Girlfriend—that word used to mean nothing to me until I found myself in a love triangle that changed my life. My name is Linda, and I met Alex when I started my new job in Takoradi. He was already working there when I arrived, and as luck would have it, we were both assigned housing in the same apartment complex. That arrangement brought us closer than I ever imagined.
From day one, it was like we had known each other forever. We clicked instantly. We shared lunch, walked to work together, and watched movies on weekends. At first, our bond was innocent, just two colleagues enjoying each other’s company. I soon discovered he had a girlfriend, and I respected that. I even met her a couple of times when she came over to visit him. She was sweet and clearly loved him. I had no reason to interfere.
At the time, I was single and happy with my independence. I wasn’t searching for romance, but as the days went by, I couldn’t help but notice the way Alex looked at me. He started spending more time with me than with his own girlfriend. He would come over to my place for dinner, and I began doing his laundry and helping him with chores—all in the name of friendship.
I didn’t expect anything in return. But deep down, I was falling for him. And then, one sunny Saturday afternoon, he knocked on my door looking troubled.
“Linda,” he said with a soft voice, “I can’t hide this anymore. I’ve fallen in love with you.”
My heart skipped a beat. I felt both guilty and excited. I confessed that I had feelings for him too. We kissed. One thing led to another, and we crossed a line I never thought we would. Afterward, the guilt hit me like a wave. I had just slept with someone’s boyfriend.
I told him, “If you truly love me, you need to end things with her. I won’t be the other woman.”
He promised me he would. A few weeks later, he told me he had broken up with his girlfriend. I never saw any proof, but she stopped visiting, and he assured me they were over. I felt torn—sad for her but happy that I could now be with the man I loved.
Now, we act like a couple in every way, except for one thing—he still talks to her. He says he owes her some things and wants to help her out. He sends her money and checks up on her constantly. Meanwhile, I haven’t received even a single gift from him. When I asked why he keeps reaching out to her, he said, “I just want to make sure she’s okay. We’re not together anymore, but I still care about her.”
That didn’t sit right with me.
I started reading their chats. There’s nothing romantic in them, but it’s always him begging her to stay friends and her constantly shutting him down. She doesn’t want anything to do with him, yet he keeps trying.
It makes me wonder—why is he holding on to her when he claims to love me?
I’ve told him how I feel multiple times. His response is always the same, “You’re the one I love, Linda. She’s my past, you are my present and future.”
And yes, he does show up for me. When I was harassed by a customer at work, he defended me. When I was sick, he stayed by my side. Our co-workers still think we’re just close friends, and I’m okay with that. But one time, his ex threatened to expose our relationship at work. He begged her not to. I’m not sure if it was because of his job or because he was trying to protect me—or maybe her.
So now I’m stuck in this place where I don’t know what to believe.
Is he truly over his girlfriend? Or am I just the one he settled for after things went wrong between them? He says he loves me, but his actions make me doubt. Is he using me for comfort, for companionship—or just for shuperu?
I want to believe that our love is real. But a part of me is afraid that I’m just the backup plan. And that scares me.
Please, what should I do? Should I trust his words, or listen to my instincts?
—Linda
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