. It was real, warm, envied even. It just wasn’t protected.

And somewhere between “don’t worry about her” and a quiet instagram story, I learnt that the most dangerous third person is the one you’re told not to see.

Anie's Note:

Love doesn't always end because it fades. Sometimes it ends because trust was misplaced. I believe not every betrayal begins with cheating, some begin the moment you're told you have nothing to worry about.

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to comment and tell me what y'all think.

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FAINT LIGHT

I had waited my whole life to meet the man of my dreams.

But  when I finally did, nothing went the way I imagined. I used to think love would come easy like a beautiful movie scene where everything falls into place.

Then Jordan came into my life and suddenly, it felt like that scene was mine.

The more I tried to prove my love to make him see that I was worth something beyond my family background , the more he tore down my self-esteem.

I met him at a youth conference where I voluneered. He was there as a guest speaker, and I was the nervous girl at the registration desk who accidentally mixed up the name tags.

He laughed it off and said, “I will remember your face better than any tag.

We started seeing each other.  He would drive miles after work just to eat suya with me by the roadside. He loved to talk about his dreams, how he would travel the world, build a name that mattered. I loved how passionate and driven he was. I loved him.

And for a while everything was perfect until perfection began asking for proof.

It started small.

" You would look better in heels, "Your friends are a little too loud", Why didn't you graduate top of your class again? Not even a second class upper?

At first I brushed it off as harmless talk until his words begin to sink deeper like insults and slowly stole my confidence away.

One night after dinner with his colleagues, he drove in silence. I could feel his irritation hanging in the air.

Jordan stormed in, his voice loud enough to shake the walls.

“What was that about? Why were you so quiet all through dinner?

All those questions and you couldn’t even answer?”

I felt my chest tighten. Enough was enough.

 “Why do you always do this, Jordan?” I fired back.

"Why do you keep making me feel like I'm not enough?"

“Is it not enough that you try to embarrass me at every chance you get?

The other day, you said I wasn’t up to my friend’s standard. You keep reminding me I didn’t graduate top of my class even though you know how much that hurts.

And somehow… you think it’s funny.”

He stood there, expressionless. No anger, no remorse. Just silence like my pain was a language he couldn't understand.

I walked away before the tears could fall down, shut the door and let everything pour out,

I broke down completely.

When words failed, I prayed.

“Lord, all I’ve ever wanted is to be my man’s good luck charm.

I want his life to get better because I’m in it.

But if I can’t be what he wakes up thankful for, then help me let go.

I love him, but I'm tired.

Jordan walked in quietly. He heard every word.

But he said nothing  just grabbed his car keys, walked out, and drove off.

Days turned into silence, weeks passed and we  lived together but barely looked at each other. I still made his meals, did the chores, avoided his eyes, his touch. I was fading  piece by piece.

The house that once echoed with laughter now felt like a strangers home.

Jordan slowly became gentler, softer and even prayerful. He left sweet notes on the fridge, got me flowers. 

Sometimes, i caught him staring at me with this strange heavy look like he was getting to know me for the first time.

Then one evening, I saw him sitting in his car, long after he got home.

Through the window, I watched his lips move, as if he was rehearsing an apology.

He stayed there for almost an hour before walking in. He looked broken like a man who has been fighting an invisible war.

 I served his food quietly ready to retreat to my room when he held my hand.

His touch startled me.

 “For how long will this continue?” he said softly. 

“I’m sorry.”

I froze.

“For what, Jordan? For finally realizing what you did?

It took me becoming a shadow of myself for you to see it?

He sighed, ran his hands through his hair.

“I know I hurt you. I was stupid to think love was about winning not understanding. I can’t lose you. I never meant to hurt you, i got so lost trying to prove something that didn't even matter. 

Please forgive me.” I can't lose you

I looked at him, the same man I prayed for now drowning in guilt.

 “You made me believe love wasn’t enough,” I whispered

“I tried to fit into your world, but I was never the woman you wanted and now I don't know how to be the woman you want me to be.”

He took my hands again firmer this time.

 “No. You were always enough. I wasn't trying to change you, you know.

 I was scared. Scared that the life I planned was slipping through my fingers and I took it out on you.

" But you were always my calm even in my chaos. You prayed to be my goodluck charm, turns out you've always have.

For the first time in months he looked sincere and I wanted to believe him even though pain doesn't heal with apologies, I saw something real in his eyes, a quiet kind of regret.

The truth was, Jordan wasn't entirely a bad man.

He had his moments, moment when he was proud of me, when he'll tell his friends " That's my woman".

Moment when he would pray with me, make me laugh, hold me like the world could fall apart and we would still be fine. But sometimes his pride and the weight of his expectations crushes the softness inside him.

He had been taught by society that love needed status, that class, success and background defined one's worth.

And maybe I too had  believed that I needed to prove myself to be worthy of being loved.

So when he apologized, I knew words alone couldn't undo the hurt but I also knew he was trying.

He wasn't perfect neither was I.

That night I didn't forgive him instantly. I just sat there in silence, letting his words hang between us.

He reached for my hand again, and this time I didn't try to pull away

"Let's start over", he said quietly.

I nodded slowly. " One step at a time"

Anie's Note

Love is decision to stay true, even when the feeling fades

Would you stay if love stopped feeling easy?

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to comment and tell me what y'all think.

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ALMOST

                                        

I sat in my room with headphones on listening to Hurts by Astrid relating to every line of the lyrics as the sound of the rain pattered against my window pane. Struggling to find peace in the darkness that clouded my room and all I could think of was the last thing Noah said to me, it kept ringing in my head.

" I still want you but it's complicated".

I still remember the first day we met. After service one Sunday, I noticed a charismatic young man who recently started attending our church. He was new in town and I was easily  drawn to Noah's  charm, kind heart and beautiful smile.

After having a pretty rough year, I've been more committed to seeking  God's guidance in every decision I want to make, more devoted to my faith and even volunteer regularly for God's work. I had told God that I wanted someone that will share my faith, values and views about life. As someone who is also passionate about art, my job as an art curator was very demanding yet fulfilling and I was able to successfully balance both my job and my spiritual life.

As weeks turn into months, I and Noah quickly developed a close friendship, he confided in me about his journey in christ. We spent time together outside church, sharing our hopes, dreams, fears and our vision for the future. I found myself falling so hard for him, I mean his dedication to God's work was top notch, his vision and how career driven he was kept me feeling he might just be the answer to my prayers.

Months after, we started dating and it was one of the best thing that has happened to me admist others. My spiritual life took a swift turn as I drew closer to God by the day. We studied the bible together, prayed together and everyday all I keep asking God is to help me keep this one .he was the first man I've ever loved from church.

As time goes on, I started noticing that Noah's commitment to our relationship was wavering. I brought it up couple of times to know exactly what the problem is but he wouldn't budge. I began to worry but left everything to God in prayers. 

We were out on a date after church one Sunday and he was acting uncomfortable and uneasy. So I mustered the courage and asked

" You seem uncomfortable, do you not like this place? Or you no longer feel comfortable being around me in public?

" Why ? Why will you even say that? Noah replied.

" You've barely touched your food, and since we got here you've been uneasy and have avoided looking me in the eyes. Or do you no longer want me?

His response caught me off guard.

" I still want you, but it's complicated"

He explains hesitantly that while he genuinely cares for me, he was seeing someone else before he came into town.

My heart sank as I watched him explained, I instantly felt broken and betrayed.

Crushed by Noah's betrayal, I spent months feeling lost and questioning everything.

I found myself questioning my worth. I questioned whether he ever truly wanted the same future like I did.

Over the following weeks, moving on was hard , having to see Noah at church reminded me of the connection we once had.

The chapel was nearly empty. Only the soft echo of footsteps and I sat alone in the pew, clutching my jotter to my chest like it could stop my heart from breaking further.

He never lied. But he never told the truth either .

Flashback - Months earlier

Noah (laughing, handing me a coffee)

"You're going to sketch me again aren't you?

Havila (grinning)

"Only if you keep making that face when you a sip.

Noah: " This is the face of a man tasting mediocre coffee with an exceptional artist.

Havila: " Oh smooth! Very pastor's kid energy".

We both laughed.

They had been sunlight and warm evening. Worship nights and quiet prayers in parked cars. Kisses that felt blessed.

I thought God was in it. I thought this love had his fingerprints all over it. Until I heard it from him.

He was seeing someone else the whole time. Before me. But...it overlapped.

I remembered the whispered prayers over our future, talked about engagement rings with such certainty it felt like a promise.

But all along, I had been one of the two paintings on the wall and I was the one he chose to leave behind.

" Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you say anything?

I asked him over the phone again, my voice cracking.

There was a long pause. Then his voice soft, guilty.

" I didn't know how. I didn't think it mattered once I choose  you".

" But you didn't choose me." I whispered. You just didn't want to lose me yet."

It was heartbreaking  but I was surrounded by friends who reminded me that I need healing and though it 

may take time, it requires understanding.

Through prayers and reflection, I started finding myself again. I joined a book club online, started reading, focusing on work and drawing closer to God instead of dwelling on the heartbreak. I told myself that the whole Noah's drama had nothing to do with me but rather a sign that he was not the right person for me.

One faithful day at work, we were very busy when our boss called for an emergency meeting. He mentioned an intriguing opportunity about a wealthy client who's visiting from abroad and is interested in investing in local arts for his company's new headquarter. I was assigned to head the project and arrange a private tour within  the gallery.

His details was sent to me and the name on it was one Mr Adams Nasir. Instantly I became curious, wondering if the name Adams is christian then why does he bears Nasir too I decided to shake the thought off my mind and arranged for the tour.

When Mr Adams arrived, I was caught off guard. Contrary to my assumptions, Adams was a Muslim from a family who has deep respect for art and culture. He was a gentle, charming and thoughtful man and has quiet the confidence that draws me in.

Throughout the tour, he asked insightful questions about each artist and piece and we both shared the hidden stories behind art.

Adams became a regular visitor at the gallery, asking I show him more piece even the ones he has seen before. An excuse to see me often and each time he visits, we had alot to talk about from art, to our background and values.

Even though he was Muslim and we came from different worlds, we bonded over the love of literature, arts, long talks about life and our shared sense of humour. I was fascinated by his gentle nature and he was drawn by my beauty and intelligence.

I became cautious of how I felt as my recent heartbreak made me hesitant to trust again and I feared our differences might make things complicated.

But as weeks turned into months, we realized how similar our passions were and our connection grew undeniably. Adams respected my beliefs and I respected his too and each time we had conversations, I am strucked by the depth of his faith and how he talked about his family and their values with all sincerity.

His respect for me went beyond surface level charm, he genuinely valued my thoughts and listens to me with an open heart.

We started spending time together outside work, we read books together and explored each other's tradition and celebrate each other's holidays. He invited me to his family house for Ramadan, I was touched by their warmth and generosity. Curious to understand my world, I took him to Christmas service in church, he enjoyed every bit of it.

But as our relationship blossoms, we began to face subtle challenges. Adams is deeply rooted in his faith and family traditions. His family were supportive but cautious, uncertain how an interfaith relationship might affect their son's future. My family on the hand were not in support and they worry that I might drift from my beliefs and our relationship would face difficulties. In some interpretation of Islam, there's an expectation for children to be raised Muslims and that was already a hard one for  me as I've always dreamed of a family with shared faith in Christianity and spiritual unity.

Those subtle challenges became more challenging and was more than what we could handle.

We decided to meet one last time. We stood at the gallery one last time, surrounded by paintings that once whispered promises of forever.

He looked at me the way he always did, like I was a masterpiece.

" I love you Adams". I said quietly, my voice barely rising.

He smiled, though his eyes hold the weight of prayers that never found answers.

"And I love you. But love isn't always enough. Is it?

I shook my head, tears forming.

" I wish it were. I thought love could be enough, enough to make it work, enough to make it simple.

He let out a breath,not quite a laugh, not quite a sigh.

"I used to believe that too. But  love doesn't erase the parts of us that came before it. And it shouldn't.

"I never asked you to leave your faith behind. That's what makes this so hard. We didn't try to change each other. We just.... couldn't meet in the middle."

"Why does it feel like we are breaking something sacred by doing what our faith ask of us?" I asked.

" Because love feels sacred too. But so does faith. And neither of us should have to lose one to keep the other.

I looked down at my hands trembling, as if I could hold on to some thing that's already slipping.

" I prayed for a sign, for a loophole, something."

" I prayed too." He said. "And maybe this is the answer neither of us wanted but both of us needed".

With tears in my eyes , I whispered.

" I prayed for peace and somehow this is what came.

He steps closer, held my hands 

" Maybe peace isn't the absence of pain. Maybe it's knowing we chose with open eyes, with respect.

" Our dreams were vivid. Little art shops in Instanbul,  he chuckled  but faith had it's lines and some were too sacred to cross. A wedding neither our families could bless, children caught between two worlds, holidays spent in quiet tension, a future filled with explanations, compromises stitched into everyday.

He sighed.

" If our story were to be a painting..... It would be called Almost.

"And it would still be beautiful."

He leaned in, kissed my forehead.

A farewell more sacred than anything words could hold. Then he stepped back.

" Goodbye Havila."

The door closed behind with a soft click.

I stayed, standing in the quiet, surrounded by colours that now hold both heartbreak and grace."

And just like that, we became a quiet story told in glances and unspoken prayers, two souls who found each other in a world not ready for their kind of love .

Anie's note: 

Is love really worth it if we have to let go eventually??

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LOVE IN THE BEST OF PLACES

 Joshua Victoria 

October 6 2024

Love is beautiful even the bible confirms it. As much as a I hate to admit it, it does exist. 

My pastor is madly in love with his wife even the blind can attest to it. My folks, though old school are still in love with each other after so many years of marriage but for me, the end always proves it wrong. Afterall I keep dating the same character in different bodies. I became exhausted, I didn't want to know what love looks like, feel like or even taste like. social media was no longer my thing as I don't believe in love anymore.

I moved on with my single and of course boring life. Days became weeks, weeks became months and it's already two years. No man, several failed talking stages, just the single Pringle hating couple's here and there.

Suddenly this particular Yoruba man swept me off my feet. Yoruba men!! I just can't figure them out. Well I fell in love without realizing it. I had known him for quite sometime now, usually sees him in church but never paid attention till he eventually sat in front of me one Sunday.

He was praying in the holy ghost and for some weird reason it felt like my favourite song was being sang in the most beautiful way. In the heat of the prayer I had to open my eyes and right in front of me was this man praying with all seriousness. I was completely lost and all I could say was amen to whatever his prayer was about

After the service, I summoned courage walked up to him, we exchanged pleasantries and his smile was the most beautiful one I have seen in a while. Right there and then I knew I wanted to be his wife, I was completely lost in love but as a hard girl with numerous heartbreak I was hella composed on the outside.

We exchanged numbers and got talking, safe to say one of the talking stage that never failed. We got really close that I could empty my heart to him whenever we spoke. He showed me love after several hurts, he made me realize me heart still works, he never hesitate to show it every opportunity he gets.

Exactly eight months after we had started dating, we went to his place together after church and we had dinner. I decided to rest a bit and I was fast asleep on the couch. He came to the living room where I was, took off my wig, adjusted me properly, covered me with a duvet, didn't leave immediately he said a little prayer, kissed my forehead and left.

Not long after he left, I heard a loud knock on the door. He opened it stepped back in shock

"Peju how did you find me??

A very beautiful, brown skin, rich lady walked in. I was dumbfounded, slowly I started to sweat In a fully conditioned living room. I tried to speak but I couldn't, tears rolled down my cheek.

She then looked at me with so much disgust and pity for me

"Stop fooling yourself, he will never be the man for you. He is mine, I did all the work apparently and you can never take my place and hey I will do everything I can to have him back"

She walked towards him pulled him close, kissed him on his lips

"I'm coming for you papi" She smirked and left

I broke down in tears, cried profusely and then I heard a voice saying this isn't real.

Frantic, I opened my eyes and the love of my life was right on his kneel in front of me holding my hands and praying for me. I quickly hugged him tightly.

"I don't want to lose you to her I said and continued crying

"Whatever you're scared of will never happen. I made a vow to God who is the writer of our love story to love you and only you for as long as I breathe.

Tolu, you come first and always will, you are going to be the most important person in my life. Everyday I ask God to teach me how to love you better and in accordance to what the Bible says about love. I know you've never been loved properly before but I promise to love you better.

You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I love you Tolu Felix and you don't have to be scared of anything

All I could do was cry the more

"If this is what love is, I want to be in love with you forever I said 

"Look at your fingers

"I looked and behold the most beautiful diamond ring I have ever seen was sitting pretty on my finger.

"I'll be the biggest fool to turn you down

Yes I will marry you.

He hugged me tightly

"Thank God for this gift.

And that was how 24 years old me fell in love with the best man in the best place.

Anie's note:

So I know a couple of people that think  love is a myth. They strongly believe true love doesn't exist.

Do you think so??

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to comment and tell me what y'all think.

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LETTING GO PIECE BY PIECE. Joshua Victoria September 07 2024

With you it wasn't love at first sight, it was love at first text, first conversation. Your love came without a warning, I didn't even get much time to think or process it. 

I had already gotten a description of you with a picture attached and all i wanted was the personality to match the face and it beats me because your personality was almost close to perfection.

There is  already a fix description of how i want my significant other to look like, i mean everyone does or maybe not. You fit in everything except the name and i teased you of how I'll have to change your name so it fits perfectly.

It all started on the 8th of July, i got a message from a coursemate asking i send my picture, i was reluctant at first because we weren't that close and after sending it i made it clear to him I wasn't into hookup. He was shocked and a bit disappointed that I'd think he is that kind of person, however he just wanted to show his cousin who just came back to Nigeria. Now that totally got my attention and i apologized and was interested in the conversation and he told me a little, more like a lot about his cousin and i finally agreed to him sharing my contacts.

Unconsciously i was constantly checking my phone for your message to pop up and at about 9pm i got a "Hi" from a strange number and i was super excited but kept my cool and we started talking and i felt really good though, this feeling is not totally new to me but felt different with You.

Two weeks in and I couldn't go a day without at least texting you, i wanted your opinion on everything down to my choice of clothes or hair to make.

We decided to finally meet for the first time and all night i couldn't stop  staring at the ceiling and giggling. you  practically brought out the inner child in me even without seeing each other.

On my way to you it started drizzling and by the time i got off i had little drops on my shirt and you were outside waiting for me. You recognized me and hugged me then you held my hand and display deepest affections for me regardless of whether people are watching or not.

I had to remind myself to stay calm and composed..

When we finally got to sit down, you couldn't stop staring.

" You're so beautiful Serena. You said as your eyes focused intensely on me.

I couldn't help but smile sheepishly and even forgot to say a thank you for the compliment. Later on we decided to order something and you asked for my opinion and that alone made me feel heard. We had great time, hung out couple of times and our bond grew stronger by the day 

Honestly speaking, there is something about calm and collected men, they are so attractive and gives the safest energy. We had a different level of intimacy where you educate me on topics where i lack knowledge on and my love for you grew stronger everyday and i knew the feeling was mutual but i was wondering why you weren't making it formal.

I got a text one day saying

"Are you sure i won't make you my wife? 

I took my phone and decided to call to know what the text was about and you told me how I've occupied your mind all day and since I've been busy, you didnt want to disturb. I smiled and said 

" Well we are married already, you just haven't gotten the memo. 

You admired my sense of humor and we spoke for a while.

I couldn't bottle up my feelings so i brought up conversations that will eventually lead us to speaking about our feelings but somehow you always got out of the conversation without having to talk about it and i started having my doubts but your actions says i exercise patience which i did.

Months later we were in a ship, whatever that was i guess we both cared for each other that much for me to believe that.

You were kind enough to finally have the conversation and we were sitting across the table. You took my hands, intertwined with yours and decided to finally break the silence overwhelming us.

" Serena, i love you so much thats why i havent made this formal.

Now that had me confused because it made no sense.

 "I love you and i see the value in you beyond physical appearance. I want to be a man of my word and be dependable and that's almost impossible because i will be traveling back to the states and i honestly have no plans of coming back at least not yet. You sighed, took a deep breath and locked your eyes with mine and continued.

" Laziness can kill a relationship, staying loyal is not enough we will need the dinner dates, the quick phone calls and random compliments and because of time difference we might be having a lot of issues.

That news sent chills down my spine and instantly i felt like a bucket of ice has been dropped on my head. I needed more than this, i needed to know why our relationship wouldn't stand a chance. Cold and silent anger echoed off my face as the tension hummed loudly.

You told me that you'd never hurt me but you weren't sure the relationship will stand the test of time. 

However, you asked if I understood, I answered yes avoiding your gaze on me but honestly I didn't.

It was very hard for me, i was broken. I imagined how you made me feel seen and heard those times we hung out and the love i wanted and craved for was as pure as what you showed me. It was very difficult to understand. 

Months later, you finally travelled and i was left with the memories and couldn't stop thinking of how we got to this point where we can't be part of each other's existence.

Then i finally understood what you meant by standing the test of time. Having to juggle multiple jobs, you barely had time for yourself let alone a relationship. 

Most days i miss you so much that it hurts i could literally feel it. As plain as simple as that could be, you were the one i wanted to be with for the rest of my life.it came to reality, however that was apparently too much to ask for and i could end up hating you because i was somehow hoping you'll change your mind for me and you never did.

 Letting go was very difficult for me but our love could only go this far.

Anie's note:

Is it really easy to let go??? If you ask me I'll say it is not .I advocate loving a person completely. So imagine having to let go of a place where you can finally say "Oh this is where I belong".  It's insane but  the safest option when you both can't meet each other's need just completely walk away and open up your heart that way you don't hate each other.

Thank you so much for reading and don't forget to comment and tell me what y'all think.

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