Janet and Sylvia had been friends since high school. They attended the same university and maintained their relationship even after graduating. They were significant players in each others’ lives. Any boyfriend of either required vetting from the other friend. Most of the time, they would go on double dates since Janet and Sylvia enjoyed spending time together.
Janet was dating George. George was thoughtful but not necessarily romantic by modern-day standards. He wouldn’t buy flowers, fill a room with petals or open doors, but he wouldn’t go to Janet’s house and find a loose tap and not fix it. He didn’t need to be told. Janet would go to his house with a worn-out charger, and he would ensure she went home with a new charger.
Janet was taking a course as she worked, and waking up was a struggle. George would set his alarm at 4:30 a.m. to call Janet if they were not together. He’d wake her up to study and go back to bed if he didn’t need to be up that early. Janet was into nail art. George would often send her pictures of nail art that she could try out.
Sylvia dated Eric. Eric was very different from George. Eric loved grand gestures of love. He was the kind of man who would send tens of balloons to Sylvia. Once, he called Janet and asked her to take Sylvia out for a girls’ day because Sylvia was stressed about Eric’s tab. Sylvia loved the grand gestures. She often teased Janet that George should borrow a leaf from Eric.
It didn’t bother Janet much that George wasn’t into grand romantic gestures because he made her happy. However, a seed is planted once someone whose opinion matters to you says something. Sylvia made the same remark, comparing George to Eric several times. It began to bother Janet that George wasn’t more ‘romantic’, but she didn’t voice it to anyone.
Sylvia’s birthday came up, and Eric decided to take her to Diani. Sylvia was over the moon. She shared videos and pictures with Janet and on social media.
“Babe, look at how much fun Sylvia is having,” Janet told George.
“Sylvia enjoys such things. I am happy for her,” said George.
“Anyone would enjoy being pampered like that,” Janet told George.
George didn’t pick up on the subtle hint that she wanted something. Janet’s birthday was two months after Sylvia’s. As expected, George didn’t go out of his way. He took her for dinner and then gave her a gift. When they left the restaurant, Janet couldn’t pretend she was okay. She had an attitude.
“What’s the matter?” George asked her.
“I want to feel loved, George,” Janet responded.
“I don’t make you feel loved?” George asked in shock.
“You don’t put in enough effort,” Janet told him.
“Where is this coming from? We have been okay for over a year, and I have done things the same way I have always done them,” George told Janet.
“I don’t know. Maybe I got tired of seeing other people’s boyfriends going all out for them,” responded Janet.
It hurt George so much that he didn’t say anything else. He requested a cab for Janet, waited for her to get in and then left for home. He knew Janet was home because she was using his Uber account, but he didn’t talk to her.
The following morning, George didn’t wake Janet up. He didn’t talk to her for two weeks. Janet texted him first. Once they passed the small talk, Janet told him she wanted to talk to him. He agreed to meet her.
“I’m so sorry, babe, that I took you for granted,” said Janet.
“What’s going on with you, Janet?” George asked her.
“I missed the exam,” Janet told him.
“Why?” George asked.
“I wasn’t ready. I didn’t study enough. I missed the alarm so many times. I was anxious about not being ready, so I deferred,” Janet said.
“Babe, there was a timeline for this so that you can move on to other things,” George said, disappointed.
“I know. I’m so sorry I got carried away. Sylvia put all of Eric’s grand gestures in my face and began to feel some way,” Janet told George.
“Do you want those things? I thought you don’t like being the centre of attention?” George asked Janet.
“For a moment, I thought I wanted them, but I now know how much the seemingly small thoughtful things you do for me matter,” said Janet.
“This is who I am, Janet, and I love you, but I don’t think I’ll ever be anything else,” George responded.
“I know, and I don’t want you to change,” Janet assured him.
“The next time something like this bothers you, talk to me. It caught me by surprise,” George told her.
They reconciled and went home together. Janet also talked to Sylvia about the issue, and Sylvia apologized to Janet. She hadn’t realized that her remarks had an effect on Janet.
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