“You will never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied by life.” – Heather Schuck
Today’s short story takes us on a journey of reflection and wonder, exploring the idea of “what if?” It exposes the life of the protagonist, who is suddenly faced with the question of how different their world would be if they had never met their love interest. It’s a story about the paths we take, the choices we make, and the profound impact that love has on shaping who we become.
In this alternate reality, the protagonist imagines a life untouched by the person who has meant the most to them—a life without laughter, shared dreams, and the emotional growth that love often brings. They revisit key moments in their life, only now, there is an emptiness where their love should have been. The absence creates a ripple effect, altering not just their relationships, but also their outlook on life, their ambitions, and even their sense of purpose.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear just how much their love interest influenced everything from small, everyday decisions to the bigger, life-altering moments. Without that connection, the protagonist’s world feels less vibrant and less meaningful. A stark contrast to the fullness they’ve come to know. But the story isn’t just about loss; it’s a reflection on gratitude and the realisation of how intertwined love is with our personal growth.
A Life Unlived
The heat in Port Harcourt hung heavy that afternoon, the sun blazing relentlessly over the bustling city. Adaobi stared out of her office window, watching the familiar chaos of traffic and traders moving through the streets below. The hum of the air conditioner was the only sound in the otherwise silent room, her co-workers having left early for the weekend. Yet, Adaobi remained glued to her desk, her mind drifting to a life she could have lived—if only she hadn’t met Chike.
Chike. Just thinking his name stirred something deep within her, something painful yet tender, like a long-faded bruise. She had loved him with every fibre of her being, and now, five years after their lives had intertwined, she wondered what her life might have been if that day had never come.
It had all started on a rainy Monday in 2016, the day her entire world had shifted.
Adaobi was late, as usual. She had just graduated from the University of Port Harcourt and had landed her first real job at an oil company. Her ambition was driving her, and she had plans—big plans. Nothing was going to stand in the way of her career. She imagined herself climbing the corporate ladder, breaking glass ceilings, and eventually leading a division in the male-dominated oil industry. She could see herself thriving, independent and powerful, answering to no one but her own ambition.
But that morning, while rushing to catch a bus, she had bumped into Chike. It was a typical Port Harcourt downpour, and in her haste to shield herself from the rain with a broken umbrella, she hadn’t noticed him coming from the opposite direction. They collided, her papers flying everywhere, and she felt a flash of irritation. But when she looked up to meet his gaze, her world seemed to pause.
Chike had this calm, unhurried air about him, a sharp contrast to the rush of her own life. His dark skin gleamed with raindrops, and his gentle smile immediately softened her frustration. He helped gather her scattered papers, and before she knew it, they were sitting at a nearby café, talking for hours about everything from politics to Nigerian literature.
Their connection had been instant, magnetic. Chike was an engineer—steady, grounded, and unlike anyone she had ever met. His worldview fascinated her, his calmness anchored her, and slowly, over time, he became the center of her universe.
But now, sitting at her desk in the office she had worked so hard to get to, she couldn’t help but wonder what her life would have been like if she had simply taken a different bus that day. If their paths had never crossed.
Without Chike, Adaobi knew her life would have been different. The ambitions she had set aside for love would have flourished. Her weekends wouldn’t have been spent at quiet dinners with him, but rather at networking events, workshops, and leadership seminars. She would have pursued her MBA in the UK, as she had always dreamed, instead of delaying it to support his start-up business.
She imagined herself sitting in boardrooms in Lagos, confident and driven, making decisions that would shape the future of the oil industry in Nigeria. She wouldn’t be worried about making time for love or marriage. No, her career would be her sole focus, and she would have taken the world by storm. The very things she had abandoned for love—the late-night strategizing, the endless ambition, the desire to be seen as the best—would have consumed her.
Without Chike, she wouldn’t have known the quiet, peaceful joy of sitting on the balcony with him at night, watching the stars while he softly sang an old Igbo folk song. She would have missed the quiet mornings they spent reading together, her head on his shoulder, as they drank tea in the first light of day.
Instead, her life would have been filled with meetings and milestones, a life lived at a frantic pace. But she would have been alone, the stillness of those quiet moments with Chike replaced by the hum of a city that never slowed down. She would have been powerful, yes, but she would have lacked the companionship that grounded her, the love that made her feel whole.
As the years passed, Adaobi knew that the sacrifices she had made for love had been worth it, even though they had come at a cost. She had delayed her MBA, and the corporate dreams she once nurtured now seemed distant. But in their place, she had found something more valuable—a life lived in connection with another soul, someone who saw her not just as a driven professional, but as a whole person, with fears and vulnerabilities.
There had been tough moments, of course—times when she resented Chike for pulling her away from the career she once envisioned. They had fought about it, her desire for more clashing with his need for simplicity. But somehow, they had always found their way back to each other.
Still, as Adaobi sat in her office, watching the world go by, she wondered if she had lost a part of herself along the way. She had chosen love, but in doing so, had she lost the fire that once burned so brightly within her?
That evening, as she walked home, Adaobi decided to visit the old café where she had met Chike. She hadn’t been there in years, and as she stepped inside, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. The place hadn’t changed much—same red walls, same old chairs. She sat at the same table where they had talked for hours that rainy day, and in the quiet of the café, she allowed herself to imagine, just for a moment, what life would have been if she had chosen differently.
If she had never met Chike, would she have been happier? Would she have felt more fulfilled? She thought about it for a long time, and finally, with a small smile, she shook her head.
She would have been successful, yes. She would have achieved the career she dreamed of. But without Chike, she realized, her life would have lacked the depth of love, the quiet moments of joy, and the steady companionship that made all the sacrifices worth it.
Adaobi’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was Chike, texting to ask if she was on her way home. She smiled softly as she typed a quick response.
As she left the café, the cool evening breeze kissed her face, and she walked back home, her heart lighter than it had been all day. Life might not have turned out the way she once imagined, but in the end, it was the life she chose. And that, she knew, was enough.
Adaobi paused at the door of their home, looking at Chike through the window as he sat on the couch, flipping through a book. At that moment, she realised that it wasn’t just about what she had given up—it was about what she had gained. Without him, she would have never known the beauty of a shared life, the strength of quiet love, or the happiness of a future built together.
And for that, she was grateful.
Today’s story serves as a reminder of how pivotal certain people are in our lives. It celebrates the love that shapes us, the people who inspire us to be better, and the power of connection in giving life meaning. It’s a quiet, reflective piece that asks us to appreciate the presence of those we cherish, because without them, our lives would be very different indeed.
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