The last letter

"Kemi, I'm not buying this idea of love before making money," Lanre snapped at Kemi, his childhood friend and now lover.

"I'm not saying you should not pursue your dreams; you're getting it all wrong. All I'm saying is let me be part of your journey," Kemi explained.

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"You're only being adamant; I don't know what you stand to gain from my failure," Lanre angrily replied.

"In your failure? Lanre, what are you saying? Okay, no problem; if you won't listen to me, it's fine," Kemi said and left.

Lanre was looking at her leave without feeling remorseful or concerned. "Love, love, really? Is that what's next? This lady doesn't know anything, and it's someone like her that would be demanding an exorbitant amount of money later in the future," Lanre said and hissed.

Lanre and Kemi just graduated from the university. They've been friends since childhood and are now lovers. Kemi wanted them to journey together on the path of life to plan their future, but Lanre wanted more. He wanted to travel overseas in search of greener pastures, saying he didn't need love for now, as he would need to focus more on himself and building a brighter future. After their last conversation, Lanre didn't reach out to Kemi, as he temporarily wanted her to give him some space. After a month, Kemi paid him a visit at his residence.

"We've not talked in a month, and I guess you have really made up your mind about this, so I've come to the conclusion that I won't force you to make you realize and see from my perspective. I'm here to drop this letter for you. I would have sent it to you as a text message or via WhatsApp, but I want you to have the hard copy. It sticks more," Kemi said.

"I've got an opportunity, and I will be traveling by the weekend; I hope to see you again," Lanre replied. By this time, he was still a young, intelligent, and proud young man.

"Keep hoping, and I wish you a safe travel down to your destination," Kemi said as she dropped the letter, which was well enveloped on the center table, with a smile and left.

Immediately Kemi left, Lanre took the letter and kept it in his bag. By the weekend, he made his arrangements and traveled out of the country without reading the letter Kemi gave him. Several years had passed, and Lanre had achieved all he ever wanted; the money, fame, and international accolades all had come at a cost because he was alone. Relationships came and went, but none ever felt right. No one laughed like Kemi or challenged his thinking like she did.

Seated in his garden, Lanre is now seventy-two years old. In his wrinkled hand was a letter, yellowed by time and sealed in an envelope he had never opened till now. Forty-five years ago, he made the biggest decision of his life. Back then, Lanre was obstinate and always thought his decisions were the best and no one else mattered. He was convinced that love and emotion were distractions from success. Kemi, his lover, then begged him to stay in Nigeria and build a future together and planned life even if he would travel, but Lanre was set on traveling abroad to make it big. His hand trembles as he opens the letter.

"Lanre,
If you're reading this letter, then maybe you've discovered what I already knew. Success without love is an empty victory; no one can live in isolation. I never asked you to give up your dreams, only to take me along the journey. If you must leave, I wouldn't have stopped you. Just know this: one day, you may look back and realize what really mattered."

Tears rolled down his cheeks as he read and re-read the letter. Memories of Kemi flooded back into his head: their childhood play, long walks in adulthood, shared laughter, her patience, her passion. The power of hindsight hit him so deeply.

"If only I had paused to consider what I was leaving behind, to see not just what I was running towards but what I was walking away from," Lanre muttered.

Lanre folded the letter gently and placed it on the stool in front of him. He knew he couldn't go back and change his choice, but perhaps he could share his story with young ones chasing dreams, unaware of what truly makes life rich. He picked up his pen and diary and began writing, hoping that someone would listen before it was too late. He wrote a book titled "No one can live in isolation" and sold it across every bookshop.

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