Chapter 3 : When Love Feels Like Winning

Did I forget to mention that I had finally gained admission into the university? Yeah, I did. So all my preparations and traveling were now focused on moving straight to school.

I still saw my muse a lot after that first meeting-even though I had to deal with my dad's shouting, and sometimes even a slap. But honestly, it didn't matter. As long as I got to see my muse, the love of my life, it was all worth it.

And on one of those meetups... we finally did the main thing.

It was painful at first-actually, it was painful all through. But also magical.

Because if it had to be anyone, I'm glad it was him. My muse.

We had a little argument one time. I can't even remember what it was about. But what I do remember is that this man looked me dead in the eyes and said,

"I can apologize a thousand times, but I'm not letting you go."

I was furious before that, but hearing those words? They calmed me.

Because truth is-I wasn't letting go of him either.

He had become one of the few people I considered my whole world in human form.

There was just something about him-the way he looked at me, talked to me, took care of me.

His touch, his lips, his voice, his brows (my favorite), his body... everything.

The way he cared for others made me decide that I wanted to take care of him.

I wanted to be his peace, to never hurt him, and to never let anyone else hurt him.

All I wanted was to protect my gentle man.

As I got ready for school, of course, my muse threw in his support-like he always did.

And then the day came. The day I was finally leaving.

At first, I was excited. I mean, I was finally going to school. Finally becoming independent.

But then sadness hit. I was going to miss my family-my mum, dad, and siblings.

Then regret crept in:

Why didn't I choose the same school as my muse?

We could have been close-shared moments even more.

But now, it felt like I was leaving my whole world behind in S-Town.

I got to school and felt lonely.

Even though my elder sister was in the same university, her campus wasn't close to mine. So, for the first week, the loneliness hit hard.

Still, my family tried their best to help me settle in.

My muse did too.

And since I'm the type who adapts quickly, it didn't take long. Just a week of studying my new environment and I was good.

My roommate turned out to be super sweet.

We didn't have any issues-we went to class together, cooked, and even ate together.

Then one day, muse told me that his ex had reached out. She wanted them to meet up and just talk.

I didn't think much of it. I mean, he's my man. My muse.

The kind of guy who doesn't even look at another girl-no matter how endowed she is.

He's the kind of man who gives me reassurance every single day.

So I didn't say anything. Or maybe I did-I can't even remember.

But then one day, one of my friends texted me.

She asked if I knew that my man was out with another girl at some sit-out spot.

I said no.

She told me she actually walked up to him. And right there, in her presence, he called me.

He explained that his ex had visited and they just stepped out to talk.

I said "okay," because honestly, I didn't know what else to say at that moment.

I was mostly just proud-proud to have a friend like her who had my back.

But when I thought about it later...

Foolish me didn't read too much meaning into it.

I trusted him.

The same way I thought he trusted me.

Because if there's one thing I knew about a relationship like ours-it needed trust to work.

Did I also mention that my man started getting busier?

Yes, he's always been a busy guy, but it started to feel different.

He began going almost a whole day without calling or texting.

I started complaining.

He kept telling me he had to work and was swamped with stuff. Then he'd apologize.

Eventually, I decided not to nag anymore.

If he was really that busy, then me nagging wouldn't help.

So even when he didn't call, or text, or even reply-I still sent sweet messages.

And after a while, he got back to his usual self. I guess the busy phase passed.

Oh, and let me not forget-I was still in contact with his friends.

I actually considered them my own friends now, given how close we'd become.

But let me take you back a little.

One of my homegirls-who also attends the same uni as my man-told me something one time.

She and her roommate had been out for a stroll when they saw him standing and talking with a girl.

She went over to say hi to him, and as soon as she did, the other girl left.

She teased him, saying she was going to report to me that he'd been asking every girl out.

She told me my man begged her.

Literally pleaded with her not to say anything that would make me overthink or misunderstand the situation.

Later, she came to my DMs on WhatsApp and said,

"Loveth, you won with that guy."

I was like, "How?"

She explained everything to me.

Oh, how many more proud girlfriend moments like that would I get to experience?

The little girl in me beamed.

I felt so proud and so seen.

The fact that he wasn't out here disgracing me, but rather, making me proud...

In that moment, I really felt like I had won at life.