Bubble Tea

echoes of departure

Song for the chapter: Forever by CHVRCHES

Issa's POV:

As I walked away from Nicoli, every step felt heavier than the last. Tears threatened to spill over, but I held them back, unwilling to break down in the middle of the street. My heart ached with a mix of sadness and relief-sadness for what could have been, and relief for what had to end.

Calling my driver was a blur. I tried to steady my voice, to sound composed, but the tremor betrayed my facade. The car arrived swiftly, and as I sank into the plush seat, the floodgates opened. Tears streamed down my cheeks, unchecked and relentless.

In the sanctuary of the car, I let myself cry. It wasn't just the end of a relationship; it was the shattering of dreams and hopes intertwined with Nicoli. He had been my world, my confidant, my partner in crime. But beneath it all lay a darkness that consumed us both.

Arriving home brought no solace. I bypassed the living room, the reminders of shared laughter and whispered promises, and headed straight for my bedroom. Collapsing onto the bed, I allowed myself to sob freely, the anguish pouring out of me in waves.

Breaking up with Nicoli wasn't just about me; it was about breaking free from a toxic cycle that threatened to swallow us whole. For too long, I had ignored the signs, the cracks beneath the surface. Love shouldn't be this tumultuous, this painful.

Yet, amid the tears and heartache, a sliver of hope flickered. Perhaps this was the wake-up call Nicoli needed, a catalyst for change. And maybe, just maybe, it was a chance for me to rediscover myself beyond the confines of a volatile relationship.

But for now, all I could do was grieve for what was lost and find solace in the decision made. It wasn't easy, but it was necessary-for my sake and for his. As the tears finally subsided, a sense of quiet resolve settled within me.

I would heal. We both would, in our own ways. And maybe, someday, we would look back on this moment with gratitude-for the courage to choose ourselves over a love that had turned toxic.

I stood up abruptly, my mind swirling with doubts and regrets. The walls felt confining, echoing with memories I wasn't ready to confront. Making my way to the bathroom, I let the cold water splash against my face, hoping to wash away the turmoil inside me. This city, with its foreign streets and unfamiliar faces, felt more alien than ever.

Changing into comfortable clothes, I hesitated at the threshold of the living room. My mother sat there, serene amidst the sunlight filtering through the curtains. As she looked up, concern etched across her features, I knew I couldn't hide my turmoil from her.

"Hi, Issa, my baby," she greeted me softly, her voice a balm to my troubled soul. "What's troubling you? You look so sad. Are you alright? Did something happen with Nicoli?"

I sighed, sinking onto the couch beside her. "Mom, Nicoli and I... we broke up."

Her eyes widened with empathy. "Oh, Issa... I'm so sorry. Was he not treating you well?"

"It's... complicated, Mom. We just couldn't make it work, and I just want to escape this city. It doesn't feel like home to me mom." I admitted, feeling the weight of my decision to end things with Nicoli.

She enveloped me in a comforting embrace. "I'm here for you, sweetheart. But tell me, why do you feel like this city isn't home for you?"

I struggled to find the words, grappling with the ache in my heart. "I miss China, Mom. I miss the simplicity, the peace we had there. Here, it's like... I don't belong."

Her gentle touch soothed me. "Do you want to go back?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded. "Yes, Mom. I think I do."