A Thought That Won’t Leave
788 Words
The car moved smoothly along the quiet, well-paved road, far away from the noise and chaos of Aba’s busy streets.
Inside, Isabella leaned back against the soft leather seat, staring out the window.
But she wasn’t seeing the houses.
Or the trees.
Or the people.
She was seeing him.
“Daniel…” she whispered softly.
“Madam?” the driver’s voice interrupted.
She blinked.
“Yes?”
“We’re almost home.”
“Oh… okay.”
She adjusted her posture, trying to shake off the strange feeling in her chest. It didn’t make sense. It was just a brief encounter—a random boy selling water on the street.
So why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?
The car pulled into a large compound, the gates opening automatically. The mansion stood tall and elegant, surrounded by expensive cars and perfectly trimmed lawns.
Home.
But it didn’t feel like it.
As soon as she stepped out, a voice called from inside.
“Isabella!”
She sighed quietly.
Her mother.
“Where have you been?” Mrs. Williams asked, walking toward her in a fitted gown. “You’re late.”
“Traffic,” Isabella replied calmly.
Her mother narrowed her eyes slightly.
“You should have left earlier. You know your father doesn’t like delays.”
“I know, Mom.”
Just then, her father’s voice echoed from the living room.
“Is she back?”
“Yes,” her mother answered.
“Send her in.”
Isabella took a deep breath before walking inside.
Her father sat on a large chair, reading documents, his expression serious as always.
“Good morning, Dad.”
He didn’t look up immediately.
“You’re late.”
“I’m sorry.”
He finally raised his head.
“Sorry doesn’t fix discipline.”
Isabella lowered her gaze slightly.
“Yes, Dad.”
There was a pause.
Then he continued.
“You’re meeting the Okafor family this weekend.”
She looked up, confused.
“The Okafors?”
“Yes. Their son just returned from abroad. A very successful young man.”
Isabella’s stomach tightened.
“And?” she asked carefully.
Her father looked at her directly.
“And you’ll be spending time with him.”
Silence.
Then—
“I’m not interested,” she said quietly.
Her mother gasped.
“Isabella!”
Her father’s expression hardened.
“This is not about interest. It’s about your future.”
“I have a future,” she replied, her voice still calm but firmer now.
“A future we are building for you,” he snapped.
She hesitated, then said softly,
“I don’t want to marry someone just because of money.”
Her father laughed coldly.
“Love?” he said. “Is that what you think life is about?”
Isabella didn’t answer.
Because she didn’t even know anymore.
All she knew was that something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
“Enough,” her father said. “You will meet him. That’s final.”
She nodded slowly.
“Yes, Dad.”
But inside, her heart resisted.
⸻
Later that evening, Isabella sat alone in her room, staring at her phone.
She had everything.
A beautiful room.
Expensive clothes.
A powerful family.
So why did she feel… empty?
She sighed and lay back on her bed.
And then, without trying—
Daniel’s face appeared in her mind again.
The way he spoke.
The way he refused the money.
The way he looked at her—not with fear, not with greed… but with honesty.
She sat up suddenly.
“This is crazy,” she muttered.
She didn’t even know him.
But somehow…
He felt more real than everything around her.
Her best friend, Ada, walked in without knocking.
“You’re quiet today,” Ada said, dropping her bag. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
Ada raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t lie. I know you.”
Isabella hesitated.
Then she said quietly,
“I met someone today.”
Ada’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Wait—what? Who?”
Isabella smiled slightly, almost shy.
“Just… someone.”
“Rich?” Ada asked quickly.
Isabella shook her head.
“No.”
Ada paused.
“Then?”
“He sells pure water.”
Silence.
Ada blinked.
“Come again?”
Isabella laughed softly.
“I know how it sounds.”
Ada sat down beside her.
“And you’re thinking about him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Isabella looked away, her voice softer now.
“Because he’s different.”
Ada studied her carefully.
“You like him?”
Isabella didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she whispered—almost to herself—
“I don’t even know him…”
Then after a pause—
“But I want to.”
- Writer
