Life settled into a delicate rhythm after that evening in Funmi's apartment. Emmanuel stood by her side through hospital appointments, long nights, and quiet mornings. He wasn't just her boyfriend anymore — he was her anchor, her constant.
They laughed again. Slowly, Funmi's brightness returned. They took walks in the evening, held hands without words, and shared moments of peace amidst the storm. The bond between them deepened, and Emmanuel felt more certain than ever that their love had weathered its hardest season.
Until the letter arrived.
It was a quiet Saturday morning. Emmanuel was in his room, reviewing notes when his younger sister knocked and handed him an envelope.
"It's from the university admin office," she said. "It looks serious."
Curious, he tore it open.
His eyes moved over the words once, then twice. His heart stopped.
"You have been selected to participate in the international student research exchange program in Canada, beginning in four weeks..."
Canada?
He blinked, rereading the letter as if it would change. The program was prestigious — only one student per faculty had been chosen. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. A full year of research, mentorship, and sponsorship.
But it would mean leaving Funmi.
He sat in stunned silence, the walls of his room closing in. This was everything he had worked toward, every academic dream rolled into one offer. But suddenly, the timing felt cruel.
That evening, Funmi met him outside the university gate, her arms wrapped in a light shawl, her smile warm as ever.
"You've been quiet all day," she said as they walked. "Is everything okay?"
Emmanuel hesitated. He hated the idea of ruining the fragile joy they'd worked so hard to rebuild. But he couldn't lie.
"I got a letter," he said finally. "From the university."
Funmi stopped walking. "What kind of letter?"
He handed it to her.
She read it in silence, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she looked up. "Wow. Emmanuel, this is... huge."
He nodded. "Yeah. It is."
"And you'd be gone for a year?" Her voice cracked slightly on the last word.
"I haven't said yes yet," he said quickly. "I wanted to talk to you first."
She looked down at the paper again. "This is your dream. You've always talked about doing research abroad."
"I know," he said. "But so much has changed. I can't imagine leaving now — not with everything happening."
Funmi stared at him. "Don't you dare think about turning this down because of me."
He opened his mouth to protest, but she raised a hand.
"No. Emmanuel, listen. You've stood by me through everything. But if you don't take this opportunity, I'll never forgive myself. I can't be the reason you miss out on something so big."
"But I'll miss you," he whispered. "A year is a long time."
Funmi smiled sadly. "I'll miss you too. Every single day. But this... this is your future."
He took her hand, conflicted. "How can I go, knowing what you're going through?"
"You go because you believe in us," she said gently. "Because if this love is real, it can survive a year. It has already survived worse."
Tears brimmed in his eyes, but he nodded. "I'll apply for video calls. I'll write every week."
"And I'll wait for you," Funmi said softly, her eyes shining. "I promise."
They stood there in silence, wrapped in the glow of the streetlight, holding on as if time itself might pause.
As Emmanuel held her, he realized that this wasn't the end — it was just another bend in the road. Life had thrown them challenge after challenge, but they had faced each one with love. Now, it was time to test that love across oceans and time zones.
He would go — not to escape, but to grow, to learn, to become the man he wanted to be… for himself and for her.
And she would stay — not because she was weak, but because she was strong enough to let him go.
The goodbye would come soon.
But for now, they held each other — hearts intertwined, quietly bracing for the final chapter.