THE LOVE AFFAIR

I woke up to the sound of raindrops falling on the ceiling. "Why didn't it rain at night?" I asked no one in particular. Its a Saturday and I checked my roaster and realized I was off duty today. "I should have slept some more" I said. But anyways I am up now so I better go ahead with my chores for the day. Coming out of the room with my basket full of laundry, i sighted my mum in the kitchen doing hers."Good morning mum", I greeted. She was so engrossed in what she was doing to even reply to my greetings.

I never complained though because my mum and I never saw eye to eye, and travelling out of the country to study also made it worse and our relationship strained. Since she was busy with the washer, I decided to do other things to keep busy. I wore my gym clothes and went jogging hoping by the time I get back she will be done. Although jogging has been a chore for me, i am determined to loose weight any way I can because my wedding is in six months. There was a period in my life when I sensed absolute freedom and boundless opportunities. Many say you never realize those moments until they're gone, but I always felt their magic. Love is a drug right?Dopamine, Adrenaline, Oxytocin. Love has a way of triggering a rush of these neurotransmitters to create an intoxicating feeling. The anticipation it comes with and rush of emotions is indeed something worth seeking and experiencing. It is supposed to be that beautiful anticipated connection worth experiencing first hand. Why don't I feel this way currently?. I meet Adrian during my first year of residency, He was a second year resident at the hospital i was posted to so he is a senior colleague of mine. although it was not love at first sight we worked our way through. One evening, as we strolled through the city park, the setting sun casting a magical glow over their path, Adrian confessed his feelings for me. He expressed his admiration for my strength, my compassion, and my unwavering spirit. He told me that i had brought light into his life, a light he had never known before. Annabella's heart was filled with a mix of surprise and joy, and realized that she had fallen for Adrian as well. She admired his kindness, his intelligence, and the way he always made her feel safe and cherished. From that moment on, their friendship transformed into a love that was as deep as it was unexpected. They found comfort and support in each other's arms, their love a beacon of hope amidst the challenges of their demanding careers. Adrian and Annabella's journey from friendship to love was a testament to the power of patience, understanding, and unwavering support. Their love story, though not born of instant attraction, was a love that grew stronger with each passing day, a love that would withstand any test. Annabella and Adrian's confession marked a turning point in their relationship. The walls that Annabella had built around her heart began to crumble, and she allowed herself to feel the warmth of Adrian's affection. Days turned into weeks, and their friendship blossomed into a budding romance. They spent countless hours together, sharing meals,exploring the city, and confiding in each other. Their conversations ranged from lighthearted banter to deep and meaningful discussions about their dreams, fears, and aspirations. Adrian's patience and understanding had melted away Annabella's resistance, and she found herself falling deeper in love with him. His kindness, his intelligence, and his unwavering support were qualities that she cherished. One evening, as they strolled along the riverbank, the moonlight casting a soft glow over their path, Adrian surprised Annabella with aromantic gesture. He presented her with a single red rose, a symbol of his love and affection. Annabella's heart fluttered, and she accepted the rose with a smile. In that moment, under the moonlight, they shared their first kiss, a kiss that sealed their love for one another. From that day forward, they were officially a couple. Their love story was not one of instant attraction but rather a love that had grown steadily over time, nurtured by friendship, respect, and mutual admiration. The hospital corridors were abuzz with the usual morning hustle and bustle. Doctors, nurses and patients moved with the sense of urgency, their voices blending into cacophony of medical jargons and hushed conversations. Amidst the chaos, Dr Annabella stood out , her beauty as captivating as it was distracting. Annabella was a rising star in the medical field , a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon with reputation for her skill and precision. She was admired by her colleagues, adored by her patients and considered a rising star in the medical field. But beneath her farcade of success and confidence, Annabella harboured a secret. Although she was engaged to Adrain, a kind hearted fellow doctor,her heart belonged to another man - Alex, her married boss. Alex was a charismatic and successful surgeon, with a reputation for being a bit of a ladies' man. He was married, but his marriage was on the rocks, and he had made secret his attraction to Annabella. Anabella and Alex had been having an affair for months, their stolen moments in his office and his home becoming a refuge from the pressures of their demanding lives. They knew their relationship was forbidden, but the thrill of the illicit affair was undeniable. Annabella has tried to convince herself that she loved Alex, that their relationship was more than just a fling. But she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being used, that Alex was only interested in her as a distraction from his own troubled life. One Saturday morning, as Annabella was making her rounds, she spotted Alex in the hallway, deep in conversation with another woman. Annabella's heart sank as she watched them, a pang of jealousy coursing through her veins. She approached her boss, her voice laced with tension as she asked, "Alex, who is that woman?" Alex looked up, his face momentarily flustered before he regained his composure. "Oh, that's just an old friend," he replied casually. Annabella was not convinced. She knew Alex was a womanizer, and she couldn't believe that he was just being friendly with this woman. "An old friend?" she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "How well do I know this 'old friend' of yours?" Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Annabella, it's not what you think," he said placatingly. But Annabella wasn't in the mood for excuses. She turned on her heel and walked away, her heart heavy and her mind swirling with doubts. As she walked down the corridor, Annabella could not shake the feeling that her perfect life was crumbling around her. Her engagement to Adrain was a sham, her affair with Alex was a mess, and her career was on the verge of implosion if she does not thread carefully. She felt lost and alone, trapped in a web of her own making. Annabella found herself wandering aimlessly through the hospital, her mind replaying the scene she had just witnessed. She couldn't believe that Alex would be so blatant about his infidelity, especially in front of her even though she knew he was cheating on his wife with so many girls. The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface for weeks finally boiled over. She stormed into Alex's office, her fists clenched at her sides. "How could you?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fury. "How could you do that to me?" Alex looked up from his desk, his face a mask of surprise. "Annabella, what's wrong?" he asked, trying to maintain his composure. "Don't play dumb with me, Alex,"Annabella snapped. "I saw you with that woman. Who is she?" Alex sighed, knowing that he couldn't deny the truth any longer. "She's just a friend," he said lamely. "A friend?" Annabella repeated, her voice laced with incredulity. "She was all over you, Alex, it was obvious that there was something more going on." Alex's jaw clenched. He hated being confronted, especially by Annabella. "Look, Annabella, it's not what it seems," and besides its none of your business what I do with my life". he said defensively. But Annabella wasn't in the mood to listen to his excuses. She had been hurt and betrayed, and she was ready to let Alex have it. "I don't care what you say, Alex" she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "You're a liar and a cheat. I can't believe I ever wasted my time on you." With that, she turned and stormed out of the office, leaving Alex speechless. Annabella ran back to her office , tears streaming down her face. She couldn't believe that her relationship with Alex had crumbled so quickly. She had thought they had something special, but it turned out that he was just using her. She threw herself onto her office couch, sobbing uncontrollably. She felt like her world was falling apart. She had lost her lover, and her sense of self. As she lay there, drowning in her own misery, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Adrian, her fiancé, She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether or not to answer. But she knew that she needed to talk to someone, and Adrian was the only person she could think of. She took a deep breath and answered the phone. Hello?" she answered, her voice barely a whisper. "Annabella? Is everything okay?" Adrian asked, his voice laced with concern. Annabella hesitated, unsure of whether or not to tell Adrian about what had happened. She knew that he would be devastated if he found out about her affair with Alex but she also couldn't bear to keep it from him any longer. "No, Adrian," she said, her voice cracking. "Everything is not okay, I just have a bad cold". "I'm so sorry, Annabella," he said when she had finished. "I had no idea you were sick". "Thank you, Alex" she said, her voice catching in her throat. "I don't know what I would do without you."