The tension between Unique and Dove grew like a storm cloud ready to burst.
It was a cool Sunday afternoon, the sunlight filtering softly through the wooden windows of the church hall. After service, Unique caught Dove by the entrance, her heart pounding with questions she could no longer keep inside.
"Dove," she said gently but firmly, "I need to know who exactly is Lara? You've been distant, and now I see you two talking like old friends. Why didn't you tell me about her before?"
Dove's smile faltered. His eyes darkened with hesitation.
"Lara was part of my past, a time when I was still trying to find myself," he said slowly. "She helped me through a lot of doubts, but our connection became complicated. When she came back into my life recently, I wasn't sure how to handle it."
Unique's breath caught. "Complicated how? Are you still involved with her?"
Dove looked away. "No. I'm not. But she means something different to me than I want to admit, even to myself."
Unique felt a rush of emotions, confusion, jealousy, and pain mixing into one.
"Why didn't you tell me? I thought we were honest with each other."
"I wanted to protect you," Dove said quietly. "I was afraid telling you everything would push you away."
"Protect me by hiding things?" Unique's voice trembled. "I'm not a stranger, Dove. I want to be part of your whole life not just the easy parts."
They stood there, the murmurs of church members around them fading into silence.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Dove reached out, taking her hand gently. "I'm sorry. I don't want to lose what we have."
Unique looked into his eyes, searching for the truth.
"I don't want to lose you either," she whispered.
That night, their late-night talks resumed slower, more cautious, but filled with a new honesty.
Weeks later, Dove took Unique's hand and smiled. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Her heart fluttered with hope. "Yes," she said softly.