Fragments Of Us

Chapter 5

The café fell into a thick silence as Josh left, the door shutting softly behind him. Milda stood there, feeling the weight of the moment press down on her shoulders. Lucas hadn't moved, his gaze steady, trying to piece together what he had just walked into.

"You said you were meeting a friend," Lucas said after a beat, his voice calm but tinged with uncertainty. "That was him?"

Milda nodded, feeling her heart race. "Yeah, that's Josh. He's... he's just someone I know through work." The words felt inadequate, almost too simple to describe the complicated connection she felt with Josh.

Lucas's eyes didn't waver from hers. "I hope everything's okay," he said, concern etched in his expression. "You seem a bit... distant."

Milda forced a smile, feeling the pressure of his gaze. "I'm just... tired," she finally admitted, her voice quieter than before. "It's been a lot to juggle lately. Work, life, everything."

Lucas studied her for a moment, a mix of understanding and hesitation on his face. "If you need to talk about it, I'm here," he said gently.

"Thanks, I appreciate that," she replied, feeling the tension between them. They spent the next hour sitting at the café, but the conversation was stilted, filled with small talk that neither of them seemed fully invested in. Eventually, Lucas suggested they go back to Milda's apartment. As they left the café, Milda's mind was racing. She knew she couldn't keep Lucas in the dark forever, but she wasn't ready for the truth to come out-not yet.

Back at her apartment, Lucas settled onto her couch, the same spot where they had spent countless evenings watching movies and sharing quiet moments. But tonight, it felt different. Milda moved to the kitchen, preparing tea, anything to avoid the awkward silence.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Lucas asked, breaking the quiet. His voice was soft, but the concern was clear.

Milda sighed, leaning against the counter, her back to him. "There's nothing to talk about," she said, her voice too quick, too defensive.

"Milda..." Lucas stood up, crossing the small distance between them. He gently touched her arm, turning her to face him. "I can see something's changed. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you can share it with me."

She appreciated his gentle tone, yet it only made her feel more conflicted. "It's nothing I can't handle," she replied, forcing another smile.

Before Lucas could press further, there was a knock at the door. Milda blinked in surprise, not expecting anyone.

"I'll get it," she muttered, grateful for the interruption.

When she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat. Standing there was her younger sister, **Rina**, a whirlwind of energy and drama wrapped up in a perfectly styled outfit. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Milda! You didn't tell me you were back in town!" Rina exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug.

Milda blinked, startled. "I wasn't... I mean, I didn't know you'd be in the neighborhood."

"Well, I'm here now!" Rina chirped, stepping past her and into the apartment. Her gaze immediately landed on Lucas, who was standing awkwardly by the kitchen counter. "Oh, hey, Lucas! Didn't know you were in town either."

Lucas smiled warmly, clearly familiar with Rina's larger-than-life personality. "Surprise visit," he explained.

Rina shot her sister a teasing grin. "Well, well, looks like I'm interrupting something. You two on a little reunion date?"

Milda forced a laugh, shaking her head. "No, we're just... catching up."

Rina's eyes narrowed playfully, but she let it go, turning her attention to the tea on the counter. "Well, I'm starving. Let's order in some food and make a night of it."

Milda could only nod, her mind still reeling from the sudden shift. Her sister's unexpected arrival had temporarily paused the uncomfortable conversation with Lucas, but she knew it was only a matter of time before it all came back up again. And now, with Rina in the picture, things were bound to get even more complicated.

As the night went on, Milda found herself caught between the two people she cared about most-her sister, who was always ready to offer advice (even when it wasn't asked for), and Lucas, who was trying to understand the growing distance between them. But the longer she sat there, the more Milda realized that she couldn't keep running from the truth.

Something had changed, and whether she liked it or not, her life was about to get a lot more complicated.