"What turn will our relationship take? How will it end? Will she accept my love, or will I have to bury my feelings for her? Why does this always happen to me? Why am I always at the edge? Why am I the one that's likely to fall? Why can't it be different?" Vicky's thoughts swirled in his mind like a tornado, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
He slammed his head on the bed and screamed into the foam, his heart shattered into a million pieces. The pain was suffocating, and he felt low and depressed. The weight of his unrequited love was crushing him, and he didn't know how to escape.
Vicky stood up from his bed, his movements mechanical, and headed to his mother's room. As he reached her room, he stood at the door, watching his mother grimace in pain as she touched her right knee. She was trying to lay down on her bed, but the pain was evident on her face. Vicky's eyes sank in, his countenance fell, and he rushed into her room to give her support.
"Mom, is it hurting that much?" Vicky inquired, his voice low and laced with concern. He helped his mother lay down and sat on the floor, moving close to her.
"No, son...I just felt a slight pain, that's all," Caroline replied, trying to brush it off. But Vicky knew better. He saw the pain in her eyes, and it broke his heart.
"Mom, please don't pretend. I saw you; you were in pain. I..." Vicky's voice trailed off as his mother interrupted him.
"Vicky, I told you I'm fine," Caroline said firmly, but her eyes betrayed her words.
"Mom, I'm already earning now. I have just enough for your treatment," Vicky said, his desperation evident.
"No, son...don't waste your money on me. I'm old now. All I want is for you to be happy, and I'm good," Caroline said, her voice softening. Vicky's face fell, and he felt a pang of frustration.
"Mum, I won't be happy if you're in pain. What..." Caroline cut him off again.
"Vicky, what's the problem? Something's troubling you," Caroline asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Vicky sighed, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside him. "Mum, I'm worried about you, that's the only problem I have now," he said, trying to brush off his concerns.
"Don't lie to me, Vicky. What's really troubling you?" Caroline's voice was firm but gentle.
Vicky sighed again, feeling the weight of his emotions. "Mum, I'm confused...I don't know what to do," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"What's causing the confusion?" Caroline inquired gently.
"Love...it's love, Mum," Vicky cried out, feeling the weight of his emotions.
"Is it about that girl?" Caroline asked, her expression softening.
"Yes, Mum...I love her, but she doesn't feel the same way I feel," Vicky said, pouring his heart out. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.
"How do you know that? She doesn't feel the same?" Caroline asked, her brow furrowed in concern.
"Mum, I confessed my feelings to her, but she...didn't accept my love, Mum. She said she can't love me. I approached her again, and she shut me off. She called later to apologize, but she wasn't really clear about what she felt. I'm really confused," Vicky explained, feeling the sting of rejection all over again.
Caroline's expression turned thoughtful. "Vicky, you took a major step by confessing your love. Not everyone can do that. It's a brave step. She shutting you off doesn't mean she doesn't like you. Maybe she was just uncertain about how she would reply. She apologized, meaning she didn't mean to react the way she did. It's a sign that she feels something for you, but she doesn't want to express it. It's like she's shy, or maybe she just doesn't know how to put it," Caroline said, offering words of encouragement.
Vicky's face lit up with hope. "So what should I do, Mum? Should I keep pushing or should I give up?"
"Giving up is not an option, Vicky. I haven't met her, but it seems she's perfect for you. I don't want you to lose this opportunity. You must find out what she really feels and why she doesn't want to tell you what's deep in her heart," Caroline said firmly.
Vicky took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. "Mum..."
"Do you love her?" Caroline inquired, her eyes locked on his.
"Yes, Mum...I love her," Vicky replied without hesitation
"Do you want to be with her?" Caroline asked, her eyes filled with a deep understanding.
"Yes, Mum...I want to be with her," Vicky replied, his voice filled with conviction.
"Then keep pushing, it will work out," Caroline said with a gentle smile, her words infused with a sense of hope and encouragement.
Vicky took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination and renewed spirit. He looked at his mother, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thanks, Mum...you've really lifted my spirit," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Caroline's face softened, and she smiled warmly at her son. "I'm happy you're happy," she said, her voice filled with love and warmth.
But Vicky's concern for his mother's well-being quickly resurfaced. "Mum, please let's get your leg treated," he urged, his brow furrowed with worry.
Caroline's expression turned firm, and she waved her hand dismissively. "Vicky, I'm fine...don't worry," she said, her voice gentle but resolute.
Vicky's face fell, and he tried to persuade her again. "But Mum..."
Caroline's voice was firm. "I said don't worry, Vicky. I'm fine. Go to your room and have some rest," she said, her eyes softening slightly.
Vicky knew better than to argue with his mother when she had made up her mind. He reluctantly agreed, and Caroline urged him back to his room. As he left, Caroline's expression changed, and she looked up at the ceiling, her eyes filled with a deep longing. "Oh heavens, grant my son all the happiness in the world...may he not experience what he experienced the last time," she whispered, her voice barely audible.