CHAPTER FIVE – MR SURPRISE
Just when she thought love had betrayed her beyond repair, when her heart had become a fragile shell barely holding itself together after the wreckages of the past, he came along—unexpectedly, boldly, and with a spark that caught her completely off guard. She would later call him Mr Surprise, not because he was the perfect man, but because of the way he entered her life when she least expected it.
He wasn't the most handsome man she'd ever seen, nor was he the wealthiest or the most charming. But there was something about him—something unexplainable, something deeply calming in the chaos of her bruised emotions. He was a little taller than average, brown-skinned, with a calm presence that felt like shelter in a storm. And yes, he was eight years older than her—a fact that initially made her hesitate.
But after all the heartbreaks she had endured, something about him felt safe. For a girl who had been toyed with, cheated on, and made to feel invisible, Mr Surprise brought a strange kind of light.
She had just gained admission into the university. Though it wasn't her dream school, at least she was finally studying the course she had loved since she was a child. Being in a new city was hard at first. Loneliness followed her like a shadow, and adapting to university life wasn't as exciting as she had imagined. But then, he appeared.
He walked up to her one day with chest held high and confidence that couldn't be ignored. No games. No flirting. Just straightforward honesty.
"I've been watching you for a while," he said, his voice steady. "And I think I'm falling for you."
That moment stunned her. Most men beat around the bush or played mind games before admitting how they felt. But not him. He went straight to the point, like a man who knew what he wanted—and wasn't afraid to pursue it. She admired that about him. In fact, she had already been crushing on him silently, long before he ever spoke to her.
Still, she gave herself two weeks to think it through.
After everything she had been through, trust didn't come easy. But he was patient. Gentle. Persistent without being pushy.
When she finally said yes, it was like stepping into a calm sea after a stormy ride. The connection they shared became obvious to everyone around them—especially in the theatre department, where they often stole moments of laughter, smiles, and warmth.
She would later tell her friends, "He's the best guy I've ever been with." He made her feel valued. Seen. Protected.
He wasn't rich like Mr Wonder, but he understood his responsibilities as a man. He made sacrifices to meet her needs without her ever asking. He once bought her a necklace—not expensive, but deeply meaningful. She never took it off. It was a symbol of his thoughtfulness and the simple, quiet ways he showed love.
He wasn't the loud, flashy type. But he had her back, always. Whether it was defending her in public or putting a smile on her face when the world got too heavy, Mr Surprise had a way of making her feel like the most special girl in the world.
She started to believe again… believe that love could be kind, that maybe—just maybe—her Mr Right had finally arrived.
But love, as always, is more complicated than it seems.
Despite the gifts, the attention, and the sweet memories, something was missing. A piece of the puzzle that wouldn't quite fit.
They didn't understand each other on a deeper level.
Little misunderstandings would spark into arguments that lasted for days. They often clashed over small things—texts not replied, jokes taken too seriously, a forgotten date, a wrong tone. And each time, it felt like they were drifting, just a little more.
She tried to bridge the gap. She even suggested they set aside a day to talk, to really talk—no distractions, no phones, just heart-to-heart conversations. She hoped that through communication, they'd find common ground and fix what was missing.
Because despite it all… he felt close. So close. The closest to Mr Right she'd ever been. But love without understanding is like a boat without a compass—it may float, but it won't reach the shore.
Could they overcome it?
Could they learn to grow, not just in love, but in patience and emotional connection?
For now, she wasn't sure.
But she knew one thing: if love was ever going to work, it had to be with someone who didn't just make her smile—but also understood her silences.
And so, the journey continued.