After Forever, By Choice: A Story of Love That Lasts Beyond Time

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting Kika N. Mounti, an admirable woman from Cyprus and the author of the book My Tango: El Bandito —whose presence alone is a reminder of passion, depth, and grace.

The book is a tribute to the memory of her great love of her life, a man who has since passed away. Life later brought another companion by her side, yet her heart remains anchored in that first profound bond — after forever, by choice. Her writing captures emotions that are both delicate and universal, offering a glimpse into how deeply love can shape a life.

When we were with her, we noticed something striking: the same name appeared in the lives of two other women’s partners, and then in hers — and finally, there was me. At that moment, I couldn’t help but feel this name carried something symbolic, Our Hope, a thread that quietly tied our stories together.

This book is one I would gently recommend to women and men who wish to reflect more deeply on the ways we hold on to love, memory, and devotion. It touches on the human tendency to idealise, to remain connected even when the path forward seems impossible — always with honesty, always with tenderness.

With a heart so big it could carry the whole world—what touched me most was her gesture of dedicating the book’s proceeds to her granddaughter. It reflects not only the essence of our nature as nation and women — to nurture, to pass on, to protect — but also the importance of family, which she embodies with such elegance and dignity.

And if you ever have the chance, we would say: do not only read her book. Visit her at Kika’s Garden in Pafos. Sit with her. Listen to her stories. You may even see the dress her husband once bought her, back when they had very little — a symbol of love that has lasted across decades.

She is a woman who carries her passion with grace, and meeting her is as unforgettable as reading her words.