CHAPTER 7: HENRY'S SILENT LONGING
MARYANN'S POV
Growing up without a mother had left a void in Henry's life that nothing seemed able to fill.
It wasn't something he often talked about, but the absence shaped him deeply.
While other children had the comforting embrace of their mothers after a long day at school, Henry learned to live without it, clinging instead to the quiet strength of his father's love.
Yet, even with his father's unwavering support, something in him remained solemn, reserved.
From an early age, Henry was different.
He was a boy of few words, quiet not because he was shy, but because silence became his way of
dealing with emotions he couldn't express.
His classmates noticed it. Some admired his calm demeanor; others found it odd.
But none could deny his brilliance. Henry excelled in academics like it was second nature.
Mathematics, science, literature, it didn't matter. He soaked knowledge like a sponge and stood unmatched in class activities.
His name was always on the honor board. Teachers spoke about him with pride, and students with envy
or admiration.
But popularity, as it often does, came with complications.
Henry was one of the most handsome boys in school, and girls noticed.
His soft eyes, calm voice, and striking facial features drew attention wherever he went.
But no matter how many of them flirted or tried to get close, Henry was unbothered. He wasn't interested.
He spent most of his teenage years deflecting attention, politely but firmly.
Even when he transitioned into the university, a place known for social awakenings, he remained the same.
Unmoved. Girls still chased him, more persistently now, but Henry had mastered the art of avoidance.
His humility was rare, almost magnetic. It made him more attractive, ironically.
Even the smallest gestures from him, holding a door, offering a smile, giving a helping hand, would
be the talk of the day. To many, he was a perfect gentleman.
Henry had always walked a path carved by discipline and conviction. A devout Christian, he was an active member of the Scripture Union (SU) fellowship.
That community gave him a sense of belonging and spiritual grounding.
He sang in the choir, led bible studies, and mentored younger students.
His faith was not a performance, it was personal. It kept him grounded in a world that constantly tried to pull him in different directions.
He never allowed success or admiration to cloud his focus. Passionate about excellence, he gave his all to whatever his committed to.
Whether it was academics, fellowship, or the tech startup he launched in his second year, he
stayed consistent and driven.
Professors respected him not just for his intellect, but for his integrity. He had built relationships with lecturers that extended beyond the classroom.
Most of them treated him like a colleague rather than a student.
Yet, in all of this, Henry remained lonely. He had friends, yes, his best friend Victor, especially, who understood him better than anyone else.
But when it came to relationships, he was distant. It wasn't that he didn't want to love or be loved. It was just... complicated.
Rumors often swirled about him. Some speculated he was gay, others thought he was heartbroken.
Only Victor knew the ruth: Henry was afraid, afraid of heartbreak, of being used, of the pain he
couldn't afford to go through again.
The death of Samantha, his childhood friend and first innocent love, still haunted him. She had lived just across the street, and together they had shared every piece of growing up until death took her too soon. That loss cut deep.
Later in his teen years, he had tried again. Another girl. Another heartbreak.
Not because she died, but because she left the moment she realized Henry's father was temporarily struggling with the business. She had loved his lifestyle, not him.
After those two experiences, he closed the door quietly and never reopened it.
Even now, years later, as the CEO of his own successful tech company and the acting manager of his father's empire, Henry found the situation worse.
His social and financial status had skyrocketed, making him even more of a target for the wrong kind of women. Gold diggers, he could smell them from a mile away.
The fake laughs, the calculated sweetness, the questions about his father's net worth and company
shares. It had become exhausting.
He wasn't just looking for beauty or intelligence. He wanted something real.
A woman who would love him for who he was. A partner who wouldn't be fazed by his last name or bank account.
Someone who could sit with him on a quiet night and talk about God, purpose, books, or dreams.
Not shopping trips to Paris or Instagram vacations. Just raw, honest connection.
But such women were rare. In fact, he began to believe they didn't exist.
His father, Mr. Daukon Ukariwo, noticed his son's growing disinterest in relationships.
At first, he thought it was just a phase. But as months turned to years, and as he watched Henry
bury himself in work and ministry, he became concerned.
"I know you think I don't notice, but I see you," his father said one evening, while they were having dinner. "You've achieved so much. You've made me proud in every way. But Henry… even the strongest men need someone to walk life with."
Henry didn't respond at first. He stared into his cup of tea and gave a soft smile. "Maybe I wasn't meant for that, Dad."
"Don't say that." replied Mr. Daukon.
"Every woman I'vecared for has either died or left," he said quietly.
"I'm tired of hoping. People see my wealth before they see me. I want something real... but maybe that's just a fantasy."
Mr. Ukariwo paused. He knew better than to push too hard. "Then let me try," he said finally.
Henry raised his brow.
"Let me help you find someone. Not just anyone. I'll speak to a few friends, people I trust. They have daughters, smart, well-raised women. I'm not saying you must marry any of them, just… give it a try.
Since then, Mr. Daukon Ukariwo, took it upon himself to help his son find the love of his heart.
Now that Henry is unlocky with his last date arranged be his father, definitely, Mr, Daukon Ukariwo will have to keep to his promises; by allowing Henry choose the woman he would love all by himself, without his interferance.