The Bet & The Heart.

CHAPTER XIII

Sofia stepped out of the airport, her heart heavy as she took in the bustling scene before her. The vibrant energy of Singapore felt almost foreign after her time in the quiet Malaysian village. She scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces, and spotted her family waving eagerly near the entrance.

"Welcome back, Sofia!" her mother called, a warm smile lighting up her face. Her father stood beside her, a proud look in his eyes, while her younger brother, Sufian, bounced on his feet with excitement. The sight brought a bittersweet ache to Sofia's chest.

As she approached them, her heart sank when she noticed Nadhir standing slightly apart, a composed smile on his lips that felt disingenuous to her. "Hey, Sofia," he said, his tone warm but laced with an expectation she wasn't ready to meet.

"Hi," she replied softly, trying to mask her tumultuous emotions. It felt surreal to be back, yet the weight of her recent decisions loomed over her like a dark cloud. The letter she had written for Nadhir in her bag lingered in her mind, its contents heavy with her feelings and guilt.

"Are you hungry? We can go for your favorite chicken rice!" her mother suggested, her eyes shining with affection.

"Yeah, that sounds great," Sofia forced a smile, but inside, she felt a storm brewing. The thought of facing the reality of her engagement, coupled with the memories of Syafiq, gnawed at her. She could almost feel the letter pressing against her side in her bag, a reminder of the unresolved feelings she had left behind.

As they made their way to the car, Nadhir fell into step beside her. "I've missed you," he said, his voice earnest. "I was worried about you while you were away."

Sofia glanced at him, the sincerity in his gaze contrasting sharply with her turbulent feelings. "I missed you too," she replied, though the words felt hollow. The guilt of her half-truth hung in the air like a heavy fog, knowing she was lying as she thought of Syafiq—the way he had looked at her, the shared laughter, and the moments that felt so real.

Once in the car, the chatter of her family filled the air, but Sofia found it hard to engage. Her thoughts drifted back to the quiet moments with Syafiq, the way they had connected in the midst of chaos. She was torn, and the pressure of her family's expectations weighed heavily on her.

"Everything okay, Sofia?" her father asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she lied, forcing a smile as she looked out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of a motorcycle, a fleeting hope that maybe, just maybe, Syafiq would be chasing after her.

But all she saw were the bright lights of the city, and a hollow ache settled in her chest. She wished she could silence the guilt that clawed at her heart as she sat between her family and Nadhir, the truth of her heart's desires hidden beneath layers of expectation.

Sofia sat at the elegantly set table, the soft glow of candlelight illuminating the faces of her family. The ambiance of the high-class restaurant was luxurious, yet she felt a heaviness in her chest. The clinking of glasses and the soft murmur of conversation around her felt distant, like a backdrop to her swirling thoughts.

As the waiter served their meals, her mother glanced at her, concern etched across her face. "So, how is Aunt Emelda?" she asked, her voice warm and inviting. "It must have been tough for you being there."

Sofia forced a smile, trying to mask the emotions that were bubbling beneath the surface. "She's... okay," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "She's been feeling and looking a little better,"

Her father nodded, his expression empathetic. "I'm glad you were there for her. It's important for family to support each other."

"Yeah," Sofia agreed, her thoughts drifting to the letter tucked away in her bag, the words inside heavy with unspoken feelings and guilt.