The city was loud that day.
Too loud.
People rushed past me, phones in hand, lives moving forward—but inside me, everything felt stuck.
Riya hadn't replied.
Not to my good morning text.
Not to my follow-up message.
Nothing.
I told myself not to overthink. But the city teaches you one thing very well—silence usually means something.
The Unanswered Messages
By evening, my patience was gone.
I wasn't angry.
I was worried.
I finally called her.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped.
No answer.
That tight feeling in my chest returned—the same one I thought had faded after we held hands, after she said she wanted to walk this path with me.
What changed?
The Truth Comes Sideways
Later that night, while walking home, I saw her.
She was standing across the street, talking to a guy.
Too close.
Too familiar.
The city lights reflected on the wet road, blurring everything—but not my thoughts.
I stopped.
I didn't wave.
I didn't interrupt.
I just watched.
She laughed softly at something he said.
That hurt more than I expected.
Walking Away
I turned around before she could notice me.
Maybe it wasn't what it looked like.
Maybe I was overthinking.
But emotions don't wait for logic.
The city swallowed me as I walked, each step heavier than the last.
A Message at Night
Just as I reached home, my phone buzzed.
Riya: "I'm sorry. Today was complicated."
I stared at the screen for a long time.
Me: "I saw you."
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Then finally:
Riya: "It's not what you think."
That sentence.
It never feels reassuring.
The Conversation
We met later that night near the riverwalk.
She looked tired. Not guilty. Not distant. Just… drained.
"You should've told me," I said calmly.
"I wanted to," she replied. "But I didn't know how."
She took a deep breath. "That guy… he's someone from my past again. He keeps showing up. I didn't laugh because I was happy—I laughed because I didn't know how else to react."
I stayed silent.
Not because I didn't believe her—but because I didn't know how to process my own feelings.
Jealousy Meets Fear
"I'm not angry," I said finally. "I'm scared."
She looked at me, surprised.
"I don't want to be the guy who overthinks every moment. But I also don't want to pretend I don't feel anything."
Her eyes softened. "I never meant to hurt you."
"I know," I replied. "But silence does."
Choosing Honesty
She stepped closer. "I need time, Tom. To close some doors properly."
I nodded slowly. "And I need honesty. Even when it's uncomfortable."
She nodded back. "I can do that."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The city watched again.
Not an Ending
We didn't hold hands this time.
We didn't smile much.
But we didn't walk away either.
Sometimes, love isn't about happy moments.
Sometimes, it's about surviving the uncomfortable ones.
As she left, she turned back. "Please don't give up on me."
I replied quietly, "Just don't shut me out."
That Night
Lying in bed, I realized something important.
Jealousy doesn't mean lack of trust.
It means you care.
And silence…
Silence is the real enemy.
Episode 12 Hook
Will Riya be able to fully let go of her past?
Can Tom handle loving someone with unfinished chapters?