A Coolvalstories production
Chapter One: The Promise
Samuel Oche never imagined that love could end in gunfire. But life, in all its ironies, never consulted him when spinning its cruel tales. Born and raised in Otukpo, Benue State, Samuel was the first son in a family of five. His father, a retired civil servant, had passed away when Samuel was just seventeen, leaving behind an aging wife, two younger siblings, and a pocket of debts. Samuel stepped up—took jobs as a motor park attendant, taught lessons, sold second-hand clothes—anything to keep food on the table. With his struggles he was able to sponsor himself in the prestigious University of Abuja.
It was there that he met Chiamaka—beautiful, light-skinned, soft-spoken, and seemingly humble. She had dreams of becoming a lawyer, and Samuel had dreams of building a family with her. The only difference was that while Chiamaka saw her dreams as wings, Samuel saw hers as theirs. He was three years ahead of her in school but it never for once gave him doubt in building his future with her.
They began dating during her second semester. She was struggling financially, her widowed mother unable to keep up with school fees, rent, and feeding. Samuel, despite his own burdens, made a silent vow: I will make sure you graduate.
He transferred most of his earnings to her. When she couldn’t pay rent, he sent money. When she needed a new phone, he bought it. He paid her fees, even borrowed from friends and took soft loans from microfinance banks. People warned him. His mother pleaded. But love, to Samuel, was not a transaction. It was investment.
After he graduated he relocated back to Benue where it was easier for him to manage life after unsuccessfully getting any job in Abuja and For four years, he did everything for Chiamaka..
And then, she graduated.
