A fate for love

Chapter 25: Her Past (I)

Kevin looked deeply into Elina's eyes, the tension between them thickening as the rain, which had been relentless, began to ease. The world around them seemed to quiet down, leaving only the sound of their breathing and the soft patter of raindrops. Kevin swallowed, feeling a lump in his throat as he prepared himself to speak, each word heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions.

"I've regretted every day for leaving without a word," Kevin began, his voice low and strained. "All those eight years, I kept hoping to see you again, to prove myself wrong about everything I thought back then. But when I saw you at Jiya's wedding... I just thought—" He hesitated, struggling to articulate the complex feelings he had been carrying.

Elina's voice cut through his hesitation, calm yet carrying the weight of what he was too afraid to say. "I had moved on?" she asked, her words both a statement and a question. Kevin nodded slowly, guilt washing over him as he remembered that moment.

"But then," he continued, "I met Tyler and learned what really happened that day. I went to your place, but they told me you had moved out..." His voice trailed off as he recalled the confusion and regret that had plagued him since.

Elina remained silent, her eyes downcast. Kevin could feel the tension in the air, each second stretching on as he waited for her to respond. Desperation began to creep into his voice as he added, "I genuinely regret everything, Elina. I—"

Before he could finish, Elina finally spoke, her voice tinged with sadness. "So, that day you saw me with Tyler?" she asked, her eyes meeting his with a mix of emotions.

Kevin nodded, feeling his heart sink as he admitted his mistake. "Back then, I misunderstood it... I thought—"

"And you didn't even come to ask me directly?" Elina's voice was edged with pain. "You just left like that?"

Kevin's guilt deepened as he nodded, his eyes full of remorse. "I thought you wouldn't want me around anymore. Or maybe because of—" He stopped short, unable to mention the words his father had spoken that had influenced his decision to leave.

A heavy silence settled over them. Elina's expression softened into a bittersweet smile as she looked at Kevin. The rain had stopped, and the clouds were beginning to part.

"Remember how you told me I abandoned you, Kevin?" Elina's voice was calm but filled with a profound sadness as she asked, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she looked into his. Kevin's eyes were filled with regret, and he shook his head slightly, trying to silently convey how wrong he knew he had been. 

Elina's eyes glistened as she continued, her voice trembling "Do you even know what it means to be abandoned, Kevin?" 

Kevin remained silent, his heart aching as he looked into her tearful eyes. Elina continued, her voice breaking as she spoke. "You probably don't, but I do—especially after being abandoned again and again by my closed ones."

Her words struck Kevin like a blow, leaving him speechless as he watched her tears begin to fall. She turned away, trying to hide the pain that was now so raw and visible. As she stood up, Kevin instinctively reached out, gently grasping her wrist, trying to keep her from walking away.

Elina didn't turn to look at him, her back still facing him as he spoke urgently. "I—I know that my apology isn't enough, but—" His voice faltered.

But before he could finish, Elina pulled her wrist free, the physical act of leaving him mirroring the emotional distance she felt. She walked away, her back to him, not allowing him the chance to finish his sentence. Kevin stood there, his heart heavy with regret and sorrow, watching her leave.