Unrequited Love

Chapter 12 - Where have you been?

Two months had passed since that fateful day, and Hayden found himself once again at the familiar park where he and Kyra had spent so many cherished moments together. They sat side by side on a sturdy tree branch, the gentle rustle of leaves providing a soothing backdrop to their reunion.

Hayden's eyes were fixed on Kyra, his heart brimming with joy at the sight of her. He couldn't help but smile, his gaze never wavering as he took in every detail of her presence. Kyra, feeling the intensity of his gaze, blushed and averted her eyes, unable to meet his unwavering stare.

Despite his overwhelming desire to express his feelings, Hayden found himself content to simply bask in Kyra's company, the silence between them speaking volumes. His mind was filled with questions, pondering the changes in Kyra since their last meeting and wondering about the reasons behind her sudden departure.

As he sat beside her, Hayden couldn't shake the nagging sense of longing that had plagued him since Kyra's departure. He wondered if she was eating well, if she was happy, and most importantly, why she had left without a word. The absence of answers only fueled his determination to uncover the truth.

Though Hayden's parents had respected Kyra's family's privacy and refrained from seeking them out, Hayden refused to give up hope. From the age of 15, he had embarked on a journey to find Kyra, driven by an unwavering love and a deep-seated longing to reunite with her once more.

After 10 minutes of silent contemplation, Kyra decided to break the tension with a playful gesture. She playfully swatted Hayden's face, catching him off guard and nearly causing him to lose his balance on the branch. Kyra couldn't contain her laughter, finding amusement in Hayden's startled reaction. She giggled at the sight of his wide-eyed expression, comparing it to that of a surprised dog.

Hayden, recovering from the unexpected jest, couldn't help but be captivated by Kyra's infectious laughter. Despite its resemblance to a horse's neigh, her laughter seemed to light up the surrounding air, contrasting with her innocent demeanor.

With a mischievous grin, Kyra leaped off the branch and settled onto the grass below, prompting Hayden to follow suit. As they sat together, Hayden couldn't help but express his fondness for Kyra's laughter.

"I missed your laugh," he confessed, his eyes warm with affection. "It's like a ray of sunshine, never failing to brighten my day." With a gentle pinch on Kyra's nose, Hayden playfully teased her, causing her hair to cascade around her face, a shy smile playing at her lips.

Brushing her hair behind her ear, Hayden tenderly cupped Kyra's face in his hands, his gaze filled with longing. "I miss you so much, donut," he murmured, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Your smile, your laugh, your humor... everything about you. Why did you leave me, my dear friend? Was it because of the promise we made all those years ago?"

Kyra was taken aback by Hayden's sudden barrage of questions. She shook her head gently, meeting his gaze with a reassuring smile as she reached out to hold his hands.

"Hey, don't talk like that," she began softly, her voice filled with warmth. "My family and I moved because my father had a job opportunity that required us to relocate to California. It all happened so quickly, and with you being away on vacation at the time, we didn't want to disturb you or your family."

Hayden's eyes reflected a mixture of confusion and longing as he listened intently to Kyra's explanation. "But how come I never found any trace of you and your family?" he questioned, his curiosity evident in his expression. "I searched everywhere – California, America, India, Italy, Africa, Sweden... I even reached out to our father's office, but no one seemed to have any information. Until I stumbled upon you here, in Sydney. What happened to you? How has your life been?"

Kyra's smile widened as she began to recount her journey. "Well, you see, after California, we lived in Italy for two years before eventually settling in Canada," she explained, her tone filled with nostalgia. "But when I turned 17, I decided to move to Perth, Australia, on my own for further studies. Then, at 21, I returned to Sydney while my parents remained in Canada. Now, I'm working as an Supervisor, and overall, life's been treating me well. No need to worry," she reassured him, her eyes reflecting a sense of contentment.

Hayden's smile widened at Kyra's question, grateful for the opportunity to share his own journey. "Well, these past years have been quite the adventure," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement. "I pursued my passion for theater and music, and I'm now a theater actor and singer. While I was on my quest to find you, I discovered my love for acting. So, in a way, searching for you led me to find my true calling. I've had the opportunity to play a variety of roles in five different theaters across three countries."

Kyra's eyes sparkled with genuine happiness for Hayden's success. "That's truly amazing, Hayden. I'm so happy for you," she exclaimed, reaching out to shake his hand in congratulations.

As Hayden looked into Kyra's eyes, he noticed a hint of sorrow lurking beneath the surface. His heart ached at the sight, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions. Without a second thought, he moved to embrace her, eager to offer comfort and support. However, before he could envelop her in his arms, Kyra abruptly stood up and dashed away, leaving Hayden stunned and bewildered.