Beneath The Surface

A Disastrous Past

It all started back in 2021 after my disastrous relationship experiences in high school, I made a firm decision: no relationships until I had my life figured out. I was done with the drama, the heartbreak, and the distractions. My priority was making money and supporting my mom, who had sacrificed everything to raise me on her own.

I took after her in so many ways—her striking good looks, fair complexion, and gentle demeanor. She was the kind of beautiful that people noticed, and I was constantly reminded of her whenever someone complimented my looks.

By the time 2022 rolled around, I was ready for a fresh start. It was a tough recovery process. I remember the sleepless nights, days thst I’d cry myself to sleep and the nights where it felt like everything was already lost and I almost gave up.

After almost 6 months, her memories and betrayal were still haunting me. The way she kissed him, the way she looked at him and how she smiled at him. An eyes full of love. And that rainy night where everything shattered. It was a rough road but I was determined and I made it out.

I enrolled at the University of Ghana, Legon after I passed my final High School exams.

While most of my peers were scrambling to find their footing, I had already carved out a path for myself. I made a personal decision to not reside on campus because I needed my privacy and my mom supported it.

I found a decent apartment, a few distance away from campus. Although expensive, I was able to afford it thanks to online work, from which I was earning a decent income. Cause I mean, peace is expensive right?

The money I made was enough to support myself and my mom, and for the first time in a long time, life felt… stable. Comfortable, even. I had my focus on only education and work and nothing else.

I usually spent the weekends at home with my mom because she was my real peace of mind. I had deliberately distanced myself from most of my friends just to be on my own and with time, I had grown to love being alone.

At university, I gradually made new friends, both guys and girls, most of who approached me first. Although I accepted their friendship, I made sure to keep them at arms length. Most of them barely saw me on campus unless they bumped into me after class. I only came to campus, did what I had to do and go back. I’ve always been the type of person people feel comfortable around—polite, respectful, and a good listener but they only had that from me online.

Our friendship quickly progressed into a friend group of nine. By the end of our first year, we had formed a bond in the small group of friends. It was an exciting group but I was always reserved, especially when it came to in person meeting. Some of them even joked with questions like,

“Do you only like humans online?”

”Bruh, Are you a ghost?

’Cause nobody sees you at parties or outside, but you keep haunting us in this group like a legend who never sleeps”

And maybe, just maybe, they were right. I might have gradually turned into a ghost.

Our group was made up of five girls. I knew some of them had boyfriends. And one or two were even dating from our circle of friends. But to me, that was their life. I wasn’t in, and I didn’t care as long we got along.