[POV. Naina]
The rain hadn't stopped all night.
I sat by my window, staring at the droplets racing down the glass, the dim glow of the city lights reflecting off the wet streets. The world outside was restless, yet inside, I was frozen—trapped in memories that refused to fade.
Memories of him.
Kilin.
His name echoed in my mind like a whisper I was too afraid to say out loud.
I had spent so long convincing myself that moving on was the right thing to do, that leaving him behind was the only way to protect myself from heartbreak. But no matter how much time passed, the ache in my chest never disappeared. If anything, it grew stronger with every passing day.
I reached for my phone, my fingers hesitating over his name in my messages.
Unread texts. Missed calls.
He had tried. Again and again.
But I had ignored them all.
Because I was scared.
Scared that if I heard his voice, all my walls would crumble. Scared that if I saw him, I'd fall all over again.
But the truth was—I had never stopped falling.
A deep breath. A decision made.
I needed to see him.
Even if it shattered me completely.
---
[POV. Kilin]
The studio was empty.
It was late, and everyone had already left, but I stayed behind, drowning in melodies and lyrics that no longer made sense.
I pressed a few keys on the piano, the soft notes filling the silence. But nothing felt right. Nothing sounded right.
Because my heart wasn't here.
It was somewhere else.
With someone else.
With her.
Naina.
I had spent months trying to reach her, only to be met with silence.
I understood why.
I had hurt her.
I had let go when I should have held on.
I had let fear dictate my choices, and in the end, I lost the one thing that truly mattered.
I dropped my head against the piano, exhaling a shaky breath.
Maybe it was time to give up.
Maybe she had really moved on.
The thought of it crushed me, but what could I do?
She deserved happiness, even if it wasn't with me.
Just as I was about to stand, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway.
At first, I thought I was imagining it.
But then the door opened—
And there she was.
Soaked from the rain.
Breathless.
Beautiful.
"Naina…" I whispered, disbelief flooding my voice.
She stood there, hesitating, as if unsure whether she had made the right decision coming here.
I rose from the piano bench, my heart pounding.
Kilin: You're here.
She bit her lip, her fingers trembling at her sides.
Naina: I… I didn't know where else to go.
Kilin: Come in.
I said softly, stepping closer.
Kilin: You're freezing.
She hesitated for a moment before finally stepping inside. The warmth of the room enveloped her, but I could see the shivers running down her spine.
I grabbed my jacket from the chair and draped it over her shoulders.
Kilin: You shouldn't have come out in this weather. You'll get sick.
She let out a quiet laugh, but it was hollow.
Naina: That's what you're worried about?
I studied her face—the dark circles under her eyes, the sadness lingering in them.
There was so much I wanted to say. So much I wanted to ask.
But instead, I whispered, "Why are you here, Naina?"
She lifted her gaze to mine, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
And then—
She broke.
Naina: I can't do this anymore, Kilin,
She confessed, her voice shaking.
Naina: I tried. I tried to move on. I told myself that it was for the best, that forgetting you would make everything easier.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Naina: But it didn't. It only made everything worse.
I took a shaky step forward.
Kilin: Naina…
Naina: I lied to myself.
She continued, her breath uneven.
Naina: I pretended that I didn't care, that I didn't miss you. But the truth is, every time my phone rang, I wished it was you. Every time I heard your name, my heart still stopped. Every time I saw the stars at night, I remembered the way you once told me I was your brightest one.
Her voice cracked.
Naina: I never stopped loving you, Kilin. Not for a second.
I felt my entire world shift.
I had dreamt of this moment a thousand times.
But hearing it now—seeing her in front of me, so vulnerable, so raw—made my chest tighten with overwhelming emotion.
I reached for her hands, hesitating for just a second before holding them in mine.
Her fingers were cold. But they still fit perfectly in mine, just like they always had.
"You don't know how much I needed to hear that," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
She let out a shaky breath. "I was scared, Kilin."
Kilin: I know.
I murmured.
Kilin: I was too.
She looked up at me, searching my face.
Naina: I don't know if we can go back to how things were.
I brushed a strand of wet hair from her face. Kilin: Maybe we don't have to.
Her brows furrowed.
Naina: What do you mean?
I smiled softly.
Kilin: Maybe we don't have to go back. Maybe we can start again.
Her lips parted slightly, as if the thought had never occurred to her.
I cupped her face gently, wiping away a tear with my thumb.
Kilin: All I know is that I don't want to live in a world where you're not in it.
She let out a shaky laugh.
Naina: That sounds dramatic.
I grinned.
Kilin: I'm an idol. Drama is kind of my thing.
A small smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes were still uncertain.
Naina: I don't want to get hurt again, Kilin.
She admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
I held her gaze.
Kilin: Then let me prove to you that I won't hurt you again.
Her breath hitched.
I leaned in slightly, pressing my forehead against hers. "I love you, Naina. I always have. And if it takes forever to make things right, then I'll wait. I'll fight for us. Just tell me you still believe in us."
She exhaled, her hands tightening around mine.
And then, she whispered—
"I do."
The words were soft, but they carried more weight than anything she had ever said before.
And just like that, the walls between us crumbled.
---
[POV: Naina]
For the first time in a long time, I let myself feel.
I let myself believe.
Because love was never meant to be easy. It was messy, painful, terrifying.
But it was also beautiful.
And if there was one thing I was sure of—
It was that my heart had always belonged to Kilin.
And it always would.
---