Mending the Lunar Scars

Chapter 21

Reminiscing over the glimpses of Raya after more than a year felt like a long lost wine. Instead of returning back to his hotel room he stood there all alone. A pang of longing, sharp and unexpected, pierced his chest. It was a familiar ache, one he had thought he'd left behind when she'd departed.

He'd missed her. Missed her laughter, her stubbornness, her unwavering indecisiveness. And now, watching her all over again after an year is a new challenge, a challenge he knew which would be difficult.

Stephy sipped her coffee, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips. "Remember when we used to pretend to be princesses and Arin was always our knight in shining armor?"

Raya chuckled, a bittersweet note in her voice. "Yeah, those were good times. Arin was always so protective of us."

Stephy's expression softened. "I wonder what he's up to now. I haven't seen him in ages."

Raya's smile faded. "He's abroad for his academics. He's been really busy, and even when I had that accident, he couldn't come home."

Stephy's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I thought he'd be the first one to rush to your side."

Raya hesitated, her gaze fixed on her coffee. "Well, he tried, but his schedule was just too packed."

Stephy hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She knew that Raya's parents had lied to her about Arin's death, but she wasn't sure if she should tell her the truth.

Stephy's heart ached for Raya. She knew that the truth would be painful, but she also knew that if Raya ever knew about Arin she wouldn't be doing what she loves ever again. Race

Stephy, acting as if her curiosity piqued, asked Raya, "How did you end up racing like this?"

Raya smiled, a bittersweet expression on her face. "It was Arin who taught me how to race," she replied, her voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and sadness. Nostalgic of the time she raced with her brother and sad that she isn't able to meet him for a year now.

Stephy couldn't help but smile. It was clear that Arin had had a profound impact on Raya's life. She was glad that Raya had found something that brought her joy and fulfillment.

"I'm so glad you're doing this," Stephy said. "Arin would be proud of you."

Raya nodded, "I hope so," she replied. "I want to make him proud."

"BTW, what are you doing here?" Raya inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"I didn't see your name on the racing list," she added, her eyes scanning hers.

Stephy smiled. "One of my friends, more like a brother, is part of the championship. He was racing today and made it to the next round."

Raya's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Who is he?"

Luca hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that he had to meet her even after Stephy clearly told him to wait. He was there at the cafe.

"It's me," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

"Hey! I saw you racing. You're incredible," Raya exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. She extended her hand, her voice filled with excitement.

Luca took her hand, feeling a surge of emotion. "Can't say anything less than that for you," he replied, his heart pounding in his chest. "Name is Luca."

As their hands met, Luca felt a pang in his heart. He wanted to hug her tightly, never letting her go. But he knew that it wasn't the right time, not yet. He had to be patient, to let her remember him on her own.

So instead, he stared at her blankly, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and longing. He hoped that one day, she would remember him, would remember the love they shared.

They all sat together, a comfortable silence settling between them. Stephy kept talking to Raya about their past whereabouts, her voice filled with nostalgia. Luca listened intently, his eyes fixed on Raya. He was lost in admiration, his heart filled with a mixture of love and longing.

Raya seemed to enjoy the conversation, her face lighting up as she shared stories of her childhood. Luca couldn't help but smile, his heart warming at the sight of her happiness.

At the Hotel

As they dropped Raya off at her hotel room, Stephy and Luca turned to bid farewell. But Raya intervened, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and longing. "Stephy, can you spend the night with me?" she asked, her voice filled with a childlike eagerness. "I've missed you so much all these years."

Stephy's heart melted at Raya's request. Of course, she would stay with her friend. She had missed Raya just as much, and she was grateful for this opportunity to reconnect.

Luca, on the other hand, felt a pang of jealousy. He wanted to be the one spending the night with Raya, but he knew that it wasn't the right time. He had to be patient, to let Raya rebuild her memories, her life.

With a heavy heart, he bid them farewell, watching as they disappeared into the hotel. He knew he would see Raya again soon, but for now, he had to be content with knowing that she was safe and happy.

As he walked back to his own hotel room, just two rooms away from Raya's, he couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. He knew that things were slowly falling into place, that Raya was beginning to get along with Stephy, her friend, a part of her life. And he was determined to be there for her every step of the way.

As soon as they were alone in Raya's hotel room, Stephy leaned in and whispered, "Raya, I need you to do me a favor. Please don't tell your parents that you saw me."

Raya's eyes widened in surprise. "Why not?" she asked.

Stephy hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I don't want them to know yet," she finally said. "I want to surprise them."

Raya nodded, understanding. She knew that Stephy had her reasons. And besides, she was enjoying spending time with her old friend. She was happy to keep their reunion a secret for now.

While they were hanging out together, Raya opened up to Stephy, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and longing. "I've been having this weird feeling lately," she confessed, her eyes fixed on the distance. "It's like I've met Luca before, Somewhere."

Stephy listened intently, her heart aching for her friend. She knew that Raya was struggling to remember her past, and she was determined to help her in any way she could.

"Maybe," Stephy said, offering a glimmer of hope. "Sometimes, our subconscious mind can remember things that our conscious mind has forgotten."

Raya nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and despair. She wanted so badly to explain what emotions she had been feeling around Luca. It was like her heart was aching for Luca but her mind had kept her in a distance.

As she continued to talk, a single tear rolled down her cheek, falling onto her lap. Stephy saw it, her heart filled with compassion. She knew that Raya and Luca are meant to be together, that she has seen this same situation happening to Luca even when he remember Raya.

Stephy reached out and took Raya's hand, offering her comfort and support. "It's okay to feel lost," she said. "I'm here for you."

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Back to You - Selena Gomez