“Aisha, meet Joy, my Fiancée, Joy meet Aisha, my good buddy”…At this point, I lost all sense of reasoning. How did I let such humiliation happen right before my very eyes? It was one thing that he managed to escape answering my question, but here I was getting the answer I so desired, yet I couldn’t just take it. Was something wrong with me?
This was part of the many reasons I decided to stay single for many years. I had seen heartbreak, and though I hadn’t experienced one before, I had seen the effect it had on my friends and those that were close to me. When Paul came into my life, I tried to fight the feelings I began to experience, but he was too charming to let go.
He knew how to make me happy, and he was caring to a fault. I remember the day I had an emergency pertaining to ulcer, he rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, just to make sure I was ok. Who would have such a thoughtful person around, and not fall in love?
That was why I decided to nurture the friendship, hoping that it would blossom into something true and pure, but apparently, Paul had other plans. Right there in his living room, I thought of many ways to take my life, but as the thoughts came, I grew an even stronger resolve to live and make him pay for what he did.
I eventually mustered the courage to get up and take my leave. I must have muttered something because I saw his lips move but anger had blocked my hearing. I excused myself and got into my car which was parked just opposite his house gate. I knew I couldn’t drive home in that state, but for dignity sake, I drove a few blocks away, parked and began to cry.
I must have slept off crying because his call was what woke me up about 5 hours later. I checked the time from my watch and saw it was 10:30 pm. I quickly hit the ignition and began my journey back home. Throughout the journey from his house to mine, he kept calling. I was pissed and happy at the same time. 
While I had a feeling he wanted to apologize, something else told me he was calling to spite me further. I decided not to pick the call until I got home safe. Immediately I got home, he was the first person I called. Hearing his voice, sent shivers down my spine. Gosh! I was in love and obsessed at the same time. I couldn’t believe I was talking to someone that practically broke my heart a few hours ago.
After asking if I had gotten home safely, he began to beg. This was where the anger in me arose. He told me immediately he saw me leaving, it felt like I took a part of him away, and he knew I wouldn’t want to talk to him again after what had happened. I calmed down and asked him why he decided to lead me on. He mentioned that he just wanted to keep the friendship we shared, and he didn’t know how to tell me he had someone he had proposed marriage to.
I was sad. How could I have let this happen for a whole year? The next thing he said was what gave me hope…
TO BE CONTINUED…
