Kel was still seated on the rocks when he heard the girls yelling his name from inside. His head spun back so fast, it almost fell off his body. In a blink, he was in the living room, time bending to his will like a rubber band.

"What's wrong?" he asked, half-expecting to see the house on fire or apes invading. Instead, Presence just pointed at the TV, her face a mix of shock and something that looked suspiciously like hope.

On the screen, a news anchor with hair so perfect it could probably withstand a hurricane was delivering the kind of news that changes lives:

"Breaking News: Nigerian billionaire and business mogul, Chief Egemba, has been arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in a dramatic turn of events. Sources say the tycoon was attempting to flee the country following a series of explosive allegations. Chief Egemba faces charges including money laundering, tax evasion, and most shockingly, conspiracy to commit murder. This arrest comes after months of investigation by both national and international law enforcement agencies. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story."

"I can't believe it," Kel said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Funi exhaled, her shoulders dropping like she'd just put down a weight she'd been carrying for years. And Presence? Presence exploded into motion like a firework, yelping and bouncing as if the floor had suddenly turned into a trampoline. In a move that would make any rom-com proud, she launched herself at Kel, hugging him like he was a life raft in a storm.

For a moment, they were suspended in time, two people finding an island of connection in a sea of chaos. Then, as if remembering all the reasons they shouldn't, they awkwardly disentangled themselves, like cats trying to act casual after falling off a ledge.

Kel turned to face Funi, who was smiling faintly at him. Gently, he pulled her into a hug as tears welled in her eyes. After a few moments, she returned the embrace, a grin spreading across her face.

"I'm fine," she said, her voice slightly muffled against his shoulder.

"Are you sure?" Kel asked, concern evident in his tone.

Funi broke the hug and looked at him, her brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean? Of course I am."

Presence, sensing that Kel and Funi needed space to talk, quietly slipped out of the living room and into the kitchen. As she busied herself there, she tried her hardest not to be pessimistic, but couldn't help feeling a twinge of worry. The events of the day - from their argument by the lagoon to this unexpected news - had left her emotions in turmoil. She found herself stealing glances back towards the living room, her heart heavy with unspoken words and uncertain futures.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Kel and Funi stood facing each other, the weight of everything that had happened hanging between them. The news of Chief Egemba's arrest marked the end of one chapter, but as Kel knew all too well, there were still unresolved matters that needed to be addressed. The clock was ticking, and he had decisions to make that would affect not just his future, but the futures of both Funi and Presence as well.

As they stood there, Funi regarded Kel for a few moments. She noticed how he struggled to say whatever was on his mind, then offered, "Walk with me?" gesturing with her head. Kel nodded, grateful for the suggestion.

They strolled slowly, the haze of the afternoon dissipating to reveal a breathtaking sunset - large, red, and beautiful. The breeze was subtle, not cold but loving, as if nature itself was trying to soothe their troubled hearts.

After a little moment of silence, Kel began, his voice soft, "It's been a crazy few days."

"Yeah?" Funi responded, encouraging him to continue.

"I've loved you, hated you, and loved you again," Kel admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of emotions.

"Oh..." Funi breathed, her heart skipping a beat at his words.

Kel took a deep breath before continuing, "Funi, I forgive you. For everything. I can't say I understand why you did what you did, but I can't hold it against you anymore."

Funi's eyes welled up with tears. "Kel, I... I don't know what to say. I've carried this guilt for so long."

"I know," Kel said softly. "But it's time we both let it go. What happened... it changed us both. In ways we couldn't have imagined."

They walked in silence for a moment before Funi spoke again. "You know, when I saw you again, alive... a part of me hoped that maybe we could..."

Kel gently cut her off, "Funi, I'll always care for you. What we had... it was real and beautiful. But..."

"But it died when you did," Funi finished for him, a sad smile on her face.

Kel nodded, relief and sadness mingling in his expression. "Yeah. And when I came back, I was a different person. We both were."

Funi looked at him closely. "It's Presence, isn't it?"

Kel's eyes widened slightly, surprised by her perceptiveness.

Funi chuckled softly. "I've seen the way you look at her, Kel. It's the same way you used to look at me."

Kel's cheeks hurt slightly. "I... I didn't mean for it to happen. It just... did."

"Love's funny that way," Funi said, her voice wistful. "It sneaks up on you when you least expect it."

They walked a bit further before Kel spoke again. "You know, a part of me will always love you, Funi. You were my first love, and that's special. But..."

"But it's not the same," Funi finished. "I get it, Kel. Really, I do. What we had was beautiful, but it's in the past. And that's okay."

Kel looked at her, amazed by her understanding. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Funi smiled, a genuine, warm smile. "So are you, Kel. And Presence... she's lucky to have you."

Kel grabbed her neck as if she was a sibling and kissed her sweet smelling hair as she giggled. "You're such a playboy and a dork." She said.

"Playboy?"

"Two hot girls, man ...really?"

"Oga abeg abeg ..." Kel scoffed.

They shared a few laughs as they turned back towards the house, Kel felt a weight lift from his shoulders. "Thank you, Funi. For understanding, for forgiving... for everything."

Funi nudged him playfully. "Hey, what are exes for, right?"

They both laughed, the sound carrying on the evening breeze. As they approached the house, Funi stopped and turned to Kel one last time.

"Be happy, Kel. You deserve it. And so does she."

Kel nodded, his heart full of gratitude and a bittersweet mix of emotions. As they re-entered the house, he knew that while one chapter of his life had truly closed, another was just beginning. And despite the uncertainty that still lay ahead, for the first time in a long while, he felt ready to face it.

As Kel and Funi returned to the living room, Presence re-entered from the kitchen, her eyes darting between them uncertainly. Funi smiled warmly at her, causing Presence's brow to furrow in confusion.

Kel, his eyes twinkling with newfound energy, turned to Presence. "Hey, want to go see Tafawa Balewa Amusement Park with me?"

Presence raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "An amusement park? What are we, twelve?"

"Oh come on," Kel grinned, "I'll win you a giant stuffed animal. You can name it after me."

"Tempting," Presence drawled, "but I'm not sure I want a reminder of your ugly mug in my room."

Funi chuckled from her seat nearby, watching their banter with a bittersweet smile.

"Ugly mug?" Kel gasped in mock offense. "I'll have you know I was voted 'Most Likely to Be a Ghost Model' in high school."

Presence rolled her eyes, fighting back a laugh. "Fine, you big dork. Let's go to your kiddie park."

As they prepared to leave, Funi called out, "Have fun, you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

"That doesn't leave much off the table, Funi," Kel quipped, earning him a playful swat from both women.

At the amusement park, Kel and Presence dove headfirst into every romantic comedy cliché they could find, as if they were working their way through some sort of "Rom-Com Bucket List." They shared cotton candy, its sugary strands dissolving on their tongues like sweet, edible clouds. They rode the Ferris wheel, because apparently, it's illegal to have a romantic outing without slowly rotating while trapped in a small metal box.

And then there was the ring toss game. Oh, the ring toss game. Kel approached it with the confidence of a man who had clearly never encountered the cruel physics of carnival games before.

"You know," Presence teased as Kel's tenth attempt sailed wide, "for a guy who can walk through walls, your aim is impressively bad."

Kel stuck out his tongue, a gesture that somehow managed to be both childish and endearing. "I'm letting you win, obviously. It's called being a gentleman."

"Oh, is that what they're calling epic failure these days?" Presence laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

As they wandered through the park, their hands doing that awkward dance of almost-but-not-quite touching (because apparently, they were starring in their own teen drama), Kel suddenly blurted out, "You know, this is turning out to be a pretty great first date."

Presence stopped so abruptly you'd think she'd hit an invisible wall. A mischievous glint appeared in her eye, the kind that usually precedes either a brilliant idea or a terrible decision. "Oh, so this is a date?"

Kel's eyes widened, looking like a deer caught in headlights - if deer could suddenly question all their life choices. "I mean... if you want it to be? Unless you don't. In which case, it's just two friends hanging out. At night. Alone. In a romantic setting. You know, like friends do."

Presence burst out laughing, the sound ringing out like a bell of pure joy. "Smooth, ghost boy. Real smooth."

Kel rubbed the back of his neck, grinning like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Hey, I never claimed to be smooth. Just devastatingly handsome and occasionally invisible."

"Well," Presence said, her voice softening as she took his hand, "I suppose there are worse things to be."

As they continued their walk, now hand in hand like two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together, Kel felt a bittersweet mix of emotions swirling inside him. The night was perfect, straight out of a rom-com dream sequence. But there was that pesky ticking clock in the back of his mind, counting down the moments he had left. It was like trying to hold onto water - the tighter he gripped, the faster it seemed to slip away.

Still, looking at Presence's face, lit up by the carnival lights like some ethereal being, he made a decision. He'd cherish every second, treat each moment like a precious gem. Because isn't that what life is? A collection of moments, some ordinary, some extraordinary, all fleeting?

On the other hand, the night air felt charged with an undercurrent of tension that Presence couldn't ignore. The lighthearted banter and playful gestures masked a deeper turmoil within her. Each laugh, each shared glance, felt like a fragile bubble floating on the brink of bursting.

They reached the park's quieter walking area, a little oasis of calm in the carnival chaos. The full moon hung in the sky like a cosmic spotlight, as if the universe itself was directing this scene in their lives. Afrobeat music pulsed in the background, creating a surreal soundtrack to their night.

"You know," Presence teased, her eyes twinkling like she wasn't trying to bury her concerns deep within the abyss of weak happiness, "for someone who has ghostly powers, you really need to work on your precision."

Kel grinned, his gaze fixed on her like she was the only star in the sky. "I guess being a ghost doesn't come with good aim. But maybe I'm just saving my best moves for you."

Presence laughed, her cheeks flushed from the excitement and the cool night air. "Well, if you're trying to impress me, you're doing a terrible job."

But then, like a cloud passing over the sun, Kel's smile faded. His expression shifted, becoming more serious, more intense. It was the look of someone about to jump off a cliff, both terrified and exhilarated by the fall.

Presence felt his palm begin to sweat in hers, noticed the subtle tremor running through him. Concern bloomed in her eyes like flowers opening to the sun. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft with worry.

Kel met her gaze, his eyes a storm of love and sorrow. "Presence, I... I need to tell you something."

Her laughter evaporated like morning dew, replaced by a look of concern that could rival any worried mother's.

"What is it, Kel?"

They walked on, the park's vibrant life fading into a muffled backdrop. It was as if they'd stepped into their own pocket universe, where the only things that existed were their footsteps and the weight of unspoken words.

Kel stopped beneath a canopy of trees, their leaves whispering secrets to the night sky. Moonlight filtered through the branches, painting them in silver and shadow. He turned to face Presence, his eyes a battlefield where sadness and determination waged war.

"What is it?" she asked, her heart pounding through her chest.

"These past few weeks with you..." Kel began, his voice shaking like a leaf in a hurricane, "they've been the most alive I've ever felt. You've shown me what it means to truly live, to love, to feel everything so deeply it hurts."

Presence's heart sank. His declaration of how alive he felt with her was both a balm and a blade. She felt elation at his words, but also dread. She wanted to cling to the present moment, to savor every second of this seemingly perfect evening, yet the knowledge that it might be fleeting overshadowed her joy. "Kel, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

He squeezed her hand, gentle as a butterfly's landing. "I wish I had more time. I wish I could freeze this moment, live in it forever. But..."

"But what?" Presence interrupted, her voice rising like a tide of panic. "Kel, please, just tell me what's happening."

Instead of answering, Kel leaned in and kissed her. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a novel, an epic, a desperate attempt to compress a lifetime of emotions into a single moment. It was passionate, urgent, like he was trying to imprint the memory of her lips onto his very soul. A single tear escaped, tracing a silvery path down his cheek.

And there they stood, caught in a moment that felt both infinite and heartbreakingly brief. It was the kind of kiss that changes you, that rewrites your understanding of what love can be. But it was also a kiss tinged with goodbye, with the bittersweet knowledge that sometimes, love isn't enough to change fate.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Kel whispered, "I'm so sorry... I don't have much time left."

Realization dawned on Presence's face, and she grabbed both his hands, her eyes welling up with tears. "No, no, no. You can't leave. Kel, please. This isn't fair. You can't make me feel like this and then disappear. You... you're my first love."

Kel tried to touch her face, his heart breaking at her words. "Presence, I-"

But before he could finish, Presence closed her eyes, bracing herself to feel his touch. But the touch never came. She opened her eyes to find Kel gone, vanished without a trace.

Panic set in, fast and merciless. Presence's head whipped around, searching for any trace of him. "Kel?" she called out, her voice echoing in the suddenly too-empty park. "Kel, where are you?"

She started running, her feet pounding the pavement in time with her racing heart, searching desperately for any sign of him. "Kel!" she screamed, her voice growing hoarse. "Come back! Please!"

Her frantic search for him was driven by a desperate hope that this was all a misunderstanding, that he would reappear and everything would return to the way it was. But deep down, she knew the truth. The emptiness of the park mirrored the emptiness inside her- a void left by the sudden departure of someone who had become most important to her.

She called out to him but there was no response. No sign of the boy who had waltzed into her life and rewritten her entire world.

Finally, exhausted and heartbroken, Presence fell to her knees. Tears streamed down her face, each one a testament to the cruel joke the universe had played on her. She wept openly, her body shaking with sobs that seemed to come from the very core of her being.

"Why?" she cried out to the empty night. "Why would you do this to me?"

The music in the background faded away, as if the world itself was retreating in the face of her grief. The full moon hung in the sky, a silent witness to her pain, its light now cold and unforgiving.

And there she was, alone in the aftermath of a love that had burned too bright, too fast. The magical evening had twisted into a nightmare, leaving her to grapple with the cruel reality of loving someone who was always destined to be just out of reach.

Because that's the thing about first love, isn't it? It's beautiful and terrible, earth-shattering and heartbreaking. It's the kind of love that changes you forever, that leaves you different than you were before. And sometimes, it's the kind of love that teaches you the hardest lesson of all - that not all stories have happy endings, that sometimes loving someone means letting them go, even when every fiber of your being screams to hold on.

As Presence knelt there, under the unfeeling sky, she was living through one of life's harshest truths - that love, in all its glory and pain, is what makes us human. That to love and lose is better than never to have loved at all, even if, in that moment, it feels like the end of everything.

________________________________
Drop a vote, leave a comment, and perhaps even share with a friend. Appreciate it!🤍