Ch 15: Twist in the story.

The closer we got, the faster time seemed to slip away. And before we knew it, our final exams were approaching.

Everyone was busy studying, and our usual conversations grew shorter. I understood her situation well as she was focused on securing her future. Afterall she aspired to be a great criminal lawyer just like her father.

Anyway her results came out among the best. I was proud of her, beyond words. All of her friends congratulated her. But she wasn't happy.

I saw it in her eyes the day she pulled me aside, away from the chatter of classmates celebrating their scores.

"I need to tell you something," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

I felt a strange feeling of suffocation in my chest. "What is it?"

She looked down for a moment, as if gathering courage. Then she met my gaze.

"I'm moving to London for my studies."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. And although I have been punched in my guts before, this time I felt it hard.

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

She kept going. "It's been decided for a while, but I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you."

I forced a smile. "It's okay. It's great, actually. You deserve this."

I swallowed hard.

"We'll make it work," I said, trying to sound confident. "Long distance isn't impossible."

Her eyes softened, but there was doubt in them.

"You really think so?"

"I do," I lied.

Because the truth was, I didn't know.

But I was willing to try because as long as we both stayed true to each other nothing could ever change between us.

I assured her that I will wait for her. Even if deep down, I feared that distance would change everything.