--------
😢 The Running Away 🏞️ In the Park
The late afternoon sun dappled through the park canopy, casting long shadows. Ameya is standing right in front of Rico, her gaze fixed on the ground. A heavy knot of worry tightened in her chest. Her lower lip trembled, and finally, a single, glistening tear escaped the corner of her eye and rolled down her cheek.
Rico saw it. His heart instantly sank, a wave of confusion washing over him. She's crying... but why? He stepped closer, his brow furrowed with concern, unsure of what had caused her sudden distress.
A few steps behind them, almost oblivious to the private moment unfolding, Ameya's parents and her elder sister, Asina, along with her 8-month-old baby, were celebrating. Just four hours ago, the baby had been temporarily lost, causing a panic. Thanks to Rico's quick thinking and efforts, the baby was safe in Asina's arms, surrounded by happy, relieved family members.
Ameya turned to Rico, her voice barely a whisper, thick with unexpressed emotion. "When are you going?"
Rico swallowed, the question cutting through his confusion. "Tomorrow, the 11:30 flight."
A strained, sad smile touched Ameya's lips. She managed a shaky, "Happy journey."
Rico didn't reply. He only heard the worry in her voice, but the words themselves felt like a rejection. Happy journey? Are you hating me that much? If so, then why are you upset? He stared intensely at her, searching her face for an answer, a hint of her true feelings.
Ameya couldn't hold his gaze. She abruptly turned and walked away, heading toward her family.
Rumi, Rico's sister, approached him, her face alight with self-satisfaction. "Bro! Thank God you understood my signals!"
Rico turned to her, genuinely puzzled. "What signals?"
Rumi's smile faltered. "The signals... I signaled you to say yes, didn't I?"
Rico's face was completely straight. "No. I said yes because... I'm actually going abroad."
"What?!" Rumi was utterly shocked. "Really?"
"Yes," Rico confirmed, then challenged her. "Why did you signal me?"
Rumi sighed, defeated. "I lied to Ameya that you were going abroad. I thought that by hearing this, she would finally understand her feelings for you, hesitate to let you go, and that would somehow bring you both together." She paused, then, remembering his last comment, she asked, "Wait. Why are you really going abroad?"
Rico chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Do you remember Mrs. Angela? She's holding more than half of our company's shares."
Rumi nodded slowly.
"Since she came on as a shareholder, we've been constantly conflicting on every major decision," Rico explained. "Mom asked me to look after our beauty brand company overseas. I denied it at first, but I have no option. The company needs me. More than that, I don't want to stay here. Every time I see this place, I have her memories." He stared over Rumi's shoulder at Ameya, who was now smiling faintly with her family, not looking back.
"But..." Rumi started, her voice full of doubt. "I know she loves you. But..."
"She isn't accepting it," Rico finished for her, his voice heavy. "I know it. Why? Because she feels insecure. Insecure because of my past decision." He shook his head. "I can't blame her. Leave it." He turned sharply and walked away.
Rumi stood rooted to the spot, looking first at Rico's retreating back and then at Ameya. She let out a small, worried sigh.
🏢 Jenna's Company
Jenna was intensely rehearsing her intricate stage choreography for her upcoming solo performance. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her breathing was ragged. After the run-through, she grabbed a towel and saw a notification: Michael had contacted her. She immediately called him back.
"You called me earlier," she stated.
"Yes," Michael said, his voice urgent. "Can you please talk to Ameya for Rico's sake?"
Jenna's eyes widened as she remembered the whole situation. "Oh, I forgot! Because of the rehearsals for my first solo performance at the AMA... Oh, yes, I will talk to her! Leave it to me."
"It's very urgent," Michael stressed. "He is going abroad tomorrow."
"What? Why?" Jenna asked, shocked.
"It's all because of my mother," Michael confessed, sounding frustrated.
Jenna hesitated. "I think your mother is taking revenge for canceling Alice's engagement with Rico."
"Yes," Michael confirmed grimly.
Jenna lowered her voice. "Can't you convince her?"
"I've tried," Michael sighed. "But it's no use. She won't budge."
"Don't worry," Jenna promised, determination hardening her voice. "I will talk to Ameya."
🍽️ In the Restaurant (8 PM)
Jenna sat at a quiet corner table, tapping her fingers, anxiously waiting.
Ameya arrived. She smiled, but it wasn't the excited, carefree smile Jenna was used to; a visible worry lingered behind her eyes.
"Ameya, how is your shooting going?" Jenna asked, trying to start light.
"Almost all the town scenes are wrapped up," Ameya replied. "They're planning for an outdoor shoot, but the place isn't fixed yet." Jenna nodded.
"I think you have your AMA performance on Friday," Ameya commented.
"Yes," Jenna confirmed. "Only two days ahead." She took a deep breath. Now or never. "Do you know, right? Rico is going abroad. And he won't be back quickly, you know that, right?"
Ameya's faint smile instantly disappeared. "Mm," she hummed, looking down.
"What does that mean?" Jenna pressed, leaning forward. "Go. Stop him."
Ameya chuckled, a pained, tearful sound. "I can't. He's going because of me. I broke up with him."
"I know," Jenna said gently. "But why did you do that? I know how much you suffered five years ago when you both separated. Do you want that suffering again?"
Ameya burst out, tears streaming down her face. "I won't!"
"Then I don't understand," Jenna asked, bewildered. "Why did you do that, after you finally got back together?"
"Because... I was afraid that what if he could leave me alone for some other person?" Ameya confessed, sobbing.
Jenna remained silent, letting Ameya process her thoughts.
"But... later I thought and realized," Ameya continued, wiping her eyes. "I should give him another chance. But before that, he decided to go abroad. Why is he always running away from reality?"
"You are right. A man should face reality," Jenna said firmly. "But you are wrong, too. You can't understand your true feelings. You love him, but you are still hiding your feelings because of what others did to you. He broke up with you five years ago because of my mother-in-law. Yes, he had to explain it to you, he did wrong, but you were the one who told me you understood his situation. But now you are blaming him."
"Yes, I am," Ameya cried out. "But... that five years... I realized how deeply I love him. It gave me pain, too. He shouldn't have left me then."
"But he accepted his mistake, right?" Jenna asked.
Ameya nodded, tears still flowing.
"Yes," Jenna continued. "Now you are the one confusing your feelings and hurting him, too. You know him well, you know his situation, but your brain is denying him because you don't want to get hurt again. But your inner heart still loves Rico. That's why you can't accept him going abroad. Am I right?"
Ameya couldn't reply. She only cried, the truth of Jenna's words cutting deep. Jenna got up and wrapped Ameya in a tight, comforting hug.
🏠 Ameya's House (Morning)
Ameya woke up in her cozy bed. She reached for her phone to check the time. Her eyes widened in shock. "It's already 11 AM!" she whispered, scrambling out of bed. "Oh no! His flight is at 11:30! How can I catch him before that?"
Her phone rang. It was Jenna.
"Why aren't you answering my calls?" Jenna demanded.
"It was on silent mode, and I woke up late, too," Ameya said, anxiously rubbing her hair.
"What?!" Jenna exclaimed. "Get ready quickly! I'll bring a car for you. We have to stop him!"
"Okay," Ameya said, hanging up the call. She rushed to get ready, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm.
A few minutes later, Jenna was driving frantically through the city. Ameya was beside her, staring anxiously at the traffic. The closer they got to the airport, the heavier the traffic became.
"Eight minutes left," Ameya whispered, panic rising.
"This traffic..." Jenna muttered, gripping the wheel.
"Jenna, I can't wait here," Ameya declared suddenly. "Stop here. I will run."
Jenna's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
Ameya nodded without hesitation. She threw open the car door and got out.
She started to run, pushing through the crowds, her lungs burning. She ran for several agonizing minutes until she finally reached the inside of the airport terminal. Frantically, she scanned the bustling hall, searching for Rico.
She tried calling him, but his phone was not reachable. Panic seized her throat.
Suddenly, she heard an announcement: "The flight to London, [Rico's flight number], has already taken off."
Ameya's legs gave out. She dropped to her knees in the middle of the terminal, the realization crashing down on her. She burst out sobbing, tears of regret and pain pouring down her face.
Jenna arrived moments later, breathless. She saw Ameya kneeling and crying, and her face crumpled with worry and dismay. Ameya was inconsolable.
--------
To be Continued...
--------