The sky was heavy with gray clouds, and the cold air brushed against Rima's face as she stood on the riverbank the place that had so often brought her and Marwan together for long talks and memories she once thought would never end. She looked at the flowing water as if searching for an answer there.
Marwan approached with hesitant steps, his face carrying a mix of anger and sadness. He asked in a tone he tried to keep calm: "Am I late?"
She didn't turn to look at him, her eyes still fixed on the river as she replied coldly: "Marwan… I'm tired."
Marwan frowned: "Tired? Of what?"
She finally turned to him, her eyes glistening with tears: "Of the doubts, the accusations, the way you look at me as if I'm always wrong. I can't take it anymore."
He reached out, as if trying to hold her: "I'm sorry… it was all because of my jealousy over you."
Rima shook her head sadly: "Jealousy turns into chains, and I can't live chained anymore."
He fell silent for a moment, searching for words to stop her, but she was faster. She pulled the ring off her finger, placed it in his hand, and said in a choked voice: "It's over."
Before he could respond, she turned and walked away with firm steps yet it felt as though her heart had been left there on the riverbank.
On the upper floor of the "Al-Rayan" company building, Yazan stood before Rayan's office door. He knocked softly, and Rayan's voice came: "Come in."
Yazan entered to find Rayan sitting behind his desk, reviewing some files. Rayan smiled: "Yazan, I was looking for you. Have a seat."
Yazan sat down, and Rayan closed the file: "There's a major project we'll be starting soon, and I want you to manage it."
Yazan's eyes widened in surprise: "Me?"
Rayan said confidently: "Yes, you. You have the experience and the ability, and I trust you."
Yazan let out a small sigh: "It's a big deal, Rayan… the responsibility isn't easy."
Rayan smiled: "Responsibility only goes to those who can bear it and you can."
After a moment of thought, Yazan nodded: "Alright… I'll do it."
Rayan smiled and patted his shoulder: "I knew you'd accept."
Later that day, Rahaf was quietly working at her desk when she received an internal call from Rayan's secretary, asking her to come to his office.
She knocked lightly and stepped inside: "Mr. Rayan, you asked for me?"
He gestured for her to sit, then spoke in a warm tone laced with curiosity: "I wanted to know a bit more about you… about you and Yazan, not your work."
She smiled nervously: "There's not much to know. I used to live in the countryside… and I was Yazan's neighbor for a while."
He raised an eyebrow: "Neighbor… only?"
Rahaf tried not to reveal her feelings: "Yes, just a neighbor."
Rayan smiled: "Rahaf, can we be friends?"
She answered quickly: "Of course."
Rayan said: "Good، Now that we're friends, tell me the truth about your feelings for Yazan. Friends don't hide things from each other."
Rahaf grew flustered and lowered her gaze: "At first, I was just a neighbor… but I can't deny my feelings for him have changed."
He looked at her for a few seconds before saying: "You know… I think Yazan is starting to feel the same about you in his own way. He doesn't open up easily, but his looks at you are clear."
Her eyes widened in shock, as if her heart stopped for a moment: "Please, don't tell him… I don't want our friendship to change if he finds out how I feel."
Rayan smiled calmly: "Don't worry, what's between us stays between us."
As evening approached, Yazan stood in the company's lobby, talking to an employee. Rahaf looked up from her desk and saw him from afar; their eyes met for a moment. No words were exchanged, but that fleeting glance was enough to leave its mark on them both.
Meanwhile, Rima sat in her room, staring at the empty place on her hand where the ring used to be, trying to convince herself she had done the right thing… while her heart whispered the opposite.
To be continued…