I thought my life would be locked away in a room, with a pile of books as my only companions. But fate didn't want it that way. The clash of my lips with Miya's confirmed it.
After that first kiss, Ren didn't want to separate from Miya. He wouldn't listen to her brother's words. That kiss, and what would come after, would be only a secret between the two of them.
"Right? It's our secret," Miya asked, her eyes completely lit up, not by sadness or tears, but by pure happiness.
"Yes," Ren replied, with a shy smile.
And just like that, after those words, Ren and Miya became a couple.
***
A month had already passed. A month of a close relationship, though not as close as Miya would have wanted. Their first kiss had been on that sofa, but Ren wasn't someone who liked physical contact. If Miya had managed to kiss him that time, the kisses that followed were few. The reason wasn't just shyness, but the fact that they kept their relationship a secret.
"I'm coming," Ren said, hurrying to open the door.
On the other side was Yaina. That same morning she had told him she would come.
"Hi," Yaina greeted softly.
"Hi," Ren replied.
Ren had planned to go out with Miya, but those plans were abruptly interrupted by Yaina's arrival.
During that month, everything had been happiness for Ren: long conversations with Miya, shy hugs, shared laughter. However, when he saw his father's wife standing in front of him, he knew something wasn't right.
Even though Yaina tried to hide it with makeup and a forced smile, the exhaustion showed in her eyes.
"May I come in?"
"Yes, of course."
As they walked toward the living room, Ren's phone vibrated. It was a message from Miya.
[Let me know when Yaina leaves so I can come <3.]
Ren put the phone away immediately and sat down across from her.
"What happened, Yaina? Why are you sad?"
"Am I that obvious?"
"Yes."
She wasn't crying, but she looked on the verge of it. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"Your father… has been unfaithful to me."
"What? That's a lie, right?" Ren let out a nervous laugh, unable to believe it.
"No. A few weeks ago, I saw a message on his phone, from a girl. I didn't want to think badly, I thought it was a mistake. But yesterday…" She paused briefly. "I saw it with my own eyes. He was leaving a hotel with her."
Ren's mind turned into a whirlwind. The words didn't fit; the situation was too big, too confusing.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he finally asked. "We talked almost every day. You always told me you were fine, that everything was going great… but now…"
"I didn't want to ruin your happiness over a possible mistake. But it's not a mistake anymore," Yaina said, taking a small handkerchief out of her bag and wiping her face with it. "I left your father. I left his house, and now I have nothing."
Ren shook his head, still in disbelief.
"Maybe it wasn't like that… maybe there's an explanation."
"No? And what if this confirms it?" Yaina took out her phone and showed it to him.
On the screen, Sanli could be clearly seen leaving a hotel with another woman, holding hands.
Ren's eyes blinked rapidly. He looked down at the floor, feeling shame wash over him.
Did my father… do this? Of course he did. I wanted to believe it was a mistake, that there was some explanation. But… how could I trust someone who wasn't even there for me for years?
"I'm really sorry…"
"No, you don't have to apologize," Yaina interrupted, putting the phone away. "I don't want you to feel bad either. I think I shouldn't have come here… I shouldn't have burdened you with my problems."
Yaina slowly stood up from the sofa.
Ren reacted immediately and stood in front of her.
"Where are you going to go now, Yaina?"
She hesitated for a moment before answering, without looking him in the eyes.
"I don't know… but I think this is goodbye, Ren."
The words stayed there. Neither of them wanted to keep talking, because accepting the words that would follow meant they would be the last.
Ren knew it, but chose to ignore it.
"No, Yaina. You can't leave like this. He may be my father, but I can't allow someone I care about to be out there alone. You're staying here."
"But, Ren…"
"No," he interrupted. "I'm not doing this just for you. I'm doing it for myself too. I feel like I'm partly to blame… and I'd feel even worse if I let you leave like this."
Yaina couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears began to fall uncontrollably. Ren took a handkerchief out of his pocket, embroidered with his name. It was the first gift Miya had ever given him.
At that moment, Ren remembered Miya's words.
"If you cry, dry yourself with this handkerchief. If I cry, dry me. If someone close cries… give it to them."
Ren tried to place the handkerchief in Yaina's hand, but he didn't have time to react. In a sudden movement, she threw herself at him and kissed him.
Ren froze for a second. Then he reacted and pushed Yaina away.
With his heart pounding wildly, he said,
"What have you done?"
"Sorry… sorry, sorry, Ren," Yaina said, immediately dropping to her knees and covering her mouth with her hands. "I don't know what came over me… I'm so sorry…"
At that moment, loud knocks echoed at the front door.
Ren turned his head toward the entrance, his pulse racing.
Who could it be? My dad?
The answer came immediately.
"Ren, it's Miya. It's really hot out here… can you open the door?"
Chapter 18: Forgiveness