PAGES OF MY LIFE

Part 21: From Evan, who will always wish for your happiness.

"Hello... Thank you for answering," Evan said hesitantly over the phone. "Can we talk? Can we meet up, even if it's just for the last time?" The silence on the other end stretched on, and Evan, desperate for a sign, took it as a yes. "So, um... I'll just send you the address now. I'll meet you there."

As George hung up the phone, Thandar popped out into the room.

"What are you doing? And why are you holding my phone?" Thandar asked, narrowing her eyes.

"You won't believe what I just heard!" George grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"George, give it back!" Thandar lunged at him, grabbing the nearest pillow and smacking him square in the face.

Laughing, George dodged her next swing. "Your ex wants to meet you! Check your phone, he's sending you the address!"

Thandar paused, glaring at him. "And what does that have to do with you? Why should I even go?"

"Noona... You just let go of someone who's like the whole green forest—the greenest flag of all! And you still don't want to see him?" George teased, waggling his eyebrows.

Thandar, irritated, smacked him again with the pillow. "You're impossible!"

Still laughing, George called after her as she stormed out of the room. "This might be the last time Evan wants to see you... Maybe it's the final chapter, so you should go!"

But Thandar didn't respond. She kept walking, though George's words lingered in her mind.

Thandar, unable to sit still, eventually made her way to the place where Evan had asked to meet. It was their old favorite coffee shop, the spot where they used to go on dates, filled with memories of laughter and stolen glances. But when she arrived, she was late—too late. The only things waiting for her were a letter from Evan and a bouquet of white and yellow chrysanthemums, flowers that spoke of goodbye.

Her hands trembled as she unfolded the letter. With each word she read, her heart ached more deeply.

I knew you wouldn't come, but I still wanted to see you one last time, hoping you might see me too. If only I could ask you again about the book we both started... Can we still continue it? But I can't ask you that, because I know your answer will always be the same—you don't feel the way I do. Maybe, Thandar, maybe it's time for me to move forward and let you find your peace. For the last time, I want you to know that you were the most beautiful chapter of my life, but sadly, the sunset has come sooner than I ever imagined.*

—From Evan, who will always wish for your happiness.*

Tears welled up in Thandar's eyes, silently spilling down her cheeks. She didn't try to stop them, didn't wipe them away. Thandar stood there, the letter clutched tightly in her hands, her tears still flowing as she whispered into the quiet, empty space of the coffee shop, "I hope you can find your happiness too... Be happy, my Evan."