THANK YOU, EX!

Define your Mr. Right

Handsome? Charming? Gentle? Caring?

Well, mine isn't that complicated. I just want someone to love me just the way I am, an average girl, but it seems like it's the hardest thing ever.

I picked up my baggage and turned in the other direction.

My body was wet, and my hands were shivering.

I tried to guess if it was from the heavy rain or just soaked by my own tears.

I looked up and guessed right-the weather was sunny with no sign of rain. It was all my miserable tears.

My name is Valerie, and I was engaged nine months ago to my Mr. Right, Luke. I never knew that everything had turned wrong the moment I introduced him to my best friend, Kamsy, two years ago.

"You should have seen it coming, lol! Don't be sad-I'll name our daughter after you, bestie,"

Kamsy shouted after me, standing at the doorpost with my boyfriend... ex-boyfriend, holding her waist in a way that broke my heart.

I didn't look back. I tried not to fall either. I felt dizzy and weak. I had cried several times, begging him that we could work things out, but his words kept ringing in my head:

"You... and I... just a mistake, Valerie. I... didn't know what I wanted when I engaged you. You're not my type. I'm sorry. You should move on."

He said this to me hours ago when he came to my workplace-on our anniversary day.

"But... we've been together for three years now. You've never complained to me about anything. Where have I gone wrong?"

I replied in tears.

"Three years together doesn't mean we're going to be together forever. Please understand like an adult. You're embarrassing me by making me look bad. People are watching."

I turned slowly and stared at the faces of my colleagues.

Yes, he came to my workplace to break up with me, with the customers and everyone watching.

Our loved-up huge picture was still mounted on my table.

I never ceased to gush and brag about him to my colleagues. Now it felt more like a joke of a picture.

"I want to know what I did wrong. Please, just tell me, Luke."

"Are you dumb? What can't you understand, Valerie!"

He screamed at me.

That made me scared he might try to slap me if care wasn't taken. My colleague and friend Daniel came to my rescue.

"Bro, please, can you go softer on her?"

He told Luke gently.

"Stay out of our business!" Luke snapped back at him.

"This is a workplace, not your house, Mr. Man. Where's the security!"

Daniel shouted back, annoyed.

The company's senior security came to us and asked Luke to leave or he would force him to.

I quickly dried my face with the back of my hand.

"Please, security, it's okay. Just a minute," I pleaded, then turned to my boyfriend.

"Baby, can we just-"

"Don't call me that. Stop it! Your things are outside the door already. Come pick them up."

He finally said and left, leaving me swimming in my endless tears.

"How interesting, our perfect relationship!"

Jennifer, one of my female colleagues, shouted, and a few others laughed mockingly.

I tried to run after him, but my feet froze. I slowly sat down, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

The next customer waiting looked at me with the most pitiful eyes.

I tried to smile back at her, but I couldn't. Instead, more tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Ma... madam... your name, please?"

I stuttered and brushed the tears off my face as I continued attending to the customer. My fingers couldn't even hold a pen well.

"You should rest for now. I will be back tomorrow,"

The lady said with care and left. I nodded and muttered, "Thanks."

As soon as she was gone, I bent down on my table and cried.

None of my female colleagues cared to console me. Instead, I could hear them mumbling words to each other. I had to put myself together or I would lose my job for being a crybaby during office hours.

I got up and walked to the restroom to wash my face clean.

After the day's work, I rushed straight to my boyfriend's place.

Seeing my things outside hurt me like I was just stabbed in the heart.

I tried to remember what I did wrong, but nothing. How many times did I forgive his cheating, and how many abortions did I have to save our relationship?

I clutched my abdomen and knelt down there, crying in pain.

The door opened. I looked up and saw my friend Kamsy. This time, I had no idea what was happening between the two secret lovers. I was too shocked to speak. I just stared at her in surprise.

"Kamsy, what are you doing here?"

She ran to me. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

I broke down crying and hugged her.

"Kamsy, what did I do to deserve such an embarrassment? I did nothing wrong!"

"Shhh, it's okay. I have talked to him," she said and helped me up to my feet.

"How did you know about this?" I asked, looking up at her, curious, as streams of tears kept rolling down my cheeks.

Luke came out of the house. The two gazed at each other, then back at me. Then Kamsy broke into a very loud laugh.

I hope this is a joke. Why are they acting like they know something I don't? I was still having hiccups from crying as I watched her in confusion.

"Kamsy, what is happening? Can someone talk to me?"

She walked back to Luke and kissed him. My eyes grew wide, and my heart shattered.

"Poor Valerie, I told you-you can't get married before me. You thought I was joking. I also told you I could make your man mine, but you're too naive, Valerie. You underestimated me."

She smirked and flipped her hair dramatically.

"I'm too beautiful to be single. Babe, these curves ain't no joke."

She turned around to flaunt her figure.

"I... I don't understand. That's my fiancé," I said, my voice trembling as I chuckled bitterly.

Truly, I didn't understand.

What the hell was Kamsy saying?

She was like a sister to me. As an introvert who loves deeply, I trusted her completely. She's my only friend.

I loved Kamsy. I cared about her so much.

She was the sister I never had.

Then she held up her hand, showing off a diamond ring that glinted under the light.

"I'm engaged to your man-not your kind of engagement, sweetie. Ours is real. Oh, and we even brought a wedding invitation for you."

I stared at her in disbelief.

A wedding card? For me?

"Baby?" she said, turning to Luke.

Luke stepped forward, grinning then he handed her a card.

She tossed it to the floor at my feet, smiling smugly as she leaned against his shoulder.

I knelt down and picked it up, my hands trembling. I opened it, reading the names written on it.

It was real.

Yet I find it hard to believe.

This is crazy. I'm going insane.

Could this be a dream?

I laughed, a bitter sound that escaped my lips before I could stop it.

"You got me. This must be some kind of TikTok prank or surprise, right? You're joking. You two are getting married? A big joke. He's my fiancé, and you're..."

Kamsy cut me off, tilting her head and pouting mockingly.

"I'm your best friend, yes, I know, honey. Life is so sad, isn't it? When you can't keep your man, someone else does it for you."

I blinked, unable to digest her words.

"This isn't a movie, Kamsy. Stop joking about serious things like this. You joke too much. Luke, enough of this prank already. Someone, please, be serious. You if all people make me better, you know I love Luke...you know I will never hurt you...why this expensive prank?"

"How innocent".

She laughed.

I chuckled again, but this time it was hollow, painful.

That was just the beginning of my story.

The so-called surprise breakup wasn't a prank after all.

I hailed a cab and headed home, crying the entire way. The cab driver kept stealing glances at me in the rearview mirror, but I didn't care.

When I reached home, I paid him and went inside.

The moment I shut the door behind me, a dark thought crept into my mind.

Maybe I should end it. It's for the best. I deserve this.

The betrayal cut deeper than anything I'd ever experienced.

My best friend. The first man I'd ever loved. My first kiss.

And Kamsy-the one person I trusted with my life.

What was my crime?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing!

I was just loving and trusting with my heart, I ended up the victim.

I should have known.

Like she said I was naive and didn't see it coming.

I had a personality that made it easy for people to stomp on me, to take advantage of me. I wished I had even a shred of toughness, the strength to fight back. But my heart was too weak.

I should end my useless life. Otherwise, I'll just keep suffering. Keep getting hurt and mocked.

An orphan, what else is here for me.

Kamsy?

Like?

How could they have the heart to hurt me, I could literally give up my life for their sakes!

Why?

Why!

I roughly dried the flood of tears flowing down my face and grabbed my raincoat, rushed out into the pouring rain.

My phone rang incessantly in my pocket, but I ignored it. My destination was clear. I was focused.

I bought rat poison from the nearest store.

As I left, the salesgirl handed me the package.

"Those stubborn rats," I said, forcing a smile.

No one asked, I was nervous and thought it would be suspicious, so I had to play it cool.

In the queue, I heard a familiar voice call out my name.

"Valerie?"

I turned around and saw Daniel, my colleague from work.

His face was filled with concern.

"Hey, Daniel... um... what are you doing in my neighborhood?" I asked, faking a cheerful tone.

"I've been calling you all day, but you didn't pick up. I got worried, so I decided to check on you. Can I walk you home?"

"Not now, please!" I screamed in my head.

But if I refused, he'd suspect something.

"Sure, no problem at all," I replied, forcing a smile.

Daniel opened his umbrella and held it over me, shielding me from the rain.

He didn't seem to care that he was getting soaked. He had always been so good and nice towards me. Unfortunately, he is in a relationship so I guess he was just a nice guy.

At my place, I tried to brush him off.

"I'm expecting an important visitor. Thanks for the company and the umbrella," I said, turning to go inside.

"Can I stay for a while?" he asked, his eyes flicking to the package I was holding.

I froze.

"Alright," I said reluctantly.

He thanked me and followed me inside.

After changing into dry clothes, I tried to distract him by turning on the television. But he kept trailing me like a shadow.

"About what happened at the company..." he began.

"Oh, please don't start," I thought, though I smiled and nodded at him.

"Are you sure you're okay, Val?"

He suddenly asked, studying me intently.

I forced another smile.

"I'm fine. Absolutely fine."

I laughed awkwardly.

"Your eyes are red. You look exhausted. I can't believe you were with a jerk like Luke for three years."

He said softly.

I decided to make coffee for the both of us and walked to the kitchen.

Daniel followed.

"Luke is not a jerk. He was just... just.....deceived by Kamsy that's all," I said softly.

Of Course, I didn't want him to suspect anything, I had to give him answers that wouldn't be a hint of the emotional breakdown I was trying to hide.

"Deceived? Is he a child?"

Daniel snapped in rage.

He was deeply offended by my reply.

"They say boys will be boys," I shrugged, trying to end the discussion.

"Engaging you in front of the whole company and breaking up with you the same way? That's not being 'deceived.' That's cruelty. And did you hear the things people were saying about you? They laughed at you, Valerie."

I couldn't take it anymore. My heart pounded in my chest. I paused what I was doing and looked up with my eyes soaked.

"What is your problem, Daniel? Please, just let me be! I told you I'm fine. Let them laugh, mock me, call me names-I don't care! Why do you care so much? Just leave me alone! You have better things to do! I want to breathe...Go give that attention to your girl!"

I shouted, my voice trembling with suppressed tears.

Daniel's face fell.

The disappointment in his eyes hit me like a slap.

I covered my mouth, and dropped down on the kitchen chair.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, but the words caught in my throat.

Daniel sighed.

"Fine, I'll leave. I just wanted to be a friend and check on you. That's all."

He walked over to the counter, where I'd placed the poison, and picked it up.

"If you don't have a reason to live, then let me be that reason...we are friends...I am going to lose you.".

Daniel held the rat poison in his hand.

"No matter how much pain you've gone through, Valerie, it's not worth your life. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. Look into that mirror right now," he said, gesturing toward the mirror on my wall, "and ask yourself-is that coward, that ungrateful brat of a man, really worth this? No man is worth you taking your life. Don't let your emotions play tricks on you."

His words sliced through the fog of despair clouding my mind.

"My fiancé and my best friend betrayed me, Daniel," I said, my voice shaking with suppressed rage. "They played me. For three years, I was nothing but a side chick-a glorified maid! The money girl, the laundry girl, the cook, and even the abortion girl! And she... she was the main woman all along. I never thought they could hurt me...it hurts so much...I don't know if I can move on...Kamsy isn't just my only friend, she is my best friend and sister...I introduced her to my man as my sister...Luke...choose her over me from that moment...why then...why let me go through all this thinking I had a best friend and a lover but instead I had two enemies who mock me while they fuck behind my back!"

My chest heaved as I continued, my voice cracking.

"I trusted Kamsy. She was like my sister! She knew everything about me-my secrets, my fears, my dreams. And Luke? He was my first. My first kiss, my first love, my first everything. I gave him my all. I forgave his lies, his betrayals, his broken promises, because I loved him. And this is what I get in return?"

Daniel stood quietly, letting me vent.

"I aborted many times for him, Daniel. Four!" I cried, tears streaming down my face. "Because my friend said it would save my relationship. Because my fiancé said he wasn't ready to be a father. And I believed them. I believed them every single time. Do you know what that makes me? A fool,A weak naive maid for their entertainment. Thinking about the abortions! I am nothing but a monster. A murderer. I don't deserve to live!"

Daniel sighed deeply and sat down on the sofa.

"You're not the only person who's made mistakes, Valerie. And yes, you've done things you regret. But punishing yourself won't fix the past. What matters is that you've realized what went wrong. That guilt you feel? It's a sign that you have a conscience. A monster wouldn't feel this way."

I shook my head, sobbing uncontrollably.

"You don't understand..."

"No, you don't understand," he interrupted gently. "Life isn't over just because people hurt you. You have a choice, Valerie. You can let their betrayal destroy you, or you can rise above it. But don't you dare let those two selfish people decide your worth."

He leaned forward, looking me straight in the eye.

"Please, forgive yourself and move on. It's not easy, but you can do it.You're not alone, Val. Not as long as I'm here."

I looked at him, the poison still clutched in his hand. My tears kept flooding down my cheeks.

He stood and placed the poison on the highest shelf, far out of my reach.

"I'll leave now, but promise me you'll call if you need anything," he said, pausing at the door.

I nodded weakly, unable to speak.

Daniel hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but then he left, closing the door softly behind him.

As soon as he was gone, I fell to my knees, my cries filling the empty room.

_________

Well, I decided to give myself a second chance to live,as he advised.

The next morning I woke up,prayed, spent most of the pray session asking God for forgiveness then got ready for work.

I have been mocked for my poor fashion sense in the past by my colleagues ,so I decided to put on my best outfit.

I don't want them to think that I am depressed or whatever,after they witnessed my humiliating breakup.

At work, of course my female colleagues didn't fake it ,they all talked loudly about me and laughed out loud.

I went straight to my corner, put my bag down on my desk and said a short prayer.

The first thing my eyes caught was the portrait of me and my ex.

Luke.

I sighed and slowly put it down under my desk then proceeded to open my computer system.

"Good morning!"

I didn't have to guess ,I am sure it was Daniel. I looked up and smiled back at him.

"Good morning Dan".