Tears streamed down his face as he nodded, though he didn't feel convinced. "I don't deserve your kindness, Lily. After everything I've done..." Lily's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm not doing this for you, Zared. I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. Because I don't want to see you throw your life away. You've made mistakes, but that doesn't mean everything is over. You have to believe that."She stood up, pulling him gently to his feet."Now, let's get you home. You need rest, and you need to start thinking about how you're going to move forward."As they walked away from the bridge, the weight of their shared past hung heavy between them. Zared's steps were unsteady, but he felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long while. He didn't know what the future held, but he knew he had to try. Lily's heart ached as she guided him. She wished things could have been different, that he hadn't caused so much pain. But she also knew that she couldn't let him back in
As she reached out, their hands brushed against each other. The unexpected contact sent a jolt through her, and she instinctively pulled back, causing the hot coffee to spill all over Aaron. Aaron jumped up, more out of surprise than pain, while Lily's eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. Her heart started to race, and she felt a familiar, suffocating panic beginning to rise. Images from her past flashed before her eyes. She remembered a similar incident with Zared, one that had ended in a shouting match and left her feeling small and terrified. The fear of a similar reaction from Aaron gripped her, and she began to hyperventilate. Aaron saw the panic in her eyes and immediately tried to reassure her. "It's okay, Lily, it's just coffee," he said softly, reaching out to touch her arm. But as his hand made contact, she recoiled, stumbling backward, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "No, no, no," she whispered, shaking
She was determined to do everything in her power to support Lily. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She knew how hard it was for Lily to go through such things when it was so hard for her to watch her go through those, with a sigh she closed her eyes, deciding no matter how disturbing or hard it would be for her, she’d always be by her side through thick and thin.And Lily, though still haunted by her past, found comfort in the fact that she wasn't alone. She had a support system that cared for her deeply, she appreciated that while things might not be perfect for her right now, they were better than enough for her to go through. There was a time when she used to go through tougher situations all alone, without having anyone by her side, but now that she’s learned to handle things on her own, god had sent people for her, who care for her, to be by her side. She wished she had found them when she needed someone the most, when everyt
“I know, I know and I feel really really ashamed of this fact, but,I-I want to be with Lily okay, I support her, I am with her and I’ll always be with her, I’ll not let go even if Zared offers me a gazillion pounds.I revealed myself and left him the moment I got to know about what he did with Lily.” “That’s good.” “That’s it then? That was how you know Lily and this was how I know her.” “Yeah, I guess.” “You guess?” “I mean yeah.” “Is there anything you’re leaving out ?” “What? No, why are you being so weird?” “Because,Aaron.” She shrugged at him. “What?” “You stayed with Lily, in your dad’s house, I mean-” “Nothing happened, Clara.” Clara raised her brows as she stared at Aaron knowingly. “I’m being honest, nothing happened between us, I had just got her away from a rapist, she was raped, I wouldn't take advantage of her weakness.” “Oh…” Aaron nodded looking at his coffee. “She doesn't deserve Zared.” Clara said, looking into the distance. “Oh she de
“Glad.” Aaron said.”I never saw you at the campus.” “I haven't been able to attend for a few days.” “Oh, that’s fine.” “I’m gonna go from next week, I hope I haven't missed much.” “I can collect and provide you with the notes, if you want?” “That’d be great, thank you so much, you know anyone in my department?” “Oh, I know everyone in every department.” “Very social.” “I am, actually, I used to go up to everyone and make them my friend when I first joined, so that I never feel lonely on campus, if my best buddy doesn't come, I have plenty of people to pass my time with.” “That’s a good idea.” Lily laughed. “Do you have any friends there?” “Quite a few, but I don't know anyone very personally, just buddies.” “You hang out alone at the university then?” “Yeah, most of the time.” “We can hang out together, you know? I’m bored of my old friends anyways, I would love to keep you company.” “Sounds great, we can do that. But, just so you know, I hang out alone by choice." She
“Zared, what do you want?” Lily interrupted, her patience wearing thin. “I’ve told you, I need space. I’m trying to move on and focus on my life.” “I know, but I can’t stop thinking about what happened. I want to make things right, can we meet, please?” he pleaded. Lily’s grip tightened on the phone. “You can’t just keep calling me and expect everything to be okay. You’ve done enough damage. I don’t have the time or energy to deal with this right now.” There was a pause on the other end of the line. “I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just—” “Goodbye, Zared,” Lily said, cutting him off. She hung up the phone, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. The call had shaken her, bringing back memories she was desperately trying to bury. She stared at her textbooks, but the motivation to study had evaporated. Her thoughts were a storm of emotions, frustration, anger, sorrow. She wanted to move on, to focus on her future, but Z
"I’m always here, Lily." Just then, Clara came from behind Aaron. “And if he’s not, I am. What is going on here ?” She asked, looking at both of them with curious eyes. “I am here though, and nothing, we were just chatting and I was letting her know that we were here for her anytime she needed us.” "Oh, great, do you want some tea? I've just put the kettle on." Lily managed a small smile. "Sure, Clara. That sounds nice." Aaron gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before they both headed to the kitchen. As they sat down with Clara, the warmth of friendship and support surrounded Lily, giving her the strength she needed to face whatever came next. After tea, Lily decided to try to study again. Aaron was in his room and so was Clara. The night passed as each of them lay with their worries under their pillows. The next morning, Zared woke up to his dog jumping on his chest to wake him up. He smiled and wiped his face as he recalled the events of the previous day. He had called
Meanwhile Zared, who caught sight of her couldn't just sit there with the information of her being at the same place as him. Maybe it’s a sign? He asked himself, feeling the excitement and hope within him, he couldn't contain them anymore, he had to get up and approach her, he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He waited for her to be seated with her coffee and as soon as she did, he didn't miss a beat to go up to her. “Riley.” He called her as he stood in front of her. Clara lifted her head up to look at him. “What do you want? And I’m Clara.” She demanded rudely. “Right, I’m sorry.” He apologized nervously “Clara, can we talk ?” “What for ? I don't go around talking to r*pists just so you know.” “Clara, please, may I ?” He asked, pointing at the seat in front of her. She nodded at him, sighing. “I’ll get to the point and not waste your time,look ...Clara....I know you hate me but...I'm not the same person anymore...trust me,I'm not lying." "What.do.you.