As Karthik stood in my living room, the air thick with tension, my heart raced with anticipation. I had always thought of him as my partner, my confidant. But today, something felt off. I could see it in his eyes—an uncertainty that made my stomach twist.
“Hey, Karthik! It’s so good to see you,” I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask. The warmth that usually filled the space between us was missing, and I couldn’t shake the sense of impending doom.
He nodded but didn’t return the smile, his gaze flickering around the room as if searching for the right words. “Aria, we need to talk.”
My stomach dropped. That phrase, so often used before breakups, sent a wave of anxiety washing over me. “Sure. What’s on your mind?” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
As he began to speak, my heart sank with every word. “I think we need some space… I don’t know if we’re on the same page anymore.”
The world around me blurred as I processed what he was saying. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Confusion washed over me, followed by a sharp sting of betrayal. I searched his face for reassurance, but all I found was a look of resignation.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about us, about where we’re headed,” he said, his tone distant. “I just don’t think it’s working for me anymore.”
My heart shattered. I felt as though the ground had fallen away beneath me. “But we’ve built so much together, Karthik! We’ve shared our dreams and fears. You can’t just walk away from that!”
He looked pained, his brow furrowing as if my words were cutting him, too. “I know, Aria. I’m sorry. It’s just... it feels like we’re moving in different directions.”
Each of his words pierced through me like daggers. “Different directions? How can you say that? We’ve been through everything together!” My voice trembled, the desperation creeping in as I fought to keep my composure.
He tried to explain, but the more he spoke, the more I felt the walls closing in. The betrayal wrapped around my heart like a vice, squeezing tighter with every passing second. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Karthik was someone I trusted, someone I loved, and now he was pulling away, making me feel like everything we had was a lie.
“Are you serious?” I pleaded, my voice breaking as tears threatened to spill. “I thought we were building a life together. You were the one who said you wanted to be with me!”
His silence said everything, and it felt like a tidal wave of grief crashed over me. My breath hitched, and I could feel the heat of tears welling in my eyes, blurring my vision. “Karthik, please don’t do this. Don’t give up on us.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Aria,” he said softly, but the damage was done. Each word felt like a confirmation of my worst fears.
“Then why are you?” I shot back, unable to keep the pain from spilling over. “You’re throwing everything away! I don’t understand!”
Finally, he said the words I had dreaded. “I think it’s best if we end things.”
The finality of his statement echoed in my ears, and I felt the world tilt beneath me. I took a step back, struggling to catch my breath. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. “So that’s it? You’re just... done?”
He nodded, a look of regret crossing his face, but it did little to soften the blow. I felt raw and exposed, as if he had ripped away my defenses and left me standing in the open air, vulnerable to the world.
“Okay,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, feeling completely defeated. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break, but I could feel the tears spilling down my cheeks. “If that’s what you want, then... I guess it’s over.”
As I stood there, my heart heavy with loss, I felt as if the very foundation of my life was crumbling. I wanted to scream, to plead with him to stay, but I knew it wouldn’t change anything. In that moment, I felt like I was losing not just Karthik but also a part of myself. The dreams we had shared, the plans we had made—everything seemed to slip through my fingers like sand.
As he turned to leave, I felt a profound sense of emptiness wash over me. I wanted to scream after him, to tell him how much I loved him, but the words caught in my throat. I was left standing there, feeling like a ghost in my own life, shattered by the realization that sometimes love just wasn’t enough.
YOU ARE READING
NEVER EVER LEAVE
Romansaan sucessful entrepreneur and a successful but emotionally guarded entrepreneur-who meet by chance in a bustling city. As they navigate their personal struggles, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Despite their fears and emotiona...
