The History Of You And Me

February 2026.

Two months later...

I stumble down the stairs with my last remaining suitcases in an effort to make only one trip but one of the bags falls to the bottom of the staircase.

I sigh in defeat and then decide to just carry one at a time like a normal person when,

"You were always such a klutz."
His voice is just as beautiful and sweet as I remember.

"It's not my fault you got me used to not having to carry my own bags."
I say now halfway down the stairs, heavy breathing and all.

"I would've done anything for you."
He says as I finally put the suitcase on the floor. I don't think he meant to sound as emotional as he did.

The gentle tone in his voice forces me to look up into his eyes and I instantly regret that decision.

They're still there; the butterflies. And what hurts is I don't think they'll ever leave.

"I uh... I'm sorry I didn't mean..."
He tries to apologize I guess because of my reaction but,

"No it's ok. You did nothing wrong."

We haven't really spoken much since we finalized the divorce. He only started communicating directly to me about two weeks ago and it was on text.

Our house has officially been sold. He let me stay in it for the past two months while I figured out what I wanted to do with myself and I'm thankful. He could've just kicked me out since the house is solely his now but he didn't, even after what I did to him.

The first text he'd sent me was to tell me there was an offer on the house and he wanted to know if I needed more time. I did but I wasn't going to tell him that. He had been more than generous and I didn't want to take advantage of that. And the offer forced me to make a fast and hopefully rational decision about where I'm going.

The pet shop has been sold too so I currently don't have a job, but I do have half the money from the sale.

I feel a lot less crappy lately. I've accepted.

I stopped letting my parents' 'you're a failure' rants get to me. I don't even want to begin to explain how angry they were about the cheating. I was a disappointment before, now I don't even know if they still consider me their daughter.

So going back home wasn't ever an option. That's why I was happy Olli let me stay as long as he did.

I have forgiven myself too. I am human and I made a mistake, and I don't think there could've been a bigger consequence than losing the love of my life. There was a time I didn't think I'd live it down. There was a time I thought the end of Olli and I would be the end of me.

Maybe it is but I choose to believe otherwise. Maybe this troubled path is meant to lead me onto a better one. I have hope.

"Uhm, so... have you figured out where you're gonna go?"
He asks nervously and I give him a slight smile to confirm that it's ok for him to ask.

"I have, yes. Vietnam. Well, Southeast Asia, beginning with Vietnam."
I say to him and for a second, I see a wave of disappointment flash across his face, but it disappears as soon as it appears.