The weeks following the engagement were filled with joy and celebration. Amaka and Jidenna became the center of attention among their friends and family. Plans for the wedding began to take shape, and the couple seemed to be basking in their newfound commitment. But beneath the surface of their happiness, a seed of doubt lingered, waiting for the right moment to sprout.

One evening, while Jidenna was in the shower, Amaka lounged on the bed, scrolling absentmindedly through social media. His phone, lying on the bedside table, buzzed with a notification. Amaka glanced at it out of habit, intending to ignore it, but the preview caught her eye: a message from a woman named Tasha.

"Hey, Jidenna, last night was unforgettable. I can't wait to see you again."

Amaka's heart sank. The words stared back at her, each letter a dagger piercing through the fragile trust she had rebuilt with Jidenna. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of what she had just read. Was it a misunderstanding? A joke? Or was there something Jidenna wasn't telling her?

Her hands trembled as she picked up the phone, but before she could open the message, Jidenna emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing the tension on her face.

Amaka quickly placed the phone back on the table and forced a smile. "Nothing," she said, her voice strained. "I was just lost in thought."

Jidenna raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. He walked over to her, planting a kiss on her forehead before heading to the closet to change. Amaka watched him, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She wanted to confront him, to demand an explanation, but a part of her was terrified of what she might hear.

The next day, Amaka couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The message replayed in her mind over and over, each repetition chipping away at her sense of security. Seeking clarity, she decided to confide in her closest friend, Ngozi.

Amaka arrived at Ngozi's apartment in the early afternoon. Ngozi, ever the lively and outspoken confidante, greeted her with a warm hug and a glass of chilled juice.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"To what do I owe this surprise visit?" Ngozi asked, settling into the couch beside Amaka.

Amaka hesitated, staring at the drink in her hands. "I saw something on Jidenna's phone," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ngozi's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a look of concern. "What did you see?"

Amaka recounted the message, her voice trembling as she relived the moment. Ngozi listened intently, her expression growing darker with each word.

"That's serious, Amaka," Ngozi said when she finished. "You can't just ignore something like that. You need to talk to him."

"But what if it's nothing?" Amaka countered, her voice tinged with desperation. "What if I'm just overreacting?"

Ngozi shook her head. "Girl, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, there's usually a reason."

Amaka sighed, burying her face in her hands. "I don't want to lose him, Ngozi. We've been through so much to get to this point."

Ngozi placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand, but you can't let fear stop you from addressing this. You deserve to know the truth."

That evening, Amaka returned home with a heavy heart. Jidenna was in the living room, strumming his guitar and humming a tune. The sight of him, so carefree and handsome, made her chest ache. She wanted to believe in him, to trust that their love was as strong as he claimed. But the message loomed over her like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on their happiness.

Amaka sat down beside him, forcing a smile. "What are you working on?"

Jidenna glanced at her, his eyes lighting up. "Just a new song idea. Want to hear it?"

She nodded, and he began to play, his voice filling the room with a melody that spoke of love and devotion. For a moment, Amaka felt the tension in her chest ease. But as the song ended, the doubts came rushing back, stronger than ever.

"Jidenna," she began hesitantly, "can I ask you something?"

He set the guitar down and turned to face her. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

Amaka hesitated, her words caught in her throat. She wanted to ask about the message, to demand an explanation, but the fear of shattering their peace held her back.

"Nothing," she said finally, shaking her head. "It's nothing."

Jidenna frowned, sensing her unease. "Amaka, if something's bothering you, you can tell me."

But she couldn't. Not yet. The fear of what she might uncover was too great. Instead, she leaned into him, letting his warmth envelop her, even as the doubts continued to gnaw at her from within.

That night, as Jidenna slept beside her, Amaka lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The message was a thorn in her mind, impossible to ignore. She knew she couldn't keep it bottled up forever. Sooner or later, she would have to confront Jidenna and face the truth, whatever it might be.

And as she lay there, a single thought echoed in her mind: What if this love, this life we've built, is just an illusion waiting to shatter?