Life was a series of choices. Some were small, like what to eat for breakfast. Others were life-altering, shaping the future in ways that couldn't be undone.
Akutu had reached a point where she could no longer avoid making big decisions.
And each one carried its own weight.
The first decision came with Kwame.
After weeks of uncertainty, she finally found the courage to face her feelings.
One evening, they sat beneath a tree on campus, the air thick with unspoken words.
"Kwame," she said softly, "I've been scared."
He turned to her, waiting.
"But I don't want fear to decide for me anymore." She met his gaze. "I want to give this a chance."
A slow smile spread across his face. "Me too."
That night, as they walked hand in hand, Akutu realized something.
Love wasn't about guarantees.
It was about choosing someone, every single day, despite the uncertainties.
And she had made her choice.
The second decision came with her career.
After her story was published, more opportunities came knocking—writing gigs, collaborations, even an invitation to a national literary conference.
But another path had appeared, too. One of her professors had recommended her for a corporate job in communications. It was stable, well-paying, and respectable.
The safe choice.
For days, she agonized over it. Writing was her passion, but stability was tempting.
One evening, she called her mother.
"What do you think I should do?" Akutu asked.
Her mother was silent for a moment. Then she said, "My dear, I spent most of my life making 'safe' choices. But looking back, I wish I had asked myself: What makes me feel alive?"
Akutu closed her eyes.
She already knew the answer.
The next morning, she sent an email declining the corporate offer.
And just like that, she had chosen herself.
The biggest decision, however, came with her future.
Graduation was around the corner, and for the first time, Akutu wasn't afraid of what came next.
She had chosen love.
She had chosen passion.
And now, she would choose to step into the unknown with confidence.
As she stood at the edge of the campus, looking out at the city ahead, she whispered to herself,
"I'm ready."
The pulleys of life had shifted once again.