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25, Samantha street,

Aninri,

Enugu state.
28th March, 1983.

Dear sister,

How are you doing? I heard you are now learning tailoring at our neighbour's. This is great news! You are already getting matured.

Dinma, I am at crossroad and really need your advice right now. It's about Jideze and to be honest, I don't know what else to do.

Have you ever been in a situation where your best friend is in love with you? I guess this is the problem people face when they make the opposite sex their best friends.

I have two best friends Dinma, and both have deserted me. I am sure you have heard about Chinaza, I told mother about her__ that is one best friend but the other is Ifeanyi. Dinma, what should I do now that Ifeanyi loves me?

You alone know how much I love Jideze. You know how we had fought for our love__ you also contributed in making our love stand even when everyone turned against us; everyone but you. You stood guard for us..

Dinma, only you know Jideze and the kind of man he is. Others are just judging him without even knowing him. You know how much Jideze loves me__ you've told me this countless times.

It is true Jideze has not sent me any letter ever since he left but am I to give up on him because of that? Don't you think there must be a reason for him not doing so? Just check it Dinma.

You know Jideze just as I do, is he someone to vanish without a reason? Remember when I didn't see Jideze for a month and I thought he had left me only for him to come back and explain to me that mother had paid some guys to break his leg should he come to our house.

You know I had gone out with Emeka, in order to move on and forget all about Jideze.

Do you remember the look on Jideze's face when he saw me with Emeka at TASHANU restaurant? You must remember for you were there with me.

Till this day, I still can't forget that look: a combination of hurt, anger, and betrayal.

I still blame myself for putting that look on his face. I felt like dying when Jideze looked at me that way.

I really don't want to take the same step I took then because of my lack of patience, trust, and endurance. I want to trust Jideze; he has never failed me.

But then, I feel like I am letting go of something I should guide jealously. I feel like I'm on my way to a regretful existence. I really don't know if it's because Chinaza said so or if it's really the truth.

Dinma, I don't understand myself anymore. I don't understand anything anymore. What I was so sure of before, feels so distant.

I feel so empty without Ifeanyi near me. I miss him so much; more than I have ever missed anyone. I really can't understand this.

Dinma, I don't know why my heart felt like it was ripped into half immediately I saw the great pain on Ifeanyi's face when I told him it can't work out between us both.

It feels like my perfect life is crumbling and I'm watching it fall without making any attempt to save it from crashing into thousand pieces.

Dinma, I'm confused. I really need your help. With the way things are going, I feel I will lose it if no one comes to my rescue. I feel so alone. I don't know who my heart longs for any more__ Jideze or Ifeanyi?

Come and save me sister for I am at a crossroad.

Oby.

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Few days after Obiageli sent the letter, Chinaza came to meet her where she was sitting at the canteen. She had sat on a plastic chair; watching the customers eat when Chinaza grabbed a chair and sat by her side. Obiageli was shocked to the core to see her.

"I'm sorry," she began, "I shouldn't have acted the way I did. I have been thinking this over and to be honest, I went too far. I shouldn't force my opinion on you. You have the right to make your own decisions; I shouldn't have done what I did. I should be there for you and support you not tear you apart. I'm very sorry." She apologized staring into Obiageli's eyes.

Obiageli was short of words as she stared at her.

"I've missed my best friend." She pronounced and tears filled Obiageli's eyes.

"Me too." She croaked and Chinaza smiled brightly. She shifted her chair closer to Obiageli's and grabbed her hands.

"I have so much to tell you." She began and Obiageli laughed for she knew the gist was just beginning. She was happy to have her best friend number one back, though she couldn't say the same for her number two.

Uzodinma's letter came earlier than expected.

Obiageli didn't know if it was because she was no more as gloomy as she was before the letter that she didn't notice a week had gone. She sat in the comfort of her bed as she read her sister's letter.

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112, Elendu_Uzoma street,
Owerri,
Imo State.
7th, April 1982.

Big sister Oby,

I received your letter this morning; mama gave it to me. I know what you're thinking, but she didn't go through it.

The envelope was sealed when she gave it to me. I know she will ask me later what you sent and I will tell her; you know I can't hide anything from mama.

Oby, it hurt me that you're in pain and it's because of this Jideze issue. Come to think of it, Jideze has caused you lot of pain since he left. Oby, I am going to be sincere with you and I will tell you what I think you should do. It is true Jideze was a perfect boyfriend.

Honestly, I always envied your relationship and prayed to God to give me a husband like Jideze. He made you happy despite the fact he had no money.

He was just the ideal boyfriend. However Oby, it is time to face reality. Jideze has not written to you in more than two years, tell me what boyfriend does that? How can he keep you in the dark for two good years?