"I used to be in love with this guy called Mohammed. Our love was so passionate, and he loved me more than I loved him. After 2 months of him courting me, he proposed that we get married. We were both young, and he didn’t have a job at that time. That made him insecure, and he kept overthinking how to convince my parents that he would take care of me. Of course, I wanted stability too and someone to take care of me. I thought he gave up on us on account that he couldn’t give me a stable future. After two years, out of the blue, he came back to me saying that he has been working work and has managed to save up a lot. He also told me that he has a stable job now to support us. I had to say no because my family rejected him already and I moved on, and the love I had for him dwindled down. He tried to convince me, pleading with me but I kept rejecting him, and I genuinely wish now that I didn't at the time. He kept waiting for me for another year and a half, finding many ways to win me over but I kept repeating to him that my decision was final and it wasn’t going to change. I choose my family over our love. Later, I heard he contracted a type of brain disease and passed away. The people that were with him at the time told me that he gave up on life and didn’t fight the disease. I’ve never told this story to anyone and until this day, and it pains me to death, and I’m filled with extreme regret. He departed this world alone, and I kept refusing his love."
(Bosaso)
"Waxaan jeclaa wiil la oran jiray Maxamed, jacaylkayagu wuxuu ahaa mid aad u xoogan, si aad ah ayuu I jeclaa aniga. Kadib markaanu sheekaysanaynay muddo laba bilood ah, wuxuu isoo jeediyey in aanu is guursano, da’adeenu aad bey u yarayd wakhtigaas isagana shaqo ma haysan, markaas shaqo la’aantu waxay ku keentay cabsi iyo kalsooni darro ah inuu aad uga fekero sidii uu waalidkay ugu qancin laha in isagu kufilaan karo qoyskiisa.Dabcan aniguna waxaan rabay nolol wacan iyo qof aan ka heli karo daryeel, marki waalidkay diiday anigu waxaan haystay in xiriirkayagii halkaas ku joogsaday maadama uusan awoodi karin inuu ku filaado qoyskiisa mustaqbalka.Wakhtigaas muddo ku siman laba sanno wax war ah kama helin. Kadib wuu igu soo noqday wuxuu I sheegay inuu shaqeeyo waxbadana uu meel dhigtay shaqo wacan joogto ahna uu haysto hada. Wuxuu I sheegay in uu hada haysto shaqo wacan oo ku filan noloshayada, markaas anigu waxaan go’aansaday in aan iraahdo maya madaama markii hore qoyskaygu diiday in aanu is guursano, aniguna aan taas aqbalay jacaylkii aan u hayeyna hoos u dhacay. Maxamed wuxuu isku dayey inuu igu qanciyo guurkayaga, aniguna waxaan si joogta ah ugu sheegay in aanan diyaar u ahayn midaas wakhtigan hada aanu joogno. Muddo hal sanno iyo bar ah ayuu go’aansaday in uu isugo wxuu doonayey in uu helo dariiq kale uu markan igu qancin karo, laakiin aniguna waxaan si joogta ah ugu sheegayey in aan qaatay go’aan kama danbays ah suuragala ma aha in aan bdelo go’aankayga. Markan anigu waxaan doortay in aan raaco sida qoyskaygu rabo oo aanan qiimayn jacaylkayaga. Wakhti kadib waxaan maqlay in ku dhacay xanuun dhanka maskaxda ah aakhirkiina ku keenay inuu u dhinto. Dadkii markaas la joogay isaga waxay ii sheegeen in uu nolosha oo dhan ka quustay xanuunka aanu iska dawayn. Sheekadan maanta ka hor cid uma sheegin, waxay igu haysay xanuun aad u daran,waxaan ka qaaday in aan qoomameeyo in badan, aduunka isagoo keligii ah ayuu ka tagay,aniguna waxaan si joogta ah u diiday jacaylkiisi."
(Boosaaso)
