Chapter 6
Fawzaan gently patted me twice before releasing me and used a tissue to wipe away my tears.
“Let’s not cry anymore, okay? How about we go eat?”
He coaxed me as if I were a child, holding my shoulders and gently guiding me forward.
He knew my preferences better than Teon. By the time I emerged from the restroom, he’d already ordered a table full of dishes, from appetizers to dessert, each one something I loved.
I stared in shock at the spread before me. I’d never told anyone what I liked to eat; even Teon only remembered a few dishes after all
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these years. How did Fawzaan know?
Reflecting on Fawzaan’s actions and words just moments ago, a ridiculous thought crossed my mind, but to be sure I wasn’t overthinking it, I cautiously asked:
“Are these your favorite dishes?”
“They’re all your favorites.”
My question was met with his clear confirmation, solidifying my suspicion.
“Fawzaan might have feelings for me!”
“I like you.””
Before I could ponder the possibility, Fawzaan directly confirmed it, leaving no doubt.
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“Huh?”
“I’ve liked you since the moment I first saw you. I volunteered to collect homework every day just for a chance to talk to you. I traded a month’s worth of snacks for the chance to sit behind you in class. Every word you’ve ever said to me is recorded in my journal, and the candies you gave me are kept in a box because I can’t bring myself to eat them…”
Fawzaan rambled on about all he’d done quietly behind the scenes. I had no idea someone had been paying attention to me so attentively for so long, nor did I know how to respond to his passionate confession.
“I’m not saying this to trouble you or to make you accept me. I just want you to know there’s someone who loves you very much, so don’t let people like Teon and Hiral bring
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you down. You deserve the best kind of love”
Fawzaan’s voice was gentle yet firm. He shared how much he liked me and highlighted all the moments he cherished about me.
Previously, I didn’t think anything could compare to Teon saying “I love you” on one knee at our wedding, but here at an ordinary restaurant, with a table of my beloved dishes and a heartfelt confession, it felt no less potent, maybe even more fulfilling.
True to his word, Fawzaan didn’t immediately ask me to be his girlfriend. Yet, every day after I returned home, he’d be there.
Sometimes it was to drop off breakfast, other times fruit, or even a cute balloon he found along the way… He somehow always found a reason to give me something and
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made me accept it with earnest insistence.
Initially, it made me uneasy, but now I even look forward to the daily surprises.
This particular day, hearing the doorbell, I eagerly ran to open it, only to find Teon standing there.
“Lyn, I need to talk to you.”
He looked utterly worn out, his hair hanging over his brow, unshaven, eyes glazed over with dark circles – a stark contrast to when I last saw him at the mall.
“What is it?”
I clung to the door handle, only half–opening the door, with no intention of letting him in.
“Can we get the divorce papers signed?”
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Teon looked awkward as he spoke.
“Sure”
I felt a rush of joy inside, finally on the brink of divorce; I’d been longing for this moment more than anyone else.
“See you at the courthouse at nine tomorrow morning.”
Having set the time with him, I quickly moved to close the door, but Teon pulled it hard enough to make me stagger backward. I caught myself against the doorframe just in time to prevent a fall.
“What are you doing?” I snapped, glaring at Teon.
“Lyn, do you still love me?”
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His question made me doubt my hearing.
“It’s ridiculous. Do you still love me?”
“Of course I do, Lyn. You’re the one I love the most, Teon declared urgently, as if the louder he spoke, the more it proved his love.
“Call Hiral right now and tell her that I’m the one you love the most.”
I watched his poor performance with cold detachment.
“You know how it is, Lyn.”
He tried to look helpless, imploring me to understand him.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care to know. Teon, you disgust me.”
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I slammed the door decisively, unwilling to listen to any further empty appeals he might cry out.
