I run a hand through my hair, frustration boiling over. “Dammit, Sana! Why won’t you just tell me what’s wrong?”
She stiffens, her gaze fixed stubbornly on the ground. “There’s nothing to tell. I’ve made up my mind. And nothing can change that.”
“These are not your words.” I snap, my voice rising. “You’re lying. I can see it in your eyes. Just... stop shutting me out and talk to me!”
She squeezes her eyes shut, her shoulders trembling. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me,” I urge, my tone softer this time.
Silence. Her lips press into a thin line, her fists clenching in her lap. It’s like she’s battling with herself, fighting to keep something buried deep inside.
Then, like a lightning bolt, a thought hits me, and my mom’s face flashes before my eyes. Her anger, her disapproval, the way she got to know of Sana… and worst of all, her ultimatum to break things off with Sana. My heart drops, dread curling in my stomach.
I take a shaky breath. “Is it... my mom?”
Sana’s body goes rigid as her wide eyes lock onto mine. She doesn’t respond—she doesn’t need to. The look on her face says it all.
I feel my blood boil, anger and protectiveness flaring up inside me. “What did she say to you?” I grit out, my voice trembling with fury. “What the hell did she do to make you break things off with me?”
She shakes her head, biting down on her lip. “It doesn’t matter. She’s right. I should’ve known better.”
“Known better?” I repeat, my hands balling into fists. “Known better what? That breaking things off is the better solution?” My voice cracks. “I thought you would stand by me through any storm, that no matter what came our way, we’d face it together. But just one setback, one encounter and you’ve already given up. You didn’t even stop to think that what we have is worth fighting for.”
For a fraction of a second, I see her resolve crumble just a bit but then she masks it. “I’m being realistic,” she says, hervoice steady despite the turmoil in her eyes. “Some things aren’t meant to be, no matter how much we want them. And holding on to it will only make it worse.”
“Realistic?” I scoff, shaking my head. “Is that what you call walking away without even trying? Because to me, it sounds like fear. It sounds like you’ve already decided we’re not worth the fight.”
Her shoulders slump in defeat. “I don’t want any complications. I don’t want people to get hurt. And I definitely can’t be the right person for you—for your family.”
My heart shatters at her words. “You don’t get to decide that,” I say, my voice raw. “You don’t get to decide that you’re not the right person for me.”
Her eyes glisten with tears, but she quickly blinks them away. “This... us... it just wasn’t meant to be. It was only a dream—one that’s over now. It was never real.”
“Don’t say that. Don’t you dare say that.” I shake my head, my voice breaking. “It is real. It is the most real thing I’ve ever felt.”
She closes her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek before she wipes it away. “I’m sorry,” she chokes out. “But it’s over.” Her voice trembles as she whispers, “If you ever felt anything for me... then please, move on from me.”
I open my mouth to argue, but no sound comes out. I want to fight with her, to scream that she’s wrong, that I could never move on from her. But the look in her eyes... it’s empty, shattered, pleading. And I know then—no argument, no confession, no plea will reach her now.
Fuck, I’ve never felt this powerless.
She stands up, her back to me, shoulders trembling as if she’s barely holding herself together. I don’t move. I just stand there, watching her walk away, each step pulling her furtheraway from me. I let her go, knowing she needs this space, for now.
The moment she slips into her car and drives away, only one thought burns fiercely in my mind—I won’t let her go. Not ever.
I know she’s hurting, that she’s scared. And somewhere deep down, she truly believes this is the only way.
But she’s wrong. We’re not over. Not by a long shot.
If she needs space, I’ll give it to her. If she needs time, I’ll wait.
But moving on? Forgetting her?That’s never going to happen.
I clench my fists, resolve hardening in my chest. I’m not giving up on us—not when I know she feels the same way. Sana needs to come to terms with the fact that what we have isn’t some fleeting thing you can forget with a snap of your fingers. What we have is a bond that’s strong—one that won’t break no matter how messy or twisted things get. We don’t get to just walk away. We’re built for each other — forever. And I’m here, ready to prove it every single damn day.
Chapter 21
Sana
