Letters To My Love

Chapter Three: Apart But Connected

Life was never a smooth ride. While the world has often been described as not being a bed of roses, it can indeed be seen as one. Roses, with their delicate petals, spoke of love and beauty, while their thorns hinted at the inevitable pain and suffering. This duality of roses symbolised the world’s complex tapestry—full of both beauty and hardship.

For Uremma and Obinna, this metaphor felt especially true. Even though their journey together was marked by challenges and periods of separation, their love remained steadfast. The ups and downs they faced were akin to the thorns among the roses—difficult but part of the same beautiful experience. The distance between them sometimes felt unbearable, and their longing for each other grew more intense with each passing day. However, their letters provided a lifeline, a means to stay connected and hopeful. Through their written words, they found solace and encouragement, reinforcing their belief in one another and in the strength of their love. Despite the hardships, the beauty of their bond remained as vibrant and enduring as a bed of roses.

Uremma’s Letter:

Dear Obinna,

Today was a tiring day. The distance between us feels like a tall mountain, and I wish I could just reach out and hold you even if it’s just for a moment. But then I read your letters, and they give me strength. Your words are my lifeline, and I cling to them tightly, for they lift me out of my stress and fatigue.

I keep dreaming of the day when we’ll be together again, walking hand in hand, and sharing our dreams and fears. Until then, I’ll keep writing, pouring my heart into these letters, knowing that our love can withstand any obstacle.

Forever yours,

Uremma.

Uremma’s days were filled with work and routine, but she felt that something was really missing. The absence of Obinna was the reason. The nights were the hardest for her, as she yearned for Obinna, his cuddling and kisses. To cope with her longing, Uremma poured her emotions into her art. She painted beautiful scenes of their memories, including the joyful moments they shared, like their horseback rides and their first kiss under the rain. One of her most cherished paintings depicted them as children, running freely and naked in the rain during a school break, their laughter and sense of freedom captured in vivid colours.

Each brushstroke was a reflection of her longing and love, capturing the essence of their shared past and the depth of her emotions. But even as she poured her heart into these paintings, she found comfort in their letters, which became her solace. The words they shared and the promises they made to each other provided a sense of closeness and hope. Through her art and their letters, she managed to keep the flame of their love burning brightly despite the distance between them.

Obinna, too, found the separation difficult. He often stayed up late, reading and re-reading Uremma’s letters, finding strength in her undying love. He wrote to her about his days in the company where he worked, the moments that made him think of her, and the dreams he had for their future. He described how he envisioned a cosy study where Uremma could paint, surrounded by the beauty of their garden, a space that would inspire her creativity and reflect the warmth of their bond. Obinna also wrote about the little things that reminded him of her, like the scent of hibiscus that brought back memories of their romantic walks and the songs that played on the radio, making him long for the day they could dance together again. His letters were filled with both big dreams and small, tender moments, creating a mosaic of love and hope that kept them connected despite the miles between them.

Obinna’s Letter:

Dear Uremma,

I miss you more with each passing moment. The nights are the hardest. Each night, I lie awake, wishing you were here beside me. I long to stroke your long, flowing hair. Your face and form are ravishing; your eyes sparkle like stars at night, and your smile glows like fireflies, illuminating the dark with their soft, enchanting light. I feel your absence most at night, and despite the heat of the night, I feel cold like a fish in a fridge, but your letters make me believe that the distance we share now is temporary, and it warms me.

I think about our future a lot. I imagine us living in a beautiful house with a garden full of flowers you love, a pond filled with white ducks, and the sound of our children’s laughter mingling with the bouncing ball which they played in our small football field. I see us growing old together, sharing our lives, our joys, and our sorrows. This thought keeps me going, knowing that every day brings us closer to that dream.

With all my love,

Obinna.

Their letters served as a refuge, a place where they could express their deepest fears and greatest hopes. Each word was a loving caress, a promise, a vow to stay strong and hold on to the love that bound them together despite the distance.