By Publisher
A 103-year-old woman simply identified as Mariam, also a 103-year-old woman, has shared her love story of love, leading to her futile wait over many decades for a man who never returned, leaving her sad and heart-broken.
Mariam, who says she is a virgin has never married or given birth had spent her entire life waiting for John, a young European adventurer she met in her youth.
Understandably, their friendship blossomed into a profound love but it was ill-fated.
According to Mariam: “I met John, a young white man from Europe, who came to Tanzania in search of adventure and purpose. I helped him navigate and settle into his new environment. Over time, our friendship blossomed into something more. He was unlike anyone I had ever met. His manners, stories, and kindness fascinated me. He respected my culture and showed genuine interest in my life and aspirations.”
Their relationship deepened, and Mariam fell deeply in love with John, who appeared to reciprocate her feelings. They shared dreams and hopes for a future together.
Unfortunately, John’s unannounced and unexplained departure shattered Mariam’s dreams.
“One day, John received an urgent summons to return to his hometown. He left without saying goodbye, and I was devastated. I searched for him for years, holding onto hope that he would return,” she said.
Mariam still remained committed to her cultural values, maintaining her virginity in anticipation of marriage with John regardless of the many years that have passed.
She believes that it was cultural for her people to preserve her purity until marriage.
She said: “I remained a virgin, as it was expected in our culture to preserve purity until marriage. Even though I loved John deeply and we had an incredible bond, I remained steadfast in upholding this cultural value.”
As years went by, the hope of John’s return faded, leaving Mariam feeling both betrayed and alone. Yet, she remained resolute in her promise to herself and her cultural beliefs.
“I refused to accept that he might not come back. Despite the wonderful moments we shared, I clung to the belief that John would eventually return,” she added.
