The morning light filtered through the school hallways, casting a soft glow on the rows of lockers as students moved from one class to the next. But even the warmth of the autumn sun couldn't shake the chill that had settled between Hana and Yumi, a subtle shift that grew more pronounced with each passing day.
Hana walked through the halls with her usual poised stride, but her eyes held a faraway look, her mind weighed down by thoughts that seemed to pull her further from the present. Since her mother's call, Hana had struggled to push aside her family's demands and focus on the life she'd worked so hard to build here. But the guilt was relentless, nagging at her whenever she allowed herself a moment of peace.
In class, she went through the motions, her teaching precise and thorough as always, but lacking the energy and passion that her students had come to admire. Yumi, sitting in the front row as usual, watched her teacher with growing concern. Hana's distant gaze, her absentminded glances at the clock, and the way she barely glanced up from her notes when speaking — all of it was unlike her.
After the bell rang and the students began to file out, Yumi lingered by her desk, gathering her things slowly, hoping for a moment alone with Hana.
"Hana," she said softly, as the last of her classmates left. "Is everything okay?"
Hana looked up, her eyes meeting Yumi's for a fleeting second before she forced a tired smile. "I'm fine, Yumi. Just... busy with work."
Yumi could tell that Hana's smile didn't reach her eyes. She wanted to press further, to ask if this "work" included the family responsibilities that had been pulling her down since last week. But she held back, sensing the tension Hana carried. Instead, she simply nodded, her own heart heavy with worry.
"You know I'm here if you need anything, right?" Yumi ventured, hoping her words might break through the barrier Hana seemed to be building.
Hana's gaze softened, and for a moment, Yumi thought she saw a hint of the woman she admired, the strong, passionate teacher who had inspired her so deeply. But as quickly as it appeared, the look faded, and Hana gave a small nod.
"Thank you, Yumi. I'll be fine. Just... a lot going on," she said, her voice trailing off as she gathered her books.
Yumi watched her leave, the familiar weight of isolation settling in her chest. As Hana's footsteps echoed down the hall, Yumi felt a pang of helplessness, unsure of how to bridge the growing chasm between them.
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As days passed, and the distance only seemed to widen. Hana became more withdrawn, her once vibrant presence replaced by an almost mechanical efficiency. She'd arrive at school, teach her classes, and leave without so much as a lingering smile or a friendly chat. Even her colleagues noticed the shift, casting worried glances as she walked past.
At her own workplace, Hana tried to concentrate, but her mind wandered back to her mother's demands, her family's insistence that she return and manage the business. Her mother's words echoed in her mind: "Family is everything". The pressure gnawed at her, fueling an internal war between the life she wanted to live and the life she was expected to uphold.
YOU ARE READING
Unfated Lovers
عاطفيةIn a world where fate intertwines the lives of those who are meant to be, Yumi and Hana discover a profound connection that transcends the ordinary. As their hearts draw closer, they navigate the complexities of family expectations and hidden secret...