"The Unseen Roads of Life: How Love, Failure, and Redemption Shaped Me"

There's a saying that goes, "Some journeys lead us far from home, but some adventures lead us to our destiny." For years, I believed that the essence of life was to seek out adventures, to find the right place, the right people, and the right opportunities. I thought success and happiness were found in the perfect city, surrounded by the right kind of people, where my talents would shine, my career would soar, and my love life would be blissful. But life, as it turns out, had a different plan for me.

With every experience, wisdom came. And so, my journey began one I couldn't have predicted, but one that would mold me into the person I am today.

It all started in 2013, when I landed my first-ever paid job as a contract staff member at a reputable institution. I started with ambition and determination, and within two years, I had climbed the ranks to become a permanent staff member. But that wasn't the end of the climb. My hard work and dedication were rewarded with a promotion to a managerial role in a different region. That was the beginning of a new chapter in my career, but also in my personal life.

It was during this time that I met a woman, a beautiful, caring Muslim lady working in the same bank, though in a different department. We shared many conversations, and over time, she became a significant part of my life. Our relationship grew, and soon we found ourselves expecting a child. My family and hers agreed to the pregnancy, and traditional customs demanded that we wait for the baby's birth before proceeding with the marriage. My uncles took the necessary steps, and once the baby was born and the naming ceremony took place, we approached her family to request her hand in marriage.

But that's when everything fell apart. Her father, with unwavering resolve, said, "They would never allow their daughter to marry a pagan." Despite our efforts to persuade them, it became clear that nothing would change their minds. With heavy hearts, we had no choice but to let go of our plans and move on, leaving me with a shattered sense of hope for the future.

I had no choice but to start anew in a different town, in a new job, and with a different perspective on life. As a young, single father in an unfamiliar city, I felt the need to explore, to discover what was next for me. In preparation for my new role, I took out a car loan, as was the bank's policy. Life seemed to be on an upward trajectory, and I began to feel like I was finally building the life I had always wanted.

Then, one Thursday evening, after a long workday, I encountered a woman who seemed to be in distress. A beautiful woman in her thirties, stranded on the road with a broken-down car. I stopped to offer help, but was unable to fix the issue myself. I called my mechanic for assistance, and soon enough, her car was running again. Contacts were exchanged, and that's how our story began.

She was pursuing an MBA at the time, and we quickly found a connection. We began spending time together, going on dates, attending church services, and getting to know each other. Everything seemed perfect, and I was falling for her fast. On her birthday, I threw a surprise party for her, and it was there that I expressed my intentions. We were like a real-life version of Jack and Rose, falling for each other head over heels. However, amidst all this love, there was a storm brewing in the background.

My baby's mother, still very much a part of my life, was becoming a constant source of turmoil. The situation between us was strained, and it became clear that I was caught in a web of conflicting emotions. On one hand, I had a new love, and on the other, I was dealing with a chaotic, unresolved past.

Soon, my new girlfriend called me with unexpected news: she was pregnant. I was shocked, and the situation only became more complicated. We argued over what to do, with me insisting on abortion as I wasn't ready for another child. She, however, was determined to keep the baby. Weeks passed, and I couldn't shake the feeling that things were spiralling out of control. At the same time, another woman entered my life, one who lived in my neighbourhood, and before I knew it, a new relationship began to bloom.

My new girlfriend struggled with her pregnancy, and I found myself less present, focusing more on the new relationship. I was angry, hurt, and confused, and yet, I still attempted to fulfil my responsibilities as best as I could. I had called in family members to help mediate the situation with my baby's mother, but it was clear that she was suffering. She was emotionally drained, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of the failure. The truth was, everything was unravelling, and I had no control over it.

The situation reached a boiling point when, after my baby's birth, I learned that my former partner had decided to go ahead with the naming ceremony without me. I was blindsided, and the realisation hit me hard that we had lost everything. I tried to reconcile with her family, but it was too late. The damage had been done, and despite the efforts of those around me, the rift between us only widened.

During all this chaos, a colleague from work, a man I respected, stepped in to try and help. He promised to do everything in his power to mend the situation. I was willing to do whatever it took to make things right, to settle down with my baby's mother and rebuild what we had lost. But by then, the emotional scars were deep, and the healing process was anything but easy.

Life with her was never the same after that. We had a new baby, yes, but the wounds from the past were still fresh, and forgiveness seemed impossible at times. Yet, I tried. I tried to make things work, to nurse the broken heart of the woman I had loved. I wanted to be the man she needed, the father my child deserved.

I write this now, with a heart full of remorse for the pain I caused, not just to her, but to myself as well. My journey to the unknown world was never what I expected it to be. It was filled with twists and turns, heartbreak, and lessons that came too late. But through it all, I've learned that there's always room for growth, always a chance for redemption, and always a way to rebuild one step at a time.

By Alvin Maxwell Some