The One That Got Away | Kataang

Chapter 3- Goodbye

Previously:

Quietly she entered the room... she walked to him, and with every step that she took her heart was beating faster and faster... "I know that you are here" he said almost without a voice, and still with his back facing her... "Aang please you can't... I won't leave you alone like this" she mumbled and touched his shoulder. He moved aside, he couldn't bear the feeling of her touch right now. "You already have" he said turning his face to her.

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His eyes were swollen and red, she could see how much he had cried by now. She looked straight into his eyes, trying to read his emotions. All that she saw was a lifeless look, a look of broken-hearted eyes. "Aang that is not true, I am here for you" she said, hoping that it would make him feel better. "No Katara you're not, and frankly, I can't do this right now. So please, in the name of the love that we used to share, just go...I'm hurting enough already". Is he really saying that right now? Since the day they met, when he was sad, or when he needed company, she was the one that he needed. But now she is the main source of his pain.

"In the name of the love that we used to share" that one hit her the most, with this sentence she understood- he truly still loved her after all those years apart, but her feelings were no longer mutual. She knew the pain of a broken heart, and knowing that she was causing him this kind of pain at this very moment, it was hard, she knew that this was the worst pain to exist, but what could she do? She truly cares for him, and she knows that she needs to accept that as long as she is the source of his pain, she needs to stay away from him and let him heal with time.

"OK Aang, I'll go if that's what it takes to make you feel better. But please just promise me one thing, don't be alone" That was all she asked him, he needed company, a shoulder to cry on, and someone who would be able to comfort him. "No, I'm done making you any promises...the last promise I made you I kept and look where I am now." Stupid! That is what she thought. She was just stupid! As if he wasn't in enough pain already! Had she had to bring up the word 'promise'?!

She left the room that they used to share, and at the moment that the door closed, she collapsed crying on the floor. She hated this feeling, she hated to be someone's source of misery. And it wasn't just anyone, it was Aang's. While she was trying to heal from the pain of being alone for 3 years, she caused him greater pain. He could sense her behind the door, he could feel her on the floor sobbing. He knew that he was harsh on her, and he did believe that she wanted to support him during his grief about Bumi, but her presence made him feel as if his heart was reaping apart and out of his body, and it was painful.

Aang got inside the room and lay on the bed, trying to get some sleep and let this awful day be over. In a million years he wouldn't have expected that this is what would be waiting for him when he would be back at Omashu. He couldn't bring himself to sleep when he knew that the person that he cared about the most was crying behind the door, however, he couldn't go there. Her presence was too much for him, he needed Bumi's advice right now so much, but wait! He couldn't get it. Bumi is dead and this is something that he needed to get used to.

~Flashback~

3 years ago

It was a month before the news about Arashi came. Aang played Pai Sho with Bumi while Katara was out with Toph who came to visit them. "Ha! I won again!" Bumi said in excitement that he won the game, laughing while snoring. "Well to my defense I wasn't concentrated" Aang answered. It was true, there was something else on his mind at the moment. "What is it Aang? I can see that something is on your mind... maybe it's about that girlfriend of yours?" Bumi knew Aang well, it was something about Katara.

"Well, yes, yes, it is. It's just that...well, I love her I Know I do, but I think I'm not showing it enough to her...you know with all those avatar duties...And well, I wanted to do something nice to her, but I can't figure out anything that will show her how special she is to me". Aang stammered, seeking the advice of his old friend. "Oh Aang, don't overthink it, the simple things are the best way to show your affection. Love is as simple as winning you up at Pai Sho, keep it that way" answered Bumi. "Love is simple you say?" Aang said quietly, thinking for a moment. "I think I have an idea! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" answered Aang, kissing Bumi's Cheak with every 'thank you' he said. "No problem...Just stop the kissing please" The king smiled at his young friend.