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Meena's shoulders shook as she spoke, words tumbling out between broken breaths.
"I… I got angry," she sobbed. "I told him we should break up—just to see if he'd stop me. Just to check if he actually cared." Her voice cracked. "But he didn't. He didn't even try."
Yunah stayed silent, letting Meena finish.
"It turns out," Meena went on, wiping her face with the back of her hand, "he never truly loved me. I always felt it. Like he was never serious about us." Her chest heaved. "He even cheated on me once. I forgave him… because I loved him so much I thought I'd die without him." Her gaze dropped to the floor."Lately, it felt like I was the only one holding us together. Like I was the relationship." She swallowed hard, then slowly lifted her eyes to Yunah. "Maybe this is my karma… for betraying you."
The room fell quiet. Noah sat a little distance away on the couch, arms crossed, jaw tight. He didn't interrupt—just listened, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp with judgment he didn't voice.
After a moment, Yunah spoke, her tone careful, measured."So," she said softly, "you suggested breaking up… to test him?"
Meena nodded weakly, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Mm."
Yunah placed a gentle hand over Meena's arm. "Why don't you talk to him again—calmly. Ask him directly if he truly wants to end things." She hesitated. "You were supposed to get married next month, Meena. Marriage isn't something to play with. You've been together for years and—"
"And in all those years," Meena cut in suddenly, her voice sharp with pain, "I was the only one in the relationship."
Yunah stopped.
"I never told you the whole truth," Meena continued, staring straight into her eyes. "Not about the past."
Yunah frowned slightly. "The truth?"
Meena took a shaky breath."I liked Gaurav before you did. Back in high school." Her voice trembled, but she didn't look away. "We used to talk long before you dated him. Letters, calls… everything. Things were good."
Yunah's expression stiffened.
"Then one day, he proposed to you." Meena let out a hollow laugh. "I was shocked. But later, he sent me a letter saying his friends set him up. That he didn't love you."
Noah's eyes darkened suddenly.
"I loved him," Meena said quietly. "I loved him from that time. He told me he was interested in me, not you. So… we started seeing each other in secret." Her voice dropped."But when you became his girlfriend publicly, I felt like nothing. Like a mistress hiding in the shadows." Tears welled up again. "I got jealous. Bitter. That day in the park… I kissed him on purpose. In front of you." She choked. "I wanted him to be only mine."
Yunah's chest tightened.
"I know I was wrong," Meena whispered. "I know. And I hate myself for it." She pressed her lips together, shaking. "But Yunah… I fell for him first. I truly loved him. I still do." Her voice broke completely. "We were supposed to get married next month. And now… it's over."
Silence pressed heavy between them.
"You should've told me back then," Yunah finally said, pain and anger mixing in her voice. "If you had told me you liked him, I would've rejected him. You know I didn't even like him at first."
Meena bowed her head. "I know." She covered her face, crying harder. "I'm sorry."
Yunah inhaled deeply, steadying herself. Then she pulled Meena into her arms.
Meena collapsed against her, sobs soaking into Yunah's nightshirt as years of guilt and heartbreak poured out.
"Let it out," Yunah whispered, gently patting her back. "Cry as much as you want. I'm here." Her own eyes shimmered. "Do what makes you happy. If you want to end this relationship, I'll support you. Don't worry about anyone else. Just…worry about yourself."
Noah watched the scene silently. The way Yunah held the girl who had hurt her. The way she chose compassion over resentment. Forgiveness over pride.
Not everyone could do that. Meena had humiliated her, betrayed her, stolen her boyfriend—and yet Yunah opened her door without hesitation, wrapped her arms around her pain, and stayed.
Something in Noah's chest shifted.
He didn't just admire her now. He fell for her—deeper than before.
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The next morning, Yunah stepped out of her room, arms stretching above her head as a yawn slipped past her lips. She was still half-asleep when a scene in the kitchen stopped her in her tracks—and instantly softened her morning.
Noah stood beside her mother at the counter, sleeves rolled up, stirring something on the stove while her mom chopped vegetables. The two of them were laughing, talking nonstop, perfectly in sync. Yunah smiled without realizing it… until she heard her mother's voice.
"And when she was little, she once cried for two hours just because—"
"Mom!" Yunah rushed forward, mortified. "Why are you telling him my embarrassing childhood stories?"
Her mother only laughed, unfazed. "Embarrassing? I haven't even reached the worst ones yet."
"The worst ones?" Noah echoed, eyes lighting up as he looked between them. "Now I'm curious."
Before her mother could continue, Yunah grabbed a freshly cut apple slice from the bowl and gently but firmly pressed it into her mom's mouth.
"I told you to stop," Yunah warned, shooting Noah a glare. "And you—why are you encouraging her? Do you enjoy hearing about my childhood disasters?"
Noah stiffened under her offended stare, forcing a small, nervous smile."I just wanted to know about your childhood, di," he said softly. "If you don't like it… I won't ask anymore." He turned back to the stove, stirring the soup a little too carefully.
Her mother swallowed the apple and laughed. "Alright, alright. By the way—did you and Meena finally reconcile?"
"Hm." Yunah nodded. "She came last night and apologized. I forgave her."
"Oh?" her mother said, hopeful. "Then what was it that caused such a big fight between you two?"
Yunah smiled faintly. "Let's not talk about the past."
At that moment, Meena stepped out of Yunah's room. Her hair was messy, her face tired, guilt written all over her expression.
"You're awake," Yunah said warmly, as if nothing had ever broken between them.
Meena looked even more ashamed at that kindness.
"G-Good morning, auntie," she murmured.
"Good morning, Meena," Yunah's mom replied cheerfully. "It's been so long. Come, sit. I'll serve you breakfast."
Meena sat at the table but kept her gaze lowered, unable to meet Yunah's eyes.
"You must be very nervous about the marriage, Meena," her mom said casually.
The moment Yunah's mom mentioned marrage, the air in the kitchen shifted instantly.
Yunah nudged her mother with her elbow, subtle but urgent. Her mom frowned, confused—until Meena spoke.
"I'm… going to cancel the wedding."
Silence swallowed the room.Yunah and Noah already knew—but her mother froze, stunned.
"Aigoo…" she said softly after a moment. "That's okay. Truly. If the man isn't right for you, then you're doing the right thing. Cancel it. Auntie will always support you."
Meena's eyes filled immediately. Tears spilled before she could stop them.
Yunah moved to her side and took her hand.
"Everything will be fine," she said firmly. "We're with you. Stop crying. Come with us on the campaign today—forget everything. Gaurav doesn't deserve your tears. Let's show him what he lost. You're not someone who begs to be loved."
Meena finally looked up at her, a shaky smile breaking through as she wiped her tears herself.The heaviness slowly lifted. Laughter returned as breakfast was served, the kitchen filling with warmth and chatter.
"I swear," Yunah's mom said teasingly, "if Noah were Yunah's age, I'd have forced him to be my son-in-law."
Noah smiled, unoffended. "That would be my honor, auntie. And honestly… age is just a number. I can adjust if you want."
Her mom laughed, missing the seriousness in his tone.
Yunah, however, nearly choked on her coffee."Mom! Stop teasing him. And Noah—why are you encouraging her?!"
Meena leaned closer, whispering, amused. "Your mom doesn't know about you two?"
"No," Yunah whispered back. "If she finds out he's younger, she'll probably get a heart attack."
Meena chuckled just as Yunah's mom narrowed her eyes."What are you two whispering about so secretly?"
"Nothing," Yunah replied quickly, focusing on her plate.
Breakfast continued—easy laughter, warm food, a sense of normalcy. But inside Yunah's room, her phone screen lit up.
Unknown Number:Hi Yunah. It's me.