A Divided Heart

Love could be the sweetest feeling experienced, but only when with the right person. It could also leave a worse feeling better imagined than experienced. This is a story of the experience of a promising young man, who thought he had found the love of his life,only for his expectations to be cut short when he least expected it.

Daniel had just rounded up with his compulsory National Youth Service Corps programme in one of the South Eastern states, some 3 years earlier. He had been lucky to secure a job with a microfinance bank in his third year after service. This was actually his second job after service. The first which ended in rather bizarre circumstances was a memory he never finds solace remembering.

Being an extremely reserved fellow, Daniel's surest companion was his phone. Daniel isn't who you would classify as rich, but he was fairly comfortable, at least he could conveniently cater for his needs. On most days after work and dinner, he would lay down on his bed, shuffling from one social media to another. This he did, in a bid not to drown in a sea of loneliness.

On one of such evenings, while going through his chats on WhatsApp, he came across a relationship group. Being an introvert, he didn't really take part in these group chats, so the messages had accumulated. He opened it and stumbled on a post by a young lady. Apparently they've introducing themselves on the group. He saw different introductions, but hers stood out for him. She seemed to tick all the boxes he had been looking for in a life partner, and fortunately for him she was single.

Without wasting any time, Daniel messaged the admin of the group, to inform her of his intentions. She promised to discuss with her and get back to him. Luckily,she got back to him just the following day (apparently the universe was in his favor,so he thought). She gave Daniel the contact number of Gift, for that was her name.

He decided to wait till the next morning,to give her a call,as it was already late. On his way to work the next day, he put a call across. After the second ring, Daniel heard a soothing "Hello" from the other side of the call. He introduced himself, then they talked briefly and promised to continue the conversation on WhatsApp later.

It's been almost a week now that they've been chatting on WhatsApp. However, Daniel had noticed something in the conversations. Whenever he talks about being in a relationship with her, she always tried to discourage him, giving him some excuses that doesn't hold water. But Daniel was persistent, somehow he was convinced she was the right one for him.

After discussing for a few weeks, with series of video calls, he decided to invite her over so he could formally ask her out. Arrangements were made and she arrived the following week. On seeing her, he was glad he didn't loose guard when she made that introduction. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine. Despite the visible stress signs on her face as a result of the journey, she still looked very pretty.

They had gotten to Daniel's house now. She had freshened up and she looked more beautiful than when he first saw her. Her calm voice could melt the hardest of hearts. After dinner, he told her about his intentions of dating her. This time,she willingly accepted and this made Daniel very excited. He slept like a baby that night, dreaming of the fancy wedding he would have with her. His dream was rudely interrupted by the sound of the alarm clock. It was already 5am in the morning.

He managed to get up quietly so as not to wake Gift up. He hurriedly prepared for work, kissed her goodbye and hurried off. He was all smiles at work all through the day. He must have hit a jackpot with this one, he thought. His previous and only relationship had ended rather badly. So meeting Gift seem to be an answered prayer. She was like a breath of fresh air. He couldn't wait for the close of work to go see the beautiful damsel waiting for him at home.

Daniel got home, only to meet an unexpected but very pleasant surprise. Gift had rearranged his apartment, putting everything in the right places. There was a homely feel now in his room. That wasn't all. She had also prepared a delicious meal. He was greeted by the sumptuous aroma when he entered the kitchen. He was so surprised and mad with excitement that he said within himself "I must marry this girl!" He was all smiles when he kissed her forehead and thanked her for the stress she had to go through to achieve that before he returned from work.

She had been around for days now, and the visit had been worth the while. It was time for her to return. He was going to miss her so much, and he really did when she left. They tried to fill the void by constantly communicating via calls, chats and video calls.

It's been weeks since she left and they have been communicating. All these while, Daniel had noticed something in their conversations. Gift appeared to be drifting mentally most times. She switches mood too quickly, and it's gradually beginning to affect their conversations. She was picking offences too often.

After quizzing her severally on it,she eventually opened up. Her pasts haven't been too nice, she had been betrayed, violated and abused. Apparently,she is yet to completely get over her past experiences. She had actually gone through some stuff emotionally and the memories kept haunting her. Daniel tried to comfort and encourage her to be strong, that everything would be fine. He really loved her, so he didn't want to lose her to some pasts that should remain in the past.

Things got better in the following weeks and months, even though the mood swings didn't stop. Things were getting better,but Daniel felt this was like the calm before the storm. Now, it wasn't just the mood swings, she had started complaining over every little thing. She had now seen issues with the way he walks, talks, eat, chat and even sleep.

He was at a loss as to what was happening. How could things change so quickly? Gift was supposed to be the love of his life, sadly she has become a thorn in his flesh.

Daniel apologized at every turn, even when he wasn't sure what his offence was,just so peace would reign. This has been going on for weeks now, and it was terribly affecting his work and peace of mind. He had been thinking a lot lately,and not sleeping well too. He started making errors at work. He was a banker,so obviously he had to cover up these errors with his salary. Things were quickly going sideways for him. He had to do something otherwise he may lose his job. This God's gift may quickly turn out to be a weapon fashioned against him if he doesn't act fast.

He thought hard about all that was going on, and realized she had not really gotten over her ex-boyfriend, hence the incessant comparison. She had once told him that she loved the ex so much while they were dating. So when she caught him cheating,it destroyed her. To her,he was the perfect guy, so apparently she looks for him in every guy she dates. That was sad, but how could she be looking for a guy in other guys. Daniel's heart was broken, even though he still loved her.

Daniel loved her but this was something he couldn't cope with. In their 6 months of being together, he had apologized at every turn for not talking the way the ex talked,not walking the way he walked,not even sleeping or making love the way he does. He loved her so much he couldn't let her go despite her inefficiencies. But she had other plans.

A lot had happened in the space of that six months. Daniel had gotten another job that would eventually prompt his relocation. While Gift had gained admission for her HND programme, which would require her to be living temporarily with Daniel because of proximity to her school.

Daniel thought since he would be moving out soon,she could just continue living there in his apartment because he still had 6 months remaining for his rent to be due. This was to be the actual beginning of the end. Things became worse quickly. She was no longer emotionally attached to him. Daniel knew what was coming, he just waited for her to say it. After all he had been apologizing for God knows what, and she did continue with her attitude.

One fateful evening, she sent Daniel a message that she was no longer interested in the relationship. She cited reasons like being too quiet,too gentle and the one that shocked him the most,that he doesn't hit her, so he wasn't man enough. When he read the message, an incident that occurred months earlier replayed in his mind. That day they were having an argument,and she slapped him. That was so unexpected,and he was mad with anger. He wore his shirt and stepped out, knowing the more he stayed back there,the more he was likely to hit her. So to her, he wasn't man enough because he didn't hit her back.

His eyes was fixed on the phone for minutes,at a loss what to do. He knew it was over, but he still loved her. He apologized still, hoping she would change her mind. But she didn't. She had broken up with him, right under his roof. Things dey occur...

For the next 3 months,he was apologizing to Gift. He even sought advice from the admin that linked them together but she didn't offer much help. Daniel had to be a man and let her go. He had to focus on improving himself,since apparently he wasn't good enough. He stopped messaging her, the rent expired, she moved out, but from what he observed she wasn't doing well at all. She looked miserable in her posts,sad to say the least. But he decided to maintain his lane and stay away from her.

It's been months now, apparently she had been trying to reach Daniel after he blocked her off on social media. He was surprised to see her message on his personal WhatsApp one evening. She was apologizing. He cleaned his eyes to be sure he wasn't dreaming. Gift was actually apologizing. She said she had realized her mistakes, she shouldn't have compared him with her ex, it was wrong. She added that all the things Daniel had been telling her, other people have also told her the same thing,so she acknowledged that she was wrong and she was sorry, that if they could get back together,she would be more than happy.

He forgave her, but getting back together was completely out of the question. Daniel had long realized that she was manipulative, so he wouldn't fall for it again. He was just starting to heal from this whole mess, and she wants to drag him back into it. It wasn't going to work. He simply told her to go find another man that suits her needs, that obviously he isn't the one for her. He typed those words with tears in his eyes. He still had a soft spot for her but he was convinced she hadn't changed.

His dream woman had become a weapon fashioned against him, he had to keep his sanity in check. He definitely dodged a bullet with that one.

That was how the relationship with his supposed love of his life ended. They still kept in touch till date, but he was never going to accept her back into his life.

Falling in love is a refreshingly thrilling experience,often making us believe we have found the perfect match. However, the true test of love lies in the enduring strength of the bond that exists in the face of life's inevitable challenges.

For a relationship/marriage to be successful,it requires more than just passionate love. It also calls for a foundation of mutual respect , understanding and unwavering commitment towards each other.

Marriage is a lifetime commitment, a journey that has no end. Hence, we must approach it with utmost care and seek divine counsel and guidance . This ensures we make choices that honor our values and help build a lasting foundation for a fulfilling union.

Don't rush to put a ring on that finger. Watch and Pray!

#Kistoriacontest