Lidiya Witchain - the forgotten bride

You deserve better

The dim light of the hut flickered as Zidane stepped inside, his presence filling the space with an intensity that made Lidiya's heart race. She stood near the small wooden table, her thoughts still swirling from the chaotic moments earlier in the village.

“Why did you hug me so tightly in front of everyone?” Zidane asked, his voice low but charged with emotion.

Lidiya hesitated, searching his eyes for understanding. “It was nothing. I was just… worried you might die saving me,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zidane’s expression darkened. “You’re right. We’re enemies. We can never be together,” he said, his tone biting.

A pang of hurt shot through her. “But can you let Oswen’s spirit go?” she asked softly, hoping to break through the walls he had built around himself.

At her words, Zidane’s anger flared. He slammed his fist against the wall, the sound echoing like thunder in the small space. “Even after I told you the truth, you still care about him!” he snapped, frustration boiling over.

“No, Zidane, please listen!” Lidiya protested, stepping forward, but he cut her off, slamming the door shut with a force that made her jump.

Tears stung her eyes as she stood there, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. “I just wanted to tell you that you shouldn’t carry that baggage anymore,” she called out, her voice trembling. “You need to be free from this misery and move on!”Lidiya stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against her skin and offering a momentary relief from the suffocating atmosphere of the hut. The village was serene, illuminated by the silvery glow of the moon, casting long shadows on the ground. Each step she took felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of her thoughts and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

As she walked through the narrow path that led to Zidane’s hut, memories of their encounters flashed through her mind—the moments of tension, the heated exchanges, and the flickers of undeniable chemistry that had ignited between them. Every memory reminded her of the conflict within her heart. She was caught between loyalty to her past and the burgeoning feelings for the man who had once been her enemy.

Approaching Zidane's hut, she hesitated, the uncertainty swirling in her stomach. Would he even want to hear what she had to say? Would he be receptive to the truth she wanted to share? Summoning her courage, she knocked gently on the wooden door, her heart racing.

“Zidane?” she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper. The silence that followed felt deafening, amplifying her anxiety. Just as she was about to turn away, the door creaked open, revealing Zidane, his expression a mixture of surprise and guardedness.

“What do you want?” he asked, his voice low, as if he was still wrestling with the anger from earlier.

“I need to talk to you,” Lidiya replied, steadying her breath. “Can I come in?”

He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as if weighing her presence against whatever turmoil lay behind him. After a moment, he stepped aside, allowing her to enter. The hut was dimly lit, and Lidiya could see the remnants of his earlier frustration—a chair knocked askew, a table cluttered with items hastily tossed aside.

Lidiya took a deep breath, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach. “I was worried about you. You risked your life to save me, and in that moment, I felt… grateful. It was instinctive,” she said, searching his eyes for understanding.

He scoffed, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t care. I’m not worth it, and you should be focused on your husband’s memory, not on me.”

Lidiya’s heart sank at the mention of Oswen. “I don’t care about him anymore, Zidane! I’ve learned the truth about him—he cheated on me!” Her voice rose slightly, the pain of her revelation spilling out. “I was only holding onto the hope of what we had because I thought it was real. But it was all a lie.”

Zidane’s expression softened for a fleeting moment before hardening again. “You were still married to him when you hugged me. You were still his wife, and that means something,” he replied, his voice strained with emotion.

“Then let him go!” Lidiya pleaded, stepping closer to him, her hands reaching out as if to bridge the gap between them. “You don’t have to carry that burden. I want you to be free from this misery, just like I want to be free. We can’t keep living in the shadows of our pasts.”

His gaze faltered for a moment, and Lidiya could see the internal struggle playing out in his eyes. “You don’t understand, Lidiya. I can’t just forget everything. It’s not that simple.”

“Then help me understand!” she urged, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. “Tell me how I can help you let go. I don’t want you to resent me for something that isn’t my fault. I want you to see me for who I am now, not just as Oswen’s wife.”

Zidane’s expression shifted, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of vulnerability. “And who are you, Lidiya? What do you want from me?” he asked, his voice softer but still laced with uncertainty.

“I want you to know that I feel something for you, Zidane,” she admitted, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess herself. “You make me feel alive in a way I never thought possible, even amidst all this chaos. I don’t want to fight this attraction anymore. I want to explore it, to see where it leads us.”

He stared at her, his eyes searching hers for the truth behind her confession. For a moment, the world around them faded, and all that existed was the space between them, thick with unspoken tension.

But just as Lidiya thought he might respond, he stepped back, a pained expression crossing his face. “I can’t, Lidiya. I’m still angry. I’m still hurt. And you deserve better than someone like me.”

“Zidane, please!” she cried, desperation creeping into her voice. “I want you! I want to be with you!”

He shook his head, retreating further. “You’re just confused. You’ve lost everything, and I’m not the solution to your pain. You need time.”

With that, he turned away, leaving Lidiya standing there, her heart shattering at his refusal. She felt a swell of frustration, sadness, and longing, all entwined in a chaotic dance.