The Man Who Left | ✔

38 | raaz.

R A A Z

[urdu, hindi → secrets]

Tahira dug her nails deeper into her palms when she placed the cigarette away from her. Breathing out toxic smoke, she coughed. She lay her head hard on the wall behind her, tears falling down her cheek when she thought of Nathan — he actually proposed to Maya and at that moment, Maya was forever his.

She was shattered, heartbroken even. She felt like there was no purpose in her life anymore. Nathan meant the world to her for he was all she had. Suddenly, a soft voice broke the dim silence, "Tahira? Are you okay?"

Her eyes widened at the voice. She knew who it belonged to—Nathan.

She turned around and wiped away the tears that were falling. Clearing her throat, she tried to smile, "I—I'm okay!"

"No you're not!" Nathan walked in, his eyes glassy. Behind him, Emily stood still. Tahira's eyes widened even more at the sight of Emily for there was a strong thought inside Tahira that was telling herself that Emily told Nathan everything. Everything. "Look at yourself!"

"I'm fine, really." Tahira smiled.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Nathan approached Tahira, his face emotionless. "You know how much she means to me right?"

"What do you mean?" Tahira asked, boggled. "Say what?"

"—that you love me," Nathan sighed, breathing shakily. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Tahira turned away from him, hiding the incoming tears. She sobbed, her chest etching in pain when she thought of loving him. Indeed, she did loved him. She had always loved him since the day she saw him rise from coma. She took care of him, doctored him, fed him, and accompanied him for months. How was it possible to not love him during all those days with him?

She then felt Nathan's hand on her aching shoulders. "Tahira, it's never too late."

"It is too late, Nate!" Tahira spat, pushing Nathan's hands away from her. "You proposed to her and that means you're gonna be her future husband anytime soon!" Tahira cried. "—and me? I'm just nothing. Loving you was a mistake. I knew it was never going to work out. It never will."

Nathan silenced.

"And now," Tahira straightened her face. Flashing a little smile on her face despite her glassy eyes, she continued. "— it's time for us to get you both ready as bride and groom."