‘Strangers are just friends waiting to happen’-Anonymous. The two of us happened, The Boy next door and I. Here's a tip of the iceberg.

***

For months we exchanged nothing more than stolen looks at each other, each guarding the cocoons we'd created in the name of boundaries. We existed in worlds only known to ourselves, going about the core business of life. Existing. Living. Perfectly content I was, in my nonchalance era.

We'd be seated at our respective doors two metres from each other and barely exchanged a word, for months. You'd wonder if we'd missed the ‘humans are social beings,’ aspect. We were too comfortable in our worlds that the thought of letting someone in, itched discomfort. Not when you're from a heartbreak and all you want is room to grieve, to reprieve.

Yet my broken heart still craved love, forgetting it was meant to pump blood, I mean ‘moyo sukuma damu.’ The bittersweet ache, where the desire to be loved clashed with the pain of break up. At times my heart felt empty, longing for intimacy that not only seemed out of reach but I wasn't ready for. The paradoxical state where the heart is both hopeful and hesitant. I oscillated between the desire to heal and the fear of being hurt again. I mean once beaten, I was thrice shy. This is the moment it gets complicated.

He had an aura that both attracted and restrained; urging me on whilst pushing me away. Let's say ‘too good to be true.’ Everyone liked and praised him, like he was the perfect example of a good son and sister. ‘Could he make a good boyfriend?’ the question lingered in my mind. I thought of asking him. Mind you, I never dared. Fearing another heartbreak, I kept my distance. Yet nature had its means of uniting souls or rather it was meant to be and it came to be.

In a culture that dictates that the boy has to make the first move, you wouldn't want to seem desperate or even be thought of. So all you do is sit back and hope the boy stops by and says ‘hi,’ the bare minimum. You also pray that they ain't shy cause then it's all hopeless. Hopeless.

Days rolled into weeks and weeks to months and I was doing good at minding my own business, convincing my heart that we were never meant to be friends, I mean. My mind had moved on but my heart seemed to hold to hope, that maybe someday it'll be.

I listened to this song by Cat Burns ‘Live more & love more’ and decided that was it. I mean…I dared the norm.

‘Don't let your head stop your heart from moving

If there's someone you wanna talk to, talk to ‘em

Who knows who we'd be if we just

Live more and love more

We all just need to live more and love more’ - Cat Burns.

These lyrics echoed deeply within me, urging me to dare leap into the unknown, make the first move. Yet I had a cocktail of excitement and vulnerability, the fear of the unknown. Wouldn't I seem too obvious, like some sort of an attention seeker seeking a boy's validation? Mcheeeew, won't be me. I had an ego to guard. I decided I was B.O.M.O, lol, Better On My Own.

The walls I had created came scrambling down at my feet when circumstances forced our worlds to collide and Oohh, sweet was the collision. You know those moments when you be like ‘boy, wish I met you earlier.’ That was the feeling, you feel me? I don't seem to gather my thoughts around how we came to be best of friends, but we sure did. Cheers to us, and to all friendships out there.

We became inseparable. You'd say we were ‘Love Birds,’ but I'd go with ‘birds of a feather.’Talk of perfect timing or rather God's timing. He chose me and I chose him, not my better half, but my ride or die, my best friend. We connected like he was the missing piece in the puzzle. I felt complete.

Love is the herb to all wounds, and having a friend who loves and cares about you is all You need. All I needed. He picked the pieces and kissed my wounded heart with kisses of love. The wounds healed not by time, but as he poured himself into me and I into him. My cup was overflowing.

I purposed to see him everyday, cause not seeing him gave me a heartache. I grew fond of him because missing him hurt. He became a part of me.

We always started the day with the rising sun, hitting the roads for morning runs. Though I'd struggle to get out of bed, for him I'd try, try real hard. I was alive and lively. For a moment I tested what it felt like to live, because for a while I just existed. Evening strolls at sunsets was the peak of it all. Then we'd sum it all with late night conversations under the moon. Romantic right? We talked about nothing in particular and sometimes we'd just be in silence and enjoy each other's company. It felt nice. I love it.

I haven't said ‘I do’ yeeet, but in case he asks I bet you already know the response. Keep this to yourself though, until then.

Comments (2)

• Lokumu

  November 1, 2025

  Who finds a friend, finds a good thing 🥰

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• LEE

  October 29, 2025

  It felt emotional 🌼— the way you described the journey from heartbreak to friendship was so beautiful. Your words truly captured the sweetness of finding love again.I really love this❤️

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