THIS THING CALLED LOVE

CHAPTER1

Adrian stood at the foot of the stairs, his gaze fixed on the bedroom door upstairs. “Babe, please be fast, or you’ll miss your bus,” he called out to his girlfriend, Lissa, his voice filled with a mix of urgency and tenderness. Today was an important day for her. She was heading to Port Harcourt for a critical business contract meeting, and every minute counted. From the bedroom, Lissa’s voice floated down, soft but filled with determination. “I’m coming, love! Just making sure I have all the files I need. I don’t want to forget anything!” Adrian smiled to himself, glancing at his wristwatch. It had only been a couple of minutes since she said that, but time felt like it was slipping away fast. As he waited, his thoughts wandered to Lissa, the woman who had brought so much joy and light into his life. He could never tire of admiring her. Soon, the sound of clicking heels broke through his thoughts. Lissa appeared at the top of the stairs, looking absolutely stunning. She was dressed immaculately, her tailored outfit hugging her figure in all the right places, her hair styled to perfection, and her heels making a distinct sound against the tiled floor as she descended toward him. Adrian’s breath caught for a moment, captivated by her beauty. It was as if time paused, and for a second, he forgot about the urgency of the day, lost in admiration. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, my love,” Lissa said, her voice carrying that sweet melodic tone he adored. She fluttered her long lashes at him, adding, “I just didn’t want to leave anything behind.” Adrian shook his head slightly, regaining focus. “It’s alright, love. I just don’t want you to miss your bus.” His words were soft, but the concern in his voice was real. She smiled at him, a warm smile that melted any hint of frustration or worry. Taking her hand gently in his, they walked to the car, their fingers interlocked, as if their hands knew no other way to be. The soft hum of the engine ignited as he turned the key, and soon they were on the road, heading to the bus park. The bus park was its usual hive of activity when they arrived. People moved in waves, a constant ebb and flow of travelers, vendors, and bystanders. The air was filled with chatter, car horns, and the occasional announcement from the loudspeakers. Adrian parked the car and accompanied Lissa to the waiting area. They sat together on a wooden bench, close enough to hear the bus announcements while watching the busy scene unfold around them. Lissa shifted in her seat, glancing at Adrian with a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “Baby, are you sure I’ll be able to get the contract?” she asked, her voice softer than usual. Adrian turned to her, giving her a reassuring smile as he pulled her into a comforting embrace. “Of course, love. You’re smart, beautiful, and incredibly competent. I trust you to get the job done.” His words were steady and calm, meant to ease the tension that had built up inside her. He kissed her forehead gently, the way he always did when he wanted to calm her nerves. She melted into him, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment of peace before the bus ride. “Thank you, baby. I love you,” Lissa whispered into his chest. “I love you too, sweetheart,” he whispered back, feeling the warmth of her affection against his skin. Moments later, the announcement came. Lissa’s bus was ready to board. They stood together, and Adrian watched as Lissa made her way to the coach. Just before stepping onto the bus, she turned back to him, blowing him a kiss and waving goodbye. He caught the kiss in the air, returning her wave as he stood by, watching her disappear into the twelve-seater SLT bus bound for Port Harcourt. Satisfied that she was safely on her way, Adrian got back into his car and drove home. His face beamed with a quiet contentment. He knew Lissa would excel at her meeting. She was the kind of woman who always gave her best and achieved what she set her mind to. His thoughts lingered on her as he drove, replaying the moments of the morning, the way she looked, the softness of her voice. He couldn’t wait to see her again. After breakfast, he flopped onto his velvet-colored sofa in the living room. The cushions were soft and inviting, and he let his body sink into them as he reached for the remote control. He switched on the television, flipping through channels before settling on the news. He had always been the type to stay informed about the world around him. One could never be too ignorant of their environment, he often thought. As if on cue, the newscaster's voice broke through his peaceful thoughts with an announcement that made his heart stop. “Unfortunately, an accident was recorded in the early hours of the day as a transport bus driving from Lagos to Port Harcourt collided with a trailer, killing all passengers on board.” Adrian’s chest tightened. His breathing faltered, and for a moment, he couldn’t move. Tiny beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, his body reacting to the news before his mind could fully process it. “No, it can’t be,” he muttered to himself, his voice shaky and uncertain. “It’s probably some other bus. It’s not Lissa’s.” But his hope shattered as the newscaster continued. “We’ve just received confirmation that the bus involved in the crash was an SLT transport bus.” Adrian’s world came crashing down around him. His heart slammed against his ribcage, pounding with such force it felt like it might break free. His head spun, and tears blurred his vision. That was the same bus Lissa had boarded. The remote slipped from his hand, hitting the floor with a dull thud, but he barely registered the sound. “No… no… it can’t be true. It just can’t be.” With trembling hands, he reached for his phone, desperately dialing Lissa’s number. The phone rang, but there was no answer. He tried again, each ring feeling like an eternity. His breathing became ragged, his chest heaving with each failed attempt to reach her. He called again and again, but the line remained unreachable. Panic set in, and his vision darkened as his legs gave way beneath him. He crumpled to the floor, his body wracked with sobs, his voice hoarse as he cried out her name in anguish. The pain was unbearable, the thought of losing her too much to handle. He screamed her name, hoping, praying, that somehow she would answer, that this nightmare would end. And then, with a sudden jolt, Adrian shot up in bed, his body drenched in sweat, his heart racing as though it would burst from his chest. He was panting, his eyes wide with terror, struggling to catch his breath. It had been a nightmare—a cruel, vicious nightmare. “F*ck,” he muttered to himself, his voice shaky as he wiped his forehead, trying to calm the wreckage his nerves had become. His chest heaved, his heart still pounding as he tried to steady his breathing. The room was dark and quiet, but the lingering emotions from the dream clung to him, suffocating him. Lissa was gone. It had been months since her death, but she haunted his dreams, her memory etched deeply into his soul. She had been everything to him, the love of his life, his fiancée. He had loved her with a depth he couldn’t put into words, and even now, he still loved her. But death had taken her from him, ripped her from his grasp, and no amount of time could erase that pain. His phone rang suddenly, cutting through the stillness and pulling him back to reality. It was Josh, his best friend. Adrian stared at the phone for a moment before picking it up, the familiar voice on the other end bringing him back from the dark corners of his mind. “Beautiful morning to the almost-newest groom in town!” Josh’s voice was bright and energetic. “I hope you’re up and ready. I’ll be with you shortly. Get ready, bro, and congratulations!” Adrian forced a smile, though it felt hollow. Today was his wedding day—the day he was supposed to be happy, the day he was to finally tie the knot and become a family man. But instead, he felt suffocated, trapped beneath the weight of his grief and the memory of Lissa. He groaned as he sat up, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His family had arranged this marriage with Edna, a kind and sweet woman, after he had spiraled into depression following Lissa’s death. Edna was everything a man could ask for, but Adrian’s heart was still tied to the woman he had lost. With a heavy sigh, he dragged himself out of bed and into the shower, hoping the cold water would clear his mind. Fifteen minutes later, he was dressed and nearly ready, slipping on his cufflinks when Josh walked into the room, dressed sharply in a black tuxedo, his sunglasses perched on his head. “Hey, man! Wow, you look great today!” Josh said, beaming. Adrian offered a faint smile. “Thanks,” he replied, his voice lacking its usual warmth. Josh frowned, noticing the coldness in Adrian’s demeanor. “What’s going on, bro? You look off. Today’s your wedding day—the happiest day of your life! Why aren’t you excited?” Adrian sighed, shrugging slightly. “I don’t know, man.