Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Unraveling Threads

Deen sat on the edge of his bed, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his chest. The laughter and joy he had felt earlier now felt like distant memories, replaced by an aching void where Thai's presence once filled his life. He couldn't shake the image of Thai's hurt expression as he walked away, tears stinging the corners of his eyes.

Lila's arrival had been a surprise, but it had turned into a catastrophe. Deen felt a surge of frustration at himself for letting the situation spiral out of control. He knew he needed to face Lila.

He took a deep breath and texted her: "Can we talk?"

They met at a quiet café, the aroma of coffee and baked goods filling the air. Deen fidgeted in his seat, anticipation and dread swirling within him. Lila arrived, looking apologetic and sincere.

"Hey, Deen," she said softly, sliding into the seat across from him. "I'm really sorry for what happened. I didn't know. I thought you two were just friends."

"I should've said something," Deen admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I didn't want to complicate things. And now... I feel like I've lost him again."

Lila nodded, her eyes filled with regret. "I really didn't mean to ruin anything between you two. I was just excited to see you, and it slipped out. I can't believe I made it worse."

"Yeah, it really hurt him," Deen said, his heart heavy. "I think I need to end things with you."

The words hung in the air, thick with unspoken feelings. Lila blinked, and he could see the disappointment wash over her. "I understand. I should've been more considerate. I didn't know he was your ex. I really do care about you, Deen."

"Me too," he replied, his voice breaking. "But I can't focus on anything else right now. I need to fix things with Thai."

Lila leaned forward, her expression resolute. "If that's what you want, I'll help you. I promise. You deserve to be happy, Deen."

"Thank you," he said, grateful for her support even as his heart ached with the weight of loss.

After their conversation, Deen and Lila agreed to part as friends. It felt bittersweet, but Deen was relieved to have cleared the air. He was grateful for her understanding, but his heart was still set on one thing: winning Thai back.

Days turned into weeks, and despite Lila's encouragement and support, every attempt Deen made to reach out to Thai was met with silence. He'd send messages, hoping for a response, but each one only deepened the chasm between them. Thai had built walls that seemed insurmountable.

One evening, Deen stood outside Thai's apartment building, his heart racing. He knew it was a long shot, but he couldn't bear to leave things as they were. Gathering his courage, he pressed the doorbell and waited, anxiety gnawing at him.

Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Thai, his eyes dark and guarded. The warmth that once radiated between them was replaced by an uncomfortable tension.

"What do you want, Deen?" Thai asked, his tone flat, devoid of the affection that had once filled his voice.

"I just want to talk," Deen replied, his heart pounding. "I'm sorry about everything. Lila didn't know. It was a misunderstanding."

"Why should I believe you?" Thai shot back, anger and hurt mingling in his gaze. "You let her call you 'babe' in front of me. It felt like you moved on without me."

"No! I didn't mean for it to happen that way," Deen pleaded. "You have to know that I still love you. I never stopped."

Thai's expression faltered for a moment, vulnerability flashing in his eyes, but he quickly hardened his resolve. "I can't do this right now, Deen. I need space."

"Please, just give me a chance to explain!" Deen implored, desperation spilling from his heart.

"Why should I? You've already chosen someone else," Thai said, his voice trembling with pain.

"No, I didn't choose anyone! I was trying to figure things out!" Deen's frustration boiled over, but deep down, he knew he was losing Thai again.

"I can't forgive you right now," Thai said softly, his voice laced with sorrow. He stepped back, closing the door gently but firmly, leaving Deen standing alone in the hallway, heart shattered once more.

Feeling defeated, Deen walked away, his heart heavy with despair. He felt the weight of Lila's promise to help him, but how could he reconcile with someone who was hurting so deeply?

Later that night, Deen sat on the floor of his living room, staring blankly at the walls. He grabbed his phone, scrolling through old pictures of him and Thai—smiling faces, stolen kisses, moments that felt like lifetimes ago.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. A message from Lila popped up: "I've been thinking. Maybe we could plan something special to bring you two back together. Just let me know when you're ready."

Deen took a deep breath, hope igniting within him. Maybe it wouldn't be easy, but with Lila's support, he could fight for Thai again.

As he stared at the pictures, determination surged within him. He wasn't ready to give up. Not yet.

To Be Continued…