BUILD
Three years earlier
Build stood at the brink of the hardest decision he had ever made. All his life, he had followed his dreams with unwavering determination, but now he was faced with a choice—his dreams or the love of his life. He knew which one he would choose, but that didn't make the decision any less painful.
The next morning, he would have to give his answer to the company, sealing his future. Normally, the thought of summer filled him with excitement, but not this time. This time, he would be starting a new season with a broken heart.That night, he and Bible were curled up on the couch in Bible's apartment, watching a movie in comfortable silence. But, like clockwork, Bible fell asleep before the movie ended, his head resting gently on Build's shoulder. Build turned to look at him, his heart heavy as he took in the familiar curve of Bible's face, the peaceful rise and fall of his breathing.Carefully, Build touched Bible's cheek, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his forehead. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, voice cracking as his tears began to fall. "I love you. I'm sorry."He let his fingers trace the contours of Bible's face, each touch a bittersweet goodbye, each kiss a memory he would carry with him. But as much as it pained him, Build knew he couldn't ask Bible to leave everything behind. He couldn't stay, and he couldn't let Bible give up his own dreams just to follow him. With a heavy heart, Build went to their room and quietly packed his things while Bible slept, knowing that this would be the last time he'd walk through these rooms, the last time he'd see Bible asleep in the bed they'd shared. He didn't have the strength to say goodbye face to face, so he poured everything he felt into a letter, leaving behind the words he couldn't bear to say aloud.---
"Bible,
Hey love,First and foremost, I want to apologise for only writing you a letter.
I just know that I am not capable of saying this to you in person.
You know I've always loved you, and that will never change. I will always love you.
But there are things that love can't fulfil.
I know you wanted to be with me, and I wanted to stay with you too, but not like this—not when it comes at the cost of our dreams.
We've always put our dreams first, haven't we? And I can't let you give them up just because you want to be with me.
I'm so sorry.
I don't know what will happen after this; I'm not sure what my future will look like.
But there is one thing I am certain of—you will forever be in my heart. But I am ending our story, at least for now.
I won't contact you or disturb you. You have to reach your dreams and be on top, because that's what you've always wanted. I'll be rooting for you from wherever I am.
And I'll be fulfilling my own dreams, too. If, someday, we are still in love with each other, I promise I'll come back to you. If you still want me by then, I'll stay with you.
But if you fall in love with someone new, I will be happy for you.
If you find someone who says yes to marrying you, I'll be the happiest for you, because that's the kind of happiness I couldn't give you.
Until then, I'm sorry for leaving you like this, for leaving you so we both can reach our dreams, for leaving you while you were sleeping.
I'm so sorry.
Again...
I am sorry.
I love you.
Thank you.Goodbye.
Your Bui."---Build folded the letter, his tears blotting the ink in places.
He placed it carefully on the nightstand beside Bible, letting his fingers linger on the paper as if hoping to transfer his love through those written words.
It was almost midnight by the time he wheeled his luggage to the front door.
Every step felt like an anchor pulling him back, a part of him begging him to stay.
But he had made his choice.
He took one last, lingering look at the apartment—their apartment, filled with memories of laughter, whispered dreams, and promises he would now have to break.
Opening the door slowly, he took a shaky breath, covering his mouth to muffle his quiet sobs.
Then, with a heavy heart, he stepped through, leaving behind the life he'd built and
the love of his life.
