The Unending Love Between Udoka and Ebimobowei
The Unending Love Between Udoka and Ebimobowei
A Love Story Across Time, Culture, and Choice
CHAPTER ONE: Of Fish and Forms
Ebimobowei (Owei) was the son of a fisherman from Ofunama, Egbema—a small riverside town where fish and wisdom were caught in equal measure. His father once told him, “Owei, in life, if you can catch a big fish and a smart woman, you don’t need luck.” But Owei was focused. For three years at the university, he avoided distractions like a monk in a library.
Until one hot Thursday afternoon.
Owei had just written his final exam for 300 level second semester. “Today,” he whispered to himself, “I will look for a girlfriend.” He didn’t even pray about it. He just ironed his one good shirt, sprayed “one spray too much” of perfume, and strolled to the Pre-degree Office—the unofficial market for incoming female students.
His eyes were on a different girl entirely—a tall one with fine legs and two phones. But she dismissed him with a look that said, "Bro, you can't afford my time." Disappointed but still motivated, he turned to leave—and there was Udoka.
She was standing near the entrance, struggling to find a biro in her purse. He offered her his own. She smiled. He smiled. Ten minutes later, they were walking to his hostel. Udoka would later say she still doesn’t know how that happened.
CHAPTER TWO: Sapele Nights
The first man that knew Udoka, physically and emotionally, was Owei. She told him things she hadn’t told her best friend. They became inseparable—sneaking out, borrowing money to eat fried rice, laughing at silly hostel jokes.
He took her to Sapele once, where she met his cousin who said, “You go marry this girl o!” and they both laughed like it was a joke. But deep down, they thought it might be true.
CHAPTER THREE: Distance, NYSC, and Distractions
During his youth service in Akure, Udoka visited. She came with a food flask and a lot of love. She told him, “I’ll wait for you till the end.” Owei, with the pride of a village warrior in love, promised her heaven and the entire kingdom of Egbema.
But then came the job.
CHAPTER FOUR: The Lagos Detour
Owei got a job at the University of Lagos. There, life became faster than his WhatsApp replies. Somewhere between lesson plans and pressure from home, he got married—to someone else.
It wasn’t like he didn’t love Udoka. It was just... everything moved too quickly, and his elder sister made it clear:
“I don’t want to see her. I don’t want to hear her name. That’s final.”
No reason given. Maybe it was tribalism. Maybe it was envy. Maybe it was just vibes. Owei, the once-fearless fisherman's son, folded under family pressure.
CHAPTER FIVE: Ayingba Sparks
Years passed. Udoka, now doing her Master’s in Ayingba, walked into the university café—and there he was. Owei. Same smile, same cologne, less hair.
They greeted like old friends, hugged like lovers, and that night… something happened. We can’t say what, but let’s just say it wasn’t mathematics they revised.
It didn’t end in scandal, though. No one was hurt. It was just... human. They talked until 2 a.m. about what could’ve been.
CHAPTER SIX: Of PhDs and Parallel Lives
Today, Udoka holds a PhD. She lectures with grace and wisdom in a different city. Owei teaches in another university, also respected, also married.
They still chat. Sometimes it’s about their students. Sometimes about football. Sometimes it’s just a single heart emoji.
They never crossed the line again—but they never stopped caring.
When asked if he still loves Udoka, Owei says, “That girl? I’ll love her till the last fish swims in Ofunama.”
EPILOGUE: Love, Actually
True love doesn’t always end in marriage. Sometimes it ends in mutual respect, shared memories, and unspoken what-ifs.
Udok and Ebimobowei remind us that love is not always tidy. It can be messy, painful, and imperfect—but also honest, enduring, and beautiful.
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