Breaking Bonds, Shadow Of Sacrifice, Part 3

Part 3: Breaking Bonds

After Seyi’s initial meeting with Tolu at the work event, he found himself frequently thinking of her, replaying their conversations and the ease he felt in her presence. Their encounters began innocently enough—small chats at the office or brief exchanges over coffee. But as the weeks passed, they began seeing each other outside work, meeting for dinners and sharing long, late-night conversations. With Tolu, Seyi felt lighter, as though he could shed the memories of his past struggles and the obligations that came with them.

Meanwhile, Janet’s life had taken a starkly different turn. She struggled to pay her tuition fees, and with every missed semester, the pressure mounted. She had taken up part-time jobs, often working late into the night, while still holding onto the hope that once Seyi settled, he would come back to help her complete her studies. She continued calling Seyi, sometimes leaving voice messages, hoping he would understand the sacrifices she had made.

But each time Seyi received a message from Janet, he felt a pang of irritation. He began to view her calls as reminders of a life he wanted to leave behind—a life filled with struggle and desperation, which he had worked so hard to escape. In his mind, Janet represented the past, a past he no longer wanted to be bound to. He convinced himself that she would eventually understand.

One day, Janet finally decided to visit Seyi unannounced. She took the long trip to his apartment, hoping to surprise him and rekindle the connection that seemed to be slipping away. Her heart raced as she walked up to his door, clutching a small bag filled with some homemade food she had prepared for him. She hoped the gesture would remind him of the days they had shared, of the love and loyalty that had kept them together.

As she knocked on his door, she heard footsteps approaching. But when Seyi opened the door, the look of surprise on his face was quickly replaced by an expression she couldn’t read. There was no joy, no warmth—just a blank stare.

“Janet,” he said, his voice flat. “What are you doing here?”

Janet forced a smile, hiding the sudden sense of dread that had crept over her. “I just wanted to see you. It’s been a while, and… I brought you some food.”

Seyi took a step back, letting her in reluctantly. Janet entered the apartment, noticing the changes—new furniture, expensive-looking decorations, and a sleek set of kitchenware she knew he could never have afforded on his own. She placed the bag on the counter, feeling the weight of silence between them.

“Seyi,” she began cautiously, “I know things have been difficult. We haven’t been able to talk much, and I wanted to make sure… that we’re okay.”

Seyi sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked away, avoiding her gaze. “Janet, we need to talk,” he finally said, his voice tinged with frustration.

Janet felt her heart sink. “What do you mean?”

Seyi’s gaze hardened as he spoke. “Look, Janet, I’m grateful for everything you’ve done. I know you helped me through school, and I’ll never forget that. But… things are different now. I’m in a different place in my life, and I can’t keep holding on to the past.”

The words hit her like a punch to the chest. Janet’s mind reeled, struggling to process what he was saying. “Are you… saying you want to end things?”

Seyi hesitated, glancing down. “I just need space, Janet. I’ve changed. We’ve both changed. I can’t keep pretending that things are the same as they were.”

Janet’s eyes filled with tears, and her voice trembled. “Seyi, I gave up everything for you. I gave you my tuition, my savings. I believed in you, in us. How can you just… throw it all away?”

Seyi’s face remained impassive, almost cold. “I didn’t ask you to do all of that, Janet. You made those choices. You can’t hold them over my head forever.”

Janet stood in stunned silence, realizing the depth of his betrayal. The man she had loved, sacrificed for, and believed in was now looking at her as though she were a stranger, a burden he no longer wanted to bear. The love and warmth in his eyes had been replaced by indifference.

Without another word, she turned and left, her heart shattered. The pain was almost unbearable, a hollow ache that consumed her entire being. She walked through the campus, tears streaming down her face, memories of their years together flooding her mind. Each step felt heavier, as though the weight of her sacrifice and heartbreak were physically pressing down on her.