I stared at Tiki as he walked closer. He kept smiling. His present brought back all the memories.

“Thank you, Tiki,” I said softly, taking the flowers he handed to me.

Tiki remembered I love gifts a lot. He was the man I wanted in my life. He wanted to make sure I was happy. He wiped my face.

“How are you feeling, Achie?” he sat on the chair.

“I will be fine,” I answered politely.

“Where is your boy?” he asked, curiously.

“He is at work dear,” I answered.

His presence made me want more of him. I looked down shyly.

“You know I can’t love you…” he said quietly.

“Did you think…” I spoke as I pointed at him and me. I shook my head. I was lying to him. I didn’t want him to feel that I mistreated them.

“That’s good. It is over between us. We talk as friends,” he said seriously.

I knew he meant it. I felt pain in my heart, but I couldn’t force him to love me. It had been a few years since him and I separated. I will love Dale then, I decided. My mind was wrong about Tiki. Dale was my man. I had to move on and let him go. Maybe he was shy to be back with me.

Tiki spoke about his life, I told him about mine. We laughed a lot when we spoke of the memories.

Dale entered my room unexpectedly. He looked at Tiki, who stood up. He tried to wrestle with his hands and shoved them away.

“Achie, what is this man doing here?” Dale hissed angrily.

Dale took hold of his collar and Tiki pushed him away. Tiki stared at me and walked away.

“What was that for?” I shouted.

He came close to me. He hit the bed twice.

“What are you doing with your ex? Tell me,” he hit the wall with his fist.

“Dale, I love you. Tiki and I have a history,” I answered.

Dale was angry but he didn’t let this come between us. He let it go and focused on me again, making sure to tell me that he didn’t want to see Tiki in my life.

I spent time at home recovering.

The gifts from Tiki didn’t end there. He only was making up for what he did to me. I never spoke to Dale about him. He kept his distance. I hid all the gifts. Dale was a short-tempered man; he wanted to solve things with fights. I decided to date Dale and forget Tiki. I started to love Dale more, because I wanted to forget Tiki.

He was to remain the man I would love no matter what. I also wanted to get married. I had to allow Dale in my life and forget my ex. Relationships with exes never work well anyway, I consoled myself. They know all of your flaws and struggles, and they use you and dump you.

It’s been five years now. I still talk with Tiki as friends. I am still with Dale who married me and we have one child. Now I have three children. Dale changed to be the man I admired and wished for. I don’t know who told him gifts make a woman smile but he buys gifts all the time. Now that I’ve written “Reconciling with Tiki” I have let go of a lot of angry. Writing has helped me to love Dale more. I might write our love story someday. Writing also taught me to write all my feelings and let go. It taught me a lot.

“My love,” Dale said loudly.

He came closer and I hugged him. I wonder what would have happened if I had dumped Dale and been with Tiki? Would our love be strong? My obsession with Tiki nearly destroyed my self-esteem and everything with Dale. I seem to get everything in order. Tiki chats with me secretly, but honestly not dating. I have a husband now; my new love, Dale.

I found love again when I lost it with Tiki. It was the greatest things in the world.

***

Tell us what you think: What did you think of the story?