A Love Story

Chapter 8

Kira

Kryzella had decided to keep in touch with two of her chat and email pals, Jerome from Heart Connect and Truman from Booklace. They were decent guys—friendly, reliable, and always there when she needed someone to talk to. But despite their easy conversations, something still felt missing.

“So how are things going with Jerome and Truman?” I asked, watching her scroll through yet another dating app.

“They’re fine,” she replied with a shrug. “Jerome’s sweet, always checks in on me. And Truman, well, he’s great to talk to about books and movies. But...” She trailed off, staring at her screen.

“But?” I prompted, sensing there was more.

She sighed, setting her phone down. “I don’t know, Kira. They’re nice and all, but it’s just... there’s no spark, you know? It feels like something’s missing. Like, they’re good friends, but not... you know, the 'icing on the cupcake.'”

I nodded, understanding her struggle. “So you’re still looking?”

“Yeah,” she admitted, picking her phone back up. “I guess I’m still hoping to find that perfect someone. The one who feels right.”

“Someone who’s not just decent, but someone who gives you that spark,” I said, finishing her thought.

“Exactly,” she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and frustration. “But it’s harder than I thought. That’s why I keep trying these sites, even if they keep letting me down.”

Days passed, and Kryzella’s frustration grew more palpable with each conversation. Her mood shifted from hopeful to disheartened as she repeatedly encountered the same letdowns.

One evening, I found her hunched over her phone, her fingers moving with an almost mechanical precision. “Another profile?” I asked, settling beside her on the couch.

“Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “It’s always the same—nice photos, sweet messages, but nothing ever clicks.”

“What’s this one like?” I asked, trying to understand her latest disappointment.

She showed me the profile—a handsome man with a charming smile and a witty bio. “He seemed interesting at first. We had some good conversations, but…” Her voice trailed off, frustration clear in her expression.

“What went wrong?” I asked gently.

She leaned back, running a hand through her hair. “We talked for a few weeks. Everything seemed perfect. But then he vanished. No explanation, no messages. Just… gone.”

“People can be so unreliable,” I said, empathizing with her frustration. “It’s like they’re only interested in playing games.”

“Exactly,” she replied, her shoulders slumping. “It’s exhausting trying to figure out who’s genuine and who’s just wasting time.”

“I can’t imagine how draining it must be,” I said. “But remember, there are still good people out there. It’s just a matter of finding them.”

Kryzella gave a half-hearted smile. “I hope so. Right now, it feels like I’m just spinning my wheels. The more I try, the more disheartened I become.”

I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Maybe you need a break. You’ve been going full throttle for a while now. Stepping back might give you some perspective.”

She considered this, her gaze fixed on the flickering screen. “A break… That’s not a bad idea. I just don’t want to give up.”

“You’re not giving up,” I said reassuringly. “You’re just giving yourself time to breathe. It’s okay to take a step back and recharge.”

She nodded slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing. “You’re right. Maybe I need to focus on other things for a while. It’s just been so hard to let go of this search.”

“Take it one step at a time,” I suggested. “Focus on what makes you happy, and when you’re ready, you can dive back in with a fresh perspective.”

Kryzella took a deep breath, a hint of relief in her eyes. “Thanks, Kira. I think I needed that reminder. I’ll take a break and see where that leads me.”

We sat in companionable silence, the soft hum of the ceiling fan creating a soothing backdrop. Kryzella’s phone remained untouched as she let the calm settle in. It was clear that while her journey through online dating was far from over, she now had a renewed sense of clarity and a much-needed respite.

Later that night, as we relaxed together, Kryzella seemed more at ease. She leaned back, a thoughtful look on her face. “You know, maybe I’ve been too focused on finding someone perfect,” she said. “Maybe I need to enjoy where I am now.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” I replied. “Sometimes the best things come when we’re not looking so hard.”

Kryzella smiled, a genuine smile that had been missing for a while. “I think you’re right. I’ll give myself some space and see what happens.”

The next few weeks, Kryzella shifted her focus. She took up new hobbies, like painting and hiking, which she had always wanted to explore. She reconnected with old friends and found joy in simple activities. Her energy seemed lighter, and her conversations with me were filled with more laughter and less frustration.

One afternoon, while we were having coffee, she turned to me with a bright expression. “I joined a book club,” she said excitedly. “It’s been great. I’m meeting new people and discussing books I love.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I said, genuinely pleased. “And how’s the dating scene?”

“I’m not focusing on it so much right now,” she admitted. “I’m enjoying what I have, and it feels good. I think the break was exactly what I needed.”

As we continued our conversations and shared moments of laughter, it was clear that Kryzella’s journey was far from over. But for now, she had found a balance between hope and acceptance, and that was a significant step forward.

Her phone no longer dominated our conversations. Instead, we talked about her new experiences and the people she was meeting. There was a sense of contentment in her voice that hadn’t been there before.

One evening, as we sat watching the sunset, Kryzella turned to me with a thoughtful look. “You know, I’m starting to think that maybe I don’t need to find someone to be happy. Maybe happiness can come from within.”

“Absolutely,” I said, feeling a sense of pride for her. “You’ve always had that strength. Sometimes, it just takes a little time to see it.”

Kryzella smiled warmly. “Thanks for sticking by me through all of this. I feel like I’m finally in a good place.”

As the days turned into weeks, Kryzella’s journey continued, but now she approached it with a newfound sense of peace and clarity. The future remained uncertain, but she was ready to embrace it with a positive outlook and a heart open to new possibilities.