Jiya,s pov
I had fallen asleep, and when I woke up, it was 11 at night. I hadn't eaten anything, so I was feeling really hungry.
As I came out of my room and headed toward the dining room, I heard Grandma's voice, shouting. I walked closer to the dining room and listened from behind a corner.
Grandma: "How dare Alina speak to Jiya so rudely?"
So Grandma knew something about today's incident.
Alex: "Grandma, there's been some misunderstanding. You've known Alina for a long time — have you ever heard her do something like this before?"
Grandma: "Just because I've never heard anything bad about Alina before doesn't mean it will always remain the same."
Alex: "No matter what you say, I believe one thing — Alina hasn't done anything wrong."
Grandma: "Today, Alina grabbed Jiya's hair tightly."
How did Grandma know all this? I never told her. She must have heard it from the maid. That means she knows everything. I had no intention of talking to Grandma about this matter — I didn't tell her precisely to avoid trouble.
Alex: "This is too much, Grandma."
Grandma got very angry hearing that.
Grandma: "I know you love Alina a lot, but that doesn't mean you can't believe she's done something wrong."
Alex: "Who told you that Alina grabbed Jiya's hair?"
Grandma: "Whoever said it, you don't need to hear from them. Just focus on what actually happened."
Alex: "There's no reason to focus on this matter because I don't believe it happened."
For some reason, my eyes started to fill with tears.
Grandma: "Fine, you don't have to believe anything. But from now on, make sure Alina never comes in front of me."
Alex: "Seriously, Grandma, you know how much I love Alina. You're saying this for an outsider? A stranger like Jiya? There's no reason to give her such importance or believe in her so much."
The more I heard these words, the more I broke inside. Tears kept falling from my eyes.
Grandma: "My little bird, Jiya. I won't listen to a single bad word about her."
Alex: "Just like you believe in Jiya, love her, and never want to hear anything bad about her — in the same way, I don't want to hear anything bad about Alina."
Grandma: "Have your meal before going home."
Alex: "I'm not hungry, Grandma. Oh, by the way, Jiya's diary and bag were at my place. I only returned the phone to the hospital. The rest I didn't give."
So my diary has been with Alex for so long. Has he ever opened it? I hope to God he hasn't.
I wiped my tears and walked into the dining room. The moment I entered, Alex looked at me. I looked back at him. After so long, I saw Alex — and in my heart, I felt a gentle peace, a quiet happiness.
The moment I see him, my face lights up,
As if his very presence gives me everything in the world.
How can I explain what you mean to me?
Just one glance at you is enough to make my whole day complete.
Grandma and Alex both looked surprised to see me. I said to Alex, "Sir, thanks for bringing my diary and bag here."
Grandma, in a tense tone, said, "My little bird, whatever you heard, don't feel bad, actually…"
I cut in before she could finish, "Grandma, I understand what you were going to say."
Grandma sadly repeated, "My little bird, please, don't feel bad, alright?"
I smiled and answered, "I'm not upset, Grandma. why would I feel bad?"
I took my things and went back to my room. I locked the door and cried loudly.
It was better to stay away and just watch the one I loved, rather than hearing bitter words from his mouth. Staying at Grandma's house isn't possible for me anymore. It's better if I leave this place. Because of me, so much conflict is happening—something I never wanted. I had a wish to see Alex once, and I did. That's enough. I don't need anything else. As soon as possible, I will find a new job. I will go far, far away from Alex's life. Yet this very thought is making my chest ache with unbearable pain.
I burst into tears, crying loudly. Nothing felt good anymore. I was crying so hard, screaming, when suddenly Grandma knocked on the door and said, "My little bird, open the door. Don't cry. I know you've been through so much pain".
Hearing that, I pressed my hands over my mouth, trying to stop the sobs. But I couldn't. Grandma kept knocking, but I didn't open the door. After a while, she stopped.
Crying endlessly, I lay down on the bed. And I kept thinking that no matter what, today itself I would leave this house. Slowly, I calmed down. Lying on the bed,I had been lying on the bed in the same way for a long time without even noticing the time, when suddenly… I glanced at the clock. It was 5:25 a.m. Morning had arrived.
I picked up my bag, phone, and diary, and quietly left the room. I went to Grandma's room. She was sleeping peacefully. I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. She had helped me so much, cared for me like her own, loved me deeply. In an unfamiliar city, she looked after me just like parents would. I never imagined I would have to say goodbye to her like this. But leaving is the best decision for everyone.
I stood there for a while, staring at her, as tears rolled down my cheeks. Wiping them away, I gave her a faint smile and whispered softly, "Stay well, Grandma. I will miss you so much. I don't know if we'll ever meet again in this life." With that, I left her room. Somehow, I managed to slip out of the house quietly and began walking on the road.
To reach the main road, I had to cross by Alex's house. Slowly, I walked toward it. I thought, from there I could catch a taxi, since Grandma's neighborhood was inside a narrow lane where taxis were rare. I stood near the gate of Alex's house, facing the road, the main gate right behind me.
My head throbbed with pain, my hands still ached because they hadn't healed properly—I could hardly hold things. Suddenly, inner voice :" look at Alex's house one last time."
Perhaps I would never see it again. Never see that precious person face to face anymore. Only from a distance, through a screen. Just once, let me look—and let this be the last. Tears slipped from my eyes.
I turned around—there was no guard. Holding the iron bars of the main gate with both hands, I peered through the gaps at Alex's house. Suddenly, I heard voices. Two figures were running from afar. Alex? At this early hour? Maybe. After all, celebrities often have such disciplined routines, everything managed neatly. But who was with him?
As they came closer, I saw clearly. It was Alex—and Alina. Tears streamed from my eyes again.
The moon of my sky—the man I loved someone else's moon. It hurts so deeply when you give someone your everything, only to realize that the one you love just as deeply gives all of himself to another.
I fixed my gaze on Alex. He and Alina were running together, laughing, looking into each other's eyes. At one point, they drew closer to where I was standing. Alina laughed at something Alex said, then Alex suddenly turned his eyes toward the gate—toward me.
Panicking, I immediately stepped away from the gate, terrified he might see me. Oh Allah… what did I just witness? Please, let Alex not notice me.
Just then, a taxi approached. Quickly, I got inside without even telling the driver where to go. I just sat there, sobbing uncontrollably. This was my last time seeing Alex. From today onward, just like before, I would only see him through social media.
And because I truly, wholeheartedly love Alex, I know I will never be able to marry anyone else. I can never give his place in my heart to another. I love him so, so much. The few moments I spent with him—I will live the rest of my life with only those memories.
I need nothing else. In old age, with a cup of tea in hand, sitting on a balcony one evening, I will look back nostalgically and think—You were my happiness. My most personal joy.