Jiya,s pov
Inner voice: What does love mean to you?
Me: Waiting, even when death is certain.
Inner voice: Meaning?
Me: It means… waiting even when I know I'll never have him. Wanting someone with all my heart, even knowing it's impossible — that's what love means to me.
Inner voice: You love Alex a lot, don't you?
Me: You're the voice of my heart… and even after all this time, you didn't realize how deeply I love him? I can't even explain it with words.
Inner voice: Didn't it hurt when Alina said all those things?
Me: Why would it hurt? From her place, she was completely right. The man she loves is taking care of another girl. It's natural for her to be upset. She said those words out of anger.
And me? I got way more than I ever asked for.
All I wanted was to see Alex… but today, he's doing so much for me.
Inner voice: You never wanted to be a third person between them.
Me: But I already became that. I don't know why or how it happened.
But somehow, Alex always shows up as my savior.
Inner voice: Maybe this is what Allah wants.
I don't know what's really happening.
But I have to do something… so that I'm not the third person between them anymore.
I walked into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror.
My head was bandaged. My neck, my hand — all wrapped. My lips were cut. My feet were bruised.
What a mess I was.
And yet… even with all this, the one thought that made me feel comfort was this:
Every time I was hurt, Alex was by my side.
I came out of the bathroom and sat on my bed.
For some reason… I wanted to see Alex so badly. So, so badly.
The pain in my body started to sting even more.
I couldn't stay in this room anymore. I walked out slowly, dragging my feet, with much effort.
A nurse saw me and brought a wheelchair. I sat down.
One of them began wheeling me toward the hallway.
On the way, I saw a very familiar old woman. I knew I'd seen her before, but couldn't remember where.
She was struggling to walk, and the nurse helped bring her closer to me.
She looked at me and said, "Dear what happened to you? I never thought I'd see you like this."
That's when I remembered.
This was the same kind old woman who sat beside me on the flight from Bangladesh. She was so kind.
Me: "How are you, ma'am?"
Old woman: "I just came for a check-up… but what happened to you?"
Just then, a nurse approached and said,
"Tara sa cabin, dumating na si Anisha ma'am doon."
[Go to the cabin, Miss Anisha is already there.]
I didn't understand what that meant.
She looked at me and smiled.
"Come to my cabin. We'll talk there, okay?"
The nurse helped push me as I followed her inside the cabin.
As we entered, I saw Anisha — Alex's sister — already there.
She saw the old woman and immediately hugged her.
Anisha: "Grandma! We were so worried! You didn't tell us anything. How's your health now?"
Old woman: "I'm fine, dear. Just felt a little off, so I came for a check-up."
So this old woman is Alex and Anisha's grandmother
Anisha: "You could've told us. We would've brought you ourselves."
Old woman: "Your parents are out of the country. You were asleep. And your brother? Apart from Alina, he has no one in this world."
Anisha: "You should've woken me up."
Old woman: "I did what I thought was best. Anyway, let's all sit down now."
Only then did Anisha notice me.
She looked shocked.
Anisha: "Jiya? What happened to you? Sit down quickly!"
She brought me a chair.
The old woman turned to Anisha and asked,
"You know this girl?"
Anisha: "Yes, she works at Next Wave Agency."
Then Anisha asked her,
"Grandma, you brought Jiya here… you know her too?"
Old woman: "Yes. When I came from Bangladesh, she sat beside me on the plane."
Anisha: "Oh, I see."
She turned to me and said,
"We haven't been introduced properly. I'm Dilan Astor, Alex and Anisha's grandmother."
Me: "My name is Jiya Khan."
Old woman: "What happened to you, dear?"
Me: "It was just a small accident."
Old woman: "Small? Have you seen your condition? This is not small!"
Right then, the door flung open — and Alex came rushing in.
Alex: "Finally! I found you."
He was breathless. Clearly, he had been running.
Alex: "I was so worried. I searched everywhere for you."
He sat down on a chair, eyes filled with concern.
Alex: "Now tell me… what happened? Why didn't you tell anyone you were here? How's your body?"
Old woman: "I just came for a normal check-up. Everyone was busy, so I didn't tell anyone."
Alex: "Never do this again."
After speaking to her, he turned to me.
I was already looking at him.
Alex: "What are you doing here?"
Old woman: "I brought her."
Alex: "You know Jiya?"
My heart fluttered hearing my name from his lips.
Old woman: "Of course I do. I'll tell you later how."
Alex: "I didn't even ask…"
Old woman: "Such rudeness!"
She scolded him. He smiled quietly.
And when Alex smiles… something beautiful happens to his face.
Just then, there was a knock — Alina entered the room.
She greeted everyone politely… then looked at me with irritation and sat beside Alex.
I knew… I didn't belong here anymore.
I looked at the old woman and said,
"I don't think we'll get to talk more. I should go back to my room now."
Old woman: "Are you feeling unwell?"
Me: "I just want to lie down."
Old woman: "Alright. Go and rest. Alex, take her to her room."
Alina gave me a sharp look.
Me: "It's okay. I can go alone."
Old woman: "Do what I say. Alex, go with her."
They brought a wheelchair, and I sat down again.
Me: "Sir, you can send someone else. No need for you to go through all this."
Alex: "Just sit quietly."
Me: "Sir, really… I can go alone. You go stay with your grandmother."
Alex: "Enough. Stop repeating the same thing again and again."
I stayed quiet.
He brought me to my room.
I got on the bed.
Alex turned to leave.
I wanted to say something…
With great courage, I placed my hand on my chest and softly called out:
"Sir… you've helped me so much. I don't know how to thank you. I'll try my best to return the favor if you're ever in trouble."
My heartbeat was racing.
Still looking down, I began,
"S…Sir… you don't need to worry about me so much. Even if I die, it's okay.
Thank you… thank you so much. I'm just a poor girl, I have no one… yet you've helped me endlessly.
I'll return all the money you've spent on me — I just need some time."
Tears slipped down my face.
Alex came close, lifted my chin, and tilted my face upward.
My eyes were still downcast.
Alex: "Look at me."
I didn't.
Alex: "Look at me, you damn…"
This time, I looked at him.
Alex: "Who said something to you? Tell me."
I shook my head.
Alex: "You don't get to decide what I do or don't do."
Then he glanced at the bouquet on the table… and walked out of the room.
I lay back on the bed.
Through the window, I could see rain pouring outside.
And my eyes… soaked too.
Suddenly, I remembered — Alex's room was just a few doors down.
They might leave soon.
Just one last glance.
I won't go close. Alina would be upset.
I'll just open the door… and peek from afar.
I slowly walked to the door and opened it just a little.
I stared in the direction of their room… waiting.
Soon, the door opened.
All four of them stepped out.
Alina beside Alex… and Alex helping their grandmother walk.
What a beautiful sight.
Ma Sha Allah.
Alex… my thirst to see you… will never end.
And again, for no reason, my eyes welled up.
I went back to my bed, closed my eyes, and lay down. I kept thinking — how alone I am in this city. If only Mom and Dad were here. If Sofy were here. It would've felt so much better.
I was crying really hard.
Suddenly, someone gently placed their hand on my head. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Alex's grandmother sitting beside me, and Alex was standing behind her.
I wiped my eyes and somehow sat up. Alex's grandma sat right next to me and gave me a warm, soft smile. Then she hugged me tightly.
Honestly, that hug — it was exactly what I needed at that moment.
I hugged her back.
And then I just couldn't hold it in anymore — I broke down.
I was sobbing uncontrollably in her arms.
She softly said,
"I know you're in a lot of pain. Cry your heart out, you'll feel lighter."
I cried even harder. So much so that I started gasping for air.
I have asthma. I needed my inhaler right then.
Alex came closer to me and said,
"Calm down, nothing happened."
I couldn't speak, but somehow I managed to say,
"In... ha... lerrrr."
Hearing that, he rushed to call the doctor.
Alex's grandma held me tightly and kept saying,
"My little bird, nothing happened. Everything will be okay."
Just then, the doctor arrived and gave me oxygen.
I lay back down.
I saw Alex staring at me with such sadness in his eyes.
I kept looking at him.
The nurse came over and said,
"You should try to get some sleep now."
But I didn't want to sleep.
If I slept, Alex would leave.
I wouldn't get to see him again.
My body was starting to feel weaker and weaker.
Then I saw the nurse coming toward me with an injection.
I got scared and started trembling.
That moment, Alex held me tightly and said,
"It's okay, I'm here. I'm right here with you."
Then they gave me the injection, and slowly…
my eyes started to close.
I couldn't see Alex anymore.
But I wanted to.
I wanted to see him.
ALEXXXXXXXXX...