A Reading of *When The Hibiscus Blooms* By Joy Jinnaya - Chapter 1
- joyjinnaya
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
CHAPTER 1
Life was rarely simple. Just when Paul thought he’d grasped the reins, the unexpected struck. Like a wave, the realization over him: five years after vanishing, Adanna Cynthia Njokwu—now his project manager—sat across from him.
His business partners, Chidi and Ike, seated nearby, their contract awaiting approval. Paul’s fingers tightened around the folder. No amount of preparation could’ve armored him for this.
Ada, the eldest daughter of multimillionaire Donald Njokwu, was a vision of elegance—a masterpiece of nature’s craftsmanship. Her brown skin glowed like sunset, inviting the gaze to linger, to bask in its radiance.
Her slender figure is a testament to her refined and delicate features, like a petal swaying gently in the breeze. Every curve, every line, and every contour are a symphony of perfection, a harmony of shape and form that mesmerizes and captivates.
Her eyes sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight, shining bright with warmth and kindness. They welcome you with open arms, embracing you with a sense of belonging and connection. Her smile is a work of art, a masterpiece that lights up the world around her, illuminating the darkness and chasing away the shadows.
She exudes a sense of quiet confidence, a gentle self-assurance that commands attention and inspires admiration. Her presence is a gift, a treasure to behold, and a blessing to those around her. She is a true gem, a precious jewel that shines brightly, illuminating the world with her loveliness. And the one who really loved him without reservation despite his social status. Despite her loving care towards him, he fumbled and made a decision that he came to deeply regret. Seven years ago, at the university, after a relentless pursuit by her, he fell for her loveliness. Our whirlwind romance ended in a heartbreaking breakup, with shattered hearts, bitter tears, and a painful realization that the breakup for him was all for nothing.
***
Paul and Ada's love story began on a crisp autumn morning seven years ago, within the hallowed halls of the university. Their meeting wasn't a chance encounter; it was a collision, quite literally, in the campus library. Paul, a broodingly handsome senior, with eyes that held the weight of unspoken secrets, accidentally sent Ada's meticulously stacked books tumbling to the floor. The scattered pages, like fallen leaves, mirrored the turmoil about to erupt in his life.
As they knelt, gathering the scattered pages, their fingers brushed. Ada felt a jolt, an inexplicable electric current that sparked a wildfire in her heart. But Paul, his gaze guarded, a flicker of annoyance momentarily masking the turmoil within, quickly averted his eyes. He was bound by a promise, a promise to Onyinye, his childhood sweetheart, a promise that felt like a heavy chain around his heart, even though his feelings for her had long since faded into a pale imitation of love.
Ada, unaware of the silent battle raging within Paul, saw only the man before her: kind eyes, a hint of sadness lurking beneath the surface, and a captivating aura of mystery. His initial coldness melted away as they spoke, their conversations growing longer, more intimate, revealing glimpses into their souls. Ada, with her quick wit and infectious laughter, was like a gentle spring thaw, slowly melting the ice around Paul's guarded heart.
Their clandestine meetings became a refuge—a sanctuary from the world’s harsh realities. Beneath the ancient oak tree on the quad, they found solace in shared dreams and whispered fears. Paul's initial reluctance transformed into an undeniable pull, an irresistible force drawing him towards Ada's radiant warmth and genuine kindness. Her unwavering faith in him was a balm to his wounded soul, a stark contrast to the duty-bound commitment that felt like a suffocating weight.
One starlit night, under the canopy of the ancient oak, their lips met. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a surrender, a release of pent-up emotions, a desperate grasp at a love that felt both forbidden and utterly essential. The world dissolved around them, leaving only the raw intensity of their connection, a moment suspended in time, a fragile bubble of happiness in a world threatening to shatter it.
But their idyllic bubble couldn't withstand the weight of Paul's promise. The specter of Onyinye loomed large, a constant reminder of his commitment. Torn between duty and desire, Paul made the agonizing choice: he honored his promise to Onyinye, shattering Ada's heart in the process. The pain of his betrayal was a cruel twist of fate, leaving Ada heartbroken and questioning everything she thought she knew about love and trust. Paul's callous decision left Ada not only heartbroken but also stripped of her innocence and trust, the scars of his betrayal running deep.
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