Between two worlds

Chapter 3: Unspoken Thoughts

Mariam pov

I first met Akim in our French class, well before I even knew Kingsley. From the moment he walked in with that warm smile, I felt an instant connection. He sat a couple of rows ahead of me, always engaged, and I couldn’t help stealing glances during lectures. When we started grabbing lunch after class, and I often asked for his help with tricky French phrases. With each laugh and shared story, my feelings for him deepened, but I kept them to myself.

Then one day, Akim came to my house asking for help getting some household equipment and utensils from the market. I was ecstatic—who wouldn’t want to help their crush? We headed out together, chatting and laughing as we browsed through the stalls. That afternoon felt special, and I couldn’t help but notice how comfortable we were together. Since then, we’ve become closer than ever. I often caught him glancing my way in class, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he might know about my crush.

Meanwhile, I met Kingsley later on, and although we became good friends, my connection with Akim felt different. Alimat and I had grown even closer, sharing secrets and laughter, while Joy would drop by occasionally, even if she didn’t join the group readings. I looked forward to our time together, but with my growing feelings for Akim, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of uncertainty. What if things changed between us?"_

As the days passed, my feelings for Akim only grew stronger. I found myself daydreaming about our outings, replaying every laugh and shared moment in my mind. Keeping this secret felt heavy, like a weight on my chest. I knew I needed to talk to someone, and Alimat seemed like the perfect person.

One afternoon, as we lounged in my room, I decided to take the plunge. “Alimat, can I tell you something?” I said, my heart racing.“Of course! What’s on your mind?” she replied, turning to face me with genuine curiosity.“I… I have a crush on someone,” I admitted, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s Akim.”Alimat’s eyes widened, a smile spreading across her face. “Really? I knew it! You two seem so close!”Relief washed over me, mixed with embarrassment. “Do you think it’s obvious?”“Maybe a little,” she teased, but her tone was kind. “He’s a great guy, Mariam. What do you like about him?”I took a breath, thinking of all the things I admired about Akim—the way he always listened, how he could make me laugh effortlessly, and the moments we shared that felt special. “He’s just… really genuine, you know? He makes me feel comfortable, and we have so much in common. I can’t help but like him.”Alimat nodded, her expression supportive. “You should definitely tell him how you feel. What’s the worst that could happen?”“What if he doesn’t feel the same?” I replied, a knot tightening in my stomach.“Then at least you’ll know. Besides, I think he might like you too. The way he looks at you sometimes…” she trailed off, her smile returning.

Encouraged by Alimat’s words, I felt a flicker of hope. I also decided to share my feelings with Joy and Abosede. Later that week, when we were all hanging out at my house, I took a deep breath and said, “Guys, I have a crush on Akim.”Joy looked at me with wide eyes, then broke into a smile. “Really? That’s awesome!”Abosede grinned and added, “I can totally see it. You two have a great vibe together!”But then Joy's expression turned more serious. “Just be careful, okay? Relationships can be complicated.”Abosede nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I mean, it’s great to have feelings for someone, but make sure you take your time. Don’t rush into anything.”I appreciated their concern but felt a little anxious. “I know. I just don’t want to mess things up between us.”“Just be honest with him,” Alimat encouraged. “That’s the best way to handle it.”As we chatted and laughed, I realized how lucky I was to have friends who cared about me. They made me feel brave enough to consider taking that leap, but the weight of their warning lingered in my mind.

Would I find the courage to tell Akim how I really felt, and could I navigate whatever came next?