Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 53

Right after the argument, as the door closed behind Charlotte, Engfa felt suffocated in her own home. The eerie silence enveloped her, every corner of the house reminding her of Charlotte and the sweet moments they had shared. Her heart felt constricted, yet out of deep hurt, she left the house immediately, not wanting to face herself.

Engfa decided to rent a hotel room near her workplace, where she could temporarily escape the memories of Charlotte, even though she knew that running away was just a temporary solution. On her first night in the hotel, Engfa lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling overwhelmed by loneliness and emptiness. The light from outside streamed through the window curtains, casting intertwining shadows in the room, further intensifying the cold and dull feeling. Sighs echoed in that small space, but her heart felt like stone, betraying no emotion.

The next morning, Engfa went to work, trying to bury herself in tasks to forget the lingering pain from the argument. However, she couldn't stop thinking about Charlotte. The silence from her and the tears from the night before kept replaying in her mind like a slow-motion film, reminding her of the harsh words she had spoken.

As Engfa stepped into the office, Tif, a close colleague, approached her with a worried expression.

"Engfa, do you have a moment? I need to talk about something..." Tif said.

Engfa nodded, forcing a calm demeanor. But as Tif began to speak, she was unprepared for what she was about to hear.

"Did you know? Charlotte... has taken a short leave of absence. Her request was approved by Mr. Thuniwad last night."

Engfa froze, confusion washing over her. At first, she tried to reassure herself, thinking Charlotte was just upset and would return soon. But deep down, a sense of unease began to creep in.

"No... she might just need some time alone."

Tif looked into Engfa's anxious eyes, her tone becoming more serious.

"Engfa, are you sure you're okay? I genuinely feel that something is wrong between you and Charlotte."

Engfa forced a smile, a strained expression that felt like her heart was shattering.

"I'm fine, it's just a little misunderstanding. She... will calm down soon."

When Tif left, a growing emptiness enveloped Engfa. She couldn't concentrate on work, her gaze drifting each time she looked at her computer screen. Everything seemed meaningless as the sound of Charlotte's choked voice from that night echoed in her heart.

Days passed, and Charlotte did not contact Engfa, making her increasingly anxious and regretful. A sense of solitude and emptiness consumed every moment. At night, Engfa lay in bed, staring at the dark ceiling, her heart gnawed at by guilt. Each time she closed her eyes, Charlotte's tear-streaked face filled her mind, making it hard to breathe.

This state continued for more than a week, ever since Engfa had left home right after the argument and rented a hotel room near her office. In the early days, indifference and apathy wrapped around her like a blanket. Engfa didn't bother checking her phone, didn't turn on her computer, and even ignored messages from others. She simply lived in the beautiful memories of their time together, while her mind was plagued with regret.

Every morning, she woke up late, no longer brimming with enthusiasm; she quietly stepped out to buy a loaf of bread and a cup of coffee to gulp down. Engfa sat by the hotel window, her empty gaze fixed on the bustling street outside, feeling nothing but emptiness. The joyful moments with Charlotte, their smiles and laughter, now seemed like distant clouds drifting away, transformed into painful memories.

Instead of feeling happy about her job, Engfa found herself disheartened and lost. Her colleagues frequently asked about her, but she merely responded with forced smiles, hiding the pain within. They gradually noticed her change, but no one dared to inquire further, exchanging worried glances instead.

After requesting leave, Charlotte decided to distance herself from everything familiar, seeking solace on Samui Island to heal her wounded soul. Samui, with its vast blue sea and sprawling sandy beaches, was a serene place where she hoped to escape her bitter reality. On the day she left, the sun had not fully risen, and the first waves at Samui welcomed Charlotte as she arrived. The boat glided slowly across the calm waters, bringing her to a place she hoped would offer peace. As she stepped onto the sand, the salty sea breeze kissed her face, seemingly trying to blow away the burdens weighing on her heart.

The moment her feet touched the sand, Charlotte felt a bit of relief, yet she could not deny the emptiness that dominated her heart. She strolled slowly along the beach, her feet sinking into the fine sand, leaving behind footprints as if trying to leave behind all her hurt. She gazed far out to the sea, where the waves rhythmically crashed against the shore, as if each wave were reminding her of the beautiful memories she once had with Engfa.

Day by day, Charlotte lived quietly in a small house near the beach, spending her time listening to the waves and basking in the warm sunlight, trying to soothe her inner turmoil. During the day, she walked along the long, white sandy beaches, hearing the waves crash as if the sea were whispering secrets to her. Sometimes, she would stop to pick up a seashell, admiring it under the sunlight, searching for answers to her pains.

However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop missing Engfa. On some evenings, as the sun began to set, Charlotte found herself alone on a large rock, watching the sunset cast warm golden-orange hues across the sea. She could see Engfa in the evening glow, in the fading rays of sunlight, as if she were still somewhere close.

Every night, when lying alone in her empty room, Charlotte felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. The sound of the waves remained constant, but it could not ease the yearning and regret she felt. In the quiet of the night, Engfa's image emerged vividly, with the smile and gentle eyes she had loved so deeply. Charlotte questioned whether she had done the right thing by leaving without saying a word. Would this distance heal her, or only deepen her pain?

One morning, Charlotte decided to try to forget her sorrow by exploring the surroundings. She rented a bicycle and rode around the island, visiting places that people said could help one forget their troubles: ancient temples, clear waterfalls, and lush green forests. But no matter where she went, Engfa's shadow lingered. The places she visited and the beauty she witnessed only made her wish for Engfa to be there, to share and enjoy those peaceful moments together.

On a quiet night in Samui, Charlotte sat alone by the beach, the moonlight casting a silver path across the water, creating a shimmering trail leading out to the sea. She let herself sink into the sand, her eyes looking up at the starry sky, recalling the times they had lain together, stargazing. She had once thought their love would forever be as peaceful as this sky, unaware that storms had silently approached, submerging them in misunderstandings and heartache.

"Engfa..." Charlotte whispered to the wind, her voice mingling with the ocean waves. For the first time since leaving, she allowed herself to cry. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mingling with the salty sea breeze. She realized that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't erase Engfa's presence from her heart. The sea, no matter how vast, could not contain the longing she felt for Engfa.

Samui might provide temporary relief, but love and longing remained, forever etched in her heart.

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She cries, and the sea hears her,
She feels cold, and the sea embraces her,
But who will soothe her pain?