Love to Marriage

THE EVENING THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

The evening air around the Balme Library always had a particular feel. It was cool, almost too calm, as if the campus itself held its breath for the thousands of students pouring over notes, laptops, and textbooks, hoping to squeeze knowledge into tired brains before dawn. That day was no different.

I sat alone near one of the tall windows on the upper floor. My books were spread open in front of me, but my mind kept drifting. It wasn’t like I wasn’t trying; the words on the pages were just blurring into each other, mixing with the exhaustion of the semester and the buzzing excitement of campus life.

Still, I forced myself to focus. I wanted good grades. I wanted to make my parents proud. I wanted to prove to myself that I could stay disciplined no matter what.

Then, as if on cue, my phone vibrated under the table. At first, I ignored it because calls inside the library were prohibited and besides, I wasn’t expecting anyone important. When it ranged again, I glanced down and noticed it was Ryan. My brows lifted slightly. Why was he calling at this time? Still, I didn’t pick. The place was silent, and the last thing I needed was the librarian’s eyes burning holes in my back. So I placed the phone face-down and continued reading. He called again, this time, a one-minute call.

I sighed. Something told me it wasn’t one of those “just checking up” calls. He didn’t give that energy. He never called repeatedly unless something was serious. So I quietly gathered my bag, whispered a quick “Sorry” to the girl sitting across from me when she glanced up, and tiptoed out of the library.

The night outside felt colder than usual as I stepped onto the pavement. The lights along the Balme walkway flickered faintly, as though they were tired too. I walked a little distance from the door before answering.

“Hello?”

His voice came instantly, a little too eager, a little too breathless.

“Sylvie, finally. I’ve been calling you.”

“I was in the library,” I said. “You know we’re not supposed to receive calls inside.”

“Oh, okay, okay.” He exhaled loudly. “I’m just umm, I’m done with my exams.”

“Oh, really?” My tone softened a bit. “Congrats.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Then he paused, and the silence stretched. “I’m going home tomorrow.”

“Safe journey then,” I said, not understanding why his tone sounded so heavy.

Sylvie”, he drew in a breath. “I want to see you before I leave.”

My heartbeat stuttered, “Tonight?”

“Yes, please. Can you come to my hostel? Just for a short time.”

I looked around. The campus street was quiet and almost empty. The thought alone made my stomach twist.

“No, Ryan. I can’t come to your hostel at this time. It’s far, and I don’t like going out at night. You know things are happening in town, young girls and boys missing, strange stories, I’m not taking that risk.”

“I know, I know,” he said softly. “But I really want to see you. I mean it.”

“Ryan, you go home tomorrow. Next semester, we’ll see each other. It’s not like you’re disappearing forever.”

“But I want to see you now,” he insisted. “Please.”

I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “You’re stressing me out.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I don’t want to be a bother. I just ...I don’t know. I feel like if I don’t see you tonight, I’ll lose you.”

There was something desperate in his voice, something fragile. But still, I didn’t want to go to Bani at night.

“Ryan, I said I can’t come to your hostel.”

“Okay, okay… then let’s meet somewhere else.” He paused. “We can meet at one of the lecture halls. It’s closer to your side. I will come there, please.”

I thought about it for a moment. That seemed safer, public and familiar.

“Fine,” I said finally. “One of the lecture halls is okay.”

His relief came through the phone like a warm breath. “Thank you, I’m already walking there.”

“You’re already… what? Ah, you didn’t even ask if I had agreed.”

He laughed softly. “I knew you’d say yes.”

“Hmmm,” I said. “Let me walk there.”

I hung up, tightened my grip on my bag, and headed toward the lecture block. The path was bright, with students moving here and there. It felt safe. Still, my steps quickened.

When I got there, I stood still, looked around and saw no one.

I called him.

“Where are you? I can’t see you.”

“I’m here,” he said. “Turn to your left.”

I turned, and there he was, standing a little distant away.

His face lit up when he saw me. And for a moment, I felt something warm in my chest.

When he reached me, he didn’t even try to hide his excitement.

“Sylvie.”

“Ryan.”

We walked toward one of the lecture hall benches and sat. And then something strange happened, something I didn’t expect.

He sat so close. His arm brushed mine and he leaned into me as if we had known each other for years.

At one point, he gently placed his head on my shoulder. I froze.

In my head I was shouting;

What is this boy doing?

Outwardly, I said quietly, “Ryan, why are you so close?”

He lifted his head just enough to look at me, eyes soft, voice low. “Because I feel comfortable with you.”

“But this is just our second time meeting,” I said, genuinely confused.

“I know,” he whispered. “But when a person sees what he wants, he knows.”

I blinked.

“Ah. So soon?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t even hesitate.

I laughed awkwardly.

“Ryan, I’m not ready for a relationship, please.”

“I won’t disturb your academics, if that's what is in your mind ” he said quickly. “I promise. Let me just be in your life.”

“Okay, let me think about it, then” I insisted.

“There’s nothing to think about,” he replied. “I’m serious. I don’t want to lose you.”

“Ah, Ryan. Relax, ” I muttered. “I don’t even know you well.”

He smiled softly.

“Don't worry, we'll know each other as time goes on. Let’s walk toward the market side.”

I hesitated. It was still safe. Students were everywhere. So I nodded.

We walked slowly, talking about school, hobbies, random things. It felt natural, too natural. At one point, we stopped near the side of the market, facing each other under one of the trees.

Then he leaned slightly forward.

My heart jumped.

“Ryan!”

“What?”

“You… you want to kiss me?”

He looked confused.

“But why not? You’re my…”

“No,” I said firmly. “Not today. This is our first meeting so calm down.”

“Why? You don’t like me?”

“It’s not about liking,” I said. “I don’t do that.”

His face frowned slightly, but he nodded.

“Okay. I’ll wait. Just give me a positive answer, please”.

I rolled my eyes.

“Don't worry about that .”

He laughed and we walked back. Before we parted, he asked:

“Please, can you come to my place tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?” I raised my brow. “For what?”

“You’ve seen me now, so you know I’m not a ghost.”

I burst into laughter.

“Fine, I’ll think about it.”

But somehow, I ended up going.

THE NEXT DAY

His room at Bani Hostel felt unexpectedly warm and neat. His scent filled the room; mild, clean and warm. We talked and talked and talked.

Before I realized it, the sky had gone dark.

“Oh, it’s late,” I whispered.

He looked at me gently.

“Sleep over.”

“Sleep over?” I repeated, shocked.

“Yes. Nothing will happen okay. I won’t touch you, just rest.”

Against every rule I had for myself, I agreed.

That night, nothing happened indeed.

But we talked, laughed and played like two silly children. I even found myself pushing him jokingly, then laughing, then letting him pull me back.

At some point I stopped and asked myself;

Is everything okay with me? Did he charm me? Because I'm not like that.

The other days were the same, conversations that stretched into the night, calls, texts, laughter. He went home eventually, leaving me alone on campus.

But the calls continued, the morning texts, the goodnight messages, the unexpected mobile money alerts “for breakfast”, the occasional food deliveries etc.

Slowly…somehow..without understanding how…I said yes to his proposal.

But afterward, I kept asking myself;

How did I accept this guy’s proposal so easily? Me? Hard girl? Me who said I won’t date in school? Me who came here to focus on my books? How?

I didn’t have the answer. But I knew one thing; Something had begun, Something that would stretch far beyond Legon, would change my life and shape the path from Love to Marriage.