Hers to Love

Chapter 41

Maria was in the middle of a cheerful conversation with Noel, her former classmate from high school. They laughed as they reminisced about old times, and Noel, still the naughty boy she remembered, pulled her into a tight hug. It was longer than she expected, but she laughed it off.

"Still up to your old tricks, huh, Noel?" Maria teased, playfully swatting his arm.

Noel smirked and, before letting go, placed a quick kiss on her forehead. "Some things never change, Maria."

Maria shook her head with a smile, but just as she was about to reply, she had no idea Amir had been standing just beyond the gate, watching the scene unfold. His heart dropped at the sight of Noel kissing her. He froze for a second, eyes wide with disbelief, before turning away without a word. He couldn't bear to stay a second longer.

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Amir rushed to his car, his chest tight and his mind racing. ''So that's what I am to her? Just another guy in her life while she entertains someone else?" He drove to his hotel, anger and hurt twisting inside him like a knife. Once in his room, he tossed his keys onto the bed, ran his hands through his hair, and let out a shaky breath.

"Why would she let him do that?" he wondered, the image of Noel's kiss replaying in his mind over and over again. He felt a wave of emotions crashing over him—confusion, jealousy, and a pain that made his chest ache.

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Maria, on the other hand, was oblivious to what had just happened. After Noel left, she went about her day, expecting to hear from Amir. But hours passed, and there was no message, no call. She frowned, checking her phone. "Maybe he's busy?"

She sent him a text: "Hey, I thought  you're going to the Philippines? Miss you!"*

The message was read but unanswered. Confused, she sent another: *"Everything okay? Haven't heard from you."* Still nothing.

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Amir stared at his phone as the messages came through, his heart heavy. He wanted to reply, but the hurt he felt kept him frozen. "What would I even say? That I saw her with another man? That I can't get the image of that kiss out of my head?"

He threw his phone on the bed and reached for the bottle of whiskey on the table. One drink turned into two, then three. He didn't care about the calls from Maria or the texts she kept sending. He just wanted to drown out the pain, even if it was only temporary.

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Days passed, and Maria's confusion grew into worry. She sent more texts: "Amir, what's going on? Why aren't you answering?"

Her calls went straight to voicemail. By the third day, she was pacing her room, staring at her phone in frustration. "Did he ghost me again?" she whispered to herself, disbelief creeping into her voice. "But why this time?"

She dialed his number again, leaving a voicemail when there was no answer. "Amir, please call me back. I don't understand why you've disappeared like this. Did something happen? Please, just talk to me."

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Meanwhile, Amir booked a flight back home, unable to stay any longer. The hotel room felt suffocating, and every unanswered call from Maria made him feel more lost. His phone buzzed again, but he ignored it, gulping down another drink. His mind was too clouded with alcohol and pain to think clearly.

"I can't face her," he muttered to himself, staring at the empty glass in front of him. *How could I, after what I saw?*

His phone buzzed with another message from Maria, and for a brief moment, he thought about answering. But the anger and hurt were still too raw. He closed his eyes, sinking deeper into the silence.