Chapter Two – Unspoken Feelings
Temi hadn't stopped thinking about that message. The way Ade said "no woman has ever done that for me" echoed in her mind like a love song stuck on repeat. She didn't know why it touched her so deeply — maybe it was the way his voice sounded when he said it, or maybe it was the soft gratitude in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat.
That night, she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling fan as it hummed. She tried to sleep, but her mind was busy comparing the three names in her life like lyrics to an unfinished song.
Mahrez — her first love. The one who came in like a whirlwind, made her feel butterflies with just a look. But he had disappeared. And when he came back, all he brought was a cold truth: "I tried calling and texting for days, but you didn't answer… so I stopped."
Still, a part of her remembered how he used to hold her hand, gently, like he never wanted to let go.
Justice — a different story. More physical. He gave her attention, but something was always missing. His love felt one-sided, like she was pouring herself into a cup that had a hole. He never gave, only took. No calls. No check-ins. Just sex and silence. Temi was tired of feeling like a placeholder in someone else's life.
And then, Ade. The calm in her chaos. He didn't have much, but what he gave, he gave with heart. He made her feel safe. She could play, laugh, tease him, fight and still fall asleep on his chest. It was natural. He made her feel seen — not just wanted, but truly understood.
---
The next day, she picked up her phone and opened WhatsApp. No messages from Mahrez. Again. She frowned but didn't feel sad. Not anymore.
Instead, Ade had sent her a good morning text.
> Ade 💚: "Good morning my sunshine 🌞. I hope you slept well. I just dey think about you oo."
She smiled — not because the message was sweet, but because it was simple… and it came without pressure.
Temi got up, brushed her hair, and sat by the mirror. She looked at herself differently now — not as someone confused between men, but as someone learning how to love herself first.
Her phone buzzed again.
> Justice: "You fit come later today?"
She didn't reply. She read the message, then locked her screen. No "hi," no "how are you." Just the same selfish energy. She deserved more.
---
That evening, Temi went to see Ade. He had cooked something small — just noodles and egg — but he served it like it was a king's feast.
"You don't know how much I appreciate you," he said, watching her eat. "You care for me in ways I never expected. No girl has ever done that."
Temi looked up at him. The room was quiet. Her chest felt warm. She wasn't sure if it was love yet — but whatever it was, it felt real.
"I like making you happy," she said softly, almost like a whisper. "Because you make me feel safe."
He stood up, walked over, and kissed her forehead gently. "You don't know what you mean to me."
For the first time in a long
while, Temi didn't feel confused.
She felt sure.