1

Jasmine

“I’ve told you, Jasmine, you’re too fat for that. You look like a potato in that dress,” Mia said with a small laugh, like she was making an innocent observation instead of saying something so insulting.

I looked at her through the mirror.

She was lying across my bed comfortably, scrolling through her phone, barely paying attention to me. Her eyes flicked up once, sweeping over the dress before she smiled to herself.

“That dress is for a slim-thick girl like me. You’ll ruin the beauty of it.”

Something pinched briefly in my chest before I pushed it aside. I turned slowly in front of the mirror and looked at myself again.

The dress wasn’t tight. It fit well around my waist and fell softly over my hips. Jason had picked it for me two weeks ago, after noticing me staring at it in a shop window.

I remembered pretending not to want it and the stupidly proud smile on his face when he still surprised me with it.

I looked good.

Maybe not like Mia would look in it, but I looked good.

I folded my arms loosely and shrugged. “I’m sixty-two kilograms. I’m not fat.”

I smiled and added, “And besides, Jason got it for me. I wouldn’t give it to you.”

Mia finally looked up properly. “I’m your best friend.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

She rolled her eyes dramatically and dropped her phone beside her. “Whatever. You and that nerd of a boyfriend.”

I chuckled softly. I reached behind me and carefully unzipped the dress. “There’s nothing wrong with a man who loves reading,” I muttered. “That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with Jason.”

She snorted. “That’s because you’re a nerd too.”

I smiled as I slipped the dress off and folded it carefully before putting it back into my wardrobe. “Anyway, I’m planning to wear it for our anniversary.”

Mia let out a short laugh. “If your plan is to chase him away… maybe.”

This time, my smile faded. I turned and looked at her.

She wasn’t even looking at me anymore.

I stared for a second before setting my comb down. “You know what, Mia? I think you should head home.”

Her eyes lifted immediately. “Did I say something wrong?”

I almost said yes. But instead, I smiled.

“No. I just want to study for my assessment tomorrow.”

She looked at me for a moment like she didn’t completely believe me. Then she sighed and stood.

“Okay. See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

She picked up her bag and left.

The room became quiet after the door closed. I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at my hands.

Mia had always spoken like that. People called it honesty, but sometimes I wondered if honesty was supposed to sting that much.

I sighed and stood.

I really needed to read. But before opening my notes, I reached for my phone and called Jason.

He answered almost immediately.

His face appeared, and I smiled automatically.

“There she is.”

I smiled wider. “Hi, baby.”

Then he looked at me for another second and frowned. “What happened?”

I blinked. “What?”

“You look upset.”

I stared at him. Then I laughed quietly. “It’s nothing.”

His expression stayed the same for a second before he smiled. “You know I know your face.”

Something inside my chest eased.

I smiled and changed the topic.

We talked for almost an hour after that. Mostly nonsense—classes, assignments.

Eventually I asked, “So what are we doing tomorrow?”

His smile brightened even more. “Our anniversary?”

I nodded.

Three years.

Even saying it felt unreal.

Jason leaned back. “We can spend the day together,” he said. “Then dinner.”

I nodded with a smile. “That sounds nice.”

Then his expression shifted slightly. “And maybe…” He paused before continuing more carefully. “We could finally hit third base.”

My smile faded a little. I looked away quickly.

“Jason…”

Immediately, his face changed to disappointment.

Then he forced a smile. “Oh.” He looked away briefly. “I just thought…”

He stopped and shook his head.

“You know what? It’s okay.”

I felt guilty immediately. I had told him before that I wasn’t ready, and he’d never pressured me, never complained.

He always acted understanding.

He let out a tired sigh. “You have your assessment the day after tomorrow anyway.”

I frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

He laughed. “Tomorrow, go to the library first.”

I groaned, but he ignored me.

“Read for like three hours. Then spend the rest of the day with me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Wow. Very romantic.”

“I’ll have to step out too.”

I looked at him. “Why?”

He sighed. “I need to meet one of my lecturers. Wrong grading,” he said. “So I’ll probably get home after you.”

I wasn’t happy about that. I wanted the whole day.

But I nodded anyway. “Fine.”

His eyes softened. “Love you.”

I smiled immediately. “Love you too.”

After the call ended, I stared at my screen for a while.

Then I smiled to myself. Tomorrow was going to be perfect. I could feel it in my bones. I tried to read after that, but I couldn’t. My mind kept drifting to tomorrow.

The next day, I woke up happy.

For a few seconds, I stayed under my blanket and stared at the ceiling with a smile I couldn’t seem to stop.

People acted like relationships ending after a few months were normal now, but three years meant something to me.

Years of choosing each other, of late-night calls, small fights that never lasted, shared routines, random gifts, patience, and growing into people who knew each other too well.

Jason had been there through all of it.

Before I even got out of bed, I reached for my phone.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before I started typing:

Happy Anniversary, my love. Three years with you, and somehow I still get excited to talk to you every day. Thank you for being patient with me, for understanding me, and for making me feel safe all this time. I love you so much, and I can’t wait to spend today with you.

I stared at it for a second after sending it and smiled to myself before putting my phone down.

His reply didn’t come immediately, but that didn’t bother me. Instead, I got up and headed to the bathroom.

Usually, my showers were quick, but not today. Today I slowed down.

I scrubbed carefully, took my time, paying attention to details I normally rushed through. The steam warmed my skin while my thoughts kept drifting to later.

I laughed quietly at myself and shook my head.

Jason had no idea. And that made me smile, because it was meant to be a surprise.

He’d never made me feel guilty for waiting.

So maybe that was why today felt right—maybe today was the day I was going to finally give my virginity to the love of my life.

The thought made heat creep into my face immediately.

I turned away from the mirror.

The plan was simple—library first, anniversary later.

At least that was the plan.

By the time I got to the library and settled into my usual seat near the window, I genuinely intended to follow through.

Forty minutes later, I realized I’d read the same paragraph six times.

I sighed and closed my book.

This was hopeless.

A small laugh escaped me. Surely one afternoon wouldn’t ruin my life.

I closed my notes and started putting everything back into my bag. I’d study later.

The mall was busy, but I barely noticed. I went straight to pick up the watch I’d already paid for, then walked into Victoria’s Secret.

I immediately regretted it.

The sales assistant asked if I needed help, and I almost turned around and left. But somehow, ten awkward minutes later, I was carrying a small shopping bag and trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

By the time I got into the cab, my stomach had started doing strange things. I stared out the window while the city moved past.

I wondered what tonight would feel like—wondering if I’d regret changing something that had stayed the same for so long.

Then I immediately shook my head.

I loved him, and Jason loved me.

That should be enough.

Shouldn’t it?

“Ma’am, we’re here.”

I blinked and realized we’d stopped.

I paid and stepped out.

The weather was nice—bright—and for a moment, everything felt strangely perfect.

I smiled to myself as I walked toward his house with the bags in my hand.

I reached into my purse for my spare key.

Then paused.

The door wasn’t locked.

That was unusual.

I frowned and pushed it open. “Jason?” I called, but there was no response.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. Maybe he was upstairs.

“Jason?”

Still nothing.

I smiled faintly.

Good. Maybe I’d surprise him.

I started up the stairs, taking my time. I was halfway up when I heard something.

I stopped.

At first, I couldn’t tell what it was—just a faint sound—but with each step, it became clearer.

A creak.

My brows pulled together.

I climbed another step. The same sound again, but then there was something else… like a soft whimper.

A strange feeling crept into my chest. Could it be…?

No. I laughed under my breath.

It was probably the TV. I looked down at the bag in my hand and smiled nervously—maybe he was trying to get distracted before I came over.

That thought should’ve comforted me. Instead, something about the silence around the sound made my stomach tighten.

The sounds were moans and whimpers now. And the closer I got to his room, the less it sounded like television.

The bedroom door was slightly open. I knew what my eyes were seeing through the crack, but I didn’t want to believe it.

My fingers tightened around the shopping bags. My pulse quickened as I reached for the door.

No.

No.

I hesitated.

Then I pushed it open, and my eyes widened in shock.