Chapter 43: Edited Happy Ending!

As they sat together, surrounded by the warmth of their family and friends, Jiko realized something profound. Love wasn't about sticking to a set path or following what was expected. Love was about choices—sometimes messy, sometimes imperfect—but always real. It was about the decisions they made together, the prayers they would share, and the moments where their faith would guide them through uncertainty.

And here, under the vast expanse of the night sky, with Julie's hand in his, Jiko knew that every step they had taken—no matter how difficult—had led them to this place. A place filled with hope, trust, and unwavering faith.

This was their future. And together, they would build a life—one built on love, faith, and endless possibility.

Okay, let's rewind to the past.

It was just after the marriage between Julie and Tito, a moment in time when everything felt like it was falling into place—except Julie's heart. As she stood in the quiet of her room, staring out the window, a soft knock echoed. The door creaked open, and there she was—a familiar figure, draped in flowing robes with long, dark hair cascading down her back. It was Farzana Aunt, someone who had always been there during moments of confusion and doubt in Julie's life.

Julie's lips curled into a faint smile as she turned around. "Farzana Aunt," she said, her voice a mix of relief and weariness. "I'm happy you came to our wedding."

Farzana's eyes softened as she approached, her expression filled with kindness. "You don't seem very happy, though," she said gently. "At least not as much as you should be."

Julie let out a long sigh, the weight of her hidden feelings pressing down on her chest. "Am I?" she murmured, unsure of her own emotions.

Farzana, sensing Julie's hesitation, took her hand in a comforting grip and gestured for her to sit down. "You can share everything with me, you know? As you always did when you needed guidance."

Julie sat down slowly, pulling her knees to her chest. Her mind was racing, yet her heart felt numb. "Actually…" she began hesitantly, "this marriage… it feels like it's built on lies."

Farzana's expression didn't change, but she listened intently. "Why do you say that?"

Julie took a deep breath and explained quietly, "I was never truly into Tito. And I know Tito wasn't into me. Before I started dating him, I found out he had a crush on another girl—Nadia."

Farzana's eyes flickered with interest. "And what about you? Why weren't you into Tito?"

Julie let out a small, bitter laugh. "One day, Tito saved me from a stray dog. I've always been afraid of dogs, especially strays. If one had bitten me, I could've caught rabies. I was really indebted to him. I thought that if I got along with him, I could repay him somehow. But… it never felt right."

She paused, letting the memories wash over her. "Every conversation, every interaction—it all seemed forced. Our only connection was through his brother. Jiko."

Farzana tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "And what happened after that?"

Julie's gaze dropped, and her voice grew softer. "At first, we fought a lot—Jiko and I. We argued about everything, trivial things. I thought maybe that's just how it would be. But over time… I started feeling something I didn't understand. It wasn't hatred or dislike—it was just… uncomfortable. Strange."

Farzana remained silent, listening carefully.

"And then," Julie continued, "he started pulling away. I couldn't even figure out why. And eventually, I got frustrated. I figured if I made him jealous, if I hung out with his brother—Tito—it would fix things."

Farzana's expression grew gentle. "And did it work?"

Julie's lips tightened, and she shook her head. "It backfired. Instead of bringing us closer, it made things worse. He got distant, colder. And I—I started spending time with Tito, not because I liked him, but because it felt like the only thing I could do. Eventually, it spiraled out of control."

Julie's voice trailed off, and her eyes grew distant, reflecting the ache in her heart.

Farzana sighed deeply and shook her head slowly. "You know what you're saying, right? You're speaking of something that goes against what's right. You are speaking of sin."

Julie's gaze snapped back to Farzana, and she gave a small, embarrassed nod. "I know."

Farzana leaned closer, her expression soft but serious. "What do you want to do now?"

Julie's voice trembled as she answered, "If I could go back—if I could make things right— I would change everything. I would do everything differently."

Farzana's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Okay. I'll grant you that wish."

Before Julie could react, the air around her began to shimmer, the light swirling into a vortex—glimmering and chaotic, it pulled at her, threatening to consume her entire being. Julie's heart raced as she struggled against it, but it was no use. Slowly, she was sucked into the vortex—her body vanishing into nothingness.

—---

Meanwhile, Jiko was staring out of his bedroom window, lost in thought. The night was quiet, and the soft glow of the city lights below seemed to offer little comfort. He had been thinking—more like wrestling—with his emotions lately. His heart felt heavy, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Suddenly, without warning, a similar vortex appeared before him—a swirling mass of light and energy. Jiko's eyes widened in shock and confusion as it began to pull him in, twisting and churning around him. He stumbled back, trying to resist, but the force was too strong. In an instant, he was sucked into the vortex, vanishing into the unknown.

—---

Few seconds ago, back in Julie's room, Farzana chuckled softly to herself, a mischievous gleam in her eye. She turned towards Jiko's window, her expression thoughtful. Another vortex began to materialize, glowing faintly against the dark night sky. Farzana's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

"This should be interesting," she whispered before sending the vortex toward Jiko's open window.

As Jiko was about to brush away the night's thoughts, the vortex yanked him through, spinning wildly. His window flew open, and without warning, he was pulled inside—a whirlwind of light and energy, dragging him into the void.

—--

And so, as they are caught in this strange, otherworldly twist, Julie and Jiko find themselves traveling through time—drawn into a place where their paths can intertwine once again, but this time, perhaps, with a chance to get it righ

For those wondering if Julie remembered the previous timeline in this second go-around, and if she knew Jiko remembered too: yes, she knew everything from the start. But she never told Jiko. She knew that if she had revealed she had memories of the past, their relationship wouldn't have developed naturally, if at all. It just wouldn't have worked.