THE LOVE WE ALMOST LOST
642 Words
A Story of Love, Distance, Trust, and Second Chances
Written by Gloria Ezeugo
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CHAPTER ONE
THE PROMISE
The first time Daniel saw Amara, she was standing beneath a mango tree with a book in her hands.
It was a hot afternoon in Port Harcourt, and most of the students at the small community library had already gone home. Amara remained there, completely absorbed in the book.
Daniel had come to return a novel.
Instead, he found himself staring at her.
She looked peaceful.
There was something about her that made the noisy world around her seem quiet.
Daniel eventually walked inside the library, returned his book, and left.
But the following Saturday, he came back.
Amara was there again.
This time, she was writing in a notebook.
Daniel smiled.
"You come here every Saturday?"
She looked up.
"Sometimes."
"Sometimes seems to mean every Saturday."
She smiled.
"Are you monitoring me?"
"No. I'm just observant."
"That's what people who monitor others call themselves."
Daniel laughed.
"Fair enough."
That was how their friendship began.
At first, they spoke about books.
Then school.
Then their families.
Then their dreams.
Daniel wanted to become an architect.
Amara wanted to become a journalist.
They were young, ambitious and convinced that life would follow the plans they had created.
They spent afternoons together.
They walked home together.
They argued over little things.
They laughed over things that weren't even funny.
And somewhere between friendship and familiarity, they fell in love.
Neither of them announced it.
It simply happened.
One evening, Daniel walked Amara home.
They stopped outside her gate.
"I need to tell you something," Daniel said.
Amara smiled.
"What?"
"I've been trying to find the right way to say it."
"Say what?"
"I love you."
Amara became quiet.
Daniel's heart began racing.
Then she smiled.
"I was beginning to wonder when you'd say it."
He laughed.
"So you knew?"
"Of course."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I wanted you to say it first."
Daniel shook his head.
"You're dangerous."
She laughed.
He reached for her hand.
"Promise me something."
"What?"
"Whatever happens, don't give up on us."
Amara looked into his eyes.
"I promise."
They were young.
They didn't understand how difficult keeping a promise could become.
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CHAPTER TWO
THE DISTANCE
Three years later, Daniel received a scholarship to study architecture abroad.
It was the opportunity he had always dreamed about.
But when he told Amara, her smile disappeared.
"When do you leave?"
"Two months."
She nodded.
"That's good."
"You're not happy."
"I am."
"You don't look happy."
Amara looked down.
"I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Distance."
Daniel sat beside her.
"Distance doesn't have to change anything."
"You say that now."
"Because I mean it."
He held her hand.
"We've survived everything together."
"But we've never lived thousands of kilometers apart."
Daniel smiled.
"We'll make it work."
Amara wanted to believe him.
She really did.
Before Daniel left, they spent as much time together as possible.
They took pictures.
They went to their favorite restaurant.
They walked along the waterfront.
They made plans.
Daniel promised to call every night.
Amara promised to support him.
On the day he left, she stood at the airport trying not to cry.
Daniel hugged her.
"Don't forget me."
She laughed through her tears.
"How could I?"
"I'll come back."
"When?"
"When I finish."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Then he kissed her forehead and walked away.
Amara watched until he disappeared.
That night, she received a message.
I miss you already.
She smiled.
I miss you too.
For the first few months, everything was perfect.
They talked every night.
Sometimes for hours.
Daniel told her about his classes.
Amara told him about her work.
They shared pictures.
They celebrated small victories together.
But slowly, life became complicated.
Daniel's workload increased.
Amara started a demanding job at a television station.
Their calls became
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