The beginning of misery

Liya had always dreamed of studying abroad. When she finally got the chance, she left everything behind—her home, her family, and the familiarity of her old life. In this new country, everything felt foreign, but Alisha made it easier.

Alisha was the kind of best friend everyone wished for—kind, full of life, and always there when Liya needed her. And then there was Milan, Alisha’s boyfriend.

At first, he was just Alisha’s boyfriend, nothing more. But the more time they spent together—the study sessions, the late-night talks when Alisha was

 asleep, the way he understood Liya’s fears of being alone in a foreign place—the more complicated things became.

Liya never meant for it to happen. She never planned to fall for Milan. But love doesn’t ask for permission.

One night, everything changed.

It was raining, and Alisha had left early from their group study session, leaving just Liya and Milan in the library. He walked her home, as he always did, but this time, when he turned to leave, he hesitated.

"Liya," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the rain. "Tell me I’m wrong for feeling this way."

She should have. She should have pushed him away, reminded him of Alisha. But instead, she looked into his eyes—those same eyes she had tried so hard to ignore—and she said nothing.

That night, they crossed a line they could never undo.

What followed was a whirlwind of stolen moments, secret glances, and guilt that ate her alive. Every time she saw Alisha smiling, laughing, trusting her blindly, the weight on her chest grew heavier.

And then, the truth came out.

Liya didn’t know how Alisha found out, but when she did, it shattered everything.

"You were my sister," Alisha’s voice broke, eyes filled with betrayal. "How could you?"

Milan tried to explain, but there was nothing to justify it. No excuse could undo the pain they had caused.

In the end, Liya lost both of them—Alisha walked away, and Milan, torn between guilt and love, left too. She was alone in a foreign country, drowning in the consequences of a love that should have never been.

And no matter how much time passed, she could never forgive herself.

Liya thought losing them both would be the worst part. She was wrong.

Alisha didn’t just walk away—she made sure Liya felt the betrayal in every way possible. Their friend group turned cold overnight. Whispers followed her in the university halls. The people she used to laugh with now looked at her like she was something disgusting, something unforgivable.

Milan had disappeared. He dropped out of their group projects, avoided the campus spots they used to visit, and left her texts unanswered. It was as if he had never existed.

And yet, every time Liya saw Alisha, she could see the pain in her best friend’s eyes—pain that she had caused.

Then, one night, everything changed again.

Liya was walking home from the library when she saw Milan standing in the rain, waiting.

"You left," she said, her voice hollow.

"I had to," he whispered. "But I can’t anymore."

The moment he stepped closer, all the pain, guilt, and longing crashed down on her. She hated herself for it, but she still loved him.

"I lost my best friend for you," she whispered. "Was it even worth it?"

Milan hesitated. And that hesitation told her everything.

Before he could speak, Alisha’s voice cut through the air.

"I knew it," she said, stepping out of the shadows, her expression unreadable. "I knew you’d come back to her."

Liya’s heart stopped. Alisha had followed her?

"You don’t even love him," Alisha continued, her voice trembling. "You just wanted something that wasn’t yours."

Tears blurred Liya’s vision. "That’s not true—"

"Then prove it," Alisha said, stepping closer. "Let him go."

Liya turned to Milan, searching for something—anything—that would make this choice easier. But all she saw was a boy torn between two girls, too weak to choose.

And in that moment, she realized… she had already lost.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped back. "Goodbye, Milan."

And for the first time since everything fell apart, she walked away first.

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