Between Chords and Paragraphs (Polin fanfic) EN

Chapter 10

Colin

The days that followed that night at the Jazz Café were strange. The routine in the apartment I shared with Marina felt tense, laden with an expectation we both seemed to be avoiding. I knew we would eventually have to talk, but a part of me didn't want to face what I knew was coming. However, the silence between us couldn't last forever.

One evening, after dinner, we were in the living room. Marina was sitting on the sofa, her legs crossed, with one hand resting on her belly. I was in the kitchen, washing the dishes, when I heard her call my name.

-Colin, can we talk for a moment? - Her voice was calm, but there was a seriousness in her tone that made me stop what I was doing. I dried my hands and walked into the living room, sitting on the edge of the armchair opposite her. I knew this was important, and the look in her eyes confirmed it.

-Sure, tell me, - I said, trying to sound relaxed, though I could feel a knot forming in my stomach.

Marina took a deep breath, as if she was gathering the courage for what she was about to say. - Colin... I've been thinking a lot about everything that's happened between us. - She paused, searching for the right words. - George is back in London, and after talking with him, we've decided to give it another try. For the baby. - Her eyes met mine, searching for some sign of understanding.

I stayed silent for a moment, processing what she had just said. I felt a mix of emotions, but surprisingly, relief was the strongest of them all. Although Marina and I had shared good times, I had always known, deep down, that we weren't what each other needed in the long run.

-I understand, Marina, - I finally replied, offering her a small smile. - I want you to know that I support your decision. This is the best thing for you and the baby. And even though our relationship didn't work out the way we thought it would, I'll always be here as your friend.

She looked at me, and I saw a flicker of relief in her eyes. It seemed she had also been dreading this conversation, but now that it was out in the open, we could both breathe a little easier.

-Thank you, Colin, - she said sincerely. - I knew you would understand, but... I was afraid of hurting us.

-Don't worry about me. I'm okay. - I squeezed her hand gently. - And you can always count on me. I'll be here for whatever you need.

We stayed there in silence for a while. It wasn't awkward, but rather a comfortable silence, full of mutual understanding and a new clarity about our situation. The connection we shared hadn't broken, it had just changed shape, and we both accepted that.

-You know, - Marina said after a moment, breaking the silence, - I've always appreciated what you've done for me, Colin. Especially these past few months. I don't know how I would have handled everything without you.

I smiled, feeling the warmth of her words. - You're strong, Marina. You would have managed just fine with or without me. But I'm glad I was here with you. -

We hugged, a hug that sealed the transition from what we had been to what we would be: friends, confidants, but nothing more. When we pulled away, the tension that had been hanging in the air was completely gone.

As the days passed, the dynamic in the apartment changed. Marina and I continued to share the space, but there was now a lightness in our interactions. There were no longer the burdens of expectations or the discomfort of a love that was never truly what we needed. However, my thoughts kept returning to Penelope. Since that night at the bar, I hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. The image of her face when our eyes met from the stage, the way her lips had felt against mine in that brief but charged kiss... it was all etched in my mind, like a movie I couldn't stop replaying.