Immortal
von JOHNPROMISE Ndubueze *Holding On to Love*
In the bustling city of Lagos lived a young man named Emeka, full of dreams but burdened with the weight of financial struggles. Emeka had been dating Ada, his girlfriend of three years, since their university days. Ada was beautiful, kind, and had always stood by him through thick and thin. But lately, things had become difficult. While many of their friends were moving on to better jobs, buying cars, and living comfortably, Emeka’s luck hadn’t been as good.
He had graduated with high hopes, but the job market was tough. Despite sending out countless applications, the best Emeka could find was a low-paying job as a sales assistant in a small electronics store. He barely earned enough to cover his rent, let alone save for a future with Ada.
The pressure started to mount when he noticed Ada becoming more distant. She had been patient, but Emeka could feel her frustration growing. He overheard her friends talking about how she could do better, how there were wealthy men showing interest in her, men who could give her the kind of life Emeka couldn’t afford. It scared him, the thought of losing her to someone else, just because he couldn’t give her what she deserved.
One evening, as they sat together in a quiet park, Ada opened up. “Emeka, I love you, but I can’t lie… things have been hard. My friends keep telling me to think about my future. They say I should be with someone who can take care of me.”
Emeka’s heart sank. He knew her friends were right in some ways. He wanted to be that man for her, but his reality was different. “I understand, Ada. It’s been tough, and I don’t blame you for feeling this way,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “But I promise you, I’m doing everything I can to make things better.”
Ada sighed, looking away for a moment. “I know you’re trying, but how long will it take? I see other people living the life I dream of… and I wonder if it’s ever going to happen for us.”
That night, after dropping Ada off, Emeka made a vow to himself. He would fight for both his dreams and his relationship. He wasn’t going to lose Ada just because of money.
The next few weeks were grueling. Emeka picked up a second job doing deliveries in the evenings, barely getting any sleep in between. He used his free time to research better job opportunities and even applied for a loan to start a small business. His friends told him he was wasting his energy, that no woman would wait around forever. But Emeka’s determination only grew stronger.
Meanwhile, Ada was being courted by Chike, a wealthy businessman who made no secret of his intentions. He would send her expensive gifts and offer to take her out to fancy dinners. Though Ada refused his advances, the temptation was there. She knew Chike could provide her the lifestyle she had always dreamed of. Yet, despite everything, her heart still belonged to Emeka.
One day, Emeka received an email that changed everything. A tech company he had applied to months ago invited him for an interview. It was a long shot, but he prepared diligently, knowing this could be the break he had been waiting for.
On the day of the interview, Emeka’s nerves were shot. The pressure of both his financial struggles and his relationship weighed heavily on his mind. But when he walked into the office, something inside him clicked. He spoke passionately about his skills, his determination, and his willingness to grow. The interviewer saw something special in Emeka’s drive and offered him a junior position on the spot. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was a start—a stepping stone to a better life.
With a newfound sense of hope, Emeka rushed to see Ada, eager to share the news. When he arrived, he found her sitting quietly in their favorite spot at the park.
“Ada, I got the job,” he said, breathless from running. “It’s not much yet, but it’s something. I’m going to work hard and build from here. Just give me a little more time.”
Ada looked at him, tears filling her eyes. “Emeka, I never stopped believing in you. I just got scared. I don’t care about the money—what matters is that you’ve never given up. That’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m not going anywhere.”
Emeka pulled her close, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. They both knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but they also knew that love wasn’t about material things—it was about staying together through the hardships.
In time, Emeka’s career grew, and while they didn’t have everything instantly, they had each other. And that, they realized, was the most valuable thing of all.
