violet .

15

Lyra's phone buzzed, disrupting the peaceful silence of her evening. She glanced at the screen, her heart sinking as she read Zayn's message: "We need to talk, Lyra. - Zayn." It was a message she had been dreading, yet a part of her knew that this conversation was inevitable.

She took a deep breath, trying to quell the nervous flutter in her stomach. Their relationship had always been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, highs, and lows, love and heartache. She knew that this talk with Zayn would dredge up memories and emotions she had tried so hard to bury.

Arranging to meet at a quiet café in their neighbourhood, Lyra arrived early, her mind racing with thoughts of what Zayn might want to discuss. Their relationship had ended on a tumultuous note, with unresolved issues lingering like ghosts in the background.

When Zayn arrived, he looked conflicted, his usual demeanour replaced by a hint of vulnerability. "Hey," he greeted her, his voice softer than usual.

"Hey," Lyra replied, her tone cautious as she studied his expression. There was a tension in the air, a palpable sense of unease as they sat across from each other.

Zayn took a moment before speaking, his eyes meeting hers. "I know things haven't been easy between us lately," he started, his words carefully chosen.

Lyra nodded, her heart beating a little faster. "No, they haven't," she agreed, her voice tinged with sadness.

Zayn ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of nervousness that Lyra had come to recognize. "I've been doing a lot of thinking," he continued, his gaze shifting as he struggled to find the right words.

Lyra braced herself, knowing that whatever Zayn had to say would be difficult to hear. "About what?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Zayn took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity. "About us, our relationship," he admitted, his tone earnest.

Lyra felt a lump form in her throat, a knot of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "What about it? We divorced years ago Zayn. I don't think there's anything left to discuss or think about," she pressed her voice barely above a whisper.

Zayn hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I know I haven't always been the best partner," he began, his words filled with regret. "I've made mistakes, said things I didn't mean, and hurt you in ways I never intended."

Lyra nodded, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "Yes, you have," she acknowledged the pain of their past arguments and misunderstandings resurfacing.

Lyra sat across from Zayn, her heart heavy with emotions as they delved into the complexities of their relationship. The café around them seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the raw honesty of their conversation hanging in the air.

Zayn's gaze was intense as he spoke, his words laden with regret and a desperate plea for forgiveness. "I've said things I shouldn't have, acted in ways that were selfish and thoughtless."

Lyra listened, her expression a mixture of pain and understanding. She had been hurt by Zayn's actions, but she also knew that relationships were never perfect, and forgiveness was a part of the journey. "We've both made mistakes," she acknowledged softly, her gaze meeting his.

Zayn nodded, his eyes searching hers for a glimmer of hope. "I don't want to lose you," he admitted, the vulnerability in his voice pulling at Lyra's heartstrings. He reached across the table, his hand hovering over hers before pulling back. "I'm sorry, Lyra. Truly, deeply sorry," he said, his voice thick with emotion.