Silent Affection

Chapter 13: Theo's Perspective

While Kiomie had been busy navigating her own emotions, Theo had been going through his own internal struggle. Their decision to take a break had left him feeling unsettled, yet he couldn’t ignore the fact that something had changed between them. He cared deeply for Kiomie, but in the days following their conversation, he realized that he had been holding on to an idea of what their relationship should be rather than what it truly was.

Sitting alone in his apartment, Theo stared at his phone, his finger hovering over Kiomie’s number. He wanted to text her, to ask how she was doing, but he stopped himself. Their break wasn’t just about giving Kiomie space—it was about him finding clarity too.

Theo spent a lot of time reflecting on his relationship with Kiomie. He thought back to the beginning, when everything had felt effortless, their connection instant. But as time went on, he started noticing the little things, like how they communicated differently or how Kiomie’s mind seemed to wander when they were together. He had ignored those signs at first, believing that all relationships went through phases, but now he wondered if he had been too blind to see the truth.

One evening, Theo called his best friend, Alex, hoping to get some perspective. They met up at a local bar, where Theo could unload his thoughts without holding back.

“So, you guys are taking a break?” Alex asked after Theo finished explaining the situation.

“Yeah,” Theo sighed, taking a sip of his drink. “She said she needed time to figure things out. Honestly, I’m not sure where it leaves us.”

Alex nodded thoughtfully. “Do you think it’s just a phase? Or do you think this is it?”

Theo stared down at his drink, unsure how to answer. “I don’t know, man. I’ve been thinking a lot, and I wonder if maybe we were forcing something that wasn’t meant to be. Don’t get me wrong—I really care about her, but… I don’t know if it’s the kind of love we both need.”

Alex gave him a sympathetic look. “That’s tough, dude. It’s hard to let go, especially when you care about someone like that.”

“I keep asking myself if we were really a good fit,” Theo admitted. “I mean, we had some great moments, but I think we both had doubts.”

“Well, it’s good you’re being honest with yourself,” Alex said. “Relationships aren’t always about how good things seem on the surface. Sometimes, people just aren’t compatible, and that’s okay. The important thing is figuring that out before it gets too complicated.”

Theo appreciated Alex’s blunt advice. It helped him see things more clearly, and for the first time since their break, he began to accept that maybe this wasn’t the relationship he had imagined it would be.

As the night went on, Theo felt a sense of peace. He still cared for Kiomie deeply, but he realized that holding on to something that wasn’t working would only hurt them both in the long run. Maybe their connection was meant to be something different—something rooted in friendship, not romance.

The next day, Theo decided to take action. He didn’t want to prolong the uncertainty between them, so he texted Kiomie, asking if they could meet up and talk. To his relief, she agreed.

They met at a quiet café, the same one where they had shared countless moments before, but this time the atmosphere felt different—more honest, more open.

“Thanks for meeting me,” Theo said as they sat down.

“Of course,” Kiomie replied, her voice calm but curious. “What’s on your mind?”

Theo took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us, and I think it’s time we’re honest with each other. I care about you, Kiomie, but I think we both know that something hasn’t been right between us for a while.”

Kiomie looked down at her hands, nodding slightly. “I know. I’ve felt it too.”

“I don’t want to drag this out,” Theo continued. “I think we’re better off as friends. I don’t regret anything we’ve shared, but I don’t think this is the kind of love either of us is looking for.”

There was a long pause as Kiomie absorbed his words. A part of her had expected this, but hearing it out loud was different. Still, she felt a sense of relief—a mutual understanding that neither of them wanted to keep pretending.

“I agree,” Kiomie said softly. “I’ve been feeling the same way. I wasn’t sure how to say it, but I think you’re right. We’re better as friends.”

Theo smiled gently, feeling the weight of their relationship lift. “I’m glad we can still be in each other’s lives. You’re an amazing person, Kiomie, and I don’t want to lose our connection.”

Kiomie returned his smile, grateful for his honesty. “Me too, Theo. I don’t want to lose our friendship either.”

They spent the rest of their conversation reminiscing about their shared moments, laughing about the awkwardness of first dates and the things they had learned about themselves along the way. It wasn’t sad or bittersweet—just two people acknowledging that their paths were diverging, but that didn’t mean their bond had to disappear.

When they finally said goodbye, it felt like a new beginning rather than an ending. Theo walked away feeling lighter, ready to move forward, knowing that both he and Kiomie had found clarity.

As for Kiomie, she left the café with a sense of closure. She had been searching for answers, and now, she felt like she had found them. It wasn’t the outcome she had originally imagined, but it was the right one. And with that, she was ready to continue her journey of self-discovery, knowing that true love would find her when the time was right.