CANVAS OF MEMORY 🥀

Chapter 1:The Last Glimpse

The rain was relentless, drumming against the windowpane in a steady rhythm that echoed the pounding in Mia's chest. She sat by the window, her fingers tracing the cool glass as she stared out into the gray world beyond. The sky was heavy with clouds, mirroring the weight in her heart. Everything seemed to be on the verge of breaking.

It had been two days since Alex left, but the memory of his departure lingered like a fresh wound. She could still see his figure standing at the door, suitcase in hand, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination. The words he had spoken-words that shattered her world-replayed in her mind on an endless loop.

"I'm sorry, Mia. But I have to do this."

He didn't give her time to argue, didn't let her beg him to stay. He simply turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the doorway, her heart in her throat and tears streaming down her face.

Now, she sat in their apartment-no, her apartment now-surrounded by the remnants of a life they had built together. The framed photos on the wall, the books they had shared, the blanket they used to cuddle under on cold nights. Everything was the same, yet everything had changed.

The rain blurred the world outside, but Mia didn't need clear vision to know what she was looking for. Every time a car passed by, her heart leapt, hoping against hope that it was him, that he had come back. But the minutes turned into hours, and still, he didn't come.

Mia's phone buzzed on the table, snapping her out of her thoughts. She hesitated before picking it up, half hoping it was Alex, though she knew better. It was a text from Emily, her best friend, checking in on her. The concern was clear in the brief message.

"How are you holding up? Want to talk?"

Mia stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. What could she say? That she was barely holding it together? That every breath felt like a struggle? That she didn't know how to move on from this?

But she didn't want to burden Emily with her pain. Not yet. Instead, she typed a quick reply.

"I'm okay. Just need some time. Thanks for checking in."

She set the phone down and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes. The silence was deafening. She could hear the ticking of the clock, the hum of the refrigerator, the faint sound of the rain. All these little noises that had once been comforting now felt oppressive, like the walls were closing in on her.

Mia stood up and walked over to the shelf by the TV, her eyes scanning the titles of the books they had collected over the years. Her hand paused on one-The Great Gatsby. It had been Alex's favorite, the one he read to her on quiet Sunday mornings. She pulled it off the shelf and flipped it open, her eyes catching on the underlined passage he had always loved:

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

She traced the words with her finger, feeling the sting of tears in her eyes. He had always said that no matter what happened, they would keep moving forward, together. But now, she was alone, and the future stretched out before her like a dark, empty void.

Mia closed the book and hugged it to her chest, as if she could somehow hold onto the past, hold onto him. But deep down, she knew the truth. Alex was gone, and he wasn't coming back. Not this time.

The rain continued to fall, a soft, mournful melody that filled the room with sadness. And as Mia stood there, clutching the book like a lifeline, she realized that this was the beginning of something new-a life without him. A life she wasn't ready for, but one she would have to face.

Alone.

To be continued.....🥀🥀