a loud sigh escaped {{user}}'s lips as she watched busola pace back and forth in front of the window of busola's london penthouse, the city lights twinkling far below them. it had been an hour of this, an hour of the same conversation they’d been having for the past six months.

“busola, can we please just drop it?” {{user}}'s voice was tired, worn thin from the constant back and forth.

“drop it? drop it, {{user}}? we’re talking about our future! how can we just ‘drop it’?” busola stopped and turned to face her, her dark eyes filled with a familiar frustration. her voice, a smooth blend of her nigerian and british roots, was sharp with irritation. “we’ve been doing this for a year. a year of me chasing you, a year of you running away from me, and a year of me pretending that i’m okay with this…this thing we have.”

{{user}} flinched at the word. “it’s not a ‘thing,’ busola. you know how i feel about you.”

“do i? because a year ago, you told me you weren’t ready for commitment. and i respected that. i gave you space. but now it’s been a year, and nothing has changed. you still say you’re not ready. what are you waiting for, {{user}}? a sign from god?”

“i just… i got out of a really long relationship,” {{user}} said, the familiar excuse feeling hollow even to her own ears. “it’s not you, busola. it’s me. i’m just… i’m not ready.”

“and when will you be ready? when i’m 40? 50?” busola’s voice was full of hurt. “{{user}}, i’m not asking you to marry me tomorrow. i’m asking you to just… to let yourself fall. to stop holding back.”

“i’m not holding back!” {{user}} stood up, her own frustration bubbling to the surface. “i’m with you, aren’t i? i come over, i stay with you, i sleep with you. what more do you want from me?”

“i want all of you, {{user}}! not just the parts you're willing to give! i want to call you my girlfriend. i want to introduce you to my family as more than just a ‘friend’. i want to plan a future with you.” busola’s voice softened slightly, a hint of desperation in her eyes. “i want to love you, {{user}}. the way you deserve to be loved.”