ONCE WE WERE US

SEED OF DOUBT

The drive home was peaceful. Soft music played through the speakers as the evening traffic crawled through the streets of Nairobi. Orange and purple hues pointed the sky while the city slowly settled into the night. For a while, neither Daisy nor Kelvin spoke. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was the kind that came naturally between two people who no longer felt the need to fill every moment with words. Kelvin glanced at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road.

"You look tired."

Daisy smiled."It was busy today. Mondays are always like that."

"I can imagine."

She leaned back in her seat. "What about you? How was work?" Kelvin let out a slow breath. " We had another rehearsal for next week's presentation."

"The big project?"

"Yeah."

"And?" He shrugged.

"My supervisor says I'm improving."

"But?"

"But I keep thinking I'll forget something when the real presentation comes." Daisy laughed softly.

"I've noticed something about you "

"Oh?"

"You are your own biggest critic." Kelvin smiled.

"Maybe."

"You work hard, Kelvin. Trust yourself." He looked at her for a second, warmth filling his eyes.

"You always know what to say."

"I don't."

"You do."

Her cheeks warmed slightly and she looked out of the window to hide her smile. They stopped outside Daisy's apartment building. She reached for the door handle before turning back.

"Thank you for the ride "

"Anytime." She hesitated.

"And ....good luck with the presentation." Kelvin chuckled.

"I think you've wished me luck about a million times already."

"I'm making sure one of them works. He laughed.

"I'll let you know." She stepped out of the car but paused before closing the door.

"Good night, Kelvin."

"Good night, Daisy."

She walked toward the apartment entrance without looking back. Kelvin waited until she disappeared inside before driving away. Neither of them noticed the silver Sedan parked half a block away. Vanessa lowered the camera she had been using to watch them. Her expression remained unreadable.

"So ," she whispered, " you're already walking her home ." Melissa, sitting beside her, folded her arms.

"Still I think you're taking this too far." Vanessa scrolled through the photos she had secretly taken. Pictures of Daisy smiling. Pictures of Kelvin looking at Daisy. Pictures if them laughing inside the car.

"No," Vanessa said quietly.

"I'm just protecting what is mine " Melissa sighed.

"Kelvin stopped being yours a long time ago." Vanessa's jaw tightened.

"He just doesn't remember it yet."

The next afternoon, Daisy was serving customers during the lunch rush when Grace nudged her gently.

"Someone's here to see you." Daisy looked toward the entrance. Her smile faded. Vanessa stood near the door, dressed elegantly as always. Several customers glanced in her direction. Vanessa smiled politely.

"May I speak with Daisy for a moment?" Grace looked between the two women.

"I can cover the counter." Daisy nodded uncertainly before walking outside. The afternoon breeze carried the scent of roasted coffee from the cafe. Vanessa folded her sunglasses and smiled.

"I hope I'm not interrupting." Daisy remained cautious.

"What do you want?"

"I wanted to apologize." Daisy frowned.

"For what happened the other day." Her tone sounded sincere.

"I know I came across.... emotionally."

"You were arguing with Kelvin."

"I was "

Vanessa lowered her eyes briefly.

"Breakups make people behave in ways they're not proud of."

Daisy stayed silent.

"I don't blame you."

"You don't?" Vanessa shook her head.

"If I were in your position, I'd probably think Kelvin had completely moved on too." The sentence felt strangely deliberate . Daisy's heart skipped.

"What do you mean?" Vanessa smiled sadly.

"We were together for four years." She let the words settle.

"We talked about marriage." Another pause.

"We even picked names for our future children.'

Daisy's fingers curled slightly at her sides. Vanessa watched every tiny reaction.

"I loved him very much."

"And he loved me." Daisy finally spoke.

"If that's true... why did you break up?" For the first time, Vanessa looked away.

"I made mistakes." Her voice softened.

"The biggest mistake of my life."

She looked back at Daisy.

"I've changed."

"I just want another chance."Daisy searched her face, unsure whether to believe her.

"I can't make that decision for him."

"I know." Vanessa smiled again.

"But maybe.....'

She stepped a little closer.

"........you could stop standing between us ." The air suddenly felt heavier.

"I'm not standing between anyone."

"Aren't you?"

"You and Kelvin spend a lot of time together."

"We are friends." Vanessa gave a faint smile.

"Friendships have a way of becoming something else." Daisy's voice remained calm .

"If Kelvin wants to be with you, that's his choice."

"It is." Vanessa nodded.

"I just hope you won't make it harder for him."

Without waiting for another reply, Vanessa turned and walked away. Daisy stood frozen outside the cafe. Her thoughts swirled.

Marriage.

Four years together.

Future plans.

Those weren't small memories. For the first time since meeting Kelvin, doubt quietly found its way into her heart. That evening, Kelvin called as usual. When Daisy answered he immediately noticed the difference.

"You sound quiet."

"I'm just tired."

"Long day?"

"...... Yeah." There was a brief silence.

"Daisy?"

"Hmm?"

"Did something happen?"

She almost told him. She almost mentioned Vanessa.

Instead, she forced a small laugh.

"No, everything is fine."

Kelvin wasn't convinced.But before he could ask another question, Daisy changed the subject.

"So.......have you finished preparing for your presentation?" He answered, though a lingering feeling settled in his chest. Something had changed. He just didn't know what.

Far across the city, Vanessa stood on the balcony of the apartment, looking out at Nairobi's glittering skyline. A satisfied smile touched her lips . She hadn't broken them apart.

Not yet .

But she had planted the first seed of doubt.

And sometimes, she knew, doubt could be far more dangerous than lies.