I first saw him at the park, I was with my friend Joyce. He came and sat next to us. Everything about him just interested me. He had fluent English and he looked me straight in the eyes when he spoke. I went home not knowing his name, I couldn’t sleep. I kept on tossing and turning, thinking about him. His outside appearances looked like those bad boys but I felt the kindness and soft-hearted nature the day I talked to him.

I couldn’t stop telling my friend about him. I wanted to know more of him. I would pass by the park just to bump into him, but I never saw him again.

“Where are you mystery guy?” I would ask myself.

A week went by and there was still no sign of him. I had given up by then, I thought I had lost him. I was sent to the store near the park, where we had met, to buy some candles. The electricity was gone. I saw a guy that looked exactly like him but I decided to just pass by because it was already late. On my way home I met him again and this time he approached me.

My heart skipped a beat, I was smiling inside and butterflies were galore in my tummy. He accompanied me home, the conversation was just awesome. We decided to sit by the WiFi pole. We talked about everything and the compliments I got from him were just too much. The conversation kept on going, I had even forgotten that I had to take the candles home.

It became late and quite dark, so he decided to take me home. That night I couldn’t sleep again. I had thoughts of us kissing, I couldn’t stop till I dozed off. In a few days I got a WhatsApp text from him. He said he got my contacts from a friend. I squealed like a cute pig when I got the text. By the end of the day I knew his intentions, he wanted me as much as I did.

We became closer; we were moving so fast. He ended up asking me to visit him, I don’t usually do this but man I couldn’t have said no. It was a rainy day and he met me half way. We sat on his couch and talked for hours.

I checked the time and it was very late. I started freaking out, my parents would slaughter me. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t go back home, it was very late. He told me to sit on his lap and I hesitated but he begged me till I did. We kissed for a very long time which took me to another planet.

I was sleepy so we decided to go to bed. I jumped into bed in my jeans and huge sweater; I didn’t want to give him any ideas. We cuddled till morning. I hardly slept my mind was at home. What would I say to them? I woke up early around 5 a.m. and fixed my hair. I dreaded going home, I’ve never been in this situation before. He wanted to walk me home but I was in a hurry. I ran home and the gate it made a very loud noise as I opened it, and out came my brother.

My heart was beating very fast, what was I going to do? Questions came flooding in my head…I couldn’t think straight. He asked with a curious face where I was and the only thing that came to mind was my friend, Joyce. I told him that I slept at my friend’s place, which I never do. I went to bed because I was drowsy; I didn’t get much sleep. I texted Joyce and told her everything. She was so flabbergasted that she came to my house for details.

My brother didn’t believe me so when Joyce came, he found out the truth. I don’t know how. I was grounded and they took my phone away. I kept on sneaking out to go see him. We would hang out till late and I would get into trouble every time. I always got a lecture from my family. My relationship with my family was bad, I would isolate myself and starve myself. Then the holidays came and I had to go to Limpopo to my grandparents. I met him at his house again and he didn’t want me to go. I went to Limpopo with my heart still yearning to stay.

I used my cousin’s phone to chat with him till my brother gave back my phone. I was in cloud nine; I missed my phone so much. We would chat till late at night, our love grew stronger despite the distance between us. Days became weeks and our love blossomed.

One hot day, my cousin and I decided to go and buy ice-creams and the stores were quite far from our house. On our way back I met Jack, my ex-boyfriend. I didn’t know where to hide myself. He was all smiles; like he was very happy to see me. And I remembered that we never really broke up; we had drifted apart because of the distance but love wasn’t lost between us. I still loved him dearly but I loved Theo more now.
Jack wanted to see me, he wanted me to visit him. And to get away with that awkward conversation I said I would.

Well I got away with that for the moment but I had to tell Theo about the whole Jack situation. I didn’t tell him the whole truth though. I just said that Jack was my ex and he wanted me back. He didn’t fight for me or anything, he just said I should follow my heart and if I still loved him, then I should go for it. I couldn’t lose him and our relationship was growing stronger. So I decided to end my relationship with Jack.

It was horrible. Jack was in absolute disbelief. What broke him was that just when he got a chance to see me, I decided to end it. He eventually accepted my decision but with a broken heart. I felt terrible for hurting him. Jack was my first boyfriend, he was my first kiss. I shared my thoughts and goals with him. He knew everything about me. Jack loved me unconditionally. We were serious about each other and we used to talk about our future wedding and kids. I loved Jack with all my heart but I had to let him go because of my new found love.

***

Tell us: Who would you choose? Your first love or your new love?