ELIZA

35

Alina was 33 years old, the director of DevOps at a start-up in the city. She threw herself into work and got home late most nights. She and Aisha stopped having sex in the last year and had started couple's therapy.

"Tell me, Alina, what really brings you here?" the therapist asked.

"I've been supporting Aisha and her son for the last four years, and it's been really weighing down on me. I feel like she should be doing her part." Alina made up an answer.

"That's not true. Just because I have a lower paying job than you doesn't mean that I don't contribute. You would know if you were home once in a while." Aisha retorted.

"So, this is about work?" the therapist prodded.

"No, it's not that." Alina replied.

"So, what is it?" Aisha asked as they left the therapist's office.

Alina felt guilty. She felt an obligation to her family, and she did not want to break it. She was willfully loyal. Should I be honest? Is this what is best for us? Alina thought.

"I love you." Alina began.

"I love you." Aisha replied, coldly.

"But, I love you as a friend. There's no passion between us, and you know it." Alina continued.

"I've known it for years." Aisha said frankly.

"Then, why do you stay?" Alina asked, perplexed.

"I guess it's because I don't know what I deserve." she said. Her baby daddy was a deadbeat when they were together; Alina knew this.

"Why do you stay?" Aisha asked.

"Because I don't want to be alone." Alina said ashamedly.

"That's no reason to be together." Aisha stated.

"We're a family! I won't turn my back on you." Alina said, feeling her blood rising.

"But I want you to be happy. There are others out there who can make you feel what you need to feel." Aisha said assuredly.

"The person that I want won't have me." Alina confessed. Eliza, she thought.

"Then, we go on like this? I want to be happy, too!" Aisha expressed firmly.

Neither of them was willing to part in that moment, but taking a deep breath, Aisha said, "The door is always open when you find that person."

"Same for you." Alina said contritely.