A Heart Left Behind

The Gift That Washed Away

The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the city as I made my way to the café, a carefully wrapped package under my arm. Today felt important, and I hoped this gesture would show Jade how much I cared.

As I entered the café, the familiar scent of coffee and pastries greeted me. I spotted Jade at her usual table near the window, her coffee steaming softly. Her eyes lit up when she saw me approach with the package.

"Hey, Jade. I've got something for you," I said, setting the wrapped gift gently on the table. My heart raced as I wondered how she would react.

Her curiosity piqued, she looked up at me with a smile. "Oh? What's this?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Just a little something I thought you might like," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite my nerves.

She carefully peeled away the wrapping, revealing the Luffy doll. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth formed a perfect "O" of astonishment. "Wow! Is this really...?"

"Yes, it's Luffy," I said, unable to contain my grin. I watched her reaction closely, hoping this gift would be meaningful to her.

Jade's face was a picture of pure delight. She picked up the doll, her fingers tracing its features with reverence. "I can't believe you got this for me. It's amazing! How did you even...?"

"I remembered how much you like him," I said, feeling a warm rush of satisfaction at her reaction. "I'm really glad you like it."

She hugged the doll to her chest, her eyes glistening with joy. "This is the best surprise ever, Rish. Thank you so much!"

Her happiness was contagious, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth. Seeing her so genuinely pleased made every effort worthwhile. We decided to take a walk together to enjoy the afternoon. As we strolled through the park, Jade clutched the Luffy doll, her smile never fading.

We wandered along the winding paths, talking about our favorite spots in the city. Her enthusiasm was infectious as she recounted her favorite episodes and moments related to the doll. "This was such a thoughtful gift," she said, glancing up at me with a smile. "You really know how to make someone feel special."

I watched her with a mixture of admiration and longing. The way her eyes sparkled and her laughter filled the air made every effort I'd put into finding the perfect gift seem worthwhile. I was captivated by her joy, and for a moment, it felt like the world was just the two of us.

Suddenly, as we rounded a corner, a guy appeared. Jade's face brightened instantly.

"Oh, Max!" she exclaimed, her smile widening as she waved to him.

A sharp sting of realization hit me, as if my chest tightened suddenly. The way her face lit up, the way she moved, it was all so different from how she'd been with me. The joy in her voice when she called out his name felt like a blow, like a truth I didn't want to see.

Jade turned to me, her smile faltering slightly. "Rish, this is Max. He's a friend."

Max opened his mouth to say something, probably to introduce himself, but before I could hear him, I turned on my heel. I had to leave, the pain in my chest becoming too unbearable to mask with a polite smile.

"Rish! Wait!" Jade's voice was a soft echo behind me, but I kept walking. Each step felt heavier, like I was sinking into the ground, but I couldn't stop. I had no clear destination in mind, just an overwhelming need to get away.

I could still hear their voices fading in the distance, their easy laughter and conversation a cruel reminder of the reality I was struggling to accept.

Is this really happening?

I wanted to scream, to cry, but all I could do was keep walking, staring blankly at the world around me. The vibrant colors of the park now seemed muted, the sounds of people and nature distant. The air was thick with the weight of unspoken emotions. My heart felt like it had been ripped apart, leaving an unexplainable void that nothing could fill.

How could she be so happy with him? Wasn't I enough?

Questions swirled in my mind, each one stabbing deeper than the last. I thought I had done everything right. The gift, the conversations, the moments we shared—had none of it mattered?

My feet kept moving, but I felt lost, aimlessly wandering through streets I'd walked a hundred times before. I couldn't process what was happening, couldn't understand why the ache in my chest wouldn't subside. My mind raced through every detail, trying to make sense of what I had just seen.

She said he's just a friend... but why does it feel like so much more?

The words felt hollow, and no matter how much I wanted to believe her, something about the way she looked at him, the way her whole demeanor changed in his presence, made my stomach twist with doubt.

By the time I reached home, it was dark. I didn't bother turning on the lights. I just sank onto my bed, my head spinning with thoughts of Jade and Max. The Luffy doll now felt like a cruel reminder, a symbol of everything I had tried to give but never fully received in return.

The silence of the room was deafening, and I felt the loneliness seep in, heavier than before. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, the pain in my chest unrelenting.

What was I doing wrong?