Chasing Tomorrow

chapter 27

Jake dialed Raya’s number, but it rang endlessly with no answer. He frowned, trying again. Still no response. He decided to meet her.

At Raya’s house, her mother greeted him at the door, her smile tight and forced.
“She’s not home, Jake,” her mother said firmly.
“What? Where did she go?” he asked, panic seeping into his voice.
“She went to her uncle’s house for a while. She’ll be back when she’s ready.”

Jake stared at her, confused and worried. He could sense something was wrong but had no idea what. Defeated, he left, deciding to give Raya some space, though his mind was clouded with concern.

Meanwhile, Raya sat in her room, her heart aching as the memory of Jake’s actions played on a loop in her mind. Tears stung her eyes as she clutched her pillow. Her mother entered, sitting beside her and brushing her hair gently.
“Raya, you can’t let this consume you,” her mother said softly.
“Mom, he kissed her,” Raya whispered, her voice breaking. “ he confessed to her, I can’t forget it. It hurts too much.”

Her mother sighed. “I understand, but don’t let this derail you. You’ve worked so hard for your dreams. There’s a whole world out there waiting for you. Maybe it’s time to focus on that.”

Raya wiped her tears and looked up at her mother. “You’re right. I can’t stay here, surrounded by all these memories. I want to go to New York . I’ll join a college there and start fresh.”

Her mother was taken aback but nodded slowly. “If that’s what you want, I’ll support you. But remember, running away isn’t always the answer. Make sure this is what you truly need.”

“It is, Mom. I can’t stay here,” Raya said firmly, her voice trembling but resolute.

The week passed with Jake growing increasingly restless. He sent countless messages to Raya, pouring his heart out, apologizing for whatever he had done, but there was no reply. Every day without her felt heavier than the last.

Raya, on the other hand, threw herself into her studies, determined to block out the pain. She spent long hours in her father’s study, discussing her plans for New York.
“Dad,” she said one evening, “I’ve made up my mind.  I’ll apply to colleges in New York. I want to start fresh, away from all this.”

Her father looked at her, concern etched on his face. “Raya, I support your dreams, but are you sure you’re ready for such a big move? It’s a different world out there.”
“I’m ready, Dad,” she replied confidently. “I need this for myself. I can’t keep holding on to things that hurt me.”

He nodded slowly. “Alright. But remember, wherever you go, you’ll always have a home here.”

Raya smiled faintly. “Thank you, Dad. I’ll make you proud.”

The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves as Jake climbed the pipe leading to Raya’s room. His heart pounded, not from the climb but from the weight of the unanswered questions suffocating him. He had heard from Lili that Raya was planning to leave for New York. and it shook him to his core. He couldn’t lose her like this, not without knowing why.

Reaching her window, he peered inside and saw her sitting at her desk, buried in her books. The sight tugged at his heart. He knocked softly on the glass, and Raya turned, startled. Her expression shifted from surprise to annoyance. She opened the window reluctantly.

“What are you doing here, Jake?” she asked coldly.

“I need answers, Raya,” he said, climbing inside. “Why are you leaving? Why didn’t you tell me?”