𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 |𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠 𝗙𝗙|

2 𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅

AUTHOR POV

Kaning was sleeping when her alarm started ringing.
She groaned softly, turned it off, and slowly sat up.

KANING POV

Ahh… I have to get ready now.

I stretched my arms before dragging myself to the bathroom. I took a shower, dressed up, and stared at myself in the mirror.
My eyes were still swollen. I put on some makeup to hide it, even though the ache was still there.

After packing my clothes and a few important things, I headed to the airport.
It was going to be a long flight.

AUTHOR POV

Hours later, she finally arrived in her brother’s city.
Now, all she had to do was wait for him to come pick her up.

THYME POV

I was getting ready to go pick up my sister.

(K) Where are you going?
(T) To pick up my sister.
(K) Is she already there?
(T) Yeah. I have to go now. See you later.

I grabbed my keys and drove straight to the airport.

AT THE AIRPORT

(T) Kaning!!
(KK) Thyme!!

I ran toward her and pulled her into a tight hug.

(T) Look at you, you’ve grown so much! But your height is still the same.
(KK) Don’t mock me, Thyme!
(T) Fine, fine. Let’s go. You must be tired.
(KK) Yeah.

I took her baggage and loaded everything into the car while she sat inside.

AUTHOR POV

Thyme drove her to his apartment.
He had already prepared her room.

KANING POV

Why does it still hurt?
It’s been a month. A whole month.
And I still can’t forget him.

(T) Kaning?
(KK) Yeah?
(T) Why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend?
(KK) I already explained everything yesterday.
(T) And why don’t you want to tell me his name?
(KK) Because I know exactly what you would do.
(T) I wouldn’t do anything!
(KK) Thyme… don’t lie to me. I know you. And I don’t want you getting into trouble over something that doesn’t matter anymore.
(T) But it does matter. Your feelings matter to me. You think I don’t see you’re still heartbroken?
(KK) Please… let’s not talk about it. I’ll be okay.
(T) Fine.

It was exhausting.
I knew this would happen once Mother told him.
He always wants to protect me — even if it means doing something stupid.

(T) Oh, Kaning, I already prepared your room. You can sleep anytime you want.
(KK) Thanks, Thyme.

AUTHOR POV

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Thyme’s apartment.

(T) Come on, let’s go.
(KK) Okay, Thyme.
(T) By the way, Kavin is still here.
(KK) I know. Mother told me you two live together.

Thyme carried her luggage and they both walked inside.

KAVIN POV

(K) Oh, you guys are already here!
(T) Yeah.
(KK) Hi.
(K) Hi, Kaning.
(T) Kavin, talk to her later. She’s tired.
(K) Alright. You can go rest, Kaning.
(T) Thanks, Kavin.

Thyme took her to the bedroom. She thanked him again before closing the door.

I saw her face…
the sadness was still there, clear as day.
That breakup hit her harder than she pretends.

She changed a lot since I last saw her.
She looked more mature… more beautiful.
Her whole presence was different.

(T) Kavin?
(K) What?
(T) What are you thinking about?
(K) Nothing. Did Kaning tell you his name?
(T) No. I don’t get it. He hurt her, but she still protects him. For what?
(K) Maybe she doesn’t want you to get into trouble.
(T) Yeah… she said that too.
(K) Does she eat properly?
(T) Yes… she does.

But then Thyme’s phone buzzed.
He checked it — his expression instantly changed.

(K) What’s wrong?
(T) I can’t believe she’s doing this.
(K) What?
(T) Kaning hasn’t been eating properly for a month…
(K) What?!
(T) Mother said she sometimes eats once a day… or only drinks water.
(K) She’s doing all that because of her ex?
(T) Definitely. If I knew his name and where he lived, he’d be beaten up by now.
(K) I’d do the same.
(T) Really?
(K) Yeah. Kaning doesn’t deserve that.
(T) Right… I need to find out his name somehow.
(K) You could ask Gorya.
(T) How would Gorya know?
(K) They’re best friends. I’m sure Kaning told her everything.
(T) True… good idea.

We talked a little more before Thyme finally left for Gorya’s place.
I stayed at home, but my mind kept wandering.