Kabasi Joseph
Chapter One
Do you believe in true love? Or maybe time travel—and fixing the past to prevent the present?
Well, let’s start from the future so we can understand the present, which, technically, is the past. I know I’m confusing you all, but you’ll understand with time.
Meet Petra Woods. She’s not exactly an angel, but there’s one thing she’s sure of—she loves him. Thomas Cliff. And she would do anything for him.
It’s the year 2030. Petra and Thomas are in a relationship, and everything seems to be going well. Petra works at a café, and Thomas is an accountant at his father’s organization. They used to live together, though they weren’t married yet. By the time it happened, Petra had already moved out. Still, Thomas was ready to take the next step.
He worked alongside Isaac, his best friend since childhood, and confided in him about almost everything.
Thomas: Hey Isaac, can I talk to you for a minute?
Isaac: Sure bro, what’s wrong?
Thomas: I think I want to propose to Petra.
Isaac: Woah—wow! That’s great, bro.
Thomas: Why did you say it like that?
Isaac: Like what?
Thomas: Like I’m making a big mistake.
Isaac: Not at all, brother. I just don’t want you to rush into anything.
Thomas: Rush? We’ve been together for two years now.
Isaac: I know, bro… but are you sure you really know this girl?
Thomas: What’s your problem, man?
Isaac: Look… I was told not to say anything, but I can’t let you walk into a trap.
Thomas: What are you talking about?
Isaac finally told Thomas the truth. Thomas didn’t take it well, but he tried to act cool.
Thomas: I have to get to work.
He went to work, but his mind was spinning. As he sat at his desk, deep in thought, his phone rang.
Petra: Hey boo, how are you?
Thomas: I’m… not sure. I don’t feel good.
Petra: Sweetheart, are you okay?
Thomas: Yeah, don’t worry about it.
Petra: I just wanted to check in—are we still on for tonight?
Thomas: And why wouldn’t we be?
Petra: Just letting you know I might be a little late, but I’ll definitely be there. I promise.
Thomas: That’s fine. I’ll be waiting.
Petra: Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t sound happy.
Thomas: Just a lot of work, that’s all. I’m good. See you at 7… or 7:30, whatever it ends up being.
Petra: Okay, hun. I love you.
Thomas: …I love you too.
He hung up and sat in silence. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Isaac had told him. He didn’t want to believe it, but doubt had crept in.
Back home, Thomas tried to prepare for the evening. He poured himself a drink to gather the courage to face Petra, but it knocked him out instead. He woke up with a jolt at 9:00 PM.
Panicked, he rushed to the hotel and found Petra sitting in the cold, looking like an angel.
Thomas: Petra, I’m so sorry I’m late. I got caught up at work.
Petra: Are you sure you were at work?
Thomas: What do you mean? Of course I was. You don’t believe me?
Petra: I came to your workplace earlier to surprise you. They said you had already left. I thought you’d be here. Instead, you show up three hours late.
Thomas: I’m sorry. I’m not as good a liar as you.
Petra: Excuse me?
Thomas: Look, Petra, I’m really sorry. But Isaac told me something. Please… tell me it’s not true. Please tell me it’s a lie.
Petra: Oh no. I thought this day would never come.
Thomas: I didn’t believe it at first, but now… my heart is broken. At least tell me why.
Petra: Honestly? Unless you want another lie… I don’t really have a reason.
Thomas: Then why didn’t you just tell me? You know I would have forgiven you.
Petra: That’s just it… I didn’t know. I couldn’t risk losing you.
Thomas: You just did.
He placed the ring on the table and walked away.
Later, he ended up at a bar. He drank until he couldn’t see straight, stumbled into his car, and drove off into the night.
Back at Petra’s apartment, she returned home to her roommate.
Grace: Hey, so how did it go? Did he put a ring on it?
Petra: He gave me the ring…
Grace: Oh wow! Then why isn’t it on your finger?
Petra: Isaac told him.
Grace: Told him to propose?
Petra: No. He told him everything.
Grace: Oh no… why would he do that?
Petra: I don’t know. But now he’s gone.
Grace: Don’t worry, sleep it off. You’ll feel better in the morning.
Petra: I guess so…
But her mind couldn’t settle. Around 2:00 AM, Petra’s phone rang.
Petra: Thomas? Is that you?
Stranger: Hello ma’am. This isn’t Thomas. He’s been in an accident. The ambulance is taking him to the hospital. You were the last contact on his phone, so we wanted to inform you.
Petra: (crying) Thank you, sir…
She stared at her phone—missed calls from Thomas. She immediately dialed Isaac.
Isaac: Petra, I had to tell him. Don’t blame me—
Petra: He… he got into an accident. He’s been admitted to the general hospital. I may be late. Please, be there.
Isaac: Of course. I’m on my way.
Petra tried to stay calm. She went downstairs for water, pretending it would all be fine. “People get in accidents all the time,” she told herself. But her hands were shaking. She dropped the glass, shattering it—and waking Grace.
Grace: Petra, are you okay?
Petra couldn’t answer. She just hugged Grace and broke down. After explaining everything, they rushed to the hospital.
When they arrived, they saw Isaac waiting in the corridor.
Petra: Where is he? Is it bad?
Isaac: Petra… Thomas didn’t make it. He died before reaching the hospital.
Petra: What are you saying?
Isaac: Thomas is dead, Petra.
End of Chapter One
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