They hardship of fate and regrets

The months after that night were miserable for Liya.

She had lost everything—her best friend, the boy she had fallen for, and the place that once felt like home. The stares, the whispers, the loneliness—it all crushed her. Some nights, she lay awake, wondering if she had made a mistake by walking away. If she had fought harder, would things have been different?

But fate had other plans.

One evening, while sitting alone in a quiet café, drowning in her regrets, she met Zain.

He wasn’t like Milan. He wasn’t full of hesitation or guilt. He was warmth, kindness, and certainty. He saw the sadness in her before she even spoke a word.

"You look like someone who’s carrying the weight of the world," he said with a small smile. "Want to share a little of it with me?"

At first, Liya kept her walls up. But Zain didn’t push. He was just there—a presence that made her feel safe again. Slowly, she opened up. And he listened. Really listened.

For the first time in months, she laughed.

For the first time in forever, she felt something that wasn’t regret.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into something deeper. Zain was different. He didn’t make her feel like a mistake—he made her feel like a choice.

And just when she thought she had finally escaped her past, fate played its cruelest trick yet.

One night, Zain invited her over to his house for dinner. Nervous but excited, she agreed. She wanted to know everything about him.

But the moment she stepped inside, her heart stopped.

Standing across the room, holding a glass of water with pure shock in her eyes, was Alisha.

"Liya?" Alisha’s voice was barely a whisper.

Zain looked between them, confused. "Wait… you two know each other?"

Alisha’s expression darkened. "She’s the girl who destroyed my life."

Liya’s stomach dropped.

And then, the truth came crashing down.

Zain… was Alisha’s older brother.

The room was silent, suffocating.

"Tell me this is a joke," Alisha said, looking at Zain. "Tell me you’re not with her."

Zain’s face was pale, but his voice was steady. "I love her, Alisha."

Alisha let out a bitter laugh. "Of course, you do. Just like Milan did, right? Is betraying me some kind of game now?"

Liya’s hands trembled. She turned to Zain. "I didn’t know… If I had, I would’ve never—"

Zain grabbed her hand, holding her in place. "Liya, don’t."

Alisha’s voice turned sharp. "You have to choose, Zain. Me or her."

Silence.

Liya looked into Zain’s eyes, and for the first time since meeting him, she saw uncertainty. Hesitation.

Her heart clenched.

She had promised herself she would never be someone’s second choice again.

Tears welled in her eyes as she gently pulled her hand from his grip.

"I won’t make you choose, Zain," she whispered. "Because I already know the answer."

And before he could say anything, she walked away.

Liya walked away that night, but her heart never truly left.

Days passed, then weeks, and she heard nothing from Zain. No calls. No messages. Nothing. It was as if she had never existed in his life. And that hurt more than anything.

She told herself she had done the right thing. That it was better this way. But deep down, a part of her had hoped—hoped that he would fight for her. That he would prove she was worth choosing.

But he never did.

And that silence? It was killing her.

Then, one evening, as she walked through campus, she saw him.

Standing at a distance, staring at her like he had so much to say—but didn’t know how to say it.

Liya’s heart clenched. She wanted to walk away, pretend she hadn’t seen him. But before she could, he was already in front of her.

"I made a mistake," he said, his voice raw. "Liya… I should’ve fought for you."

She let out a bitter laugh. "But you didn’t."

Zain ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "I was caught between you and my sister. She’s my family. I—I couldn’t just—"

"You couldn’t just choose me," she finished for him. "I get it, Zain. I was never going to win against your sister."

He shook his head, stepping closer. "No. That’s not true."

Liya scoffed. "Then why did you let me go so easily?"

Silence. And in that silence, she found her answer.

Her chest ached, but she refused to let her voice break. "You know, Zain… I spent weeks wondering if you’d come back. If you’d fight for me the way I fought for you in my heart."

She swallowed hard. "But you didn’t. And that told me everything I needed to know."

Zain’s eyes filled with regret. "I was scared, Liya. I was scared of losing my sister. I was scared of ruining everything."

She looked at him, tears threatening to spill. "And what about losing me?"

His face crumbled. Because he knew.

He had already lost her.

Before he could say another word, Alisha’s voice cut through the air.

"Are you serious right now?"

Liya turned, her stomach sinking as she saw Alisha standing behind them.

Alisha’s face was twisted with disbelief. "So, what? You ditch me for her now? First Milan, and now my own brother?"

"Alisha, it’s not like that," Zain tried to explain.

But Alisha wasn’t listening. She turned to Liya, her voice shaking with anger. "You really don’t change, do you?"

Liya clenched her fists. "Alisha, I never meant—"

"You never meant to, but you always do," Alisha snapped. "You ruin everything. My best friend, my boyfriend, and now my brother."

Tears welled in Liya’s eyes. "I loved him."

Alisha let out a bitter laugh. "And look where that got you."

Zain stepped forward. "Alisha, stop. This isn’t fair."

Alisha’s eyes darkened. "No, what’s unfair is losing everyone I love because of her."

Liya took a shaky breath, her heart pounding. "Then hate me, Alisha. If that’s what you need, hate me. But don’t make Zain choose. You already know he won’t pick me."

Zain flinched. "Liya, don’t—"

She turned to him one last time, a sad smile on her lips. "You were supposed to fight for me, Zain. And you didn’t."

Then, before anyone could stop her, she walked away. Again.

And this time, she wasn’t waiting for him to come back.

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