I was sad that day he told me about his departure. Our love was still flourishing. He was the owner of my heart and I was the owner of his. Many people were against our relationship. Did I tell you his parents knew about me later? Let me laugh first…

“You are still too young for this, Ronnie. You know you have to further your studies first and be rich like us,” his mom scorned him.

I was there, looking at the floor. I had sneaked inside his house. His mom came in the morning while we were both sleeping. Since I had sex with him, I became addicted and stole morning after pills from my mother. I knew they would prevent pregnancy since we were both young, we didn’t know about protection. I was a naughty girl. I would do anything for love. Ronald spoiled me daily with roses, picnics and gifts. Did I tell you he was from a rich family? They were loaded and he had everything he wanted in life, whereas my family was not poor but not rich either.

“When I come back I will marry you.” He made me blush, but I could see he meant it.

“You promise?” I asked, so I could be satisfied that it was real.

He nodded and produced a box with two bangles. They were gold. I could see they were engraved with my name and his with a “+” in the middle.

“Let’s read this together.” He produced a small letter from his pocket. I took the bangle in my hand.

“Wait, let’s read it while we wear this,” he said, calmly, and I nodded in agreement. I would do anything for love no matter the consequences. I took his hand and he took mine while his other hand held the paper.

“I am yours and we bind our love together. Only death can separate us,” we both recited, putting the bangles on each other.

It was like the movies and I was extremely happy. I can’t explain. We embraced each other as we held hands watching the beautiful stars.

“I love you.” He kissed my forehead.

That was our last night together, I never saw him again.

I heard he left a week later and he didn’t even tell me. I understood he was busy preparing for his journey. I missed him and expected him to appear at my window every night so we could watch the stars and cuddle.

My mother noticed the bangle. She questioned where I got it from, but I never gave her a straight answer. All gifts that were valuable I would hide, because she would want me to return them, except for cards and chocolates.

“Linda, you can’t bath with that, it will become rusted,” she complained.

Was it hers? It was mine, I’d do what I wanted with it, I thought, scornfully. I wouldn’t remove it until Ronald came back. I promised to wait for him.

“Ronald left you, I tell you. He will meet someone more educated and forget about you,” Gloria teased me, and I chuckled.

She was jealous, I knew. Still no boyfriend – ‘dololo’. I couldn’t stop laughing. By then she was dating and had a child out of wedlock. At least her boyfriend was not far. My Ronald was still abroad, it hurt my heart. How long should I wait? That made me say yes to a guy who used to be lazy at school. Within a week he avoided me. I don’t know why. We were just getting to know each other and he never went out on a date with me. I wasn’t hurt, but felt guilty. I made a promise and felt should stick to it.

The waiting was killing me and no relationship I started worked. I was tired, what was wrong with me? This was killing me. Ronald could have forgotten about me, he didn’t contact me. It had been so many years and I believed he had changed. I wondered if he thought about me or had forgotten me. I was just history.

“Look at that guy, he told Chris he wants you,” Gloria said, out of the blue.

We went for lunch and I was busy searching for Ronald on social media. There were too many people with the same name, I didn’t know which profile was his. Gloria was looking at me, perplexed, and grabbed my phone.

“Remove this bangle!” she shouted, and I rolled my eyes. “This is bad luck. How can a man love a woman who is still with an ex?” she asked, concerned.

I looked down sadly but I had to be strong. “He is not an ex,” I replied, and took back my phone.

“Whatever!” She didn’t bother and I didn’t care anyway. But I could see she felt sympathy for me.

“Look! When he doesn’t return, you will know that I was right. Maybe he will return with a new girl and show you you are long forgotten,” she said, and waved her hand to call a waiter.

I knew she was right. What was wrong with me? I couldn’t even date. I looked at the guy who sat at the table on the left. He winked at me and I was flattered.

Tell us: Do you think Linda should move on and forget about Ronald?