Tangled Affections

46.

Freen's POV

The room felt empty. I'd never thought a space could feel so hollow, but it was like all the warmth had drained away the moment Becky left. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the spot where she had been, her scent still lingering faintly in the air—a soft mix of lavender and something uniquely her. The silence was deafening. Every sound I made, even the soft rustle of my sheets as I moved, seemed to echo in this now cavernous space.

I lay down, pulling the blanket up to my chin, trying to find some semblance of comfort. But it was useless. I kept turning over and over, unable to find the right position. Becky's absence weighed heavily on me, like a lead blanket pressing against my chest. I had grown so used to her presence—the way she breathed softly in her sleep, the slight mumble she'd make when she was dreaming, and the way she'd reach out unconsciously for me in the middle of the night. Now, all I had were empty sheets and the cold reality of being alone.

I closed my eyes and tried to push the thoughts away, but every time I did, her face filled my mind—the nervous smile she gave me when she left, the way her eyes lingered on mine, as if silently pleading for me to make this separation easier. I wanted to tell her how much I hated the idea of her leaving, but I knew she needed this. She deserved a chance to experience family, to feel the warmth of home. I couldn't be selfish, not when it came to Becky.

But God, did it hurt.

I tossed and turned the whole night, each second stretching into eternity. The minutes dragged by painfully, and sleep eluded me completely. Every little noise outside made me jump, my heart racing with the hope that maybe, just maybe, it was her coming back. But it never was.

The next morning, I woke up feeling like I hadn't slept at all. Dark circles ringed my eyes, and there was a heaviness in my chest that wouldn't lift. I got ready for college slowly, my movements sluggish. It felt like I was wading through thick, invisible mud. My heart kept fluttering in anticipation, each beat whispering, "Today, I'll see her again." I hoped that seeing Becky would make everything feel right again, like a missing piece clicking back into place.

I waited impatiently at our favorite spot, the small garden tucked away in a quieter corner of the campus. The sun streamed through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I could hear the distant chatter of students, but it all faded into the background as I focused on the path ahead, waiting for Becky to appear. I'd lost count of the number of times I checked my phone, even though I knew she wouldn't text—she wasn't much of a texter.

My breath hitched when I finally spotted her in the distance, walking slowly, her head slightly bowed. I could feel the tension in my muscles relax, and a wave of relief washed over me. She was here. She was finally here. As she got closer, her eyes met mine, and I saw her face light up with that soft, gentle smile that I loved so much.

"Becky!" I called out, my voice breaking the stillness around us. She looked up, and her smile grew wider. I ran up to her, unable to contain my excitement, and pulled her into a tight hug. God, I had missed this. The way she fit so perfectly against me, like she was made to be in my arms.

........