We were high school sweethearts. As far as I was concerned, we were going to nurture our love through high school, to the university, and then we would get married after our national service. It was a simple dream that shouldn’t cost much. That’s what we thought. 

When we got to the university things started changing. He was either too busy for me, or I was the one who was too busy for him. This caused us to drift apart from time to time. That didn’t break us up though. Somehow we always found our way back to each other. 

After we completed the university, we were plunged into the challenges of adulthood. Initially, things didn’t look good for him at all. He struggled to find his feet for a while. When he finally got a breakthrough, it was an opportunity to study in one of the Asian countries on scholarship. 

God being so good, he got a job after his studies. We couldn’t contain our joy. The moment his finances improved, we started talking about marriage. He was supposed to come to Ghana for us to start making preparations but the COVID-19 pandemic happened. He had to put all the travel plans on hold. 

It became difficult for him to get a favorable time to make the trip, even after the travel restrictions were lifted. He kept saying, “I will come next year.” When the time arrived he’d say, “You know what? This year won’t work for me anymore. Let’s make it next year.” 

This year is the eighth year since he has been there. It was also earlier in the year that he managed to come down. He had a lot of places to be and people to see, yet so little time. Because of that, we couldn’t start the marriage preparations. “Don’t worry. I will come again in the middle of the year. Then we will get married,” he promised. 

Dear readers, when this guy returned he posted another lady on his WhatsApp status. I saw it but I didn’t say anything. However, he blocked me from viewing his status when he saw that I had seen the photo.

My instinct told me something was off about his behaviour but I didn’t complain. I watched him quietly. A month after he left Ghana I asked him; “You said we would be married by the middle of the year. You came to Ghana but we still haven’t started any preparations. What’s going on?” “Yes, I haven’t brought it up because of my dad. He says we should wait,” he answered. I asked what we were supposed to wait for, and he said nothing. 

The third time I asked him about our marriage plans he told me, “Hold on. I am thinking about it.” Then his communication started changing. No more video calls. Brief voice calls when he was at home. I would text him but he would take forever to respond. When I complained he said; “It’s not my fault. I am under so much pressure from work.” 

I understood him but I also know that people make time for the ones who matter to them. I pointed this out to him but he responded, “I suspect you are seeing another man. It’s the only reason you don’t trust me.” Meanwhile, I have been faithful to him to a fault. If he was honest with himself, he would admit that I never gave him a reason to doubt me. Besides, why would I play games after all these years we’ve been together? We are both pushing forty.

Now, I am sharing my story because he came to Ghana again a few weeks ago. I was holding his phone when I got curious and went through his gallery. What I found in there almost knocked the breath out of my lungs. 

READ ALSO: I Tried To Prank My Boyfriend But It All Went Wrong (Part 2)

I saw his pre-wedding photoshoots. And I wasn’t the woman in them. For a minute, I couldn’t breathe. “What’s the meaning of this?” I asked as I showed the photos to him. He looked me in the eye and answered, “This doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a picture. It’s you I am going to marry. I mean it when I say I love you.” I don’t understand why he would do this to me.

We’ve been through so much together. I have been his help in tough times. I have spent my youth waiting for him to marry me. But he is going to marry someone else. There are no words to describe the pain I am feeling. 

Men Don’t Like It When Women Do The Paying

When I narrated my story to a friend, she directed me to a prophetess. When I got there the woman said, “If you want, I can separate them and bind your man to you. He won’t desire another woman again.” She seemed more like a deity than a follower of Jesus Christ. I was uncomfortable with her ways but I wanted to take her up on her offer. This is how badly I am hurting.

The only thing that kept me from going through with it was my Christian faith. I was not brought up that way. What can I do to heal? I have loved him so much for far too long. Where do I go from here? Should I sit by and watch him walk away after everything we’ve been through? Please help a broken sister. 

— Jemimah

This story you just read was sent to us by someone just like you. We know you have a story too. Email it to us at [email protected]. You can also drop your number and we will call you so you tell us your story.

#SB