18: The betrayal

"I even packed my things that day to run away with you! But you ghosted me. I should not have this lingering feeling for you because you vanish and show up as someone far from my league," Khana cried in frustration.

"It was you who did not show up that time. I was there the whole day, but you never came," Henry responded with a calm voice since he would never yell at her. 

Khana and Henry stood facing each other, their expressions a mixture of confusion, hurt, and a growing realization that something sinister had interfered with their past.

"What do you mean? I was drenched in rain waiting for you the whole day at our meeting place!" Khana yelled, her voice laced with frustration.

"Rain? How come you were drenched when the sky had not cried for the whole day?" the confused priest, Henry, replied, trying to make sense of the conflicting memories.

"Are you telling me I'm lying?! I waited for you from three in the midnight until eight in the evening, but neither your shadow appeared!" Khana uttered, her voice breaking as she recalled the disappointment of that day.

"I-I don't understand. I remember it clearly, that day never rained. I was there since two at midnight, an hour earlier before our meeting time. I never left until 10 in the evening, I even went to your house only to see an empty house. You migrated somewhere without leaving a word to me," Henry explained, his tone filled with a mix of sorrow and accusation.

Khana's eyes widened, disbelief etched on her face. "W-What?..."

Both of them were dumbfounded, realizing that their cherished memories of that fateful day had been twisted by some unseen force. As they exchanged accounts, it became apparent that they had both been at the meeting place, but on different days—each believing they had been stood up by the other.

"How did it happen?" Khana added, still confused.

Then, in a sudden moment of clarity, Henry's mind flashed back to a day at Khana's university, where he had encountered a young woman named Bettina, a supposed friend of Khana's. It was a day that would forever change the course of their lives.

Back then, he had no resources to afford a replacement for his old and unresponsive phone, so he went to the university where Khana got transferred. He used to write letters to her and had them delivered by Serena. 

Henry remembered standing there, clutching a letter, and hoping to finally hand over a message to Khana. However, it took too long, yet the apple of his eyes was nowhere near him. He had to leave due to his studies. His next class will start soon. Suddenly, he recognized one of Khana's friends whom she tagged along with at that party, where they reunited after years of being separated at eight years old. 

Henry hesitated to get Bettina's attention as the lady had a look of a snob. Left without options, he called for Bettina. Then, the latter approached him.

"Yes? I believe you are that funny guy who kept tailing my friend," says Bettina.

"Yes. Do you perhaps know where my Khana is?" the gentleman asked.

He had asked Bettina if she knew Khana's whereabouts, and what he heard sent a shockwave of pain through his heart. 

"No. We're not block mates. But, I think she's with Richard," Bettina had replied casually, aware of the turmoil her words would cause.

Ignoring the hurt and choosing to trust Khana, "Do you mind giving this letter to her?" Henry asked.

Bettina cleared her throat and stared at the piece of paper in Henry's hand. "Fine," she casually responded.

"Also, please tell her I appreciate it if she could reply tomorrow. I will be here waiting, the same place and time; as we are conversing, right now." Henry had handed Bettina the letter, asking her to deliver it to Khana and requesting a reply. 

Bettina faked a smile and replied, "Sure. I'll let her know. Is there anything else?"

Henry shook his head and replied," Nothing. Thank you very much, and sorry for taking too much of your time."

Bettina forced a smile again and uttered, "Now, if you excuse me."

On that day, little did Henry know that Bettina had other plans.

Bettina had decided to take matters into her own hands. She altered the date on Henry's letter before delivering it to Khana, and then similarly manipulated Khana's response, changing the date once again.

Henry's heart sank as he realized the gravity of Bettina's deception. Their missed meeting, the misunderstandings, and the subsequent belief that Khana had abandoned him—were all orchestrated by Bettina's selfish desires.

Henry's mind raced, trying to comprehend the depth of the betrayal. "Bettina manipulated everything. She altered our letters, causing us to miss each other," Henry murmured, a mix of anger and sorrow in his voice.

Khana's eyes brimmed with tears as the truth sank in. "So, we were tricked into missing our chance... by someone we trusted," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Why would she do that?" They both exclaimed at the same time.

Suddenly, the air became uncomfortable as awkwardness started enveloping when their eyes met. 

Henry looked away first and gazed upon the wall next to him. He uttered, "All this time, I thought you had a change of heart. Even though we shared a night, I was unsure what you felt about me. And I have never properly expressed that you are what my heart desires." 

Henry cleared his throat and added, "However, it was all in the past. There's no point recalling it, only for the sake of clarity. I hope this encounter will help you go on with your life."

"Khana, there's no point lingering in the love we couldn't have. I truly loved you, but that was all part of history."

Khana stood up and cornered the dumbfounded priest. She paralyzed him with just one stare directly at his eyes. The lady has her charm to suck his sanity.

"Prove to me that your love for me is just part of history," says Khana as she capped the face of the priest. "I will kiss you. Dare to kiss back, and I'll never let you go," she added.