My Last And My Only

Chapter 122: Making Space

After they learned how to find time, Aiah and Khae learned something else.

Sometimes, time was not enough.

Sometimes, love needed more than a few free minutes squeezed between deadlines.

It needed space.

Space to be tired.

Space to be honest.

Space to miss each other without turning that missing into fear.

The semester grew heavier as the weeks passed.

Aiah's final portfolio review was approaching.

Khae's biggest council event of the year was only days away.

Both of them were running on coffee, notes, and stubbornness.

One afternoon, Aiah sat on the floor of her room surrounded by printed drafts and color swatches. Khae sat beside her, reading through a checklist for the event while Aiah adjusted a layout on her iPad.

They had gotten used to working side by side like this.

Not always talking.

Not always touching.

But always aware of each other.

Khae glanced at the screen. "You haven't blinked in ten minutes."

Aiah didn't look up. "That's because if I blink, the composition gets worse."

Khae laughed softly and nudged her shoulder. "You are impossible."

"And yet you love me."

Khae smiled. "Unfortunately, yes."

Maybe that should have been enough.

But the next day, everything shifted.

Aiah's adviser moved her final rehearsal earlier.

Khae's council meeting ran longer than expected.

Their schedules, which had been carefully lined up for once, suddenly split apart again.

Aiah stared at the message on her phone.

I might not make it to your event tonight. My adviser changed the rehearsal time. I'm sorry.

Khae read it twice before replying.

It's okay. Do what you need to do.

She meant it.

She really did.

But after she sent it, she sat still for a long moment, phone in hand, feeling the quiet disappointment settle in her chest.

She had wanted Aiah there.

Not because she couldn't handle the event without her.

Not because she needed someone to hold her hand.

But because it mattered to her when Aiah showed up.

And Aiah knew that.

That was why she felt guilty before the rehearsal even started.

The rehearsal went longer than expected.

Of course it did.

By the time Aiah stepped out of the room, the sky had already turned dark.

Her phone was full of missed messages from Khae's council group, a few updates from Lindtsey, and one photo from Yves of the event stage lit up and ready.