Written by Melisa had always lived by the values instilled in her by her Hausa and Yoruba roots. Her family’s strict traditions and deep commitment to Islam had been her guiding principles since childhood. Betrothed to Salim, a family friend, Melisa accepted her path, respecting her family’s wishes and Salim’s place in her future.
However, fate had other plans. In her early twenties, Melisa was offered a rare opportunity—a chance to work as a PR assistant to Timmy, a dynamic and demanding director at a global brand. She took the position with excitement but never expected that working with Timmy would change her life so profoundly.
Timmy, a Christian and proud of his Igbo heritage, was busy and driven. He needed someone who could keep pace with his fast, intense schedule, someone capable yet grounded. Melisa’s gentle demeanour, steadfast dedication, and natural empathy captivated him almost immediately. She listened intently, anticipated his needs, and handled every crisis with calm professionalism. Her sincerity and warmth won Timmy over in a way he hadn’t expected. As weeks turned into months, the two grew close, sharing late nights, stories, and an unspoken understanding that felt almost sacred.
But while Timmy’s heart began to open to Melisa, she wrestled with her own feelings. The friendship she shared with him felt safe and natural, yet Timmy awakened a tenderness in her that she hadn’t experienced before. Despite the pull, Melisa kept her distance, torn by her deep respect for her family’s wishes and her engagement to Salim.
Timmy, on the other hand, struggled as his love for Melisa deepened. He ended his own relationship, hoping that one day, he might share his true feelings with her. But before he could, a misunderstanding sparked a sudden fallout. Melisa and Timmy’s once-strong connection unravelled, and the work relationship came to a painful, abrupt end. Heartbroken and feeling as if her dreams had been dashed, Melisa retreated. Soon after, she married Salim, resigning herself to the future she’d once accepted without question.
But marriage didn’t settle Melisa’s heart as she’d hoped. She found herself thinking of Timmy, her feelings refusing to fade, haunting her in quiet moments. Memories of their closeness and the trust she had in him lingered, and her commitment to Salim felt like a weight that could not completely erase her lingering love.
Timmy, now alone, felt her absence like a wound that wouldn’t heal. He tried to move on, but Melisa’s kindness, laughter, and the bond they shared haunted him, no matter how he tried to distract himself. Months passed, yet his heart still held her, his love unshaken despite the circumstances.
Both Melisa and Timmy remained caught in the delicate web of their choices, bound by loyalty, values, and an unfulfilled love. Neither could resolve their hearts fully, tied by an invisible thread and the echoes of a connection that would always linger just out of reach. Months passed, but the quiet corners of Melisa’s heart remained restless. The life she shared with Salim was calm, predictable, and kind. He respected her deeply, understanding the values she held dear and honouring their shared history. Salim had always been a steady presence, and Melisa appreciated him, even admired his gentleness. Yet, her heart never quite settled. She went through each day with a weight she couldn’t name, one she tried to dismiss as nostalgia. But Timmy’s image haunted her—the laughter in his eyes, the gentleness that so effortlessly broke through his otherwise intense exterior. With Timmy, she had felt… seen in a way she couldn’t explain.
Timmy tried his best to heal. He focused on his work, travelled more, and invested in new projects. But despite his best efforts, Melisa’s absence left an ache he couldn’t ignore. He spent his nights wrestling with memories, wondering if he had let something extraordinary slip through his fingers. He had never felt so close to anyone, and though he respected her decisions, his heart refused to move on.