Our beloved youth

5: Changed feelings

"Kevin?" Elina's voice trembled as she said his name, their eyes locking for a moment, searching for answers.

He changed so much...

He didn't look like the same Kevin she once knew. The years had hardened his features, and his eyes held a cold distance. 

She changed so much, her eyes- they hold pain.... 

Elina, too, had changed. She was thinner, her eyes reflecting the pain she had carried alone.

Was I wrong?  

Kevin thought as he looked at her. Just then Emma's voice broke the silence, "Mom, do you know him?" Emma asked pointing towards Kevin, who happened to be Sam's uncle.

Elina looked at Emma, about to speak, but Kevin's voice stopped her. "Mom?" he repeated, the word heavy with confusion and longing.

"Elina, did you find—Kevin?" Jason arrived, panting and shocked to see Kevin after so many years. 

Emma, noticing the tension, asked innocently, "Papa uncle, you also know him?" Then she realized her mistake and pouted, thinking, 

Oops! I called Uncle 'Papa' again.

Kevin felt a pang of betrayal at the slip, while Elina understood the need to diffuse the situation. "Jason, take Emma and Sam with you," she said, her eyes on Kevin.

"But—" Jason started to protest.

"I said go!" Elina's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. Reluctantly, Jason led Emma and Sam away.

"Really Elina?" Kevin asked while Elina shook her head as she was about to speak "Kevin, it is not what—" she couldn't continue as Kevin spoke again

"You never loved me, did you?" Kevin's voice cracked with emotion, his eyes pleading for an answer that seemed to evade him.

"Kevin, I—" Elina struggled to find her voice amidst the flood of emotions. Kevin's next words cut through the air like knives.

"How did it feel to abandon me, Elina?" His voice was raw with pain, tears glistening in his eyes.

"What are you saying?" Elina began in utter confusion about what he spoke, but Kevin cut her off again.

"I hate to admit that I still love someone like you!" he shouted, the pain evident in his eyes. Elina's own tears began to fall, her heartache laid bare.

"How—" Kevin's words were cut short as Elina held up her hand, a silent plea for him to stop before things escalated further.

"Stop, Kevin," Elina's voice trembled with emotion, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"How can you accuse me of abandoning you?" Elina's voice broke with anguish, her finger trembling as she pointed towards him.

"You were never there," she said, her voice trembling with the weight of years of hurt.

"You left me when I needed you the most," she managed to say before turning away, her shoulders shaking with sobs, while just then Jason came as he gave Kevin a sad look before following Elina.

Kevin stood there, whispering to himself, 

"I didn't leave you. It was you who wanted to leave me, and before you could, I did..." 

He wiped his tears, trying to regain his composure.

Just then Jiya approached Kevin, her hand on his shoulder. "Jiya?" Kevin said, realizing it was her wedding day.