The silence Amara asked for did not come gently nor appropriately rather it followed her everywhere, settling into her days like an unwelcome companion. Lectures felt longer and nights felt heavier too even the campus, once alive with promise,but now it seemed to echo with memories she was trying not to touch.
She kept her promise to herself and she did not text Nathaniel nor ask about him rather when his name surfaced in conversations, she excused herself quietly. It was not dramatic rather It was simply a survival.
Lila noticed.
"You're pulling away from everything" she said one evening as they walked back to the hostel. "Even from me".
Amara slowed. "I'm just tired"
"That's not tiredness rather that's heartbreak"Lila replied gently.
Amara didn't deny it because there was no point, and somethings aren't meant to work, no matter how much you want them to be"
Lila squeezed her hand but said nothing more.
Across the city, Nathaniel struggled in ways he had never known.
He attended meetings, signed documents, smiled when required but something in him felt hollow, as though a vital part had been removed without warning. Selene noticed the change immediately.
"You've been very quiet lately" she said one night as they sat across from each other in their apartment.
"I'm thinking" he replied.
"You're always thinking" she said calmly. "This is different because you are not always like this"
He met her gaze perfectly "Amara stepped away"
Selene nodded slowly "I thought she might be"
"You're not angry" he said surprisingly.
"I don't need to be because You didn't cross the line" she said.
"Yet" he said under his breath as she leaned back slightly. "You're standing in the space between goodbye and staying and It's the most dangerous place to be"
Nathaniel exhaled and said "I don't want to hurt anyone either".
"Then decide indecision that hurts more than truth".
The words followed him long after she went to bed.
Days later, Amara received an unexpected email.
A scholarship opportunity and one semester abroad, A prestigious program she had once dreamed of but never believed she'd be selected for. She read the message twice with her heart pounding and said this could change everything about her.
She sat on her bed, staring at the screen with a torn between excitement and fear but Leaving would mean distance,clarity and space to breathe.
It would also mean leaving him behind completely.
She didn't tell anyone at first rather She needed time to sit with the decision but to listen to herself without outside noise. That evening, she went for a walk, letting the cool air steady her thoughts evenly
She almost didn't see Nathaniel because he stood near the library steps, phone in hand, as though he'd been waiting without admitting it. When their eyes met, surprise flickered across his face, quickly followed by something softer.
"Amara," he said quietly.
She stopped and called Nathaniel.
"I wasn't sure you'd stop" he admitted.
"I wasn't sure I should either" she replied.
They stood there, the space between them filled with all the things they hadn't said.
"I heard you might be leaving" he said finally, with her breath caught. "How did you do it"
Word travels right? Said by him.
"Yes and nothing is final yet" she said.
His jaw tightened saying "You didn't tell me"
Yhea I did because you asked me to let go she reminded him gently and I'm trying
Silence stretched.
"I miss you" he said suddenly with his words unguarded with her chest ached. "Please don't"
"Why?" he asked.
"Because I miss you too" she whispered. "And I can't afford to loose you"
He stepped closer, stopping just short of holding her arm, If you leave, will you come back?
"I don't know" she said and Maybe I shouldn't come back
The honesty stung them both.
"I've spent my whole life doing what's expected and for once, I want to choose what feels true" Nathaniel said.
And what about the cost?Amara asked. Who pays it? Uhhh
He didn't answer immediately but when he did, his voice was low. "Everyone" said by a voice who interrupted them.
"Nathaniel"
Selene stood a few steps away, her expression calm, unreadable with the look She gave amara Amara, then back at him.
"I won't interrupt " Selene said, rather "I just wanted to let you know that the driver is waiting for you"
Nathaniel nodded.
As Selene turned to leave, she paused and looked at Amara. "If you go, please go without regret" because regret is heavier than distances, she said softly and emotional.
Amara swallowed and said thank you.
When Selene left, Nathaniel looked torn, as though something inside him was breaking open.
"I don't want to lose you" he said.
"I don't want to lose myself either" Amara replied.
They stood there a moment longer, neither moving, neither reaching.
Then Amara stepped back and held his hands saying "I'll let you know my decision".
He nodded and said "Whatever you choose, I'll respect it".
As she walked away, her steps felt unsteady, but her resolve slowly began to tell light and greatness. Love she was learning, was not always about holding on but sometimes, it was about knowing when to step into the unknown place alone or together.