When She Gets Burned

Unravelling Part 2

Alani's phone buzzed with an incoming call as she returned home, the screen displaying her mother's name. It had been a while since they had spoken, and she hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hey, Mum," Alani greeted, trying to sound casual.

Her mother's voice poured through the phone, a cascade of questions about life, studies, and the passage of time. Alani listened, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.

"I've started writing a book," Alani finally shared, trying to shift the conversation away from the complexities of her life.

Her mother's voice brightened with interest. "Oh, is it related to your studies?"

Alani took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the truth pressing against her chest. "No, Mum. I dropped out of university."

Silence hung in the air for a moment, broken only by the distant hum of traffic outside Alani's apartment. Then her mother's confusion spilled out in a rush of words. "Why on earth would you do that, Alani? What's going on?"

Alani clenched her jaw, a surge of frustration and anger rising within her. "Why does everyone think I can't control my own life?" She snapped, her words sharper than intended.

Her mother, taken aback by the sudden outburst, stammered, "I... I just don't understand. Is it because of the guy you're seeing?"

Alani's temper flared. "Why does it always come back to that? I have my reasons, and they don't revolve around him!" The frustration and hurt seeped into her words.

In the midst of her emotional storm, Alani abruptly hung up the phone, leaving her mother's voice echoing in the empty room. She didn't want to hear any more doubts, questions, or concerns about her choices.

Ezra, who had overheard the conversation, approached her with a sympathetic expression. "Hey, it's okay. I would never want you to feel pressured or judged because of me."

Alani looked at him, her eyes still clouded with frustration. "It's just so infuriating. I thought dropping out was the right choice for me, but everyone thinks it's because of you."

Ezra placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "People will talk, Alani. But what matters is that you're doing what feels right for you. I support you, no matter what, unlike the others around you." In that moment, with Ezra's reassurance, Alani found a sense of solace.

Three Years Later

The typewriter sat on the cluttered desk; its keys untouched for days. Alani, now 25, was locked in a silent struggle with the persistent spectre of writer's block. The words that once flowed effortlessly from her mind to paper seemed to have abandoned her, leaving the pages of her book barren.

Her apartment, much like her life, bore the scars of stagnation. The walls echoed with the hollow tick of the clock, measuring the passing hours as Alani stared at the blank pages before her. The only constant in her life during these three years had been Ezra, a looming figure whose presence seemed to overshadow everything else. Alani had drifted away from her friends, those who had once shared laughter and dreams with her. Owen, once her confidant, was now a distant memory. Her mother's voice had become a distant echo, a casualty of the choices Alani had made. The world outside her insular existence seemed to have faded away.

The only semblance of a connection to her past life was Odessa, a persistent link that Alani couldn't fully sever. They worked together, but Alani's attempts to distance herself from her only remaining friend were palpable. Odessa, concerned about Alani's well-being, continued to reach out despite the growing distance. Alani's relationship with Ezra, now 46, had become an anchor, both grounding and stifling. His presence was a constant in her life, offering stability and a peculiar sense of security. However, with each passing day, the shadow of discontent grew darker.