In a story many will confuse for a soap opera plot, a young man has found himself in an unimaginable situation. In what he thought was a loving relationship, this man woke up to the shocking news that his girlfriend was engaged to another.

More surprising was how he discovered the news, through a message invitation to her ruracio, a traditional dowry ceremony.

Like any normal day, he woke up ready for his job and as usual, the morning pleasantries from whom he thought was his other half, but this day was not like the usual, the girl was inviting him to her ruracio the following weekend at her hometown.

“I don’t know how you are going to take this but it is good I invite you, we are not enemies, we are forever good friends”

“So, I officially am inviting you to my ruracio next week on Saturday, you are highly welcome dear, hope to see you there” the message read.

This message has left the young man shattered broken and confused. His supposed girlfriend was not only marrying someone else but also she had concealed the fact that all along she was with someone else.

I am in so much pain, I do not even know what to do next.” he tweeted.

In Kenyan culture, ruracio is a significant ceremony representing the union of two families as the groom’s family negotiates and pays the bride price.

His being invited to the celebration meant all along the girlfriend was in another serious relationship and that all along he was just a friend to the girl or probably all this while he had been delusional about the relationship as a result of miscommunication resulting in differing expectations.

Heartbreak is a universal experience, but this form of betrayal is something very few can relate. The public nature of the betrayal delivered through an informal invitation was too much to bear.

His experience raises questions about relationships in today’s world, especially Generation Z and millennials. While there is no foolproof way to shield oneself, open communication and understanding red flags early can be crucial to understanding how one can protect oneself from such blindside.

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