The Hands I Trusted [Episode 3]

I stayed, Looking Stupid, I know.

Love makes you think you can pray someone back to who they were and that most times is not the case.

We met at Genesis, Ikeja City Mall.

“Why are you shouting, Amara?”

“Because you lied, Tunde.”

“You’re too emotional. Just like your mom. Always nagging.”

I was very pissed and not having it with him.

People turned to look. I wanted to sink.

Later at Chicken Republic, Allen, his colleagues saw us.

“Guy, who’s this?”

Tunde paused. “Oh, Amara. Friend from school.”

Friend?

After meeting my parents. After 4 years.

He started calling me names until I believed them.

“Needy.” “Insecure.” “Dramatic.” “You think you’re too fine.” Those words really hurt me and was shocked he said all that

I stopped telling Nkechi.

How do you say: “The guy who carried me during Burna’s concert now says I’m too much”?

I started shrinking.

Talking less. Needing less. Relating less.

My personality was affected and it did hurt so much

If being small would keep him, I’d do it.

One night he said, “You’re the reason I went to Bisi.”

And that was it.

I realized I was begging to be loved by someone who already left.