Love Wreck

The start of every morning, since six months ago, meant fulfillment to Seyla Derek. The reality of meeting the absolute love of her life, her first, is such a great feat as he, John, embodies everything she has carefully drafted on her check list for a partner. Her idea of the checklist is to keep the fundamentals of her ideal partner intact. Also, at least he is exactly what her dad couldn't be to his wife, her mom. She thought she deserves a great start in the relationship world. This wasn't love at first sight but a daily transition from friends to lovers, unconsciously at first but intentionally, later. Both Seyla and John are faith based, religion rooted individuals, committed in their local churches, duly serving and occupying leadership positions. This relationship would mean modesty and getting it right in purpose, love and mutual respect, importantly, private. As the days go by, the butterflies get intense in both Seyla and John's stomach. What they share is phenomenal, interesting and seemed perfect for nosy individuals who had figured out their chemistry. Arik amidst many is an enemy disguised as a friend. She never liked Seyla because of her feminine, soft yet commanding aura. Arik wished she was as relevant as she is but her strengths isn't in active leadership. When she discovered a spark between Seyla and John, she knew she'd fight to end it. Arik kept marking their eye movements, body movements and times together. She'd try to spend some time with John after services. She'd hug him, tease him to affirm whether or not he liked Seyla, and hold down discussions on all her business ideas and trips. John indulged her to avoid hurting her or coming off as rude. Seyla wasn't pleased with this, but she didn't want to come off as insecure, so she mentioned it passively Well, as much as these people thought they were good together, it was nothing compared to the love they truly share, a love that can only be experienced: The comfort they are to each other, the reassurances and decision to keep showing up for each other, the text messages, creatively written, a masterpiece that'll come off beautifully on a sculptural template, the long conversations through the nights, a relentless effort for a great communication flow. These love birds became familiar with the whispers of the night. John would have a menstrual cycle kit box sent to Seyla just before the cramps begins every month. Seyla, constantly blown away by this intentional gifting acts, would jokingly say, “I don't want quality time no more, gift me more, my love”. What is even rare is that he updates her on every detail of his day, what he did, who he visited or who visited, what he eats, what activities he got engaged in, without having to let her ask for them. It meant everything to Seyla (well she thought so). Whenever he does this, which is usually frequent, it increases the level of trust and respect she has for John. Seyla’s friends knew every good stuff happening in her relationship as she wouldn't hesitate to share all the jollies on their chat. She loved this man so much and gosh, she was smitten, her skin glow is definitely not just skin care, it is internal love glow flowing inside-out and anyone could tell she was in love! Her friends, Vee and Tesla, definitely wanted what she had or at least that was a good standard to look forward to. It's seven days to Seyla’s birthday! An intentional partner like John, had it all planned out. He would gift her every into her birthday week. Day 1 unravels a cute mini box with a diamond set of jewelry. She had earlier sent a screenshot of this jewelry set to him, stating she'd be gifting that to herself by the end of the year. John listens! He made her dreams faster. I mean, that's what you get from a multimillion business mogul, generous boyfriend. Seyla wakes up the next day, rushes to her jewelry set that she has carefully placed on her rack. While basking in the euphoria of that, her door bell rings, she opens it to a delivery man, he hands her a bouquet of scented roses and a note that reads: Forever is the deal! She's all smiles as she dials John to express her gratitude. It's day 3, she's not expecting him to gift her everyday right? Just as she picks up her phone to move her body to her favourite jazz music, she receives a notification. It's a spa receipt, full body massage and care day! John is the sweetest and this feels too good to be true. The gifting continues and her birthday is finally here! Seyla’s birthday relieves all the emotions of gratitude, joy, and love the year has brought in so far and she loves the woman she's becoming even though not totally satisfied with her financial state at the moment. It's 12:00pm and the party of two is about to begin. Party for two because no one else mattered in their world. This birthday isn't just a day to celebrate Seyla but to create memories for a lifetime. The days went by and all the fantasy from the celebration dropped as life gets real for Seyla. All her needs were met, but maybe gifting didn't cut it for her. Seyla got a good job after graduation but Techtranet changed operational framework because of low funding for staff payment, that would mean, she'd only gets gigs based on projects and not a full time role. It was one of the toughest news she had received because she had invested so much in her job to be subtly laid off like that. At the moment, she's about grabbing opportunities as they come her way. Gradually, she's becoming concerned about how career life and hopes she's not making her whole life about her relationship because she's almost forced to accept John's offer of getting her dream job and office. She had declined previous offers because she truly wanted to do something for herself without the wealthy, generous boyfriend badge going to John. What she never admitted to is, she's subtly jealous of John's work life. He always has work stuff going on and she feels like his dump to relieve the projects and work stuff. Isn't that supposed to be a good thing? Why am I upset and can't even tell him about it? Seyla mutters this to herself every time she gets on a call with John and he dishes out all his work achievements and stuff for the day. Seyla was raised to be an independent lady with the mindset that no matter how much a man loves you, you should never let him take care of all your needs, she was told that would earn her good respect in her home and she wouldn't be treated as some bag of trash by a man. Her mom, Ms Felicia had trouble birthing children and oh what consoling gift Seyla was when she was finally birthed. Ms Felicia wasn't buoyant raising Seyla after Mr Derek had left unannounced. So, She's sworn she wouldn't raise a vegetable out of her only daughter after everything she went through in marriage.