“He accepted me, not for who I was, but for who I had become. He showed me that love was not about pain but about healing.”
Love stories don’t always begin the way we expect. Some are full of joy, some take us through pain, and others bring us back to where we were always meant to be. This is my story—a story of first love, betrayal, heartbreak, and ultimately redemption.
A First Love That Turned Dark
Let me take you back to the moment I first stepped into the world of dating. I was both excited and nervous, unsure of what to expect. It all started when I decided to let someone into my life—a decision that would change me forever.
I was still in JSS3 when I met Femi. He was tall, handsome, and charming, and I felt like the luckiest person in the world. Our love was innocent, filled with butterflies and youthful excitement. Everything was perfect—until the day Femi texted me, saying he had something important to discuss.
We always had a special meeting spot, so we agreed to meet there. When I arrived, he handed me a sealed letter and asked me not to open it until I got home. Excited, I hugged him goodbye and rushed back home, eager to read his words.
But what I found inside left me in shock. A condom. And a letter demanding that we take our relationship to the next level.
I was angry, disgusted, and heartbroken. I tore the letter, burned the condom, and ignored him for months. I was young, a virgin, and terrified of the disappointment my parents would feel if they ever found out I had lost something so precious.
Months passed, and on October 28, 2019—my birthday—Femi reached out again, this time with a heartfelt apology and a gift. My heart softened. I missed him, and against my better judgment, I forgave him.
An image featuring a young African woman, symbolizing pain, betrayal, and redemption.
Betrayed and Broken
On November 5, 2019, he came to my street, playing football at a nearby field. He asked to meet up, and I agreed. When I arrived, he asked me to escort him home. I hesitated. I feared my mother’s reaction if she realized I was missing, but something in me told me to follow him.
When we reached his father’s house, I told him I needed to leave, but he insisted I come inside to greet his brother. Naïve and trusting, I followed.
What happened next still haunts me.
His brother offered me a drink. As soon as I took a sip, my body became weak and dizzy. I barely remember Femi locking the door and turning off the light before I blacked out.
When I woke up, I was in pain, weak, and confused. There were bloodstains on my body, and Femi was kneeling beside me, begging. My heart shattered into pieces. My worst nightmare had become my reality.
I dragged myself home, trying to hide my shame, but my mother saw the bloodstains and immediately knew something was wrong. She took me to the police station, where I told the officers everything. Femi was arrested that night.
His father later came to the station, pleading for forgiveness. In the end, we settled everything, but nothing could take away the pain, the shame, and the feeling of being lost. My world crumbled. My community mocked me, my self-worth vanished, and I couldn’t face the world anymore.
A New Beginning
For a long time, I shut everyone out. I convinced myself that all men wanted was to destroy me. I ignored every man that approached me and focused solely on my education. Love was no longer an option.
But fate had other plans. Years later, while schooling at Owo Polytechnic, I met someone—a man who saw beyond my scars. I told him everything—every painful detail, every moment of betrayal, every fear that still lingered in my heart.
And yet, he stayed. He accepted me, not for who I was, but for who I had become. He showed me that love was not about pain but about healing.
On February 13, 2023, I woke up to a commotion outside my door. I heard shouts—”Thief! Prostitute!” My heart raced as I stepped outside, only to feel someone grab my hand.
I turned—and there he was. My love. My future. My redemption. With a Valentine’s gift in one hand and a ring in the other, he knelt before me, asking me to be his forever.
Tears filled my eyes. For the first time in a long time, I thanked God for my life. My pain had led me here—to a man who truly loved me.
Today, I am happily married, a survivor of heartbreak, betrayal, and pain. But more than that, I am a woman who found love again—love that healed, love that restored, love that proved that true love still exists.
Happy Valentine’s Day – chrisini227@gmail.com
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1 Comment
Omo, amazing piece!