5

Aisha's POV

I never thought I would see him again. Five years had passed, and I felt I had moved far enough away from the shadows of the past. Yet tonight, at a charity event I attended at the invitation of a friend, fate seemed to be playing with me.

The world felt more vibrant with the bustle and laughter, but my heart felt heavy as I stepped into a room full of unfamiliar faces.

That gaze. The gaze I once knew so deeply. A mix of guilt, regret, and something more complicated—hidden love. He stood across the room, wearing a black suit that still made him look so authoritative.

All the voices in the room suddenly faded away. The world seemed to stop spinning as our eyes met. My heart raced, as if returning to the days when we were still together.

I should have turned away, should have avoided him like I had for the past five years. Yet, my body remained frozen in place. My breath caught. I hated the fact that his gaze could still make me falter. Memories of the love that once existed flowed back into my mind.

He stepped closer. I could have turned back, leaving him before he had the chance to say anything.

However, a part of me wanted to hear what he would say. A small part that still craved clarity, even if it was painful.

"Are you okay?" His voice was low, almost trembling.

There was a note of concern in his voice, and I felt a vibration in my chest.

I looked up, meeting his gaze with an expression I found hard to translate.

"Shouldn’t I be okay?"

My tone and voice were sharp, reflecting all the feelings I had bottled up.

He fell silent. His face tensed, as if he wasn’t ready to face my firmness.

"I—I don’t know where to start. In these five years... I've realized something."

I held back a bitter laugh.

"In these five years, I’ve realized many things, one of which is that life without you has turned out to be easier than I thought."

My words bit, and I knew they were painful for him.

He bit his lip, as if holding back something.

"I made a huge mistake leaving you. I thought I only loved Lena, only loved the heart that was in your body. But I was wrong. I love you. I have fallen in love with you. You are the one I love, not Lena's heart. Please, come back to me."

My breath caught. The words I had once longed to hear now felt like a wound that had been reopened. I stared at him sharply.

"Five years ago, I was merely a shadow of your past. What makes you think I would come back?"

My head was filled with questions and doubts.

He fell silent. I could see the fear in his eyes, the fear of losing me for a second time. But I was no longer the same woman I was five years ago. I was no longer the woman who waited for him to turn around and see me as I was, not just a vessel for his old memories.

"I know I don’t deserve a second chance. I know I’ve hurt you in the cruelest way. But I regret it, truly regret it. I’ve spent five years searching for you, hoping to atone for my mistakes. I... I still love you."

My heart raced. Part of me wanted to believe him, wanted to surrender to the words I had longed for. But I couldn’t just forget how he had shattered me.

"Love?"

I let out a small laugh.

"You’re talking about love after what you did to me? After you made me feel like nothing more than a replacement? I’ve moved past the days when I cried over you, when I questioned my self-worth just because you chose another woman. You want me back? But what if one day you find another reason to leave me?"

"No!"

He quickly shook his head.

"There’s no reason anymore. I’ve lost you once, I won’t repeat it. I want to fix everything. I want to prove that I deserve a second chance."

I closed my eyes, trying to control the emotions that were surging. Five years ago, I would have accepted him immediately, would have run into his arms without a second thought. But I had changed. I had my own life now. I couldn’t just let him back in as if nothing had happened.

"I need time," I finally said.

"I can’t give you an answer now. I don’t know if I can trust you again."

My words hung between us, creating an immeasurable distance.

He looked at me with hope, as if my words alone were enough for him to hold on. There was longing and desire in his eyes, but also uncertainty that weighed heavily.

I sighed, glancing at the watch on my wrist. Enough. I couldn’t let my feelings run away with me tonight.

"I have to go."

He gently grasped my hand but didn’t try to stop me.

"I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

There was hope in his voice, but I knew that hope might just be an illusion.

I pulled my hand away, looking at him for the last time before turning away. I stepped out of the room with mixed feelings, leaving him and the memories that still bound me. Each step felt heavy, as if lifting a weight that had long been buried.

Yet, that question continued to swirl in my mind as I walked away.

Could I really let him back into my life?

Was I strong enough to face the consequences of that decision?

I returned to my apartment and sat on the sofa, surrounded by suffocating silence. A night that should have been a time to celebrate something beautiful now felt full of doubt. The sound of the clock on the wall reminded me of the time that had passed, time that would never return.

Every memory with him surfaced in my mind, both sweet and bitter. I recalled our laughter, our conversations, and all the promises we once made. Yet, the shadow of betrayal and the pain he left behind could not be easily ignored.

I looked out the window, watching the light rain fall again. Tears streamed down my cheeks, unable to be held back.

Why did love have to be so complicated in my life?

Why did I have to struggle to understand these feelings?

I wanted to trust him, but the pain I felt was so deep. Five years was a long time to reflect on everything that had happened. I had built a new world and found strength within myself. But now, with his return, it all seemed to crumble in an instant.

What if I gave him another chance?

Would that mean I would repeat the same mistakes?

Or was this a chance to fix everything?

Those questions continued to haunt me, and I had no definite answers.

I decided to go to bed. Tonight, I didn’t want to think about anything. However, as I lay in bed, my mind kept spinning. Longing and hate intertwined.

I wanted to forget him, but on the other hand, I missed his presence.

What should I do?