The illusion of love - by Opeyemi Akinade

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall as memories flooded my mind. We met in a quaint coffee shop, bonding over our shared love of old movies and indie music. She had this captivating smile and infectious laugh that drew me in. I was hooked from the start. As we began dating, everything felt perfect. We'd spend hours talking about our dreams, sharing our fears, and supporting each other through thick and thin. She was my rock, my confidante, my best friend. I thought we had something real, something special. But as time went on, I started noticing subtle changes. She'd cancel plans at the last minute, saying she needed space or time for herself. I'd try to respect her boundaries, but the distance between us grew. Still, I held on to the hope that things would go back to how they were. One day, she told me she needed time to think about us, about our future together. I gave it to her, patiently waiting for her response. Weeks turned into months, and the silence was deafening. I'd reach out, asking if she'd made up her mind, but she'd just say she needed more time. Then, out of the blue, she messaged me. We met up, and my heart sank as she told me she'd been seeing someone else. She said she'd realized I wasn't the one for her, that she'd been confused about her feelings. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. All the memories, all the laughter, all the promises we made to each other – it was all just a game to her. She'd played with my feelings, stringing me along while she figured out what she really wanted. I was just a placeholder, a temporary distraction. As I sat on my bed, replaying it all in my head, I felt a mix of emotions. Anger, sadness, and regret swirled together, making it hard to breathe. I thought we had something real, but it was all just an illusion. I took a deep breath, letting the pain wash over me. It hurt, but I knew I had to move on. I deserved better than someone who didn't value my feelings. I deserved someone who'd cherish me, laugh with me, and love me for who I am. As I stood up, wiping away tears, I knew I'd be okay. I'd heal, I'd grow, and I'd find someone who truly loved me. The memories of her would fade, replaced by new experiences and new love. And as for her, I hoped she'd find what she was looking for, but I knew I'd never forget the lesson I learned: some people play with fire, and others get burned.