The Bet & The Heart.

CHAPTER VII

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the cozy living room. Aunt Emelda sat knitting on the sofa, the rhythmic clacking of her needles blending with the soft sounds of a local TV show. Syafiq, seated at the dining table, eating nasi lemak, while Sofia lounged nearby, her mind adrift despite the TV playing in the background.

Their peaceful morning was interrupted by footsteps outside. The mailman arrived, cheerful as ever, handing over the day's mail.

"Good morning, Emelda! A letter for Sofia today," he announced, passing over the envelope.

Aunt Emelda smiled, thanked him, and glanced at the letter. "Here, Sofia. A letter for you."

Sofia's heart skipped when she saw the familiar handwriting. Nadhir. She hesitated before taking it, a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. "Thanks, Aunt Emelda," she murmured, her voice tight. Without another word, she hurried to her room, her movements tense.

Syafiq's brow furrowed as he exchanged a puzzled glance with Aunt Emelda. "Is she okay?"

"I'm not sure," Aunt Emelda said, concern lacing her tone. "She's been... distant lately."

Syafiq's jaw clenched. Something was wrong, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was at the center of it.

Sofia, now in the privacy of her room, sat on her bed and stared at the letter. The weight of her emotions bore down on her. Slowly, she opened the envelope, the familiar handwriting stirring both warmth and fear.

My dearest Sofia,

I hope this letter finds you well and brings a smile to your face—just as you've always managed to brighten my life in the most beautiful ways. I've been thinking about you constantly, and even as I write these words, my heart is full of gratitude for the love we share, for everything you are to me.

I still remember the moment I realized how much you meant to me—it wasn't just one instance but a collection of moments: your laughter on quiet evenings, the way you comfort me with a simple touch, the way you see me in a way no one else does. Knowing I get to spend the rest of my life with you, building our dreams together, feels like a gift I never thought I could deserve.

Our families recently met to discuss what our future might look like, and I'm filled with an overwhelming sense of joy to tell you that they have made arrangements for our wedding. It's funny—I always thought about us, someday, but now that it's real, the thought of calling you my wife brings tears to my eyes. You are my best friend, my soul's truest home, the love I've been waiting for all my life.

I imagine the day when I'll see you walking down the aisle, and I know you will take my breath away. It will be the moment I've been waiting for, the one where all the love I've ever known becomes something I can hold forever. Our families have envisioned a celebration that reflects the depth of what we share—a day filled with laughter, with tears of joy, with the people who have shaped our journey surrounding us in love.

Enclosed with this letter is our wedding invitation. Every detail, from the colors to the words, has been chosen with you in mind. It's a glimpse into the life we're about to create together, one that I promise to fill with love, care, and everything you deserve.

Please, let me know how you feel about everything. Your thoughts, your happiness—those are the things that mean the world to me. More than anything, I want this day, and every day after, to be as special for you as it will be for me.

With all the love I have, now and always, 

Nadhir
Tears prickled at Sofia's eyes as she stared at the wedding invitation. The delicate gold accents glittered under the dim light, a stark reminder of the life she was supposed to lead. Yet the thought of walking down the aisle with Nadhir twisted her stomach into knots. How could she possibly move forward when her heart was tethered to Syafiq—tangled in a confusing mess of emotions she couldn't unravel?