Chapter 7: Lost in Love

The strike stretched on endlessly, a heavy pause on life that lasted far longer than anyone expected. Eight long months of waiting, worrying, and working just to keep myself occupied. It wasn't easy not for me and not for Dami. The distance between us only seemed to grow wider, and his struggles weighed heavily on both of us.

But I held on. I always held on.

During the strike, I kept myself busy with work, trying to earn a little money and keep my mind off my frustrations. Dami was still trying to "fix things" back home, chasing opportunities that never seemed to work out. The tension in his voice every time we spoke told me everything I needed to know he felt like he was drowning, and there was nothing I could do to save him.

When the strike finally ended, I was eager to return to school and pick up the pieces of my life. I hoped the time apart had given us a fresh start and that maybe this time, things would be different. But Dami didn't return with me.

"I need to stay back and fix things," he said over the phone one night. His voice was tired, defeated. "I can't keep living like this, babe. I need to sort myself out first."

I understood. Or at least, I tried to. He wanted to get his life back on track, to make enough money so he wouldn't feel like a failure. I wanted that for him too I wanted to see him happy, stable, and proud of himself. But I didn't realize how much his absence would cost us.

Almost immediately, his insecurities crept back in stronger than ever. The phone calls started early and never seemed to stop.

"Where are you?"

"Who are you with?"

"Why didn't you pick up?"

"What took you so long to reply?"

It didn't matter if I was in class, studying, or resting Dami expected me to be available at all times. If I didn't answer right away, his mind always went to the worst possible place.

"You're too busy for me now."

"You're probably with your male friends."

"You're changing you don't love me like you used to."

I found myself constantly walking on eggshells, trying not to trigger his jealousy. I stopped spending as much time with my friends, afraid he'd accuse me of choosing them over him. I rushed to pick up his calls, knowing a missed call would lead to endless questions and accusations. The constant need to prove my love was exhausting but I kept trying.

One afternoon, after a particularly long and stressful day, my friend Kyla noticed the tension on my face after yet another heated call with Dami.

"Is everything okay?" she asked gently.

For a second, I wanted to say yes to keep pretending everything was fine. But the words wouldn't come. The weight of everything I'd been holding in finally broke through, and before I knew it, I was telling her everything.

The possessiveness.

The constant suspicion.

The way I was slowly losing myself in my efforts to keep him happy.

"Why are you still with him?" Kyla asked softly, concern etched on her face. "This relationship is toxic, and it's draining you. You deserve better."

Her words hit me hard. Deep down, I knew she was right. But walking away felt impossible.

"I love him," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I want to prove my love is real. If I leave, it'll only confirm his fears. And if he tries to break me down… I swear he'll suffer for it because I gave him everything. I trusted him, cherished him, and loved him so much that I forgot myself."

Kyla's eyes filled with sadness, but she didn't push me further. I knew she wanted me to leave and part of me wanted that too but my heart wasn't ready to let go.

That night, as I lay in bed, my phone vibrated again and again. Dami's name flashed on the screen, and a familiar sense of dread settled in my chest. I stared at the phone, wondering how love had turned into this prison built on fear and doubt.

I finally picked up, forcing my voice to sound calm even though my heart was pounding.

"Where have you been?" Dami's voice was already sharp with suspicion. "I've been calling you for hours!"

"I was sleeping," I said, keeping my tone soft. "I had a long day."

"Sleeping?" He scoffed. "Or were you with someone? Don't lie to me, Lena."

My throat tightened. "Why would I lie to you?"

"Because you're changing," he snapped. "You don't pick up when I call, you barely text back I'm not stupid, Lena. I know when something's off."

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. This wasn't the first time we'd had this argument, and I knew it wouldn't be the last.

"I love you, Dami," I whispered. "Why can't you just trust that?"

There was a long silence on the other end before he finally spoke again.

"Because everyone leaves," he said quietly. "And I can't lose you too."

My heart broke a little at those words. I knew his fears were rooted in his past, in his struggles but I was drowning under the weight of his insecurities. And yet, I couldn't bring myself to let go.

Not yet.

I still hoped there was something worth saving.