Over the years one thing we have all learnt to do as humans is build a wall around our emotions, probably because they have been taken for granted before or we have seen that of people around us taken for granted, and since we do not want to learn from experience, we rush to build a wall so high for defence and let nobody through. Many people today don't even want to give love a chance because we live in a world where love has been redefined and completely taken for granted by many.
I don't blame those, myself included, who have built a wall around their emotions and not let anyone in because a heartbreak is not something one recovers from overnight. This new girl Mary moved into the neighbourhood with her family, and she got all the attention because she was indeed beautiful and one everyone was drawn to; every boy back then wanted her to be their girlfriend, so it was like a competition, and she also made it a difficult one as she kept rejecting and turning down many proposals.
"I also like this Mary girl but don't know how to get her, especially now that all the boys are running after her." Emmanuel said on our way back from church.
"I see you want to join the queue, and you are forgetting what happened in the last one already." I responded teasing him and reminding him of the past.
"Exactly why I have been holding back; if only she did not have this much traffic of boys, I would have made a move." Emmanuel said, "Also, about what happened in my last, I think it is time to move on, and for Mary, I am definitely letting my guard down," Emmanuel added.
"If you love somebody, walk up to her and tell her you love her." Chris, who has been following us behind and on his phone, started singing for Emmanuel as he put his phone in his pocket.
"You two are the worst; I was expecting advice on how I can get her, but this is what I get instead," Emmanuel said as he hissed jokingly.
"So is Christ's song not advice?" I asked, "Or should I sing it again for you so you can get the lyrics?" I added
"No please, keep your bad voice to yourself." Christ attacked
"I see you are all out for everybody today, attacking everybody at any given opportunity." Emmanuel said as he kicked Christ on the back.
"See you guys later at the viewing centre; let's watch Manchester United win or lose." Christ, said to get on my nerves, knowing I am a Manchester United fan.
We all parted ways. I went home thinking about why Emmanuel now wants a girlfriend all of a sudden despite swearing on his life to never be in a relationship again after his last ended in chaos and he almost slipped into depression, if not for the help of friends and family. It has been close to two years since his last, but the pain of what she did to him still felt fresh, like it was yesterday. I supported him building a wall around his emotions and staying single like the rest of us, but it turns out staying single was not something he planned to do for long.
We met at the viewing centre like we had planned, and I enjoyed watching Manchester United win while they were disappointed, as they only came with the intention to watch us lose.
"You will say that I worry too much, but are you sure you want those walls that have kept your emotions safe and protected to come crashing down because of Mary?" I asked him after the match.
"You'd never know who is meant for you until you give it a try, and I cannot give it a try with those walls up, so they have to go," Emmanuel responded.
"You have not had any deep conversation with her; what makes her worth letting those walls crumble?" Christ asked
"I just feel it, and I am willing to take the risk, and if things go south, you guys will help me pick myself back up." Emmanuel responded, and it was at this point that I knew he was serious and his mind was made up.
A few weeks after our conversation at the viewing centre, Emmanuel introduced Mary to us as his girlfriend, and she was there and did not argue it or deny it, and we congratulated them and wished them all the best. Since he now has a girlfriend, we started seeing very little of him around; he now spends more time with Mary and spends little or no time with us, and we all totally understood and had to make adjustments.
"Hopefully she does not take him for granted even though she does not look like one that would do such a thing." Christ said as they walked past our normal meeting point, and Emmanuel waved at us from afar.
"Those who don't look like it are the ones capable of doing it, but let's just wish our friend better luck this time," I responded as we waved back at them.
He let his guard down one more time, and he was able to find the one meant for him. They have been together for 6 years now and will be getting married in December; the walls had to crumble for him to find his soulmate.
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