Ogada Michael

A powerful, poetic story of trauma, love, and healing. Malik Odhiambo is a man scarred by silence. Raised in a strict Kenyan household where emotions were punished, he now drifts through life — numb, guarded, alone. Then he meets Leila — a therapist-in-training who sees past the façade. As their connection deepens, Malik must confront buried pain, repressed memories, and the terrifying risk of being truly seen. The Way I Am is a tender, introspective novel about breaking cycles, choosing vulnerability, and learning that healing is messy — but possible.