Almost Love in Ilorin: When Friendship Stood Stronger Than Desire

There was a young man named Akanni and a young woman named Aweni. They both lived in the same building in Ilorin, Kwara State, sharing not just a roof nearby but also a growing friendship that neither of them expected.

Aweni was a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, focused on her studies and adjusting to life away from home. Akanni, on the other hand, was calm, observant, and content with simple things. As time passed, the two grew closer. They discovered how similar they were—both loved staying indoors for days, enjoying quiet moments, joking endlessly, and laughing over little things. Being together felt easy, natural, and safe.

Slowly, Akanni began to see Aweni differently. She wasn’t just a friend anymore—she was his type. Everything about her felt familiar, like someone he had known for a long time. The more time they spent together, the deeper his feelings grew.

One day, Akanni gathered the courage to ask Aweni out.

Aweni listened quietly, then told him the truth. She already had someone—a boyfriend in Lagos, a relationship that existed long before she came to Ilorin for school. She was committed to him and didn’t want to betray that trust. Her words were gentle but firm.

But Akanni’s feelings didn’t disappear.

He kept asking her, hoping she would at least give him a chance. Each time she refused, it created tension between them. Whenever they argued, the cause was always the same—Akanni’s desire to be more than just a friend, and Aweni’s loyalty to the man she was already with. Their laughter slowly gave way to silence, and the comfort they once shared became mixed with pain.

Eventually, Akanni felt he had no choice. Staying close to Aweni without being able to have her was too painful. He decided to leave the building, believing distance was the only way to heal.

When Aweni heard he was leaving, she broke down in tears. She didn’t want to lose him—not as a lover, but as a friend who meant so much to her. On the day Akanni was about to go, emotions overflowed. They hugged each other tightly, holding on to the memories, the laughter, and the bond they had built.

Nothing was said, but everything was understood.

Akanni stayed.

They both accepted the truth of their situation. Love had knocked, but timing and commitment stood in the way. In the end, they chose friendship over heartbreak. They continued their lives, still close, still joking, still supporting each other—but with clearer boundaries and deeper respect.

Sometimes, love doesn’t end in romance.

Sometimes, it ends in understanding—and that, too, is a kind of beautiful.