Beatrice slumped on her bed, consumed by a crushing sadness that felt like a heavy weight pressing down on her. Tears poured down her face like a relentless rain, as she struggled to make sense of Keith's disappearance. "What's happening?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with hurt. "Keith's changed... He promised to come, but he didn't show up. Not even a call to explain." The silence around her was oppressive, a deafening emptiness that echoed through her heart, making each passing moment feel like an eternity of loneliness.
As the distance between them stretched out like an endless ocean, Keith's love began to fade like a sunset on a distant horizon. His smile, once bright and warm, now seemed dull and forced. His words, once filled with passion and devotion, were now laced with excuses and empty promises. Though he claimed to be drowning in a sea of commitments, Beatrice's heart whispered a different truth - Keith's eyes had fallen on someone new, someone who had captured his heart and stolen his love.
And it was true - Keith had fallen for another lady named Amanda, a gorgeous girl with a smile that lit up the room. Beatrice's heart felt like it was sinking, heavy with sadness. She couldn't stand the thought of another girl, taking Keith's love away from her. The thought of another girl winning Keith's heart was almost too much to bear, leaving Beatrice feeling lost, alone, and heartbroken.
Amanda swept into Keith's life like a breath of fresh air at the NYSC camp in Lagos, their connection igniting like a wildfire that refused to be extinguished. They clicked instantly, bonding over laughter and secrets shared in hushed tones. Amanda's gentle nature and captivating charm ensnared Keith, drawing him in with an irresistible force. Born into a life of luxury, Amanda radiated elegance and poise, and Keith found himself helplessly drawn to her refined beauty and charisma.
Despite the nagging guilt that threatened to consume him for betraying Beatrice, Amanda's allure proved too great to resist. His conscience whispered warnings, but his heart refused to listen. "I'm falling deeply in love with Amanda," he admitted to himself, a turbulent mix of excitement and regret swirling in his mind. "If only I had met her before Beatrice... Maybe ignoring Beatrice will eventually make her see that our relationship is fading away."
When Rachael returned from her trip, she was shocked by Beatrice's broken spirit. Beatrice's bright smile had vanished, replaced by a heartbreaking sadness that wrapped around her like a dark cloud. Rachael's voice was soft and gentle as she tried to reach out to her friend. "I knew he wouldn't show up," Rachael said, her words filled with sadness and concern. "Beatrice, can't you see that Keith doesn't care? He's always making excuses to stay away from you. He's avoiding you, and it's hurting you deeply. You deserve so much better than someone who doesn't appreciate you. Let's be real, we're all in the same youth corp program - we know how these things go. If Keith's too busy to even talk to you on the phone, something's not right. I think you should go to Lagos and find out what's going on. It's time to face the truth and move on
A spark of hope flickered to life within Beatrice as Rachael's words hung in the air. "That's a brilliant idea!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with renewed determination. "Thank you, Rachael - you're a true friend. I'm so sorry I didn't join you on your trip home; this weekend has been an endless stretch of loneliness and disappointment. Your presence was deeply missed." A warm smile spread across Rachael's face as she replied, "I missed you too, Beatrice! My trip was wonderful, though. I got to see my brother, and my parents were overjoyed to have me home. And guess what? My brother came back with me, and he's excited to meet you. He'll be stopping by this evening, so get ready!"
Beatrice's excitement was muted as she waited to meet Jared, but Rachael's glowing praise had sparked her curiosity. "Finally, I get to meet your amazing brother!" Beatrice exclaimed, her voice tinged with playful sarcasm as she rolled her eyes in a lighthearted way. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, anticipating the meeting.
That evening, a knock at the door broke the silence, heralding Jared's arrival. As Beatrice laid eyes on him, she was struck by his warm, sun-kissed smile that lit up the room. His eyes crinkled at the corners, exuding kindness and warmth. "Nice to meet you, Beatrice. My sister's told me so much about you," he said, his deep voice gentle and soothing. Beatrice's polite response, "Oh wow, I hope she told you nice things… it's Nice to meet you too," was tempered by a faint flutter in her stomach, a spark of awareness that caught her off guard.
Jared, on the other hand, was instantly captivated by Beatrice's radiant beauty. His heart skipped a beat as he found himself irretrievably drawn to her. Her bright smile, her shining eyes, and her silky hair all combined to leave him breathless.
Jared couldn't shake off the feeling that Beatrice was someone extraordinary. He was stuck on her, and his mind was flooded with thoughts of her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. He begged Rachael, "Please, sis, I need to see her again! I feel a strong connection with her." Rachael raised an eyebrow, her voice firm but playful. "Slow down, bro! You just met her, and you're already crazy about her? My friend is off-limits, got it?"
Jared's face turned serious, his eyes shining with excitement. "I know it sounds weird," he said, his voice filled with emotion, "but when I saw Beatrice, it felt like the whole room stopped. I felt a jolt in my heart, and I knew I had to get to know her better. I promise to be genuine and respectful; I won't play games with her feelings. I like her, Rachael, and I think she's special."
"Trust me, bro, you're preaching to the choir!" Rachael exclaimed, a proud grin spreading across her face like a sunrise. "I've been telling you, my friend is amazing!" Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and her voice was infused with a hint of "I told you so." Jared's lips curved into a warm smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he nodded in agreement.
"But where is this pride coming from?" Jared teased, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Your friend is amazing, but let's be real, you're a pain in the butt!" Rachael erupted into a fit of giggles, her laughter echoing through the room. Though Jared's words were meant in jest, Rachael caught a glimpse of sincerity in his eyes, a spark that hinted at his genuine feelings for Beatrice.
As Rachael's laughter subsided, she turned to Jared with a thoughtful expression. "I'll talk to Beatrice for you, but not right now. Give me some time, okay?" Jared's face lit up with a hopeful smile, and he playfully nudged Rachael. "Thanks, sis! I owe you one!"
As night fell, Beatrice's mind drifted back to happy memories of her time with Keith. Their four-year relationship had been filled with laughter and joy. She remembered thinking, "He's the one I want to spend forever with." Tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled his promises: "I love you more than anything." She felt lost without him like a part of her was missing.
The thought of losing him felt like a heavy weight crushing her. She remembered how they used to be inseparable, how he made her feel like she was home. Now, the memory of his smile, his laugh, and his loving eyes felt like a distant dream, one that she desperately wanted to hold onto.
Keith had introduced Beatrice to his family, and they loved her like one of their own. They had big plans for their future together, talking for hours about their dreams. They imagined their perfect wedding, their kids' names, and their lives after serving in the NYSC program. Everything seemed bright and exciting.
But then, being apart took a toll on their relationship. "Keith's changed so much," Beatrice thought, sadness filling her heart. "He used to call me all the time, and we'd talk forever. What happened to us?" She felt a pang of determination. She would visit Keith in Lagos, just like Rachael suggested. Beatrice wiped away her tears, took a deep breath, and steeled herself for what was to come.
A few days later, Beatrice made up her mind to visit Keith in Lagos. Her friend Rachael was super supportive and even bought her a plane ticket. Rachael went with her to the airport and gave her a big hug before saying goodbye.
When Beatrice landed in Lagos, she felt a mix of emotions. She got into a taxi and started her journey to Keith's place. Her heart was beating fast with excitement and a little fear. Just then, her phone rang. It was her mom. "Hey sweetie, how are you?" her mom asked, sounding happy and cheerful.
"I'm fine, Mom," Beatrice replied, trying to sound happy too. "Where are you?" her mom asked. Beatrice took a deep breath before answering. "I'm in Lagos, Mom. I came to see Keith." Her mom's voice changed to a softer tone. "It's been a while since you've seen him, right?" Beatrice's voice was filled with sadness. "Yes, Mom...it has."
Her mom sounded worried. "Does Keith know you're in Lagos?" Beatrice didn't want to lie, but she didn't want to tell the truth either. "Yes, Mom," she said quietly. Her mom's voice was full of love. "Be careful, okay? Take care of yourself and be good." Then she hung up. Beatrice was left alone in the taxi, wondering what would happen when she saw Keith.
An hour later, Beatrice was still sitting in the back of the taxi, surrounded by the sights and sounds of Lagos. She looked out the window and saw colorful stalls and busy streets whizzing by. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Keith.
Even though she had tried calling him all morning, Keith's phone remained silent. Each time he didn't answer, Beatrice felt her confidence slipping away. She began to feel desperate and decided to call a friend from school who lived in Lagos. Luckily, her friend was happy to help and quickly sent over Keith's exact address in a flurry of text messages.
Finally, Beatrice arrived at a cozy lounge for young graduates- Youth Corpers. The building looked warm and welcoming, with lively chatter coming from inside. Beatrice's heart beat faster as she approached the door. She hesitated for a moment before knocking. The sound echoed in her ears.
To her surprise, when the door opened, it was Amanda—Keith's new girlfriend—standing there. Amanda looked shocked and curious, her eyebrows raised in surprise. The two women stared at each other, the air feeling thick with tension. Beatrice's mind was racing with thoughts about what this meant.