Chapter 2

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and before I knew it, years had passed.

I finished high school and graduated as the best student in my class. It was a proud, unforgettable moment, one I had worked so hard for. On my graduation day, my parents were there, and so was Odell’s mother. Seeing her in the crowd stirred something in me, but the joy of the day softened the ache.

Odell’s father was a politician and a businessman, constantly traveling for meetings and events. But Odell’s mother, she went all out for me. She showered me with love and generosity, even spraying money in thousands, determined to make the day feel truly special.

The celebration was grand, filled with laughter, music, and warmth. They brought gifts too, thoughtful ones that reminded me how deeply I was cared for. For that one day, everything felt perfect. All the pain and confusion I had carried in my heart over Odell faded into the background, replaced by the comfort of the people who were still present in my life.

After the celebration, life moved on.

I began preparing for the next step: university. It felt like the start of a new chapter, though deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that a part of my story was still missing.

I didn’t have a specific university in mind, but my GPA was very high, so I started searching, looking up schools, checking requirements, exploring possibilities.

One day, while I was deep in my search, Odell’s mum came over to visit. She and my mum sat in the living room, chatting, laughing, teasing each other the way they always did. At first, I didn’t pay much attention.

Then I heard Odell’s name.

Curiosity pulled me in. I paused what I was doing and listened quietly. That was when I overheard them talking about Odell and the university he was attending. Just hearing his name after so long made my heart race. I caught the name of the school and quickly memorized it, planning to look it up later.

When I searched for it online, my breath caught.

It was a prestigious, luxurious university—one of those elite institutions only the wealthy could afford. The tuition fees were astronomical, not to mention housing, books, and other expenses. It was completely out of reach for my family. Even taking out a loan would have crushed us.

Then I saw something that made my heart leap.

A scholarship program.

For the first time in a long while, hope sparked inside me. A scholarship could be my chance—my one shot at attending the same university as Odell. Without hesitation, I registered.

From that moment on, I threw myself into studying. Day and night, I worked tirelessly, burying myself in books, practicing endlessly, pushing myself harder than I ever had before.

I wanted this more than anything.

Not just for the prestige of the university, but because I needed answers. I needed to see Odell again. I wanted to know why he hadn’t tried to reach out. Why he had disappeared so completely from my life. Did he ever think about me? Did he miss me? Or had he moved on, leaving me behind without a second thought?

Those questions consumed me, driving me forward.

A few weeks before the scholarship exam, I finally gathered the courage to tell my parents.

One evening, when both my mum and dad were home, I called them into the living room. My heart pounded as I sat them down and carefully explained everything, how I found the university, why it mattered to me, and my plan to apply for the scholarship.

When I mentioned the name of the school, my mum froze. She asked how I knew about it, and when I admitted that I had overheard her conversation with Odell’s mum, she looked slightly annoyed.

I apologized immediately, explaining how badly I wanted this chance.

Her reaction was filled with concern. She reminded me how expensive the university was, far beyond what our family could afford. She warned me about the risks. What if it didn’t work out? The money they had saved for my education could be wasted, leaving us with nothing.

Then my dad spoke.

“Let her try,” he said firmly. “She’s smart enough to do this. Imagine the opportunities if she makes it. Having a child in that university would be something to be proud of.”

His faith in me overwhelmed me. Tears filled my eyes as I promised them both that I would do everything in my power to make this dream a reality.

My mum, still cautious, eventually agreed.

I vowed to make them proud. I couldn’t afford to fail, not after everything they were willing to sacrifice for me.