chapter one: "The day my world ended"

The afternoon atmosphere was so peaceful as Lisa carefully placed the last scented candle on the table.It wasn’t a big decoration,just a little birthday setup,three bottles of red wine,small cake she had gotten from a restaurant earlier,with a few scented candles and beautiful red roses to give it a romantic setting.lt was a perfect decor,she gave in her all to prepare that.A beautiful red dress that compliment her Curvy shape,and her long brown hair neatly styled to suite for the occasion.She was satisfied .Genuinely excited.

       Today was special,not just because it was her birthday,but john the love of her life was finally back after being away for three months.He told her he had returned just for her to grace her birthday.Last night on the phone he sounded so excited,”l have something special for you” he’d whispered,his voice calm and walk like always.

      Lisa couldn’t hold her excitement,she gave a hearty smile,took a sip from a glass of her champagne,then sang along to her favorite playlist.She was filled with hope.She thought to herself could he be finally proposing?After five years of waiting,was John finally going to put a ring on it ?

    Then the doorbell rang

Her heart jumped,He’s here: She muttered to herself,quickly adjusting her dress and checking herself on the mirror before hurrying to get the door.

   But when she opened it,her smile dropped.

      lt wasn’t John.

“Bella ….Lisa said calmly,her voice caught somewhere between surprise and disappointed

       Bella stood at the door holding a portable gift bag,her face already detected expression like she wasn't expecting to see her.

Aren’t you letting me in? Bella asked with a soft laugh,stepping inside.

Lisa paused.”It’s not like lam not happy to see you…l was expecting John.

Bella nodded slowly,her face changing.Lisa love…Bella called,how sure are you that John will come today.

Lisa gave a quick glance,slightly confused.What do you mean ?We spoke at length last night.He is back in town just for me and he said he had a surprise for me,l’m even thinking….she smiled shyly and adjusted her dress.l think he is going to pop the question tonight,your girl is finally leaving the singlehood,she smiled and gave Bella a warm hug.

But Bella didn’t smile,instead she murmured in frustration.

“Don’t be too excited”, Bella said calmly.

Why would you say that? Lisa asked,her emotions were shifting.

“l have something to show you,” Bella muttered.

She brought out her phone,unlocked it,and clicked on the gallery.Then she showed the screen to Lisa.

The photo pierced her soul

There he was

John

Dressed in a black agbada,smiling broadly,beside him a very beautiful woman in a sparkling white lace wedding gown.

Lisa stared.

Her vision went blurred,Her mind rejected what her eyes were seeing.

This can’t be true,she said,her voice trembling.”No …. Someone tell me l’m dreaming,what is this?”

 “ He got married yesterday”l saw the picture in my cousin's phone ,Bella said softly.

Lisa's phone flipped from her hand and crashed onto the tiles.Her legs trembled,she couldn't feel them,she sank to the ground and wept profusely .

No…no no no, she gave out a thunderous shout as the tears came flooding in, hot and uncontrollable.Her beautiful done makeup ruined,Her beautiful red dress she thought would be her lucky charm soaked up with her tears.

She remembered how they meet at the museum,it was love at first sight, Their late night calls when they often Express their love to each other.their silly arguments they had,the birthday surprises he had planned for her in the past.How he took risk against doctor's warning and donated blood for her when she was sick,how he professed his undying love and called her his safe place.

Was it all fake?

How could he plan a wedding with another woman while still assuring her of his unending love? How could he move on so easily like she never existed .

How could John waste my Five years of investing in him emotionally?

She lamented,this is the third relationship l had been in and it ended badly. How could John do this to me on my special day?Are mine not good enough?

Bella knelt beside her, trying to console her, holding her gently.Lisa ,please stop crying, nothing is definitely wrong with you, you are an amazing woman,you deserve nothing but the best,do not cry over John it is his loss,he doesn't deserve your tears.l never liked him anyways.Get up and cut your cake,lt is your special day,dont ruin it.

Lisa didn't say anything,she sat there ,broken.A day that was meant to be hers.Her birthday.A day she had tried to fill with lights and laughter.

She wiped her face,and sat up slowly,Her heart still heavy like she had a load on it.But in the middle of the pain she somehow felt at peace, though she couldn't explain the sudden feeling .

Lisa whispered, almost to herself,l don't know why,but…l felt relieved.

Bella looked at her ,what did you say?

Lisa slowly shook her head, confused.”Nothing”, she said, wiping her tears.But deep down,she knew it wasn't nothing 

she could feel it.

something was coming.

She looked around the room..the cake untouched,the red wine still foaming in the glasses,the scented candles guttering like tiny witnesses in her pain.This wasn't the day she envisioned.But maybe,just maybe it wasn't an ending.

Maybe it was the beginning of something else.

She gave a loud sigh,wiped her face and smiled softly.iam en

ough,l won't let someone else define my worth.

She stood up and went to the shower.