Simply You(Ongoing)

CHAPTER 13

Yessenia paced the length of her small apartment, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She had spent the entire morning contemplating Clara's opinions about Matheo's feelings and the conversation they had had the previous night. Clara had voiced concerns about Matheo's growing attachment, and Yessenia couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in her chest.

But now, a different, perhaps even more pressing issue demanded her attention: Daniel. She had to talk to him, to lay bare her own feelings and the tangled web of emotions that had ensnared her. Daniel, a quiet yet perceptive presence in her life, had been a source of comfort and companionship. He had never demanded anything more than what she was willing to give, and yet, she felt it was time to be honest with him.

As she looked out the window, the city outside seemed to mirror her inner turmoil. The gray clouds rolling in seemed to press down on her, just as her thoughts pressed on her mind. Yessenia had always been forthright with her feelings, but now, faced with the prospect of hurting someone who had been so kind to her, she found herself hesitating.

She took a deep breath and resolved to talk to Daniel that afternoon. The sooner she confronted her feelings and laid everything out on the table, the better. She knew that honesty, while painful, was the best path forward. It was better to clear the air now than to let confusion and miscommunication fester.

Daniel arrived punctually, as always. He knocked softly on the door, and Yessenia's heart skipped a beat as she opened it. His familiar, gentle smile greeted her, and she invited him in. The living room, with its comfortable but modest furnishings, seemed to close in around them, amplifying the gravity of the conversation ahead.

“Hi, Daniel. Thanks for coming,” Yessenia said, her voice betraying her nerves. She gestured toward the couch, and they both took their seats. Daniel’s eyes, so often full of quiet understanding, searched her face now with a hint of concern.

“Is everything okay, Yessenia?” he asked, his voice soft but attentive.

Yessenia took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. “There’s something I need to talk to you about. It’s about how I’ve been feeling lately. About us.”

Daniel’s expression grew more puzzled. “About us? I don’t understand. What’s wrong?”

Yessenia’s heart pounded as she tried to articulate her thoughts. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about everything that’s been happening recently. About Matheo, and about you. I’ve realized that I need to be honest about how I feel.”

Daniel nodded, but the confusion in his eyes remained. “I’m listening. Please, go ahead.”

Yessenia swallowed hard. “I’ve been so happy to have met you, Daniel. You’ve been a wonderful friend and more. But lately, I’ve been struggling with my feelings. I care about you a lot, but I’ve also been feeling conflicted about Matheo.”

Daniel’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, conflicted about Matheo?”

Yessenia’s eyes dropped to her hands, which were fidgeting nervously in her lap. “Matheo and I have been having issues. I’ve been trying to figure out where I stand with him, and I didn’t want to lead you on or create a situation where you might get hurt. I’m afraid that my unresolved feelings for Matheo might affect our relationship.”

Daniel leaned back, processing her words. The room felt suddenly too quiet. He was quiet for a long moment before speaking. “I see. So, you’re saying that you’re unsure about your feelings for me because of what’s going on with Matheo?”

Yessenia nodded, tears threatening to spill over. “Yes, exactly. I didn’t want to be unfair to you, or to Matheo. I value our friendship so much, and I don’t want to cause any harm or create any unnecessary tension between you two. I’m so sorry for any confusion I may have caused.”

Daniel’s expression softened, though his confusion lingered. “I appreciate your honesty, Yessenia. It means a lot that you’re being open with me. But you need to understand that you don’t have to carry this burden alone. If you’re struggling with your feelings, it’s okay to take your time to figure things out. We don’t have to rush into anything.”

Yessenia felt a wave of relief mixed with guilt. “Thank you, Daniel. I didn’t want to hurt you. I just needed to be honest because I didn’t want any secrets or misunderstandings between us.”

Daniel reached out and took her hand gently. “You’ve always been honest with me, and I appreciate that. We’ll navigate this together. Just remember, you don’t have to feel pressured to make any decisions right now. It’s okay to take things slowly.”

Yessenia squeezed his hand gratefully, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. “I really value your understanding. I just don’t want to mess up the friendship between you and Matheo. It’s important to me that you both know where I stand.”

Daniel nodded. “And that’s important to me too. I think it’s best if we take a step back and give you the space you need to sort out your feelings. As for Matheo, I’ll make sure he understands that this isn’t about him.”

The conversation ended with a mixture of sadness and relief. Yessenia knew that the road ahead would be challenging, both in terms of resolving her feelings and maintaining the delicate balance between her relationships. But she was grateful for Daniel’s patience and understanding. She felt that, in being honest, she had taken a step towards resolving her internal conflict, even if it meant facing difficult emotions and uncertainties.

As Daniel left her apartment, Yessenia watched him go with a bittersweet feeling. She had taken the first step in addressing her feelings and preserving the relationships that mattered to her. The path ahead was still uncertain, but she felt a sense of clarity and resolve. She hoped that in time, she would find the answers she sought and that, ultimately, she could navigate the complexities of her relationships with honesty and integrity.