Chapter 1
It all started on a Monday morning at Nkporo Comprehensive Secondary School. Martha was a Junior Secondary 3 student preparing for her junior WAEC exams. She was known for her beauty, discipline, and intelligence. Teachers loved her, and she was one of the best students in school. Unlike many others, she preferred spending time alone studying.
David, on the other hand, was in Senior Secondary 2. He was a tough and troublesome boy who always moved with his gang. They bullied younger students and caused problems in school. Teachers warned David often, but he rarely listened.
Even though he was rough and stubborn, David admired Martha. She was different—calm, hardworking, and respected by everyone. He watched her from afar for weeks but never had the courage to approach her.
One day, he decided to act.
He called Favour, Martha's best friend, and asked for help. After thinking about it, Favour agreed. She believed Martha deserved to experience love and happiness.
That afternoon, Favour approached Martha.
"Someone wants to see you," she said.
Martha looked surprised but agreed to go.
When she arrived, she saw David standing there. He looked nervous—something unusual for him. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"Martha," he began, struggling to find the right words. "I have admired you for a long time. Ever since I first saw you, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I really like you. I want us to build something meaningful. Please, give me a chance."
Martha was quiet. She didn't expect such words.
"I will think about it," she finally replied.
Then she left.
David didn't give up. He begged Favour to talk to Martha and convince her to accept him. Favour agreed, believing David could change and treat Martha well.
For a week, Favour continued speaking to Martha about David.
Finally, Martha agreed.
She accepted his proposal.
David was extremely happy. Dating Martha meant more than love to him—it meant respect. She was admired by students and teachers alike, and being with her made him feel proud.
On Wednesday after school, David asked Martha to walk home with him.
After thinking for a moment, she agreed.
She told her bike man not to pick her up that day. She wanted to walk and enjoy the afternoon.
They strolled together, talking quietly. When they reached David's house, he invited her inside to rest before continuing the journey.
Martha agreed.
Inside the house, she sat on a wooden chair near his bed. She watched as David changed out of his school uniform into shorts and a white polo shirt.
When he finished, he looked at her.
His eyes softened.
Without speaking, he moved closer.
They kissed.
It was deep—filled with emotions neither fully understood.
For a brief moment, everything felt different.
David tried to take things further and undress her, but Martha resisted and pushed him away.
"We should go," she said, standing up. "It's time."
David nodded.
He opened the door, and they walked out.
He escorted her close to her house.
When they reached the gate, Martha stopped.
"My mother doesn't like seeing me with boys," she said. "Please go back."
David understood.
They said goodbye.
And he left.
Martha's mother was a feared woman in the village. After losing eight children, Martha was her only surviving child—her treasure and source of joy. Many boys avoided approaching Martha, not because she was unfriendly, but because they feared her mother.
Martha was precious—like an egg that must be handled with care.
But love has a way of testing boundaries.
And this was only the beginning.
At night, Martha sat on her bed, scrolling through her phone and smiling as she typed messages—just like she used to. David's frequent calls continued, and their love gradually grew stronger. Martha made it clear to him that she was still a virgin but was willing to surrender her virginity when the time felt right. David respected her decision, which was surprising because he had once been known as a playboy—someone who rarely stayed in relationships without seeking intimacy. Yet, for Martha, he chose patience.
After completing her junior WAEC examinations, Martha advanced to SS1, while David progressed to SS3 in preparation for his senior WAEC. Months later, David wrote his final exams and traveled to Lagos in search of better opportunities. Life in the city was challenging. He stayed with his brother, who was already married, and depended on them for basic necessities because he had no stable source of income. At times, Martha supported him financially by sending money for food and small expenses. They occasionally argued, but they always apologized and reconciled, unwilling to lose the bond they shared.
One day, during a conversation, David confessed something that hurt Martha deeply. He apologized and admitted that he had been unfaithful—he cheated on her with a grown woman who lived nearby. The woman often provided him with food and financial help when his brother could not assist him. Eventually, she requested something in return, and David gave in. He confessed that they had sex and expressed deep regret for his actions, promising it would never happen again.
Although heartbroken, Martha chose to forgive him after some time. They continued their relationship, but life remained difficult. David searched for work and eventually secured a job in a baking store, earning only 25,000 Naira per month—an amount barely sufficient to sustain him. Financial struggles weighed heavily on him, but Martha remained supportive. She occasionally sent money and encouraged him to stay strong and work toward a better future.
However, another disagreement arose between them, and they stopped communicating. During that period of silence, Martha received a message from Emmanuel—a boy who had admired her since their school days. Emmanuel was the son of a teacher and had previously helped students at Nkporo Comprehensive Secondary School with lessons. He was intelligent and well-mannered, but Martha had never paid much attention to him.
Over time, their conversations increased, and a friendship developed. Eventually, it evolved into a relationship—though Martha did not fully invest emotionally. Part of her decision to date Emmanuel was driven by a desire to make David feel jealous, hoping it might remind him of what he risked losing.
They remained together for about a month, but Emmanuel later apologized for his emotional distance and lack of consistent communication. After considering everything, Martha forgave him. However, she realized that her feelings for him were not deep or genuine. She concluded that their relationship lacked the emotional foundation required for long-term commitment, so she decided to return to David.
When she informed Emmanuel of her decision, he reacted calmly. He was naturally nonchalant—someone who rarely displayed strong emotions or persistence in relationships. He neither argued nor tried to convince her to stay. His indifferent response reinforced Martha's belief that their connection was never truly serious.
Martha continued her relationship with David, and for a while, their love remained strong. They communicated constantly—frequent phone calls, long messages, and promises of a future together. Their bond seemed unbreakable.
One day, David shared his plans to register as an Uber rider. However, he explained that he lacked the money required for registration. After thinking about it, Martha decided to help him. She asked for time to raise the money and assured him that she would support his plan.
For the next two months, Martha worked diligently to gather the 60,000 Naira. She earned the money by assisting her mother in the shop, saving little by little until she finally reached her target. When the money was complete, she sent it to David with great hope. She imagined that he would register for Uber, become financially independent, and eventually improve their lives.
However, things did not go as planned. After receiving the money, David began giving excuses. He claimed that he was no longer interested in Uber and had decided to return to school. According to him, his father had promised to support his education so he could study computer science.
Martha felt disappointed. She had invested time and effort to help him, but she respected his decision. They continued their relationship, and David assured her that once he became successful, he would marry her. Their love persisted—filled with promises, trust, and emotional attachment.
Later, David moved to Aba. He explained that his friends had invited him to learn "yahoo"—internet-based money-making activities. He claimed he wanted to do anything possible to earn money and build a better future for both of them. Although Martha disliked the idea and worried about the risks, David went ahead with his plan.
As time passed, their relationship began to change. David became distant and less communicative. He stopped calling and replying to messages as frequently as before. When Martha confronted him, he always provided excuses—claiming he was busy or trying to sort out personal matters.
Whenever she expressed concern, he dismissed her feelings and accused her of overreacting. He insisted that she would eventually return to him because of her love for him. These words hurt Martha deeply, but she remained loyal. She believed in their relationship and always apologized to maintain peace.
Eventually, Martha completed her WAEC examinations and moved on to study auxiliary nursing. She planned to continue her education and pursue university studies in the future. Despite her academic commitments, she still reached out to David.
Sometimes he responded, but more often, he ignored her messages and calls. The emotional distance between them grew wider. Martha warned him that if things did not change, she would walk away. David responded with confidence, claiming that she could not live without him and would eventually return.
Months later, Martha made a difficult decision. She stopped messaging and calling him. This time, she chose to wait and see if he would reach out.
He did not.
David believed that she would come back, just as she always had before. He assumed that her love for him guaranteed her return.
During this period of emotional healing, Martha began focusing on herself. At school, she met a young man named Bright. Bright was tall, fair-skinned, and full of energy. He possessed a warm personality and a sense of humor that instantly made people comfortable around him.
Bright had admired Martha for a long time but never approached her because of her relationship with David. After she ended things with David, he decided to express his feelings.
Initially, Martha was cautious. She had endured emotional pain in her previous relationship and feared repeating the same mistakes. When Bright asked her to date him, she politely declined.
She explained her past experiences and the heartbreak she had suffered. She told him that she needed time and did not want to rush into another relationship.
Bright listened patiently. Instead of giving up, he remained supportive and respectful. He assured her that he understood her fears and would not pressure her.
Over time, their friendship grew stronger. Bright consistently showed kindness and understanding. He encouraged her, made her laugh, and supported her goals. Unlike David, he respected her boundaries and valued her feelings.
Months later, Martha reconsidered. She realized that Bright was different. He demonstrated patience and genuine care. He never forced her into anything or made her feel insecure.
After much thought, she decided to give love another chance.
Before accepting his proposal, she shared her past experiences with him. She explained how her relationship with David had ended in disappointment and emotional distress. She told Bright that she wanted a relationship built on trust and respect.
Bright listened attentively. He reassured her that he valued her feelings and would never take her for granted. He promised to treat her with kindness and loyalty.
This time, Martha decided to move forward. She embraced the possibility of a new beginning—one built on healing, trust, and genuine love.
Bright was good. He texted Martha all day and called whenever he didn't see her online, even if it was just for a minute. But Martha always had the same thought—he is only being this caring because everything is new. She convinced herself that all men were the same. Because of that fear, she didn't give him the same energy. She was scared of getting attached.
However, as time passed, she began bonding with Bright. He was the only one who consistently made her smile. Some of her colleagues at work warned her that he might break her heart, but Martha paid no attention to their words. Bright had already told her about his ex-girlfriend, Gift. He explained that he discovered Gift was engaged to someone else, even though she still agreed to date him. When he found out, he decided to end the relationship.
Martha could no longer fight her feelings, so she finally opened her heart to Bright. He adored her and promised her the world, even though he had nothing much to offer. He was still a student struggling financially, but he tried his best to support her in small ways. Martha rarely requested anything from him.
Bright was already in his final year when life became more difficult. Martha began supporting him with the little she had—just as she once supported David. After several months of dating, they had a misunderstanding and stopped talking for two days.
When they eventually resolved the issue, Bright visited her as usual (since she could not visit him because he still lived with his parents). While he was there, Martha took his phone to watch videos. As she scrolled, she checked his WhatsApp messages and discovered chats with his ex-girlfriend. The conversations were romantic, and he even directed her to his new location so they could meet.
When Martha questioned him about the messages, he blamed her. He said she was the reason he reached out to his ex—because she had not been giving him enough attention. Martha was shocked and speechless. He did not even apologize.
After he left, Martha remained upset. When she confronted him again via text, he told her to stop overreacting. He even suggested that if she wanted a breakup, it was fine. Martha's greatest fear was coming true. She apologized instead, and Bright began ignoring her for some time. They eventually reconciled, but Martha could not forget what had happened. She started wondering if he truly loved her, since he spoke about breaking up so easily.
She also remembered their first sexual experience. It had been her first time, and she bled the next day. Bright messaged her and asked why she was bleeding after sex. Martha explained that it was her first time. He laughed and said, "First time?" She felt deeply hurt—after giving him her virginity, he still questioned whether it had been her first time. It made her feel as though the experience was meaningless, but she tried not to dwell on it and moved forward.
Martha was certain that Bright loved her, but his behavior often confused her. One moment he would be loving and caring, and the next he would become distant and nonchalant. His sudden changes always left Martha feeling sad and uncertain.
Whenever Martha had days off from work, she often traveled to her village to bring back foodstuffs. On January 31st, which was Martha's birthday, Bright posted her on his social media with a thoughtful and loving message. Although the post made her happy, he didn't give her any physical gift. Martha felt a little disappointed because she believed that even a small gift—something as simple as a packet of biscuits—would have meant a lot to her. Still, she tried not to dwell on it. Bright spent quality time with her that day, which made her both happy and a little sad at the same time.
A few days later, it was Bright's sign-out day at school. However, before the event, they had another misunderstanding which led Bright to break up with her again. This was already the fourth time he had broken up with Martha, and each time she was the one who apologized in order to make peace.
This time, the breakup happened because Bright saw a message from another man on Martha's phone. The message was nothing more than a simple "Hi." Martha had already blocked and deleted the man immediately, but Bright still insisted that she had cheated on him.
Despite the breakup, Martha still remembered something Bright had always talked about wanting but could never afford. A day before his sign-out ceremony, Martha used the little money she had saved to buy that particular item as a gift for him. Even though they were no longer together at that moment, she still gave him the gift.
After receiving it, Bright—who had been ignoring her—finally sent her a message to say thank you. Martha simply replied, "You're welcome." But instead of ending the conversation peacefully, Bright began blaming Martha again for their misunderstanding. Martha remained quiet for most of the conversation, but eventually they argued. At one point, Bright even told her to come and take her gift back. Martha refused. Later, she apologized again, and they eventually reconciled.
On the day of Bright's sign-out ceremony, Martha stayed quiet as she watched him present his final case. He answered the questions asked by the panel and was eventually awarded his certificate. Almost immediately after the ceremony, Bright's ex-girlfriend posted a congratulatory message for him on her status.
When Martha picked up her phone, the first thing she saw was her boyfriend on his ex-girlfriend's status. She felt a sudden wave of sadness. Without saying anything, she dropped her phone and decided not to post anything about the event. After everything was over, Martha quietly went home.
Later that night, Bright came to visit her. They spent some time together and eventually became intimate. The following day, Bright visited again, but this time Martha refused to have sex with him because she was tired from work. Bright became angry and started ignoring her.
This wasn't the first time it had happened. Anytime Martha refused him sex, Bright would become upset and distant. In fact, it had been one of the main reasons he had broken up with her several times before. Yet each time, Martha would still apologize.
When Bright left her house the next morning, he didn't say much and refused to reply to her messages. Martha eventually confronted him through text, asking why he always got angry or even broke up with her whenever she refused to have sex.
She told him that they didn't have to be intimate every time they saw each other. Sometimes they could simply cuddle, talk, laugh, and enjoy each other's company as partners. But Bright found her words offensive.
Martha couldn't help but remember her previous relationship. Her ex-boyfriend had dated her for five years without ever having sex with her. He had respected her boundaries. Thinking about it now made Martha feel as though she was being used, yet she still held onto the hope that Bright truly loved her.
As time passed, whenever Bright received money from part-time jobs, he would sometimes spoil Martha by buying her things she liked. During those moments, he treated her very well and promised that once he got a good-paying job, he would take proper care of her.
One evening, Bright visited Martha in the afternoon. She prepared food for him because he told her he was hungry. They spent some time together, and later that evening Martha began preparing for work since she was scheduled for night duty.
After she left for work, Bright sent her a message saying he was hungry again. Martha was surprised and asked why he hadn't told her earlier so she could have prepared something for him before leaving. Bright replied that he was still angry with her because she had refused him sex earlier.
Martha then told him to come to her workplace so she could find something for him to eat, since they had a gas stove they used for cooking during night shifts.
But Bright refused. Instead, he said he would go and eat at his ex-girlfriend's shop.
That statement left Martha both angry and speechless
Martha asked Bright why he wanted to go to his ex-girlfriend's place just to eat. Bright answered casually that he was simply hungry.
For a moment, Martha fell silent. Her mind drifted back to her own ex-boyfriend, David. Even after a whole year of their breakup, David still appeared in her direct messages, constantly begging her to return to him. He knew she was already in another relationship, yet he always said he didn't care. According to him, he had never truly broken up with Martha in his heart.
Each time he reached out, Martha would tell him the same thing—that she was already happy in her new relationship. But deep inside, things were not always as perfect as she claimed. Bright's actions often gave her reasons to question everything.
Still, Martha loved Bright deeply. She just wished she could feel the same level of love and commitment from him.
When she confronted Bright again about his plan to eat at his ex's place, she reminded him that she had already sent him some money so he wouldn't have to go there. If she hadn't done that, he might have actually gone.
Bright simply repeated that he was hungry and that he had been invited to come and eat.
Martha asked him directly,
"Were you invited by your ex? Is she the one who will serve you the food?"
Bright answered without hesitation, "Yes."
That response hurt Martha deeply. Anger and disappointment filled her heart at the same time. Instead of arguing further, she chose silence and stopped replying to his messages.
Later, Bright sent her a message apologizing. Martha didn't respond. Thinking she would eventually come back to apologize like she always did, Bright deleted the apology message. But this time was different. Martha remained quiet and strong. She didn't beg. She didn't chase him.
Bright began calling her repeatedly, but Martha refused to answer. After some time, he deleted all the messages he had sent to her, hoping she would react. But Martha showed no sign of concern.
When her night shift ended the next morning, she packed her bag and traveled to her village for her off-duty days without informing Bright. Instead of posting sad quotes or emotional messages on her status like before, Martha posted cheerful videos of herself dancing and enjoying life.
Three days passed.
Bright did not call or send a message, and Martha also chose not to reach out.
On the fourth day, Bright finally sent her a message that read,
"I guess you've moved on."
Martha replied calmly,
"Come on. I could have sorted everything out, but you chose to be nonchalant. If you think I've moved on, then that's fine."
After some time, Bright sent another message apologizing. Martha replied briefly, "No problem."
Once again, the conversation ended there.
Later, Bright texted her again and said,
"You've changed."
Martha responded firmly,
"What do you expect me to do? Cry and start posting sad quotes on my status? I won't do that."
Bright then asked Martha to delete one of the dancing videos she had posted because she was shaking her backside in the video. Martha didn't argue and quietly deleted it.
After that, Bright told her to dance again and send him a video of it.
Martha explained that it was already late. She was sleeping in the same room as her mother, and her mother was already asleep. She told him she would record the video the next day.
But Bright insisted.
"If you don't do it tonight, I'll break up with you."
Martha explained once again that it wasn't possible for her to dance at that moment, but Bright repeated the same threat.
This time, Martha simply replied,
"Go ahead."
And just like that, Bright broke up with her again.
Surprisingly, Martha didn't react the way she used to. She didn't beg him to stay, and she didn't apologize.
The next day, her off-duty ended and she returned to school. She sent Bright a message informing him that she was back. When he didn't reply, she decided to call him.
Bright picked up the call—only to hang up immediately.
When Martha called Bright again, he picked up the call but immediately hung up. A few seconds later, he sent her a text message.
"I already broke up with you. Stop calling or texting me."
That was when Martha realized he was serious. Surprisingly, she didn't panic the way she usually did. Instead, she stayed calm.
She simply replied, "No problem."
After sending the message, Martha deleted their entire chat. Since she couldn't go to work that day, she decided to go to the salon to make her hair. She switched off her phone, left it at home, and went out.
At the salon, she spent several hours getting her hair done. By evening, she was finally finished. When she returned home, she picked up her phone and turned it on.
Immediately, she saw a message from Bright.
"Why didn't you go to work today?"
Martha replied, "I wasn't feeling well."
Bright responded almost instantly, as if he had been waiting for her message all day.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"I had a small headache," Martha replied. "But I'm fine now."
Then Martha asked him how he knew she hadn't gone to work.
Bright told her he had gone to her workplace but couldn't find her there.
Martha simply replied, "Okay."
After that, Bright apologized for everything that had happened. He explained that he never actually went to his ex-girlfriend's place because of her. According to him, it was his ex-girlfriend's brother who had invited him to come and eat.
Martha listened quietly and then replied, "No problem. Just don't do that again."
A few days later, Martha's ex-boyfriend, David, messaged her. He told her that he would soon be matriculating and that he would love for her to come and celebrate with him.
Martha refused politely. She explained that her boyfriend would not be comfortable with that.
David became upset and said he would remain single and continue waiting for her because she still belonged to him. He kept apologizing, saying he had learned his lesson and that he had only treated her badly in the past because he had been going through a very difficult time in his life.
But Martha told him clearly that they could never be together again because she was already in a relationship.
A few months later, it was Bright's birthday. Martha broke open her savings just to buy him a special gift. She wanted to make the day memorable for him.
They spent the day together, laughing, talking, and sharing beautiful moments.
But once again, Bright's ex-girlfriend posted him on her status to celebrate him.
Martha wondered silently why the girl kept doing that. After all, the girl was already engaged. Why couldn't she just move on?
Meanwhile, David continued begging Martha to come back to him. Eventually, Martha grew tired of the constant messages and decided to block him completely.
Bright, on the other hand, was still searching for a stable job. Martha continued praying for him, hoping he would finally find a good opportunity.
After several months, Bright finally got a job. He rented a small apartment and started working. The salary wasn't much, but it was a good start.
Whenever Martha had days off, she would sometimes travel to visit him at his new place.
However, as months passed, things slowly began to change.
The love that once felt strong started fading. Bright's messages became dry. He rarely called anymore. Whenever Martha asked about it, Bright would simply say he was busy.
One day, Martha decided to visit him again.
They were spending time together in his apartment when suddenly someone knocked on the door.
Martha walked to the door and opened it.
Standing outside was a young woman.
That was when the painful truth came out.
Bright had been cheating on her with several girls in the area.
Martha felt her heart shatter.
She angrily asked Bright why he would do such a thing.
Bright tried to defend himself. He said Martha was not always around to satisfy him and that it had been a mistake.
But Martha was too hurt to listen.
Her heart was completely broken.
She left his apartment immediately.
Even though Bright kept calling and sending messages, begging her to forgive him, Martha refused to reply.
This time, she was truly done.
After everything she had sacrificed for him, this was how he chose to repay her.
Martha finally decided that love was not meant for her.
She promised herself that she would remain single rather than risk being hurt again.
Months passed, but the pain inside her heart remained.
She withdrew into herself and avoided getting close to anyone.
Martha had grown to hate men deeply.
In her mind, the betrayal had started long ago—with her own father, who abandoned her when she was born and never cared about her.
Now, history seemed to be repeating itself.
The same pain she experienced from her father was now coming from the men she had loved.
And Martha wondered if love was ever truly meant for her.
Final Chapter – Martha Chooses Herself
Months passed after Martha left Bright's house that painful day. Even though she tried to act strong, the memories still haunted her. Every promise Bright had made, every moment they shared, and every sacrifice she made for him replayed in her mind.
But slowly, Martha began to change.
Instead of spending her days thinking about the past, she started focusing on herself. She worked harder, spent more time with her family, and began doing things that made her happy. The pain was still there, but it was no longer controlling her life.
One evening, while she was returning from work, she received a message from an unknown number.
When she opened it, her heart skipped.
It was Bright.
"Martha, please forgive me. I made the biggest mistake of my life. I miss you every day."
Martha stared at the message for a long time. For a moment, memories of their good times tried to pull her back. But she remembered the tears, the disrespect, and the constant pain he caused her.
Before she could reply, another message came in.
"I've changed. Please give me another chance."
Martha slowly put down her phone and took a deep breath.
For the first time in a long time, she felt something different—not anger, not sadness, but peace.
She finally replied.
"Bright, I forgive you. But I can't go back."
She pressed send and turned off her phone.
A few days later, Martha received news that surprised her again. David, her ex-boyfriend, had also been trying to reach her through mutual friends. He still wanted her back and said he was ready to treat her better.
But Martha had already made up her mind.
She realized something important.
For many years, she had been searching for love in people who didn't value her. She had given her heart to others while forgetting to love herself.
That was the mistake she would never make again.
Martha decided she would no longer allow any man to define her happiness.
Instead, she chose herself.
She focused on her career, her dreams, and the life she wanted to build. Slowly, the pain faded and confidence replaced it.
One evening, as Martha stood outside watching the sunset, she smiled to herself.
For the first time in her life, she felt truly free.
She had learned the hardest lesson love could teach her:
Sometimes the greatest love story is the one where you finally choose yourself.
Because Martha had finally discovered her worth. but in all this she never hated David cause he was all he wanted matured,he apologized when his wrong and never brought out breakup ideas whenever they had issues instead he will say let's fix this babe but on the other hand bright was also good for her but can be nonchalant most times and ungrateful . _. _ and from that day Martha said to herself that she would never beg someone to be with her if they really love you they will stay willingly. THE End