it was a Wednesday afternoon, and Kwabena was in his usual spot at the university seated in the cafeteria, his textbooks open but his mind far from the equations in front of him. He was thinking about Manda, who was meeting him for dinner later that evening. They had talked about wedding plans, life together, and all the little dreams they had postponed during their time apart.
But that afternoon, everything shifted when Rita walked in.
Rita was a familiar face from his past. A former crush. The girl he had secretly admired during his earlier years in the university but had never worked up the nerve to approach. They'd spoken a few times brief conversations, nothing significant. But Kwabena had always wondered about her, about what could have been.
Rita hadn't been around for the past few months. In fact, Kwabena hadn't seen her since before he left for Hungary. So when she walked in her long hair cascading over her shoulder, her smile still as radiant as it used to be his heart skipped a beat.
The Encounter
Kwabena had just taken a sip of his drink when Rita spotted him from across the room.
She froze for a moment, then walked toward him, her steps steady but uncertain. He rose to greet her, trying to mask the surprise.
"Kwabena," she said, her voice soft but clear. "It's been a while."
"It really has. I didn't expect to see you today. How've you been?" he asked, trying to sound casual as he motioned for her to sit.
Rita hesitated but then slid into the chair opposite him.
"I've been… okay," she said, fiddling with the strap of her purse. "I actually came back to
campus a few weeks ago, but you were away. I was meaning to reach out, but…"
Kwabena raised an eyebrow.
"But what?"
She took a deep breath, visibly gathering her courage.
"But I was waiting for the right moment. To talk to you."
The Confession
Rita looked down at the table for a moment, then back up at Kwabena, her eyes filled with vulnerability.
"I don't know how to say this, but… I think I've always had feelings for you. I never told you, not back then, because I was too shy. I always thought you were… out of my league." She paused, her hands now clenched together. "But I've watched you for a while, Kwabena. I've seen you grow, and I just… I really like you. I know you've been gone for a while, but... I was hoping… maybe… we could start over? See where this could go?"
Kwabena was stunned. He hadn't expected this not after everything that had happened with Manda. His mind raced as Rita waited for a response, her hands shaking slightly, as though she feared rejection.
Kwabena's Response
For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Rita's words hung in the air like an unsolved equation one that he wasn't sure how to solve.
But then, he thought about Manda their love, their promise to each other. Manda was the one who had been there for him when he was at his lowest. She was the one he had come back for, the one he wanted a future with.
"Rita," he said finally, his voice steady but sincere, "I'm flattered, truly. But I have to be honest.
I'm in love with someone else. Someone I've been through a lot with. I came back for her. I've made promises to her."
Rita's face fell, but she didn't look devastated. Instead, she gave him a small, understanding smile.
"I figured as much," she replied softly. "I just needed to say it. To let you know that I… I never stopped feeling this way."
Kwabena smiled gently, relieved but also empathetic toward her.
"Thank you for being honest with me, Rita. I really appreciate it. And I hope we can still be friends."
Rita nodded, standing up from the table.
"Of course," she said, her smile a little sad but genuine. "Take care, Kwabena. I'm happy for you and… her."
The Aftermath
As Rita walked away, Kwabena sat back in his chair, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His heart wasn't torn, but there was an undeniable sense of guilt. He had always wondered about Rita, but now that she had confessed her feelings, it only reinforced what he already knew: his heart belonged to Manda.
That evening, as he sat across from Manda, he couldn't help but feel the weight of what had just happened. The temptation of the past had appeared, but he had made his choice. And Manda was
his future. They spent the evening talking, laughing, and making plans. And when they said goodnight,
Kwabena leaned in and kissed her, deeply a kiss that promised more than words ever could. A kiss that said, "I'm all yours, and no one else compares."