Chasing Greatness :A Journey Of Hope

chapter 19: miracle

The next day, I sat on edge, waiting for Femi to come by the store so I could tell him my mind and break up with him. But he didn’t show up. Days turned into almost a week, and I hadn’t seen him. I started to wonder if he was avoiding me on purpose. Even my mom noticed his absence one evening while we were sitting outside the store.

“E don tey wey I see Femi o,” she said. “Na every day he dey branch here before work. Wetin come happen?”

I shrugged and stayed quiet, unsure how to explain the ache I felt in my chest. That Saturday, after choir rehearsal, I decided to stop by his house. My heart was pounding as I approached. What was I even going to say?

When I got there, his mom greeted me warmly. “Femi dey inside,” she said, gesturing to his room.

I knocked softly, hesitant. What if this was a mistake? I trusted Femi, but stepping into his room for the first time felt like crossing a line I wasn’t ready for. Finally, I gathered my courage and walked in. He was lying on the bed, asleep, his chest rising and falling gently. He looked so peaceful, so innocent. I couldn’t help but stare for a moment, lost in thought.

He stirred, his eyes fluttering open. “Wow, am I dreaming?” he said groggily, a small smile playing on his lips.

I smiled too but quickly wiped it away, remembering why I came. “Why have you been avoiding me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I’m not,” he replied, avoiding my gaze.

“Look at me, Femi. Why are you avoiding me?”

“Nothing. I’ve just been busy,” he said, still not meeting my eyes.

“Okay, no problem,” I said, trying to mask the hurt. Then I took a deep breath. “Femi, let’s break up.”

His head snapped up, shock written all over his face. “What? Why?” he stammered. “Did I do something wrong? Is it the kiss? I’m sorry, I’m—”

I cut him off. “Femi, I was carried away, and it was a mistake. I’m not ready to have a boyfriend.” I didn’t tell him the whole truth—that I couldn’t bear to betray my mom.

“We were fine, Mimi. I promise to respect your boundaries. Just don’t break up with me,” he pleaded, his voice trembling.

Seeing him so vulnerable made me falter. My guard was slipping, and my resolve felt weak.

“Femi, please, I can’t,” I said in a shaky voice.

He moved closer, his hand gently cupping my face. His touch sent a wave of warmth through me, and for a moment, I felt myself letting go of everything I was holding back. “Mimi, you know I love you. Please don’t hurt me.” His words were soft, almost breaking me.

Before I could react, he leaned in, his eyes searching mine as if asking for permission. Then, he kissed me.

This kiss was different—deeper, more desperate, and filled with emotions I couldn’t comprehend. My mind became a whirlwind of emotions. I felt myself giving in, unable to control the pull I felt toward him.

His lips moved gently against mine, but there was an urgency, a need, that made my heart race. My hands trembled as they brushed against his chest. His warmth felt comforting yet dangerous at the same time.

“Mimi,” he whispered against my lips, his voice thick with emotion. “I love you.”

For a brief moment, I let myself believe it was okay to feel this way. To let him hold me, to trust him. But as the kiss deepened, reality began to slip away.

Before I knew it, I was lying on his bed, his lips trailing down my neck, his hands exploring places they shouldn’t. My mind was a blur, torn between desire and the nagging voice of reason screaming at me to stop.

It wasn’t until he reached for the waistband of my skirt that reality crashed over me like a wave. Panic surged through my body. “Femi, stop!” I shouted, shoving him away with all the strength I had.

He froze, his face a mixture of confusion and regret. “I’m sorry, Mimi. I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t mean to—”

“You almost raped me, Femi!” I cried, tears streaming down my face. My chest felt heavy, and I could barely breathe. “Was I about to lose my virginity? Was I really about to repeat my mom’s mistake?”

He tried to reach for me, but I pulled back. “I trusted you, Femi,” I sobbed.

“I’m sorry, Mimi. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just wanted to show you my love,” he said weakly.

“By sleeping with me?!” I shouted, trembling. I grabbed my things, my hands shaking as I turned to him. “I hate you, Femi. We’re done. And I never want to see you again.”

He tried to speak, to explain himself, but I didn’t give him a chance. I stormed out, my vision blurred with tears, my heart shattered into pieces