Don't Leave Me Again

10- Echoes Of What If?

Third person POV:

The evening sun casts a warm, golden hue through the living room window, illuminating the cozy space where Zafrin sat, lost in thought. Seated on the sofa, she stared blankly at her phone, her usual spark noticeably dimmed. The sudden creak of the front door jolted her from her reverie, and she looked up to see Dhanish entering. His eyes met hers, a mixture of longing and uncertainty reflected in their depths.

"Hi," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Hi," Zafrin replied, offering him a small, hesitant smile. She stood up, the silence between them thick with unspoken words, and quickly made her way to her room. She needed a moment to gather her thoughts, to process the whirlwind of emotions seeing him again had stirred up.

Later, they all gathered at the local playground for their usual throw ball game. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and friendly competition. Zafrin and Rilwan were on one team, while Roshina, Dhanish, Zaid, and a few others made up the opposing side. The playground echoed with laughter and playful banter, a stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface.

As the game progressed, Dhanish couldn't help but notice the easy camaraderie between Zafrin and Rilwan. They moved seamlessly together, their teamwork evident in every play. Rilwan, the neighbor and long-time friend, was always there to catch Zafrin's throws, their shared history apparent in their synchronized movements and inside jokes.

Dhanish's jealousy flared with every laugh and smile they exchanged. His usual confident demeanor was replaced by a brooding intensity, his eyes narrowing every time Rilwan got too close to Zafrin. He tried to focus on the game, but his mind kept drifting back to the easy way Rilwan touched Zafrin's arm or the genuine smiles they shared.

"Come on, Dhanish! Pay attention!" Roshina's voice broke through his thoughts, snapping him back to the present.

"Sorry, I got distracted," he muttered, forcing a smile. But the knot in his chest tightened with each passing moment, his frustration mounting.

The game continued, and at one point, Rilwan made a spectacular catch, causing Zafrin to cheer loudly and give him a high-five. Dhanish's grip on the ball tightened, his knuckles turning white. He couldn't take it anymore. In a moment of impulsive jealousy, he threw the ball harder than necessary, aiming it directly at Rilwan.

The ball hit Rilwan's shoulder with a thud, causing him to stagger back. Zafrin rushed to his side, concern etched on her face. "Are you okay, Rilwan?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Rilwan replied, rubbing his shoulder and giving Dhanish a questioning look. "That was quite a throw, Dhanish."

Dhanish forced a smile, trying to mask his jealousy. "Sorry, got a bit carried away."

Zafrin glanced between the two men, sensing the tension. She knew Dhanish well enough to see through his façade. His eyes, usually so warm and expressive, were clouded with jealousy and frustration. It pained her to see him like this, but she didn't know how to bridge the growing chasm between them.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the playground, the game came to an end. Everyone started to gather their belongings, their laughter and chatter subdued. Zafrin walked over to Dhanish, her heart pounding.

"Can we talk, Bhaiyya?" she asked softly, her eyes searching his.

He looked at her, his expression softening for a moment before the jealousy resurfaced. "Sure, let's talk," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration.