Beatrice was a captivating young woman, her beauty reflecting the vibrancy of her hometown, Asaba. It was during her first year at the prestigious University of Benin that she encountered Keith, a fellow student whose charisma drew her in. Their connection blossomed into a mesmerizing romance, one that quickly captured the attention of their peers. By the end of their final year, their relationship was celebrated, leading them to be honored as the university's 'cutest couple.' However, destiny soon charted different paths for them as they embarked on their mandatory Youth Service. Beatrice found herself in the bustling city of Abuja, while Keith's journey took him to the energetic streets of Lagos. Despite the miles that stretched between them, their shared commitment to their love remained unshaken, both dreaming of a future filled with joy and companionship—marriage.
A woman of unwavering principles, Beatrice was never one to leap from relationship to relationship. Even with Keith so far away, she had no plans to alter her steadfast commitment. Driven and filled with ambition, her aspirations were clear: she wanted to build a successful future not just for herself, but also to honor the sacrifices her mother had made. Raised solely by her mother after her father abandoned the family when Beatrice was just ten, she understood the weight of her mother's struggles. The burdens of single parenthood forged a bond between them, instilling in Beatrice a fierce determination to make her mother proud, the love for her ever palpable in her heart.
Before departing for their Youth Service, Beatrice and Keith shared a bittersweet goodbye. Keith's eyes locked onto hers, filled with longing and anticipation. "Beatrice, my love, don't forget our dreams and plans," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "After our service, we'll get married, start a family, and build a life together. Come back to me, and we'll prepare for our future. My love, Do you Promise me you'll be faithful?."
Beatrice's heart skipped a beat as she gazed into Keith's eyes. She promised to remain true to their love, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're the only one for me, Keith. My heart beats solely for you. Even when we're apart, you'll always be on my mind and in my heart." Keith's face lit up with a soft smile, his eyes shining with adoration. "My love, I'll miss you more with each passing day. You'll always be with me, in my thoughts and in my heart. Take care of yourself, my darling. I'll call you every day, and we'll stay connected, no matter the distance."
As they shared a tender hug, the world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of pure love and longing.
The next day, Beatrice embarked on a new adventure, boarding a bus to Abuja with a heart full of love for Keith and a spirit eager to serve her country. As she bid her mother a tearful farewell, she felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about the unknown journey ahead. Little did she know, God had a surprise in store for her, one that would change her life forever.
A few months flew by, and Beatrice found herself settling into her new life in Abuja. She had formed a close-knit circle of friends, but one person stood out - Rachael, the girl she had initially thought was aloof, but turned out to be an amazing companion. As they spent more time together, their bond grew stronger, and they became inseparable. They shared laughter, secrets, and adventures, and even decided to become roommates. Beatrice's service in Abuja was off to a fantastic start, filled with promise and excitement.
But little did Beatrice know, her life was about to take another dramatic turn. A few months later, Rachael casually mentioned that her older brother, Jared, was returning from Canada, where he had been pursuing his studies. The mere mention of his name sparked a curiosity in Beatrice, and she found herself wondering what this mysterious brother was like...
Rachael eagerly shared her brother's Facebook photos with Beatrice, and as they scrolled through the images, Beatrice's eyes sparkled with admiration. Jared's pictures revealed a stunningly handsome man with a bright smile and captivating eyes that seemed to sparkle with warmth.
All this while, Rachael couldn't stop raving about Beatrice to her brother over the phone. "Jared, my new friend Beatrice is truly one of a kind," she had gushed. "She's got a heart of gold, always putting others first, and her kindness and compassion inspire me every day. You're going to love her, I just know it!" Jared's voice was filled with excitement and anticipation as he replied, "I'm really looking forward to meeting her. If she's as amazing as you say, I know we'll get along great!"
Two months flew by, and Rachael's eyes sparkled with excitement as she shared the thrilling news with Beatrice. "Babe, guess what?" she asked, barely containing her enthusiasm. Beatrice's calm demeanor was a perfect contrast to Rachael's bubbling energy. "Babe, what's up? I'm not good at guessing," Beatrice replied with a gentle smile.
Rachael's words tumbled out in a joyful rush. "My brother, Jared, is coming back from Canada this weekend!" Beatrice's face lit up with a warm smile. "Wow, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you." Rachael's eyes shone with love and anticipation. "I miss my brother so much. I just can't wait to see him!" The bond between Rachael and her brother was palpable, a deep and abiding connection that warmed Beatrice's heart.
Rachael's invitation to Beatrice to meet her brother was tempting, but Beatrice politely declined. "Babe, sorry, I won't be able to come with you. Keith is visiting me this weekend." Rachael's joking tone was laced with a hint of skepticism. "Which Keith? The one who's been ignoring your calls or the one who's broken his promises to visit you for the past five months?" Rachael teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement
Beatrice's eyes shone with conviction as she defended Keith's reliability. "Come on, Rachael, Keith has been incredibly busy lately, and I'm positive he'll make it up to me this time. He sent me a text message just three days ago, promising to visit me this weekend." Her voice was laced with a mix of hope and determination.
Rachael raised an eyebrow, her expression a blend of skepticism and concern. "OK, if you say so," she said, her tone gentle but doubtful. That weekend, Rachael bid Beatrice farewell, traveling home to reunite with her brother. Though they missed each other's company, Beatrice clung to the promise of Keith's visit. But as the hours ticked by, her excitement slowly turned to disappointment. Keith never arrived, and his phone remained stubbornly unreachable, leaving Beatrice feeling abandoned and forlorn.