Love, they say, is a powerful feeling, one that can make people act in ways they never have before. It has driven kings to abandon their thrones for servitude and caused angels to be deserted by their creators. Quite the force, isn't it? I've seen great men and women act like children in the throes of love, while even gods and goddesses, immortal beings with the world at their feet, seem willing to forsake their divine selves.
This strange and consuming feeling transforms those it touches, making them nearly unrecognizable to themselves and others. When we witness people so deeply in love that they seem blind to reason, the reactions around them vary widely. Some people call them fools; others dismiss them as childish or immature. To some, they seem like madmen or lost souls who no longer understand what they're doing.
It is not uncommon for people to look down on lovers who appear to lose all sense of rationality, commitment, or self-worth, swept up in the tides of their emotions. They seem deaf to advice or rebuke, driven by an overwhelming sense of devotion that blinds them to the logical or safer paths. The dedication these lovers show to the people they care about astonishes those around them, defying understanding.
They disregard societal expectations, cast aside warnings, and seem unconcerned by any negative consequences. They don't mind the whispers or judgments of others, as if something far stronger than public opinion binds them. They simply do not care.
In some parts of the world, where love appears to be bound by superstitions, such actions are often attributed to mystical forces. People whisper about spells, charms, and bewitchments, convinced that only magic could make a person abandon their family, wealth, or ambitions for the sake of a single relationship.
Time and again, we hear tragic stories of people who take extreme measures, sometimes even ending their lives, simply because someone from their family or community disapproves of their relationship. The consequences of forbidden love can be especially severe in communities with strict cultural or familial expectations.
Some families, fearing dishonor, attempt to control or even sever these relationships, believing that their actions are in the best interest of everyone involved. However, to the person deeply in love, such attempts feel like an assault on their very soul, leaving them desperate and often willing to take drastic measures.
One thing that always amazes me is the steadfast loyalty these lovers exhibit, despite the many flaws or mistakes others may point out about their partners. Friends and family might list every imperfection, urging them to see reason. Yet, they press forward, undeterred, embracing their loved one's flaws as if they were virtues.
In the eyes of love, even faults can appear endearing, quirks become cherished, and imperfections are forgiven again and again.
Just this past week, a friend shared a story that left me deeply shaken. She recounted a tragic incident involving a young girl in high school, whose funeral posters were displayed all around a community she had recently visited.
Curious about the story behind these posters, my friend asked the locals what had happened. She was told that this girl's family, aware of her budding romance with a young man in their town, had tried to intervene. They urged her to focus on her studies and leave her relationship with this boy, who worked in galamsey, or illegal mining.
In the family's eyes, he was an unsuitable match, a boy without prospects, involved in work they deemed dangerous and unsavory. The girl, however, felt differently. For her, he was more than his job or his circumstances—he was her choice, her love.
She pleaded with her family, explaining that their relationship was meaningful to her, that it gave her strength and purpose. But her family would not yield. They insisted that her education came first and that she would thank them later for their decision.
Hurt and frustrated, she warned them that if they did not allow her to be with him, she would take matters into her own hands. But her family, certain that she would never go to such extremes, dismissed her words as mere melodrama.
Tragically, her promise was not empty. Desperate and feeling isolated, the girl obtained gasoline, poured it over herself, and set herself ablaze. By the time her family and neighbors managed to extinguish the flames, it was too late.
She was rushed to the hospital, but the injuries were too severe, and she passed away. The community was left in shock, reeling from the enormity of her despair and the unexpected outcome of what was meant to be a protective decision.
Such stories remind us of the incredible—and often tragic—power love holds over people’s lives. We are left wondering why some individuals, especially the young, feel so profoundly committed that they cannot imagine life without their chosen partner. Perhaps it is the intensity of first love, the raw and consuming feeling that often defies words, or maybe it’s a mix of passion, youth, and the fear of loneliness.
In our societies, where expectations and traditions often guide individual choices, love can become a rebellious force. It defies rules, dismisses expectations, and refuses to be tamed. For some, this feeling is worth every sacrifice, even if it ultimately brings pain or sorrow. It is a choice that remains deeply personal and often beyond full comprehension to those who have not experienced its depths.
Love can indeed be a beautiful thing, bringing joy, connection, and hope. But in certain cases, as we’ve seen, it also has a darker, more dangerous side. Shocking, isn’t it? The lengths to which people will go for love.
N.B: All images are from pixabay.com