Hers to Love

Chapter 12

"You need to take a break, Maria! It's been two weeks of non-stop work, and you're going to burn out if you keep going like this." June had told her this several times already.

Maria barely glanced up from the pile of documents on her desk, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. She gave a bored look, not interested in a lecture about self-care. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Amir, and she wasn't ready to discuss anything else.

"I'm fine. Just need to get through this week."

But the truth was, she wasn't fine. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Amir laughing with those girls at the party. It was irrational, she told herself repeatedly. She had no right to feel jealous—Amir wasn't hers, after all. Yet the sight of him being so comfortable with them, so at ease, stung in a way she hadn't expected. She hated that feeling, hated herself for it.

"You've been off ever since that birthday party. I know you don't want to talk about it, but keeping it bottled up isn't helping."

Maria sighed, her defenses starting to crack.

"It's stupid, really. I'm not supposed to feel this way about Amir. He's younger, and he's probably better off with someone his own age. But I can't stop thinking about him, and seeing him with those girls—"

She trailed off, frustration creeping into her voice.

"I shouldn't care, but I do. And his parents keep inviting me over, even asking me to stay the night. It's like they don't see how strange this whole situation is. I'm starting to feel trapped."

June gently nod, listening intently.

"It's not strange, Maria. They like you, obviously. And as for Amir... feelings aren't always something you can control. But you need to figure out what you really want, for your own sake."

Maria knew the words were true. But the idea of confronting her emotions, of facing the possibility that Amir might not feel the same way, terrified her. What if she ended up making a fool of herself? What if she already had?

"I don't know what I want. I just know I can't keep going like this. It's too much."

A reassuring hand squeezed hers gently.

"Then take a break. Give yourself time to breathe, to think things through. Work will always be here, but you need to take care of yourself first."

Maria nodded, finally allowing herself to lean back in her chair and close her eyes, even if just for a moment.

"Maybe you're right. I need to clear my head before I make any decisions."

"Good. Now, how about we get out of here and grab a coffee? You can't think clearly on an empty stomach."

A soft chuckle escaped Maria's lips, the tension in her chest easing just a bit.

"Alright, you win. Coffee sounds good."

As they left the office together, Maria knew the break wouldn't solve everything, but maybe, just maybe, it would give her the clarity she needed to figure out her next step.

----

Maria was still looking at her phone. Amir's mother texts her everyday that she misses her. She does not know what Amir's reaction would be. He didn't message or call her. She's not the type that will ask questions. She just let it be. 

Maria stared at her phone, her thumb hovering over the screen as she read the latest text from Amir's mother. "I miss you, Maria! When will we see you again?" The messages came every day, each one warm and full of affection. It was touching, yet it made Maria uneasy.

She wondered what Amir thought about his mother texting her so often. Did he even know? His silence over the past few days gnawed at her. He hadn't messaged or called, leaving her in a confusing limbo.

Maria wasn't the type to ask questions, especially when it came to matters of the heart. She wasn't about to reach out and demand explanations or seek clarity. That wasn't her style. She believed in letting things unfold naturally, even if it meant staying in the dark. So she let it be, swallowing her curiosity and trying to focus on other things. But the thoughts lingered, casting a shadow over her day.

With a sigh, she put her phone down, pushing away the questions that danced on the edge of her mind.